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Notable images from the Olympic opening ceremony

Janek Speight
February 4, 2022

The world's best winter athletes are in Beijing for the 2022 Winter Olympics — and so are the world's best photographers. Take a look at the most eye-catching moments captured at the opening ceremony.

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Eröffnungsfeier | Olympische Winterspiele 2022 | Peking, China
Image: FABRIZIO BENSCH/REUTERS

Beijing National Stadium | The opening ceremony gets underway, with 3,000 performers featuring in the 100-minute celebration

 

The Beijing National Stadium, known as the "Bird's Nest", lit up for the 2022 Beijing Olympics opening ceremony.
Image: Mark Schiefelbein/AP/picture alliance

The Bird's Nest | Beijing's iconic stadium also played host to the Summer Olympics in 2008

 

An inflatable depicting Bing Dwen Dwen, one of the mascots of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics.
Image: JONATHAN ERNST/REUTERS

Bing Dwen Dwen | One of the Winter Olympics mascots waves to the crowd

 

IOC President Thomas Bach waves during the opening ceremony of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games
Image: ANTHONY WALLACE/AFP/Getty Images

Official welcome | IOC President Thomas Bach greets the crowd alongside Chinese President Xi Jinping

 

The Chinese national flag is raised during the opening ceremony of the 2022 Winter Olympics.
Image: Natacha Pisarenko/AP/picture alliance

National pride | The host country's flag is raised to signal the ceremony's beginning

 

Vladimir Putin, President of Russia arrives during the Opening Ceremony of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics
Image: Getty Images

Vladimir Putin | The Russian President's presence has caused headlines amid rising tensions with Ukraine

 

Flag bearers Alexandra Nazarova of Ukraine and Oleksandr Abramenko of Ukraine during the athletes parade at the opening ceremony.
Image: DAVID W CERNY/REUTERS

Flag bearers | Ukrainian athletes parade in front of a crowd of spectators, one of whom is Putin

 

Performers during the 2022 Beijing Olympics opening ceremony.
Image: THOMAS PETER/REUTERS

Ice dancers | Performers dressed as ice hockey players during the opening ceremony

 

United States of America contingent is seen during the athletes parade at the opening ceremony.
Image: FABRIZIO BENSCH/REUTERS

Sport without politics? | The US contingent enters the stadium, despite the fact that US government officials are boycotting the games in light of China's human rights record

 

Performers create a flower display with LED lights during the Opening Ceremony of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics.
Image: Adam Pretty/Getty Images

Beijing lights | Performers create a flower display with LED lights

 

China's contingent during the athletes parade at the opening ceremony.
Image: TOBY MELVILLE/REUTERS

Host parade | China's athletes enter the stadium last to loud cheers from the crowd

 

President Thomas Bach gives a speech during the opening ceremony.
Image: MARKO DJURICA/REUTERS

Peace speech | IOC President Thomas Bach said the Olympics stood for a world with "no discrimination whatsoever" and urged people to "give peace a chance."

 

A fireworks display signals the end of the 2022 Winter Olympics opening ceremony.
Image: MARKO DJURICA/REUTERS

Let the Games begin | Fireworks signal the end of the opening ceremony

Janek Speight Sports reporter and editor