Beijing Winter Olympics 2022 opening ceremony: 5 things to know
BEIJING – The 2022 Winter Olympics opening ceremony kicks off Friday in Beijing, just six months after the Summer Olympics – delayed for a year amid the coronavirus pandemic – concluded in Tokyo.
Here’s what you need to know about the event:
1. When and where will the opening ceremony take place?
The ceremony is set to begin at 8 p.m. Beijing time – or 7 a.m. EST – Friday at the National Stadium, aka the Bird’s Nest.
The motto for this year’s Olympics is “together for a shared future,” according to the International Olympic Committee’s website.
“‘Together for a shared future’” demonstrates unity and a collective effort, embodying the core values and vision of the Olympic movement, and the goal of pursuing world unity, peace and progress,” the website reads. “The motto considered the key values of the Paralympic Games, in particular the role they play in contributing to a more inclusive society.”
The Games will officially end with the closing ceremony on Feb. 20.
2. Who will be there?
Although high-profile world leaders such as China’s Xi Jinping, Russia’s Vladimir Putin and Pakistan’s Imran Khan will be at the opening ceremony, the U.S., Britain and other allies have refused to send government representatives to the events amid a boycott of China’s alleged violations of human rights, according to The Wall Street Journal.
3. Who are the U.S. flag bearers?
Fellow athletes chose bobsledder Elana Meyers Taylor, a three-time Olympic medalist, and curler John Shuster, who won the gold medal in the 2018 Winter Olympics, as the flag bearers for Team USA, according to a news release.
Because Meyers Taylor is in isolation after testing positive for COVID-19, speed skater and 2018 Olympic bronze medalist Brittany Bowe will carry the flag in her place, the release said.
“I’m extremely grateful for the opportunity to lead Team USA into the Opening Ceremony,” Bowe said in a statement. “Taking on this responsibility is the honor of a lifetime, and I will proudly carry the American flag on behalf of Elana, her family and all of Team USA.”
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4. What impact has COVID-19 had on the ceremony and other events?
Officials announced last month that members of the general public will not be able to attend the Winter Olympics amid coronavirus concerns.
According to The Associated Press, the organizing committee said in a Jan. 17 statement that only “selected” spectators will be allowed at the events, which already had been closed to fans from outside the country.
CNN reported that officials are inviting about 150,000 spectators to the Games.
5. A familiar face is behind this year’s opening ceremony.
Filmmaker Zhang Yimou, who oversaw the 2008 Summer Games opening ceremony in Beijing, has returned to direct this year’s ceremony, according to the IOC website.
The Academy Award winner vowed that the presentation will be “simple, safe and splendid,” the website said.
“In 2008, the Olympics was a brilliant stage and chance for our country to show ourselves,” Zhang, 71, previously told the Xinhua news agency, according to the AP. “It’s different now.”
– The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic mascot Bing Dwen Dwen is seen during the Opening Ceremony of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics at the Beijing National Stadium on February 4, 2022, in Beijing, China.
Performers dance during the Opening Ceremony of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics at the Beijing National Stadium on February 4, 2022, in Beijing, China.
Performers take part in the pre-show of the opening ceremony of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games, at the National Stadium, known as the Bird’s Nest, in Beijing, on February 4, 2022.
Performers prepare for the opening ceremony of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games, at the National Stadium, known as the Bird’s Nest, in Beijing, on February 4, 2022.
Performers dance during the Opening Ceremony of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics at the Beijing National Stadium on February 4, 2022, in Beijing, China.
Performers display paintings during the Opening Ceremony of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics at the Beijing National Stadium on February 4, 2022, in Beijing, China.
Performers are seen holding snowflake signs during the Opening Ceremony of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics at the Beijing National Stadium on February 4, 2022, in Beijing, China.
Performers dance during the Opening Ceremony of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics at the Beijing National Stadium on February 4, 2022, in Beijing, China.
Performers display paintings during the Opening Ceremony of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics at the Beijing National Stadium on February 4, 2022, in Beijing, China.
A general view inside the stadium during the Opening Ceremony of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics at the Beijing National Stadium on February 4, 2022, in Beijing, China.
An overview of the National Stadium, known as the Bird’s Nest, ahead of the opening ceremony of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games in Beijing, on February 4, 2022.
A general view of the National Stadium, known as the Bird’s Nest, ahead of the opening ceremony of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games in Beijing, on February 4, 2022.
Announcers start the pre-show before the opening ceremony of the 2022 Winter Olympics, Friday, Feb. 4, 2022, in Beijing. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Actors cheer as President of the People’s Republic of China, Xi Jinping, arrives for the opening ceremony of the 2022 Winter Olympics, Friday, Feb. 4, 2022, in Beijing. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
A dancer performs during the pre-show ahead of the opening ceremony of the 2022 Winter Olympics, Friday, Feb. 4, 2022, in Beijing. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Benjamin Alexander and Jazmine Fenlator-Victorian, of Jamaica, carry their national flag into the stadium during the opening ceremony of the 2022 Winter Olympics, Friday, Feb. 4, 2022, in Beijing. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Bing Dwen Dwen, the Olympics mascot, makes an appearance during the opening ceremony of the 2022 Winter Olympics, Friday, Feb. 4, 2022, in Beijing. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue)
The Chinese national flag is carried to the stage to be raised during the opening ceremony of the 2022 Winter Olympics, Friday, Feb. 4, 2022, in Beijing. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Team Canada arrives during the opening ceremony of the 2022 Winter Olympics, Friday, Feb. 4, 2022, in Beijing. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Valtteri Filppula leads Finland’s team during the opening ceremony of the 2022 Winter Olympics, Friday, Feb. 4, 2022, in Beijing. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)
Actors perform during the opening ceremony of the 2022 Winter Olympics, Friday, Feb. 4, 2022, in Beijing. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Performs participate in the opening ceremony of the 2022 Winter Olympics, Friday, Feb. 4, 2022, in Beijing. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Children perform in the pre-show during the opening ceremony of the 2022 Winter Olympics, Friday, Feb. 4, 2022, in Beijing. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Performers wave light sticks during the opening ceremony of the 2022 Winter Olympics, Friday, Feb. 4, 2022, in Beijing. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue)
Cai Qi, President of the Beijing Organizing Committee for the 2022 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games speaks during the opening ceremony of the 2022 Winter Olympics, Friday, Feb. 4, 2022, in Beijing. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue)
Nathan Crumpton, of American Samoa, arrives during the opening ceremony of the 2022 Winter Olympics, Friday, Feb. 4, 2022, in Beijing. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Performers march in colorful costumes during the opening ceremony of the 2022 Winter Olympics, Friday, Feb. 4, 2022, in Beijing. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue)
President of the International Olympic Committee Thomas Bach address the crowd during the opening ceremony of the 2022 Winter Olympics, Friday, Feb. 4, 2022, in Beijing. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
The Olympic flag is carried into the stadium during the opening ceremony of the 2022 Winter Olympics, Friday, Feb. 4, 2022, in Beijing. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Yekaterina Aidova, of Kazakhstan, waves as she walks into the stadium during the opening ceremony of the 2022 Winter Olympics, Friday, Feb. 4, 2022, in Beijing. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
CORRECTS TO BRITTANY BOWE AND NOT ELANA MEYERS TAYLOR AS ORIGINALLY SENT – Brittany Bowe and John Shuster, of the United States, carry their country’s flag during the opening ceremony of the 2022 Winter Olympics, Friday, Feb. 4, 2022, in Beijing. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue)
CORRECTS TO BRITTANY BOWE AND NOT ELANA MEYERS TAYLOR AS ORIGINALLY SENT -Brittany Bowe and John Shuster, of the United States, lead their team in during the opening ceremony of the 2022 Winter Olympics, Friday, Feb. 4, 2022, in Beijing. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
China’s President Xi Jinping declares the Games open during the opening ceremony of the 2022 Winter Olympics, Friday, Feb. 4, 2022, in Beijing. (Anthony Wallace/Pool Photo via AP)
Entertainers perform during the opening ceremony of the 2022 Winter Olympics, Friday, Feb. 4, 2022, in Beijing. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue)
Dancers perform during the opening ceremony of the 2022 Winter Olympics, Friday, Feb. 4, 2022, in Beijing. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Donovan Carrillo and Sarah Schleper, of Mexico, carry their national flag into the stadium during the opening ceremony of the 2022 Winter Olympics, Friday, Feb. 4, 2022, in Beijing. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Athletes from China arrive during the opening ceremony of the 2022 Winter Olympics, Friday, Feb. 4, 2022, in Beijing. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)
Dancers perform during the opening ceremony of the 2022 Winter Olympics, Friday, Feb. 4, 2022, in Beijing. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)
Nathan Crumpton, of American Samoa, carries his national flag into the stadium during the opening ceremony of the 2022 Winter Olympics, Friday, Feb. 4, 2022, in Beijing. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)
Dancers perform during the opening ceremony of the 2022 Winter Olympics, Friday, Feb. 4, 2022, in Beijing. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Dancers perform during the opening ceremony of the 2022 Winter Olympics, Friday, Feb. 4, 2022, in Beijing. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue)
