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Glittering ceremony opens Beijing Olympics
The eyes of the world were on Beijing today as a glittering opening ceremony heralded the start of the Games.
An audience of 91,000, including many of the world's heads of state, were in the Bird's Nest stadium for the ceremony.
American president George Bush, Russian prime minister, Vladimir Putin, and France president Nicolas Sarkozy were among the dignitaries while Britain was represented by Olympics minister Tessa Jowell - Gordon Brown is coming to the closing ceremony.
After a build-up dominated by pollution worries, and the occasional protest by human rights campaigners, organisers were relieved to get the ceremony under way.
Some measures of pollution were almost four times the World Health Organisation recommended level, and visibility in the Chinese capital was as poor as it has been for a fortnight.
The threat of rain appeared to have receded however, despite some gloomy forecasts.
The opening was to be carried out by Hu Jintao, president of the People's Republic of China, as part of a ceremony last three-and-a-half hours.
Jacques Rogge, president of the International Olympic Committee, said in the official programme: "Tonight we will witness history being made.
"For the first time, the Olympic Games are in China, marking not only a major milestone for the Chinese sports movement but also for the entire Olympic movement.
"For 16 days, the Beijing Games will not only be a moment of sporting excellence, they will also be the discovery of other countries and will allow us to share the passion that only an event like the Olympic Games can bring to life."
The Chinese authorities imposed the strictest of security precautions and deployed an extra 100,000 soldiers and police on the streets.
Beijing's international airport was closed for the duration of the ceremony, and a no-fly zone imposed in the air above the city.
The Bird's Nest stadium was protected by rows of tall fences, surveillance cameras and anti-aircraft missile batteries.
A blast of fireworks began the ceremony, followed by 2,008 drummers playing a fou - a Chinese percussion instrument - in perfect unison.
The spectacular continued with 29 giant firework 'footprints' - representing the number of modern Olympic Games - from the centre of Beijing to the stadium.
A light-show followed, with giant illuminated Olympic rings being raised up from the floor of the stadium.
The sheer scale of the ceremony - a total of 10,300 performers took part - must have made it a daunting sight for the observers from the London 2012 organising committee.
The cost of the event must have been staggering, too, but the Chinese authorities have refused to say what the total bill for the opening ceremony is.
Swimmer Mark Foster carried the flag for the Great Britain team, who were cheered on their arrival into the stadium.
Roger Federer was Switzerland's flag-bearer while the USA's choice was Sudan-born 1500 metre runner Lopez Lomong, a refugee from the Darfur conflict.
That was potentially embarrassing for the hosts given that China has close ties with Sudan, but the USA team still received a warm welcome, as did Iraq's small team.
Tennis players Andy and Jamie Murray were among those that took part in the British team's march-past.
The biggest cheer, naturally, was reserved for the entrance of the Chinese team, led by their giant basketball superstar Yao Ming, who plays for Houston Rockets in the NBA.This was my medal - Foster
Mark Foster revelled in the breathtaking experience of leading Great Britain into Beijing's spectacular opening ceremony and declared: "If I never win an Olympic medal, that was my Olympic medal."
The 38-year-old swimmer, appearing at his fifth Olympic Games, discovered on Wednesday he had been nominated by the rest of Team GB to carry the Union Jack.
And he compared the honour with the best moments of a long and glittering career in the pool.
Foster has won 47 major titles, set 19 national records and five world records. The only item missing from that CV is an Olympic medal.
But Foster felt he experienced his ultimate Olympic moment in the Bird's Nest tonight, where he followed in the footsteps of legendary Britons like Sir Steven Redgrave and Matthew Pinsent.
"This goes alongside everything I have ever done in sport. There have only ever been 29 flag-bearers for Britain and they have been some very illustrious names," Foster told PA Sport from inside the stadium.
"If I never win an Olympic medal, that was it. That was my Olympic medal.
"I have had so many texts and phone calls from friends and family telling me to enjoy every minute of it and I have. It has been an amazing experience.
"I was pretty nervous coming through the tunnel but it took my breath away when I saw 90,000 people. We had such a great reception."
Princess Anne, an Olympian in 1976, rose to her feet in the stands to wave and welcome the British team into the stadium - not that Foster could pick her out in the crowd.
"I didn't know where to look," he laughed.
Foster's bid for a first Olympic medal gets under way on Friday - which is just as well, as the anticipation of carrying the flag is all he been thinking about since Wednesday.
"Everything has been focused on tonight. It has been a huge honour. My arms are getting a bit sore now. Tomorrow I will have a massage, do some weights and start turning my mind completely to the swimming."
Foster was the first swimmer to carry the flag since Anita Lonsbrough at the Tokyo Olympics in 1964 - and he did so just months after coming out of retirement.
Last year Foster spent more time at the gym to stay in shape for his modelling career than he did in the pool.
But in the months since returning to competitive action, Foster has broken the British 50 metres freestyle record, returned to the world top 10 and qualified for the Olympics.
A medal would round off the perfect comeback.
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Weather for Yorkshire
Saturday 26 May 2012
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Temperature: 8 C to 21 C
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