Live coverage: Opening Ceremony of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games

Beijing welcomed the world to the Games of the 29th Olympiad on August 8 with an Opening Ceremony that began at 8:00 p.m. (1200GMT). A Zhang Yimou-directed performance dazzled the 90,000-plus spectators that filled the National Stadium. Follow the performance on the official website of the Games. [Live coverage] [Photo Gallery] [Welcome Ceremony]