Beijing 2008: Olympics Open With a Bang

At 8 am EST on the 8th day of the 8th month in 2008, the Summer Olympics in Beijing have opened with a big bang, an impressive display of fireworks and fire that is, across the night sky.

The cultural richness and historical majesty China has to offer ensured no less than an incredible and awe-inducing opening ceremonies. Seen live from CBC were hundreds of young men and women on the floor of the Bird's Nest Stadium rhythmically beating away on drums, children singing, and an impressive display of audio-visual theatrics. The theme of these ceremonies is heavily influenced by ancient Chinese inventions including gunpowder, papermaking, printing, and the compass. But don't let that scare you, the beautiful performance is modern and fast-paced with some surprisingly subtle western influence. The technology is amazing with lights and people floating through the air, leaving you with the question -- how did they do it? With almost 100,000 people in attendance and ticket prices topping $700 CDN, the spectacular ceremony is estimated to reach almost three billion people worldwide. Funny fact - there are more broadcasters than athletes at the Games. Stay tuned: The ceremonies will continue until midnight in Beijing and the first seven medals will be decided on Saturday Aug. 9.

Photo courtesy Beijing Organizing Committee for the Games of the XXIX Olympiad

A shot from the opening ceremonies of the Olympic Games in Beijing, China

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An interesting point about this year's Games is the fact the event has been taped for TV viewers around the world to air during prime-time, but if you're on the Web you can actually catch the events live. Networks like NBC in the United States have spent Olympic-sized boatloads of cash on the technology allowing netizens to watch streaming video as it happens.

Photo courtesy Beijing Organizing Committee for the Games of the XXIX Olympiad

A shot from the opening ceremonies of the Olympic Games in Beijing, China

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And for the number-crunching readers out there, this is your look at the Olympics by the numbers: 205 countries, 10,700 atheletes, 28 sports, 302 gold medals, 37 venues, 5,600 press and photographers, 12,000 broadcasters and 70,000 volunteers (thanks Courant.com). Welcome to Beijing 2008.

Photo courtesy Beijing Organizing Committee for the Games of the XXIX Olympiad

A shot from the opening ceremonies of the Olympic Games in Beijing, China

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