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August 8, 2008 (Use j/k keys to navigate)   Email to a friend    Permalink

2008 Olympics Opening Ceremony

Beijing held its formal opening ceremony today for the 2008 Summer Olympics. The ceremony, held in the National Stadium known as the Bird's Nest, was attended by thousands, and watched by millions more on television. Below are some highlights of the nearly 4-hour performance. (24 photos total)

A dancer performs during the Opening Ceremony for the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics at the National Stadium on August 8, 2008 in Beijing, China. (Jeff Gross/Getty Images)

Drummers perform during the Opening Ceremony for the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics at the National Stadium on August 8, 2008 in Beijing. (Adam Pretty/Getty Images)

An artist in a space suit performs during the Opening Ceremony for the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics at the National Stadium on August 8, 2008 in Beijing. (Vladimir Rys/Bongarts/Getty Images)

Fireworks explode over the National Stadium during the Opening Ceremony for the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games at the National Stadium on August 8 in Beijing. (Clive Rose/Getty Images)

Artists perform during the opening ceremony of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games at the National Stadium, also known as the "Bird's Nest", on August 8, 2008. The three-hour show at Beijing's iconic national stadium was set to see more than 15,000 performers showcase the nation's ancient history and its rise as a modern power. (AFP PHOTO / Olivier Morin)

Percussionists take part in the opening ceremony of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games in Beijing on August 8, 2008. (FABRICE COFFRINI/AFP/Getty Images)

Percussionists hit their Fou drums at the start of the opening ceremony of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games in Beijing on August 8, 2008. (AFP PHOTO / Joe Klamar )

Percussionists with their Fou drums stand prior to the opening ceremony of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games in Beijing on August 8, 2008. (AFP PHOTO / Jewel Samad)

Artists perform around an illuminated Globe during the Opening Ceremony for the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics at the National Stadium on August 8, 2008 in Beijing. (Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

Artists perform during the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games opening ceremony on August 8, 2008 at the National Stadium in Beijing. Over 10,000 athletes from some 200 countries are going to compete in 38 differents disciplines during the event, between August 9 to 24. (WILLIAM WEST/AFP/Getty Images)

The Olympic rings are illuminated during the Opening Ceremony for the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics at the National Stadium on August 8, 2008 in Beijing. (Photo by Adam Pretty/Getty Images)

Artists underneath movable boxes perform during the Opening Ceremony for the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics at the National Stadium on August 8, 2008 in Beijing. (Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

Martial arts dancers perform during the Opening Ceremony for the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics at the National Stadium on August 8, 2008 in Beijing. (Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

Lighted dancers perform during the opening ceremony for the Beijing 2008 Olympics in Beijing, Friday, Aug. 8, 2008. (AP Photo/David Phillip)

Drummers perform during the Opening Ceremony for the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics at the National Stadium on August 8, 2008 in Beijing. (Vladimir Rys/Bongarts/Getty Images)

Artists perform during the Opening Ceremony for the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics at the National Stadium on August 8, 2008 in Beijing. (Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)

Performers cheer during the Opening Ceremony for the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics at the National Stadium on August 8, 2008 in Beijing. (Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

Fireworks light the sky over the National Aquatics Center (L) and the National Stadium during the Opening Ceremony for the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics on August 8, 2008 in Beijing. (Lars Baron/Bongarts/Getty Images)

An artist performs, suspended by wires during the Opening Ceremony for the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics at the National Stadium on August 8, 2008 in Beijing. (Jeff Gross/Getty Images)

Drummers perform during the Opening Ceremony for the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics at the National Stadium on August 8, 2008 in Beijing. (Photo by Adam Pretty/Getty Images)

A musician performs during the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games opening ceremony on August 8, 2008 at the National Stadium in Beijing. (WILLIAM WEST/AFP/Getty Images)

Performers are pictured during the Opening Ceremony for the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics at the National Stadium on August 8, 2008 in Beijing. (Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

A dancer is silhouetted as she performs during the Opening Ceremony for the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics at the National Stadium on August 8, 2008 in Beijing. (Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

Children of migrant workers from outlying provinces look at themselves in the mirror as they use their hands to form the Olympic Rings after watching the TV live broadcast of the Olympic Games opening ceremony at their quarters August 8, 2008 on the outskirts of Beijing. (Andrew Wong/Getty Images)

More links and information
Olympics Coverage - Boston.com
China strides onto Olympic stage - Boston.com 8/8
Protests occur worldwide as Beijing Olympics begin - Photo gallery, Boston.com 8/8
Official Site Beijing 2008 Games
2008 Olympics - NYT Topics page

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people from china did it exceptionally well But still there could be some improvement if they were paid well. There were times of unacceptable undercordinations during certain human graphical representations which could easily be corrected. by the way the china olympic was good.

Posted by Upul October 13, 08 01:29 AM
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very wonderful pictures ,china did very well as they always do.on the other hand china has the 3rd largest economy so this isnt a suprise to me i love china from its people to its culture and products china has and as always done extremely well ,china is the best,no matter what .america has always made other countries look bad but they are the one that is evil!!!!!!!!!!!!! america is hell on earth they are going down now and god will not save them because god hates sin america is sin they will go down and jamaica and china and the rest of the world will rise to the occassion gd bless us china and jamaica.for ever we are the true land of the brave. god bless us forever

Posted by nathan October 13, 08 10:28 PM
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china was asome but America is the real champion heartiest congrats go out to micheal phelps for creating history for america and making us proud.we are the best america so live on.i am a jamaican who loves america to the bottom of my heart dont worry about a thing america we will pull through like we always do america does not feel treated against this usain bolt cause we use to dominate the sprinting field and we will take it back in the next olyimpics so let the jamaicans enjoy thier victory for now!.I HATE JAMAICA BUT I LOVE AMERICA I DO NOT NOR WILL NEVER THINK OF MYSELF AS AN JAMAICAN BUT AS A PROUD AMERICAN GOD BLESS AMERICA LAND THE WORLD AND US LOVE.

Posted by donovan October 13, 08 11:07 PM
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great work... brain is used perfectly!!!!
wish u hv train the heart how to love and develop compassion!!!!

Posted by Anonymous October 14, 08 08:44 PM
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Olempic Pecan

Posted by ax October 16, 08 08:48 AM
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i am speechless !!!

Posted by Imaka Isaac October 16, 08 02:03 PM
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good fireworks they have there. :)

Posted by Harrison October 19, 08 10:00 AM
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As a Chinese, watching such kind of ceremony was not joyful but with twisting stomach. If the real Chinese traditional culture was like this for five thousand years, there would be no China in the world, it would be destroyed by the twisted Chinese long time ago.

With such a red collar, red mark on the bare head and greenish costume, etc et are nothing else but representing the world of ghosts or the hell.

Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has destroyed the real Chinese traditional Culture. Even the Chinese themselves have been brain washed for a long time. Even though they are suffering by the cruelness of CCP, they still think without CCP their lives would be worse. Every time there are catastrophes in the western, especially in the United States, there will be cheers in China.

As long as CCP existing, this situation will not be changed. Perhaps will getting worse.

Posted by Frank Chen October 19, 08 09:44 PM
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these pictures are exceptionally beautiful .i have never seen something so spectacular in my entire life before.

Posted by Anika Mustapha October 20, 08 03:26 PM
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this is absolutely the best games ever, and of course that this opening ceremony is the greatest show on earth. Many people said to me that the OC of the Athens 2004 is better, and the Beijing 2008 OC is duplicating Athens 2004 OC. but I think that Beijing 2008 OC is ABSOLUTELY the best, no doubt. I watched it with my family, and we were astonished...After the show, we are prouder than before, for we are Chinese. We're proud of China ! We're proud as Chinese !

Warning : Watching this spectacular event may cause pride as Chinese and mankind ! You have the rights to be proud as mankind !

Posted by Andika Candra October 22, 08 03:12 AM
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theseee pics are......awesome!!!!!!!!! the people who have worked 4 it iiiiiii wll reallly thank themmmmm!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted by navin rajpal(9226766646) October 22, 08 06:43 AM
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Those were the best quality pictures. The opening ceremony is my favorite. Asian Power!

Posted by Asian Power October 23, 08 07:39 PM
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thats wonderful. ýts an ýmagination of how man mankind is suberb. love these pictures

Posted by egemen October 24, 08 06:45 AM
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wowwwwwwww! China was the best olympics I ever seen in my live . They rock !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted by bamboo October 25, 08 12:22 PM
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WICKED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! BEST PICTURES I HAVE EVER SEEN IN MY LIFE!

Posted by Anonymous October 29, 08 02:36 AM
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Here,i'd LIKE TO show you more amazing pictures about BEIJING OC!

Posted by lily October 30, 08 03:04 AM
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China have changed a lot !!!!
It 'll become biger &biger~~~~
I love you@:@CHINA!!!

Posted by Yyyye~ October 30, 08 05:55 AM
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I believe Beijing Olympic Games brings lots of pressure to bear on the next holding country!

Posted by Anonymous October 30, 08 03:49 PM
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I Love China, China is So great !! Come on London! Come on China.

Posted by Jenny October 30, 08 08:42 PM
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MY MY MY WHAT A SIGHT.

Posted by ANNIE November 1, 08 01:53 PM
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very very nic
very nic olampic in the china

Posted by benyamin November 1, 08 03:22 PM
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o my god!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted by Anonymous November 4, 08 09:55 AM
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Adorei as fotos, elas estão um sucesso....

Posted by Gerliane Pereira dos Santos November 4, 08 01:53 PM
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ABSOLUTELY BREATHTAKING

Posted by BARBARA PRUITT November 4, 08 02:25 PM
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It's not just the visual impact but also the display of the essence of Chinese culture through these acts. It has vision, beyond visuals.

Posted by Jenny November 4, 08 08:08 PM
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im a freshman in chongqing china
as a student ,
i want to say :
i love my country ,my hometown
even there are still many bad things happen in my home
we can't stop these things from happening
but our homeland is still wonderful ,splendid ,charming...
just as we all know : things has two aspects, one good ,and the other bad
for the bad things ,we chinese goverment are trying to solve them,
trying to stop them ,trying to make all chinese people have a rich ,good life
to other countries , we chinese goverment are always friendly
they just want to make friendship with these countries
we just believe that peace is the most important thing to china, to asia ,to all the world
but some countries don't think so ,they just want to be the NO.1 in the world ,
whom the country is ,i think there's no need to type out
medium in GB ,US .etc .always don't show the good aspect in china,
they always trying their best to look something bad in china,
if you told them ;i want to know sth good about china ,
they may tell you ,we are not interested in good things in china,we just like bad things .so i think if there are no bad things ,journalists from these medium will lost the job .their boss will speak loudly to them ;WHY CAN'T YOU TRY YOUR BEST TO LOK FOR BAD THINGS IN CHINA?
so the media workers are all hard-working
so bad things about china spread quikly all over the world , no matter if these news are true or not
so people in these countries can't know the true things about china ,and they may think china is just as what the BBC, VOA says
i want to tell people in europ and america ,china is not the same as what your countries'media says about , if you want to know more about china .
you are welcomed to china . in china ,you will know the trues about the TIBET ,and so on
i'm just a grade 1 student in university , so my english is so so ,there are many things i don't know how to express ,and there must be some mistakes in my words

Posted by sunny November 6, 08 01:02 AM
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goooood

Posted by çaðatay November 6, 08 07:37 AM
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great , too gooooooooooooooooooood

Posted by shivani wadgaonkar November 7, 08 11:35 PM
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excellant

Posted by siva mahadevan November 9, 08 06:59 AM
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SERIOUSLY SUPERB PICS.....!!!!!!!!!
wel ma physical project is gonna rock....!!!!!!
thnks anyway.............

Posted by manisha November 10, 08 12:06 PM
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amazing it made me cry

Posted by max November 17, 08 05:31 AM
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i hope china become more united...

Posted by yonyon napoles November 17, 08 09:15 AM
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hai by chinna

Posted by chinna November 18, 08 12:51 AM
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wow nice picher super

Posted by R.Sudhagar November 18, 08 04:46 AM
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the pics were lovely im not a chinese but i can see the significance in the pics and i can also see that these ppl put hard wk along wth dedication together and found brillant ways to capture the minds attention and hearts off all ........very good job yhe entire perfomances were great

Posted by jolisa November 20, 08 10:57 PM
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Thank you for all praises for my people.I am proud as a Chinese.
Welcome to our land.

Posted by ³Ââù November 21, 08 12:23 AM
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you can do is just come to china to enjoy her,im native,i have the right to say we chineses are absolutely different from what you guess!come here!

Posted by pollyjiang November 22, 08 10:54 AM
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the pictures are just amazing!!!!! so creative!!love it

Posted by madison November 24, 08 06:09 PM
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HI
I'm from India, I really admire this wonderful event at Beijing.
Well done, and its gud to see the efforts and hard work of all the people of China.
Congratulations!!!!!!!1

Posted by Priyanka Sharma November 25, 08 11:11 AM
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SImply Diivne harmony, order, & balance.

Loving all of it.

Posted by Goddess Isis December 1, 08 09:10 PM
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China, the best country

Posted by Hans December 1, 08 10:52 PM
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awesome n' fantastic all pictures look like i' m wathing them in my dream.

Posted by monika December 9, 08 12:32 AM
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As a Chinese, I'm so proud of this OC, and I'm so glad many  audiences all over the world like it too. I hope my home country will contribute more and more excellency to the world.My country is still young, with many problems, but it's improving very fast,getting better day by day, just be patient, and give it enough time.  

Posted by cindy wang December 10, 08 05:20 AM
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Im soo happy for China and about the olympics was a smashing success. It was awesome and beautiful to watch. I wish i was there, but only watched it on TV. Was amazing with the fireworks and the things they did at the bird nest. The drums were awesome. Whenever the olympics started my eyes and ears were stick like glue listening to the olympics and watching. It was just too awesome to watch! I still don't know how London can beat this. This must have worthed a fortune and had everything just right and synced. It was just amazing.

Posted by matthew December 11, 08 11:48 PM
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Talking about shows on earth, this one!!!

Posted by Matt December 13, 08 12:01 AM
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AM proud OF YOU CHINA.

Posted by WANGYI December 19, 08 09:30 PM
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Great pictures. Thanks for sharing.

Posted by Ted December 20, 08 06:05 AM
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GREAT PICS!
GREAT COUNTRY!!!

Posted by YLJENSEN December 28, 08 12:11 AM
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There is a lot of bad in this world, young man...but, there is a lot of good as well. Can Americans get together and work on a single project of such magnitude. I think we currently cannot, however, the future holds many possibilities as to what we can do. Corrections can only occur from first seeing the negative as you have pointed out clearly. Next step is to use this information and move on, always striving for the solution. China made a great effort in its performance to state this is how they are trying to find it. They aren't just simply complaining as you have done. They are seeking, just as I am, for the balance for mankind. Using their past and present colture to relay a message through entertainment was beautiful.

Posted by LJK-Macon, GA December 28, 08 10:44 AM
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Well done China! I am an American and that was incredible! It was a sit at the edge of your seat,candy for your eyes awesome!The culture was undenyable and gave me the chills ive never seen anything like it...as we say it "Two Thunbs Up".... :)

Posted by Marlene A December 29, 08 10:04 PM
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great pics

Posted by Anonymous January 8, 09 07:20 AM
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The pictures are very impressive. A very good photographer.

Posted by Anonymous January 8, 09 04:03 PM
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it s very nice i am glad 2 see these pictures

Posted by bala January 10, 09 04:22 AM
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great skill in take the photos, and great thanks for you to display the pictures for us!
for some comments about the present China , I think some views is really exist in ,but to a person or to the country we can easily find that nothing is perfect !
what's more , we all try to improve ~
welcome you all come to China ,to touch the culture and people here~ of course to find the shortcomings of us !

Posted by james(zhang xinzhu) January 14, 09 09:17 PM
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beautiful pictures!!

Posted by Anonymous January 16, 09 05:37 PM
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cool pictures and cool photographer

Posted by dominic January 20, 09 07:17 AM
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awesome pictures and awesome photographer!
simply marvelous!

Posted by Ronald January 21, 09 01:08 PM
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Fabulous Pics

Posted by FARAH January 26, 09 03:13 AM
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Great ,no words to express.It shows the hard work & Team work for this splendid performance.

Posted by Bindu Rajan Pillai January 26, 09 03:21 AM
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great piece of fotography couldnt be much better than this.

Posted by Anonymous January 27, 09 05:56 AM
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I didn't seen the whole opening show in August (because of work), but I did it tonight. Amazing, fantastic, beautiful, glorious, warming, knockout, stunning, sublime, idea-rich, what more can I say.....Congratulations for your achievement . A billion thanks to all of you in China, and thanks to Alan for the beautiful pictures.

Best regards,
TN
PS: You push a lot of pressure on the UK Olympic comity :-)

Posted by cesoir January 31, 09 01:32 PM
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awsome pics lovin it

Posted by taja mclean January 31, 09 03:52 PM
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GREAT PHTS! GREAT CHINA! GREAT CHINESE!

Posted by SAM February 1, 09 07:52 AM
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The Olympics is really awesome.
The entire Asian has grown a lot in the past 30 yrs

Posted by Anonymous February 1, 09 10:01 AM
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so cool!!!!!!

Posted by z February 1, 09 10:04 AM
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Wow my god, i don't believe it happened in human being world, it looks like only possible in fairy world!

Bravo! China!

Posted by Li Jianguo February 3, 09 10:04 AM
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that was so cool

Posted by josh holbrook February 3, 09 03:49 PM
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China was so good, so cool..
I am chinese, I like China..

Posted by Xuan.. February 5, 09 10:20 PM
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thank you !As a chinese ,I am so proud of my country.

Posted by Anonymous February 5, 09 11:32 PM
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thank you !As a chinese ,I am so proud of my country.

Posted by Anonymous February 5, 09 11:32 PM
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you need to write on your sight somewhere who published the sight

Posted by payton February 8, 09 07:40 PM
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The boxes that were moved up and down by people really intrigued me. I cannot begin to comprehend how they did that. How could a person memorize all those positions and when to do them? If anyone could explain how this was done I would love to know.
I also especially love the 2008 drummers precision.
You always hear people say simple is best, but on this occasion the magnitude and multitude, I admire with gratitude.

Posted by Karin February 10, 09 10:53 AM
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no words

Posted by aaa February 15, 09 03:51 PM
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plain pictures

Posted by lily February 18, 09 08:24 PM
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China is still developing, let it have more space to keep improving the life index for their people.

Posted by Sombody borned in Hongkong February 19, 09 08:37 PM
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I look at the video over and over again. Astounding choreography and techincal handling of the whole performance was amazing! I wish I knew how they did the flying. I know it was on wires but how could they hang from the middle?

Posted by Richard Holden February 22, 09 08:03 PM
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Awesome job China koolio fireworks :D

Posted by Kaiseyyy February 25, 09 05:43 PM
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China, u did a great job! I just love the performance and it was very alluring especially the costumes, decoration and the weather!
It was so fun and I am very amazed at the gorgous things! Everything was so beautiful and I had a pleasant trip there.
Hope to see more of this..thanks China, for wha you have done. :)

Posted by Stephanie March 1, 09 10:24 AM
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very beautiful£¡£¡£¡i'm Chinese£¡£¡Îҷdz£Ï²»¶ÖйúµÄÕâ¸ö¿ªÄ»Ê½£¡£¡£¡Ì«Æ¯ÁÁÁË£¡£¡£¡¸ÐлÃÀ¹úÅóÓÑµÄÆÀÂÛ£¡£¡

Posted by ÕÅÖ¾ÓÂ March 5, 09 03:52 AM
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nice nothing to point out.

Posted by somraj chakraborty March 6, 09 11:12 AM
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WHERE CAN i BUY THESE PICTURES? IS THERE A PHOTO BOOK TO BUY SOMEWHERE?

Posted by Deanna March 10, 09 12:33 PM
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Hope everyone can understand China with your heart not what you see from medium.

Posted by a people March 11, 09 11:31 AM
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WOW,I wish also to see the next olympic shows which will be in Singapore.

Posted by Belal March 13, 09 02:28 PM
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I think this was so tight!!!!!! Totally fabulous and outstanding. I mean really... how can u not love it?!

Posted by Anna March 15, 09 09:29 PM
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simply awesome!!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted by Daniel March 20, 09 08:10 AM
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Hi those pics are great can you send me some please i would realy like it please please thanks dude!

Posted by Shantell April 1, 09 04:32 AM
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so amazing, i feel proud of it.
i love my country!!!
china will be better in the future

Posted by jenny Huang April 6, 09 09:05 AM
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so many people

Posted by Anonymous April 7, 09 05:01 AM
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I love china they are graet in doin things ,good pics and wonderful paeple

Posted by ade April 7, 09 05:19 AM
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Real wonderful¡£

Posted by kelly April 8, 09 09:12 AM
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An excellent image.

Posted by Allan Salas April 21, 09 01:04 AM
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Awesome..............

Posted by Anonymous April 27, 09 01:29 PM
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its cool... so rad!

Posted by Anonymous May 18, 09 09:47 AM
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Spectacular show! Coordination and team-players played an important point in this show !excellent! Congratulations China!

Posted by Diana May 25, 09 09:26 AM
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2259----I don't know why you say that ridiculous words.but as a Chinese,I;m very proud of our country and our community.
Also these pics are so beautiful.

Posted by xu May 25, 09 09:55 AM
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bhenchood anth picture h

Posted by Anonymous May 27, 09 11:47 PM
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IMPRESSIVE...i loVe....CHINA>_______________

Posted by Angel Nuk Nuk(=^^=) June 4, 09 02:47 AM
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dudes! china's a great country and all...been there lots. everyone's so nationalistic, it's funny. nathan way up there, you are so right america's a hell hole. well the olympics were grand (saw it on TV)....just a little tooo glittery i thoguht. heheh...but no china was wonderful. it's just that....I CAN'T SEE THE PICS! waa i don't know why..

Posted by LIANNA June 4, 09 03:11 AM
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i think that china are gret

Posted by Anonymous June 12, 09 05:43 AM
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this this this is so fantabulous!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
tough that London,see if you can beat the most beautiful performance ever!

Posted by Adrian June 16, 09 12:11 AM
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