Winter Olympics Starts Amid Diplomatic Boycotts

The XXIV Olympic Winter Games kicked off in spectacular fashion with a stunning opening ceremony at the Beijing National Stadium on Friday. The lighting of the Olympic cauldron symbolised the start of Beijing 2022 and brought a mesmerising Opening Ceremony to a climactic end. Athletes from 91 NOCs marched into the Beijing National Stadium for the Parade of Nations at the Opening Ceremony. The Beijing National Stadium, or Bird’s Nest as it is affectionately known, became the first venue to host Opening Ceremonies of both the Olympic Winter and Summer Games. The “One World, One Family” theme of the Opening Ceremony was represented by the image of a single snowflake and was central to the showpiece from beginning to the end of the Ceremony. The theme was based on an ancient Chinese saying that “a truly wise person sees the whole world as a family”. Chinese filmmaker Zhang Yimou played master of ceremonies for a second time, becoming the first person to direct two Opening Ceremonies in the same city. Zhang was also the mastermind behind the spectacular Beijing 2008 Opening Ceremony.

Mohammad Arif Khan is India’s sole representative, amid India’s diplomatic boycott. Several countries have announced diplomatic boycott of the Games.