The 24 second countdown to the start of the ceremony set the tone for the evening, a beautiful visual representation of the 24 solar terms saw all the sports playing a part in honouring the Chinese Luna Calendar, where each month is divided in two and represent the changing patterns of plants, animals and the natural environment.
As the only city to host both a summer and winter Games, the opening in-stadium sequence, a beautiful light display representing the beginning of spring, accented by a stunning fireworks displayed, kicked off the Opening Ceremony, a statement of colour and beauty that would flow throughout the event.
As the 24th Olympic Winter Games, opening Beijing 2022 on the first day of the ‘Beginning of Spring’ is a symbolic moment of friends from all over welcoming the new spring together, coming together an important theme of the Olympic Games.
24 laser beams put on a stunning display, highlighting the 24 cities to host a winter Games, projecting on a giant block of ice to rise from the stadium floor, the impressive pyrotechnic show a modern means of showcasing the history of the event.
But it was moments later when six ice hockey players interact with the image of a hockey puck, the bouncing puck shaping the large block of ice into the stunning Olympic Rings. Defined as ice-breaking, repenting the breaking of barriers, resolving contradictions and approaching and understanding each other, it was an appropriate use of these rings to be the arch for which competitors would walk under as they enter the stadium for the Parade of Athletes.
In a moment our nation was waiting for, Laura Peel and Brendan Kerry led the Australian Olympic Team into Beijing’s National Stadium, ‘The Bird’s Nest’ lit up in a vibrant icy blue.
Always a crowd favourite and unmissable in their incredible green and gold Indigenous-inspired uniform, the Australian Team were not bothered by the freezing -20C temperature.
despite their masks, Peel was clearly grinning from ear-to ear alongside an elated Kerry as they led the Aussie contingent into the stadium, the rest of the Team watching fondly from the Village as they put on a show for themselves.
Representing a proud nation, upon being named the flag bearer, Kerry said that this moment was equal to any Olympic medal as the honour of carrying the flag was a compliment from his peers.
The 2022 Beijing Opening Ceremony highlights included vision of young children trying winter sports for the first time, continuing to encourage millions of people to participate in sport, paving a path for the champions of tomorrow.
After a huge snowflake and hundreds of children filled the stadium for a light-at-once display, the Olympic Torch relay concluded inside The Bird’s Nest, seven torch bearers carried six torches in the finale of the relay to light the Olympic Cauldron.
In a moment that didn’t disappoint, the cauldron emerged as the heart of a huge snowflake made out of the stunningly designed individual signs from each country that was carried into the stadium, the Olympic flame rose to the sky above the middle of The Bird’s Nest and marked the beginning of the Games.
Following the sentiment from the summer Games in Tokyo, there was one clear message from the Opening Ceremony, marked by an empowering video featuring some of the most emotional and powerful moments from the history of the winter Games.
The Winter Olympics features some of the most exciting, exhilarating, dangerous and inspiring sports that seem to continue to defy the laws of physics. But ‘with every rise, every fall, every victory, they are in it together’.
For the 43 athletes wearing the green and gold in Beijing for the next 16 days, they will be stronger together, with all of Australia behind them.
Shannon Knaus
