Opening Ceremony Kicks Off Olympics

OLYPlusSelectPlusSportsOpening Ceremony Kicks Off OlympicsOpening Ceremony Kicks Off OlympicsThe Associated PressOnce-reclusive China commandeered the world stage Friday, celebrating its first-time role as Olympic host with a stunning display of pageantry and pyrotechnics to open the Summer Games. (Aug. 8)[Notes:ANCHOR VOICE] [Notes:man with novelty 08-08-2008 glasses]This man's novelty glasses say it all - at 8:08 on 8-8-08 the opening ceremony kicked off for the Beijing Olympics. [Notes:Olympic scenes] The number is considered lucky by the Chinese - and the Asian nation is proudly set to show off to the world. [Notes:couple with Chinese and US flag and tickets in hand]It's typical for tickets to the ceremony to go quickly, lucky ticket holders proudly show off their passes before heading inside for the festivities. [Notes:performers head in - FROM GVW] The ceremony has been a well-guarded secret, but some of the performers headed into the Olympic Stadium offer a sneak peak. [Notes:Stadium wide shot - other scenes]The stadium is called the Bird's Nest because of its shape. It's one of the many sights around Beijing put in place for the games.And then there are the tourists - from all over the world. Kirk Patrick traveled from Harrisburg, Pennsylvania to see the sights.SOT: Kirk Patrick, Tourist from Harrisburg, PA: "We've been planning to be here for several years, and it's just exciting to be in Beijing, and to meet the people and see the games. And we're very excited." [Notes:night shots] As night fell, fireworks lit up the sky outside the stadium where the ceremony will be held, where colored lights shone brightly over Beijing.The pomp and circumstances kick off the Games of the 29th Olympiad - which last until the 24th. ___ ___, The Associated Press

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• olympics
• opening
• ceremony
• kicks

[niki1mimikou]

greece was much better!!!

[Waynehwang17]

Most of Chinese people were very friendly, how about other countrys? You have to self-examination . I think one world , one dream will not far from us any more. IF some 'Human Rights countrys' dont make any wars. The world will be peace and peace.

[wigglemaster5000]

@chandranale I dont appreciate you calling my house and saying I am a faggot. I am going to kick your butt buddy.

[wigglemaster5000]

@Waynehwang17 WOW what a idiot. They still stone each other.

[chandranale]

really good video! Thanks for sharing :)

[masticatedaily1]

China cheated, one guy shot a US coach, another US guy was shot, and most importantly, China is a Communist Dictatorship, emphasis on "Dic"!

[chefbryant728]

ONLY CHINA CAN BEAT CHINA!!!

[raoulhery]

China beating USA on medals table is unfair!!! USA won on the major events athletism, basket, swimming! chinese people are winning on lame sport nobody watch like badminton, gym or ping pong!

[MsQuince]

@IceBloose i like uk to...but i think the best olympics until now is from greece.....had the perfect spirit...and the o.g started there

but i wish to UK good luck

:)

[IceBloose]

@mixalis221 i dont think technology is the main theme at beijing's opening ceremony. as a matter of fact, china used actual people to show these computer-generated scenes. it was their hard work, not tech. it was the display of chinese culture, history and customs fascinated me. i mean, we have seen UK's 10 mins at the closing ceremony, and it wasnt the best they could do. i was just hoping that they could do a better job in 2012. i love UK, i used to live there. there's no way i would mock UK.

[mixalis221]

@IceBloose what have the UK to saw? and what to catch up from china?the technology you mean? that is the opening ceremony for you? technology ceremony you have no idea for Olympics i think

[mixalis221]

china do great job but ceremony from Greece and Sydney is the best until now

they don't show culture only technology i sleep in the half on ceremony

is bad for the people how wanna travel to china only for technology cause that the china people pass outside , they saw the technology out side and nothing else and its bad this and ofc don't want to talk for democracy .........