Beijing National Stadium | The opening ceremony gets underway, with 3,000 performers featuring in the 100-minute celebration

 

The Bird's Nest | Beijing's iconic stadium also played host to the Summer Olympics in 2008

 

Bing Dwen Dwen | One of the Winter Olympics mascots waves to the crowd

 

Official welcome | IOC President Thomas Bach greets the crowd alongside Chinese President Xi Jinping

 

National pride | The host country's flag is raised to signal the ceremony's beginning

 

Vladimir Putin | The Russian President's presence has caused headlines amid rising tensions with Ukraine

 

Flag bearers | Ukrainian athletes parade in front of a crowd of spectators, one of whom is Putin

 

Ice dancers | Performers dressed as ice hockey players during the opening ceremony

 

Sport without politics? | The US contingent enters the stadium, despite the fact that US government officials are boycotting the games in light of China's human rights record

 

Beijing lights | Performers create a flower display with LED lights

 

Host parade | China's athletes enter the stadium last to loud cheers from the crowd

 

Peace speech | IOC President Thomas Bach said the Olympics stood for a world with "no discrimination whatsoever" and urged people to "give peace a chance."

 

Let the Games begin | Fireworks signal the end of the opening ceremony