Postpublished at 14:15 Greenwich Mean Time 4 February 2022
Almost there now. Seven torchbearers will carry six torches in the final leg of the relay into the stadium. Three down. Three to go.
Summary
Watch the opening ceremony on BBC One (UK only)
Curler Eve Muirhead and alpine skier Dave Ryding are Great Britain's flagbearers
Beijing, the first city to host both a summer and winter Olympic Games, will reuse the Bird’s Nest stadium it built for the 2008 Summer Olympics
The opening ceremony is directed by Zhang Yimou, the same Oscar-nominated cinematographer who oversaw both the opening and closing ceremonies at Beijing 2008
Postpublished at 14:15 Greenwich Mean Time 4 February 2022
Postpublished at 14:13 Greenwich Mean Time 4 February 2022
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End of twitter postPostpublished at 14:11 Greenwich Mean Time 4 February 2022
Like a winter wonderland with 100s and thousands on the top Sonia.
Postpublished at 14:10 Greenwich Mean Time 4 February 2022
Sonia Oxley
BBC Sport in Beijing
Image source, BBC SportMagical.
Postpublished at 14:09 Greenwich Mean Time 4 February 2022
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End of twitter postPostpublished at 14:03 Greenwich Mean Time 4 February 2022
The Olympic motto now emblazoned across the stadium.
Faster. Higher. Stronger. Together.
And the Olympic anthem, a choral cantata by opera composer Spyridon Samaras, is getting an airing.
Postpublished at 14:01 Greenwich Mean Time 4 February 2022
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How good is this?
Image source, getPostpublished at 13:59 Greenwich Mean Time 4 February 2022
Sonia Oxley
BBC Sport in BeijingI think the fireworks will have looked better on the TV or across Beijing!
Image source, BBC SportBeijing Winter Olympics openpublished at 13:56 Greenwich Mean Time 4 February 2022
Image source, BBC One
Image source, Getty ImagesChinese President Xi Jinping is now up and declares the Games to be open.
That is greeted by an illuminating display inside and outside the Bird's Nest.
Postpublished at 13:53 Greenwich Mean Time 4 February 2022
More from IOC President Thomas Bach: "Welcome to the Olympic Winter Games Beijing 2022.
"To all our Chinese friends, a very happy new year. The year of the Tiger is also the year of the Olympics. Both the year of the Tiger and the Olympic year stand for ambition, courage and strength.
"Today, thanks to this ambition, China is a winter sport country. Well over 300 million people are engaged in winter sports in about 2,000 ski resorts and ice rinks.
"This extraordinary achievement opens a new era for global winter sport. It will raise the global participation to new levels, benefiting the Chinese people as well as winter sport enthusiasts around the world."
'There will be no discrimination for any reason whatsoever' - Bachpublished at 13:52 Greenwich Mean Time 4 February 2022
IOC President Thomas Bach, addressing the Olympic athletes: "You have arrived here after overcoming so many challenges and living through great uncertainty. But now your moment has come.
"Your Olympic dream is coming true in magnificent venues, supported by hundreds of millions of new Chinese winter sport fans.
"You will show how the world would look if we all respect the same rules and each other.
"Over the next two weeks you will compete with each other for the highest prize. At the same time you will live peacefully together under one roof in the Olympic Village. There, there will be no discrimination for any reason whatsoever.
"In our fragile world, where division, conflict and mistrust are on the rise, we show the world: yes, it is possible to be fierce rivals, while at the same time living peacefully and respectfully together.
"This is the mission of the Olympic Games: bringing us together in peaceful competition. Always building bridges, never erecting walls. Uniting humankind in all our diversity."
Postpublished at 13:48 Greenwich Mean Time 4 February 2022
Image source, BBC OneCai Qi, president of the Beijing Organising Committee opens up extending a warm welcome to those taking part.
He goes on to say: "Seven years ago, we promised the world a joyous rendezvous on pure ice and snow, setting out on a new Olympic journey.
"Today, we witness here how Beijing becomes the first city ever to host both the summer and winter editions of the Olympic Games, and how China writes a new chapter in the history of the Olympic Movement.
"As the old Chinese saying goes, 'Honouring a promise carries the weight of gold.'"
"With the full support of President Xi Jinping and under the strong leadership of the Chinese government, we have remained committed to a green, inclusive, open and clean approach to preparing and hosting the Games.
"We have worked closely with the IOC and other stakeholders, risen to the challenge of Covid-19 while pressing ahead with the Games preparations."
Postpublished at 13:40 Greenwich Mean Time 4 February 2022
While we listen and tap out a bit of what is being said here is a reminder of Team GB's entrance.
Postpublished at 13:37 Greenwich Mean Time 4 February 2022
Speech time.
President of the Beijing Organising Committee, Cai Qi and Thomas Bach, president of the International Olympic Committee are doing the honours.
Postpublished at 13:35 Greenwich Mean Time 4 February 2022
The parade of nationas and opening ceremony very much drawing towards its conclusion now.
Image source, BBC OnePostpublished at 13:32 Greenwich Mean Time 4 February 2022
Sonia Oxley
BBC Sport in BeijingEveryone on their feet waving flags as the hosts enter
Image source, BBC SportThe hosts are in the housepublished at 13:31 Greenwich Mean Time 4 February 2022
China are one of four nations to be represented across all 15 sports.
Image source, BBC SportA dream. An illusion. A reality.published at 13:28 Greenwich Mean Time 4 February 2022
Ever wondered about that feeling that athletes get just before coming out.
This from Spanish skeleton racer Ander Mirambell, might give you an idea. It briefly translates to: A dream. An illusion. A reality.
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End of twitter postPostpublished at 13:25 Greenwich Mean Time 4 February 2022
Australia very much rocking the camouflage look even if it is not really apt for icy surroundings.
Image source, Getty Images