Spectacular opening ceremony for Olympics

Dinesh Weerawansa reporting from china It was a packed stadium which enjoyed every moment of the three-hour sporting spectacular which signalled the return of the Olympic Games to Asia after two decades.

It was a night to remember with an Olympic Games with an Asian flavour as the spectators were on the edges of their seats, catching the excitement which was at its best. The eye-catching ceremony was a rich blend of ancient Chinese traditions and modern technology to give a total new experience to those who are mainly from Americas and Europe.

What a night it was! Thousands of cameras kept on flashing in every second as the spectators and the participating athletes made every endeavour to catch each and every exciting moments of the ceremony which was truly a fascinating affair.

The Olympic flame finally arrived at the Beijings National Stadium, built in the shape of a bird nest. After travelling 137,000 kilometres through 130 cities in 130 days, the sacred flame finally arrived at the venue. The XX1X the Olympiad was finally opened by the Chinese leader after the Games torch was lit in spectacular style.

Chinese President Hu Jintao, who was the chief guest at the spectacular opening, which was graced by many world leaders including President Mahinda Rajapaksa and US President George W. Bush, declared the 16-day Games opened.

Earlier in the day, President Jintao told international dignitaries coming for the Beijing Olympic Games that the Beijing Olympics is an opportunity for both China and the world.

“The Beijing Olympic Games is an opportunity not only for China but also for the whole world,” Hu said in his toast at a welcoming banquet for foreign leaders and other VIP guests who will attend the Games’ opening ceremony on Friday evening, including IOC President Jacques Rogge and Honorary President Juan Antonio Samaranch.

“We should carry forward the Olympic spirit of solidarity, friendship and peace, facilitate sincere exchanges among people from all countries, deepen mutual understanding, enhance friendship and rise above differences, and promote the building of a harmonious world featuring lasting peace and common prosperity,” he said.

He said there has never been a greater need for people in the world to understand, accommodate and cooperate with each other, as the world faces both unprecedented development opportunities and grave challenges. “The Olympic Games is a great sporting event and it also offers a platform for cultural exchanges,” he added.

He said by being together people of different countries, ethnic groups and cultural backgrounds, the Olympic Movement has helped enhance mutual understanding and friendship among all peoples, and has made significant contribution to the noble cause of peace and development.

He hailed the Olympic Movement, which started over 2,800 years ago in the sacred Olympia, as “a valuable spiritual and cultural asset offered to humanity by the people of ancient Greece.”

He said the modern Olympic Movement, born in 1894, has built on the ancient Olympic heritage and grown into a cultural and sporting event with the broadest participation and greatest impact in the world.

At successive Olympic Games over the years, athletes from across the world, committed to the motto of “Citius-Altius-Fortius”, have made their utmost efforts in quest of sporting excellence and set one record after another, leading to the rapid development of athletic sports, said the president.

Proudly carrying the Lion flag at the Beijing Olympics opening ceremony was Sri Lanka’s most celebrated athlete Susanthika Jayasinghe who arrived here from Los Angeles last night. Jayasinghe, the overall captain of the Sri Lanka contingent, looked cheerful as she led the Lankan team at the parade.

BEIJING, Friday