Opening ceremony hailed as 'success'

The Olympic Games are underway in Beijing after an opening ceremony that featured thousands of drummers, floating Olympic rings and a glowing globe around which ran runners who seemed to defy gravity.

The ceremony culminated in the cauldron being lit by Chinese gymnastics champion and sportswear businessman Li Ning, who was suspended from, and appeared to run around, the roof of the National Stadium in Beijing.

More than 90,000 people were in the stands to watch the ceremony that launched the 29th Olympic Games.

China's President Hu Jintao declared the games officially open, after an invitation from the head of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Jacques Rogge.

Mr Rogge acknowledged that China had for years dreamed of hosting the Games.

"Tonight, that dream comes true," he said. "Congratulations, Beijing!"

Thousands of athletes marched into the National Stadium, known popularly as 'the bird's nest', to witness the official opening.

Australia was among the last of the teams to enter the stadium, arriving before Zambia and host nation China.

Six-time Olympian James Tomkins led more than 200 Australian athletes into the stadium as flag bearer.


China's team of more than 600 competitors was last to enter the stadium to huge cheers from the crowd.

Basketballer Yao Ming led the team alongside Lin Hao, a primary school student from the quake-devastated Sichuan province.

Mr Rogge said the focus should now be on sport.

"I say to the athletes, 'These games were created for you'," he said.

"'These games belong to you. Let them be the athletes' Games - have fun.'"

But the IOC chief said that enjoyment of the competition also comes with responsibility, and called on athletes to reject doping and cheating.

"Remember that you are role models for the youth of the world," he said.

"Make us proud of your achievements and conduct."

China has spent about $40 billion to host the games in an event seen by some observers as a 'coming out' party for the communist nation.

Much of last night's ceremony was devoted to highlighting China's history and culture and its role in the development of technologies like gunpowder and writing.

But more controversial aspects of Chinese history, such as the Cultural Revolution and its invasion by Japan, were left out along with overt references to Communism or its Chinese founders.

Organisers have labelled the ceremony a big success.

Ceremony director Zhang Yimou says he feels he has done his job.

"We have one target, one goal - that is to show the world an excellent opening ceremony; we have done that," he said.

"For our team, it is a very memorable day for us. After many years of hard effort, we know this ceremony is a full success."

Despite forecasts of rain, the weather remained dry although humid and overcast throughout the ceremony.

A heavy mist that had hung over Beijing for much of the day had cleared slightly by the evening, which culminated in a spectacular display of fireworks.

In Beijing, spectators gathered to watch the ceremony on large outdoor screen, cheering at times and booing at others.

When the national teams walked in, most were cheered, but when United States President George Bush appeared on camera, the crowd booed.

On the other hand, they cheered Russian leader Vladimir Putin and went awkwardly quiet when France's Nicolas Sarkozy stood up.

Then the Chinese team entered the stadium and everyone stood up cheering and chanting.

Elsewhere, spectators clashed with the authorities when guards tried to stop them getting into Tiananmen Square to watch the fireworks.