Notable images from the Olympic opening ceremony
February 4, 2022![Eröffnungsfeier | Olympische Winterspiele 2022 | Peking, China](https://static.dw.com/image/60661313_800.webp)
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