北京奥运会开幕式成功举办Beijing Holds Olympic Opening Ceremony Friday
 

Chinese President Hu Jintao (R) and International Olympic Committee President Jacques Rogge (L) attend the opening ceremony of Beijing Olympic Games in Beijing, China, Aug. 8, 2008.

China's national flag was prepared to be raised at the opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympic Games held in the National Stadium, also known as the Bird's Nest, in north Beijing, China. [Photo: Xinhua]

Photo taken on Aug. 8, 2008 shows the fireworks of the opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympic Games held in the National Stadium, also known as the Bird's Nest, in north Beijing, China.

The Olympic rings are lifted during the opening ceremony for the Beijing 2008 Olympics in Beijing, Friday, Aug. 8, 2008.

Performers take part in the act performance during the opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympic Games, in the National Stadium, also known as the Bird's Nest in Beijing on Friday, Aug. 8, 2008.

Performers take part in the act performance during the opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympic Games, in the National Stadium, also known as the Bird's Nest in Beijing on Friday, Aug. 8, 2008.

Performers take part in the act performance during the opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympic Games, in the National Stadium, also known as the Bird's Nest in Beijing on Friday, Aug. 8, 2008.

Performers take part in the act performance during the opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympic Games, in the National Stadium, also known as the Bird's Nest in Beijing on Friday, Aug. 8, 2008.

Members of the Olympic Delegation of Marshall Islands parade into the National Stadium at the opening ceremony of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China, Aug. 8, 2008.

Members of the Olympic Delegation of Canada parade into the National Stadium, at the opening ceremony of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, in Beijing, China, Aug. 8, 2008.

Members of the Olympic Delegation of China led by basketball star Yao Ming parade into the National Stadium at the opening ceremony of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China, Aug. 8, 2008.

相关链接：
新华网北京8月7日奥运专电（记者肖春飞　杨明）百年期盼，七年筹办，北京奥运会将于8日晚8时在中国国家体育场隆重开幕。全球205个国家和地区的代表团，将在五环旗下实现奥运史上空前的大团聚。
　　
这是现代奥运会诞生112年来首次走进世界上人口最多的国家。象征人类团结、友谊、和平的奥运会在北京开幕，是中国人的百年梦圆，更是绵延五千多年的中华文明与世界的一次激情相拥，将为推动奥林匹克运动发展，为推动建设持久和平、共同繁荣的和谐世界作出重要贡献。 

北京奥运会从8日开始，24日结束，世界上最优秀的运动员将对28个大项的302枚金牌展开激烈争夺。前三名获得独具中国特色的“金镶玉”奖牌。 

205个国家和地区的1.6万名运动员参会，历经曲折，饱受战火摧残的伊拉克也最终获准参赛。这是奥运史上参赛代表团最多的一届奥运会，其中包括费德勒、纳达尔、科比、伊辛巴耶娃、罗纳尔迪尼奥、菲尔普斯、盖伊和姚明、刘翔等世界级名将，还有更多重在参与的运动员，他们同样受到热烈关注。 

近700万张门票已经全部售出。预计将有超过40亿人次的观众收看北京奥运会电视转播。 

历届奥运会，精彩、激烈、悬念频生的金牌之争都引人入胜。全世界都在等待北京奥运会的悬念揭开：谁将占据金牌榜首席？刘翔与罗伯斯谁将笑到最后？费德勒与纳达尔的巅峰对决谁将胜出？“梦八”队能否夺冠？有多少世界纪录会被打破…… 

东道主中国体育代表团共1099人，其中参赛选手共639人，不但创了中国历届奥运会参赛人数之最，也是本届奥运会上规模最大的代表团。他们决心实现运动成绩与精神文明的双丰收。 

自2001年7月13日北京第二次申奥成功后，中国政府和人民恪守承诺，为举办一届有特色、高水平的奥运会，克服了包括2008年遭遇的一系列困难，发挥着最大的热情、进行了最大的努力。