EveryJoe » opening ceremonies

Lighting the Torch in Beijing

admin — Sat, 09 Aug 2008 01:28:31 +0000

By Guest Blogger Bo Durkop

A vast array of pyrotechincs blazed across the Bejing skyline as China kicked off the 2008 Summer Olympics. The ceremony offered an assortment of entertainment to 91,000 individuals in attendence at the National Stadium known as the Bird’s Nest.

In a stunning display, approximately 29,000 fireworks and 15,000 performers took part in the ceremony, showcasing China’s ancient history and cultural diversity. Basketball star, Yao Ming, led the Chinese national team amid a enthusiastic crowd, while Lopez Lomong, a former Sudanese refugee, carried the flag for the United States national team. An estimated 10,000 athletes from 205 countries will be participating during this year’s Olympics.

Check out a little bit from the opening ceremonies:

Even though Friday’s ceremony officially kicked off the 2008 Olympics, events such as Football have already taken place. During the 1st round of Men’s Football powerhouses Brazil, Italy and Argentina claimed victory. The three teams have secured the top spot in their respective groups. The United States defeated Japan, claiming the 1st seed in Group B. In Women’s Football, medalist favorites Germany, Brazil and the United States have failed to secure a victory during the 1st round.

The U.S. Men’s Basketball team addressed the press today. The conference lasted an hour as each player was introduced and spoke individually. U.S. Men’s coach Mike Krzyzewski assured the 800 in attendence that his team would give their best performance as they prepared for Sunday’s matchup against China.

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Lighting the Torch in Beijing

Lopez Lomong to Carry US Flag in Opening Ceremony

Sandy Mitchell — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 14:22:27 +0000

Eight years ago, Lopez Lomong–a competitor in the men’s 1500m–was a refugee from Sudan, a boy without a country. He was featured in the documentary “Lost Boys of Sudan” and immigrated to the United States, becoming a citizen in 2007. This year, he is representing his new country in the Olympics. In return, the US has honored Lomong by choosing him to carry the US flag in the Opening Ceremonies. “It’s more than a dream,” he told the Associate Press yesterday.

The Beijing Olympic Opening Ceremonies begin tomorrow at 8pm Beijing time (8am EDT). The (taped) event will be broadcast on NBC beginning at 730pm EDT.

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Lopez Lomong to Carry US Flag in Opening Ceremony

Olympic Opening Ceremony – Athens 2004

Sandy Mitchell — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 05:01:07 +0000

Our final look at past Olympic opening ceremonies before the Beijing Games begin tomorrow: the Opening Ceremonies at Athens in 2004. Take a look:

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Olympic Opening Ceremony – Athens 2004

Olympic Opening Ceremonies – Sydney 2000

Sandy Mitchell — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 05:01:37 +0000

Another in our series of Olympic opening ceremonies, here is the torch lighting at the Sydney Games:

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Olympic Opening Ceremonies – Sydney 2000

Olympic Opening Ceremonies – Barcelona 1992

Sandy Mitchell — Mon, 04 Aug 2008 05:01:55 +0000

We continue our look at past Olympic opening ceremonies. Today, we remember that beginning of the 1992 Games in Barcelona:

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Olympic Opening Ceremonies – Barcelona 1992

Olympic Opening Ceremonies – Seoul 1988

Sandy Mitchell — Sun, 03 Aug 2008 05:01:24 +0000

As we continue our look at Olympic opening ceremonies, here are the highlights from the events that opened the 1988 Games in Seoul.

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Olympic Opening Ceremonies – Seoul 1988

Olympic Opening Ceremonies – Los Angeles 1984

Sandy Mitchell — Sat, 02 Aug 2008 05:01:21 +0000

As we count down to the opening ceremonies of the Beijing Olympic Games, we’re going to look at past Olympic opening ceremonies…one each day until we get to Beijing. Below is a video with the highlights from the Los Angeles Opening Ceremonies.

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Olympic Opening Ceremonies – Los Angeles 1984