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August 8, 2008 (Use j/k keys to navigate)   Email to a friend    Permalink

2008 Olympics Opening Ceremony

Beijing held its formal opening ceremony today for the 2008 Summer Olympics. The ceremony, held in the National Stadium known as the Bird's Nest, was attended by thousands, and watched by millions more on television. Below are some highlights of the nearly 4-hour performance. (24 photos total)

A dancer performs during the Opening Ceremony for the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics at the National Stadium on August 8, 2008 in Beijing, China. (Jeff Gross/Getty Images)

Drummers perform during the Opening Ceremony for the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics at the National Stadium on August 8, 2008 in Beijing. (Adam Pretty/Getty Images)

An artist in a space suit performs during the Opening Ceremony for the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics at the National Stadium on August 8, 2008 in Beijing. (Vladimir Rys/Bongarts/Getty Images)

Fireworks explode over the National Stadium during the Opening Ceremony for the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games at the National Stadium on August 8 in Beijing. (Clive Rose/Getty Images)

Artists perform during the opening ceremony of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games at the National Stadium, also known as the "Bird's Nest", on August 8, 2008. The three-hour show at Beijing's iconic national stadium was set to see more than 15,000 performers showcase the nation's ancient history and its rise as a modern power. (AFP PHOTO / Olivier Morin)

Percussionists take part in the opening ceremony of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games in Beijing on August 8, 2008. (FABRICE COFFRINI/AFP/Getty Images)

Percussionists hit their Fou drums at the start of the opening ceremony of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games in Beijing on August 8, 2008. (AFP PHOTO / Joe Klamar )

Percussionists with their Fou drums stand prior to the opening ceremony of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games in Beijing on August 8, 2008. (AFP PHOTO / Jewel Samad)

Artists perform around an illuminated Globe during the Opening Ceremony for the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics at the National Stadium on August 8, 2008 in Beijing. (Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

Artists perform during the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games opening ceremony on August 8, 2008 at the National Stadium in Beijing. Over 10,000 athletes from some 200 countries are going to compete in 38 differents disciplines during the event, between August 9 to 24. (WILLIAM WEST/AFP/Getty Images)

The Olympic rings are illuminated during the Opening Ceremony for the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics at the National Stadium on August 8, 2008 in Beijing. (Photo by Adam Pretty/Getty Images)

Artists underneath movable boxes perform during the Opening Ceremony for the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics at the National Stadium on August 8, 2008 in Beijing. (Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

Martial arts dancers perform during the Opening Ceremony for the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics at the National Stadium on August 8, 2008 in Beijing. (Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

Lighted dancers perform during the opening ceremony for the Beijing 2008 Olympics in Beijing, Friday, Aug. 8, 2008. (AP Photo/David Phillip)

Drummers perform during the Opening Ceremony for the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics at the National Stadium on August 8, 2008 in Beijing. (Vladimir Rys/Bongarts/Getty Images)

Artists perform during the Opening Ceremony for the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics at the National Stadium on August 8, 2008 in Beijing. (Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)

Performers cheer during the Opening Ceremony for the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics at the National Stadium on August 8, 2008 in Beijing. (Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

Fireworks light the sky over the National Aquatics Center (L) and the National Stadium during the Opening Ceremony for the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics on August 8, 2008 in Beijing. (Lars Baron/Bongarts/Getty Images)

An artist performs, suspended by wires during the Opening Ceremony for the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics at the National Stadium on August 8, 2008 in Beijing. (Jeff Gross/Getty Images)

Drummers perform during the Opening Ceremony for the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics at the National Stadium on August 8, 2008 in Beijing. (Photo by Adam Pretty/Getty Images)

A musician performs during the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games opening ceremony on August 8, 2008 at the National Stadium in Beijing. (WILLIAM WEST/AFP/Getty Images)

Performers are pictured during the Opening Ceremony for the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics at the National Stadium on August 8, 2008 in Beijing. (Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

A dancer is silhouetted as she performs during the Opening Ceremony for the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics at the National Stadium on August 8, 2008 in Beijing. (Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

Children of migrant workers from outlying provinces look at themselves in the mirror as they use their hands to form the Olympic Rings after watching the TV live broadcast of the Olympic Games opening ceremony at their quarters August 8, 2008 on the outskirts of Beijing. (Andrew Wong/Getty Images)

More links and information
Olympics Coverage - Boston.com
China strides onto Olympic stage - Boston.com 8/8
Protests occur worldwide as Beijing Olympics begin - Photo gallery, Boston.com 8/8
Official Site Beijing 2008 Games
2008 Olympics - NYT Topics page

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wowwwwwwww! China was the best olympics I ever seen in my live . They rock !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted by bamboo October 25, 08 12:22 PM
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WICKED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! BEST PICTURES I HAVE EVER SEEN IN MY LIFE!

Posted by Anonymous October 29, 08 02:36 AM
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Here,i'd LIKE TO show you more amazing pictures about BEIJING OC!

Posted by lily October 30, 08 03:04 AM
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China have changed a lot !!!!
It 'll become biger &biger~~~~
I love you@:@CHINA!!!

Posted by Yyyye~ October 30, 08 05:55 AM
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I believe Beijing Olympic Games brings lots of pressure to bear on the next holding country!

Posted by Anonymous October 30, 08 03:49 PM
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I Love China, China is So great !! Come on London! Come on China.

Posted by Jenny October 30, 08 08:42 PM
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MY MY MY WHAT A SIGHT.

Posted by ANNIE November 1, 08 01:53 PM
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very very nic
very nic olampic in the china

Posted by benyamin November 1, 08 03:22 PM
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o my god!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted by Anonymous November 4, 08 09:55 AM
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Adorei as fotos, elas estão um sucesso....

Posted by Gerliane Pereira dos Santos November 4, 08 01:53 PM
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ABSOLUTELY BREATHTAKING

Posted by BARBARA PRUITT November 4, 08 02:25 PM
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It's not just the visual impact but also the display of the essence of Chinese culture through these acts. It has vision, beyond visuals.

Posted by Jenny November 4, 08 08:08 PM
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im a freshman in chongqing china
as a student ,
i want to say :
i love my country ,my hometown
even there are still many bad things happen in my home
we can't stop these things from happening
but our homeland is still wonderful ,splendid ,charming...
just as we all know : things has two aspects, one good ,and the other bad
for the bad things ,we chinese goverment are trying to solve them,
trying to stop them ,trying to make all chinese people have a rich ,good life
to other countries , we chinese goverment are always friendly
they just want to make friendship with these countries
we just believe that peace is the most important thing to china, to asia ,to all the world
but some countries don't think so ,they just want to be the NO.1 in the world ,
whom the country is ,i think there's no need to type out
medium in GB ,US .etc .always don't show the good aspect in china,
they always trying their best to look something bad in china,
if you told them ;i want to know sth good about china ,
they may tell you ,we are not interested in good things in china,we just like bad things .so i think if there are no bad things ,journalists from these medium will lost the job .their boss will speak loudly to them ;WHY CAN'T YOU TRY YOUR BEST TO LOK FOR BAD THINGS IN CHINA?
so the media workers are all hard-working
so bad things about china spread quikly all over the world , no matter if these news are true or not
so people in these countries can't know the true things about china ,and they may think china is just as what the BBC, VOA says
i want to tell people in europ and america ,china is not the same as what your countries'media says about , if you want to know more about china .
you are welcomed to china . in china ,you will know the trues about the TIBET ,and so on
i'm just a grade 1 student in university , so my english is so so ,there are many things i don't know how to express ,and there must be some mistakes in my words

Posted by sunny November 6, 08 01:02 AM
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goooood

Posted by çaðatay November 6, 08 07:37 AM
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great , too gooooooooooooooooooood

Posted by shivani wadgaonkar November 7, 08 11:35 PM
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excellant

Posted by siva mahadevan November 9, 08 06:59 AM
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SERIOUSLY SUPERB PICS.....!!!!!!!!!
wel ma physical project is gonna rock....!!!!!!
thnks anyway.............

Posted by manisha November 10, 08 12:06 PM
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amazing it made me cry

Posted by max November 17, 08 05:31 AM
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i hope china become more united...

Posted by yonyon napoles November 17, 08 09:15 AM
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hai by chinna

Posted by chinna November 18, 08 12:51 AM
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wow nice picher super

Posted by R.Sudhagar November 18, 08 04:46 AM
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the pics were lovely im not a chinese but i can see the significance in the pics and i can also see that these ppl put hard wk along wth dedication together and found brillant ways to capture the minds attention and hearts off all ........very good job yhe entire perfomances were great

Posted by jolisa November 20, 08 10:57 PM
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Thank you for all praises for my people.I am proud as a Chinese.
Welcome to our land.

Posted by ³Ââù November 21, 08 12:23 AM
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you can do is just come to china to enjoy her,im native,i have the right to say we chineses are absolutely different from what you guess!come here!

Posted by pollyjiang November 22, 08 10:54 AM
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the pictures are just amazing!!!!! so creative!!love it

Posted by madison November 24, 08 06:09 PM
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HI
I'm from India, I really admire this wonderful event at Beijing.
Well done, and its gud to see the efforts and hard work of all the people of China.
Congratulations!!!!!!!1

Posted by Priyanka Sharma November 25, 08 11:11 AM
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SImply Diivne harmony, order, & balance.

Loving all of it.

Posted by Goddess Isis December 1, 08 09:10 PM
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China, the best country

Posted by Hans December 1, 08 10:52 PM
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awesome n' fantastic all pictures look like i' m wathing them in my dream.

Posted by monika December 9, 08 12:32 AM
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As a Chinese, I'm so proud of this OC, and I'm so glad many  audiences all over the world like it too. I hope my home country will contribute more and more excellency to the world.My country is still young, with many problems, but it's improving very fast,getting better day by day, just be patient, and give it enough time.  

Posted by cindy wang December 10, 08 05:20 AM
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Im soo happy for China and about the olympics was a smashing success. It was awesome and beautiful to watch. I wish i was there, but only watched it on TV. Was amazing with the fireworks and the things they did at the bird nest. The drums were awesome. Whenever the olympics started my eyes and ears were stick like glue listening to the olympics and watching. It was just too awesome to watch! I still don't know how London can beat this. This must have worthed a fortune and had everything just right and synced. It was just amazing.

Posted by matthew December 11, 08 11:48 PM
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Talking about shows on earth, this one!!!

Posted by Matt December 13, 08 12:01 AM
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AM proud OF YOU CHINA.

Posted by WANGYI December 19, 08 09:30 PM
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Great pictures. Thanks for sharing.

Posted by Ted December 20, 08 06:05 AM
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GREAT PICS!
GREAT COUNTRY!!!

Posted by YLJENSEN December 28, 08 12:11 AM
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There is a lot of bad in this world, young man...but, there is a lot of good as well. Can Americans get together and work on a single project of such magnitude. I think we currently cannot, however, the future holds many possibilities as to what we can do. Corrections can only occur from first seeing the negative as you have pointed out clearly. Next step is to use this information and move on, always striving for the solution. China made a great effort in its performance to state this is how they are trying to find it. They aren't just simply complaining as you have done. They are seeking, just as I am, for the balance for mankind. Using their past and present colture to relay a message through entertainment was beautiful.

Posted by LJK-Macon, GA December 28, 08 10:44 AM
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Well done China! I am an American and that was incredible! It was a sit at the edge of your seat,candy for your eyes awesome!The culture was undenyable and gave me the chills ive never seen anything like it...as we say it "Two Thunbs Up".... :)

Posted by Marlene A December 29, 08 10:04 PM
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great pics

Posted by Anonymous January 8, 09 07:20 AM
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The pictures are very impressive. A very good photographer.

Posted by Anonymous January 8, 09 04:03 PM
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it s very nice i am glad 2 see these pictures

Posted by bala January 10, 09 04:22 AM
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great skill in take the photos, and great thanks for you to display the pictures for us!
for some comments about the present China , I think some views is really exist in ,but to a person or to the country we can easily find that nothing is perfect !
what's more , we all try to improve ~
welcome you all come to China ,to touch the culture and people here~ of course to find the shortcomings of us !

Posted by james(zhang xinzhu) January 14, 09 09:17 PM
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beautiful pictures!!

Posted by Anonymous January 16, 09 05:37 PM
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cool pictures and cool photographer

Posted by dominic January 20, 09 07:17 AM
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awesome pictures and awesome photographer!
simply marvelous!

Posted by Ronald January 21, 09 01:08 PM
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Fabulous Pics

Posted by FARAH January 26, 09 03:13 AM
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Great ,no words to express.It shows the hard work & Team work for this splendid performance.

Posted by Bindu Rajan Pillai January 26, 09 03:21 AM
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great piece of fotography couldnt be much better than this.

Posted by Anonymous January 27, 09 05:56 AM
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I didn't seen the whole opening show in August (because of work), but I did it tonight. Amazing, fantastic, beautiful, glorious, warming, knockout, stunning, sublime, idea-rich, what more can I say.....Congratulations for your achievement . A billion thanks to all of you in China, and thanks to Alan for the beautiful pictures.

Best regards,
TN
PS: You push a lot of pressure on the UK Olympic comity :-)

Posted by cesoir January 31, 09 01:32 PM
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awsome pics lovin it

Posted by taja mclean January 31, 09 03:52 PM
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GREAT PHTS! GREAT CHINA! GREAT CHINESE!

Posted by SAM February 1, 09 07:52 AM
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The Olympics is really awesome.
The entire Asian has grown a lot in the past 30 yrs

Posted by Anonymous February 1, 09 10:01 AM
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so cool!!!!!!

Posted by z February 1, 09 10:04 AM
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Wow my god, i don't believe it happened in human being world, it looks like only possible in fairy world!

Bravo! China!

Posted by Li Jianguo February 3, 09 10:04 AM
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that was so cool

Posted by josh holbrook February 3, 09 03:49 PM
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China was so good, so cool..
I am chinese, I like China..

Posted by Xuan.. February 5, 09 10:20 PM
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thank you !As a chinese ,I am so proud of my country.

Posted by Anonymous February 5, 09 11:32 PM
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thank you !As a chinese ,I am so proud of my country.

Posted by Anonymous February 5, 09 11:32 PM
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you need to write on your sight somewhere who published the sight

Posted by payton February 8, 09 07:40 PM
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The boxes that were moved up and down by people really intrigued me. I cannot begin to comprehend how they did that. How could a person memorize all those positions and when to do them? If anyone could explain how this was done I would love to know.
I also especially love the 2008 drummers precision.
You always hear people say simple is best, but on this occasion the magnitude and multitude, I admire with gratitude.

Posted by Karin February 10, 09 10:53 AM
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no words

Posted by aaa February 15, 09 03:51 PM
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plain pictures

Posted by lily February 18, 09 08:24 PM
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China is still developing, let it have more space to keep improving the life index for their people.

Posted by Sombody borned in Hongkong February 19, 09 08:37 PM
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I look at the video over and over again. Astounding choreography and techincal handling of the whole performance was amazing! I wish I knew how they did the flying. I know it was on wires but how could they hang from the middle?

Posted by Richard Holden February 22, 09 08:03 PM
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Awesome job China koolio fireworks :D

Posted by Kaiseyyy February 25, 09 05:43 PM
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China, u did a great job! I just love the performance and it was very alluring especially the costumes, decoration and the weather!
It was so fun and I am very amazed at the gorgous things! Everything was so beautiful and I had a pleasant trip there.
Hope to see more of this..thanks China, for wha you have done. :)

Posted by Stephanie March 1, 09 10:24 AM
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very beautiful£¡£¡£¡i'm Chinese£¡£¡Îҷdz£Ï²»¶ÖйúµÄÕâ¸ö¿ªÄ»Ê½£¡£¡£¡Ì«Æ¯ÁÁÁË£¡£¡£¡¸ÐлÃÀ¹úÅóÓÑµÄÆÀÂÛ£¡£¡

Posted by ÕÅÖ¾ÓÂ March 5, 09 03:52 AM
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nice nothing to point out.

Posted by somraj chakraborty March 6, 09 11:12 AM
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WHERE CAN i BUY THESE PICTURES? IS THERE A PHOTO BOOK TO BUY SOMEWHERE?

Posted by Deanna March 10, 09 12:33 PM
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Hope everyone can understand China with your heart not what you see from medium.

Posted by a people March 11, 09 11:31 AM
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WOW,I wish also to see the next olympic shows which will be in Singapore.

Posted by Belal March 13, 09 02:28 PM
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I think this was so tight!!!!!! Totally fabulous and outstanding. I mean really... how can u not love it?!

Posted by Anna March 15, 09 09:29 PM
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simply awesome!!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted by Daniel March 20, 09 08:10 AM
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Hi those pics are great can you send me some please i would realy like it please please thanks dude!

Posted by Shantell April 1, 09 04:32 AM
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so amazing, i feel proud of it.
i love my country!!!
china will be better in the future

Posted by jenny Huang April 6, 09 09:05 AM
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so many people

Posted by Anonymous April 7, 09 05:01 AM
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I love china they are graet in doin things ,good pics and wonderful paeple

Posted by ade April 7, 09 05:19 AM
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Real wonderful¡£

Posted by kelly April 8, 09 09:12 AM
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An excellent image.

Posted by Allan Salas April 21, 09 01:04 AM
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Awesome..............

Posted by Anonymous April 27, 09 01:29 PM
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its cool... so rad!

Posted by Anonymous May 18, 09 09:47 AM
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Spectacular show! Coordination and team-players played an important point in this show !excellent! Congratulations China!

Posted by Diana May 25, 09 09:26 AM
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2259----I don't know why you say that ridiculous words.but as a Chinese,I;m very proud of our country and our community.
Also these pics are so beautiful.

Posted by xu May 25, 09 09:55 AM
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bhenchood anth picture h

Posted by Anonymous May 27, 09 11:47 PM
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IMPRESSIVE...i loVe....CHINA>_______________

Posted by Angel Nuk Nuk(=^^=) June 4, 09 02:47 AM
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dudes! china's a great country and all...been there lots. everyone's so nationalistic, it's funny. nathan way up there, you are so right america's a hell hole. well the olympics were grand (saw it on TV)....just a little tooo glittery i thoguht. heheh...but no china was wonderful. it's just that....I CAN'T SEE THE PICS! waa i don't know why..

Posted by LIANNA June 4, 09 03:11 AM
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i think that china are gret

Posted by Anonymous June 12, 09 05:43 AM
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this this this is so fantabulous!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
tough that London,see if you can beat the most beautiful performance ever!

Posted by Adrian June 16, 09 12:11 AM
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Amazing arrangement of great photographs! The "Martial arts dancers" aren't really dancers, they are WUSHU experts performing a set of combined Taijiquan and Shaolinquan. They came from the Henan province all the way to the Bird's nest.

Posted by masteringwushu.com July 15, 09 09:20 AM
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Olympics was a great spirit of playing. art of dancing and all the participant was very energetic and very cheerful ( so i am a Buddhist from India (Gujarat (kutchh) )

Posted by sunny m siju July 29, 09 07:46 AM
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I have friends from China, please use your real look at the new China! To see now in Beijing, Shanghai, Hong Kong is it! Shanghai World Expo in 2010 and then we will, of the Beijing Olympic Games is very important to our country, our country attaches great importance! Many foreign media speculation the Beijing Olympic Games, I hope you look at the real China, and have a chance to come to Beijing, Shanghai and play! Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Hong Kong welcomes you!

Posted by china August 6, 09 08:50 PM
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As a chinese who has lived in US for 8 years, I feel so proud after I watched this opening ceremony.

Posted by Lisa Huang August 13, 09 08:13 PM
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China FTW

Posted by Incrediboy August 16, 09 06:33 PM
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veeeeeeeery good cermony , chines are very good hardworker we prid him

Posted by arz August 23, 09 02:08 PM
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As an Chinese student,I'm proud of my homeland.

Posted by Jason August 23, 09 09:33 PM
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Today is August 25,2009. I missed most of the openning show but have always wanted to see it. This is the first time I have had to google it .I must say that I was not dissapointed. These pictures are well worth the wait

Posted by Marcia B. Henderson August 25, 09 03:22 AM
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WOOOOOOOOOOOWWWWWWWWWW

Posted by Davidt September 10, 09 07:14 AM
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helloooo (:

Posted by Aaron September 17, 09 04:27 AM
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i like it.

Posted by abhimanoo October 6, 09 03:43 PM
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nice picture !!!!!

Posted by Biprojit Bhattacharjee October 27, 09 08:55 AM
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This was a great opening preformance c:

Amazing!
But the Gymnastic girls from China were well below the required age of 16.

It was unfair but it was amazing.

Posted by isacc lopez November 17, 09 10:51 AM
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