Beijing dream begins
- 8th August 2008
YEARS of training and sacrifice will be paid off tonight as the dream of thousands of athletes is realised with the opening of 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.
Thousands of athletes from around the world will pour into China's breathtaking National Stadium, or 'The Bird's Nest' as it is affectionately known, for tonight's opening ceremony.
There has been tight secrecy around the theme of the ceremony with Chinese officials maintaining a media black-out on the massive spectacle.
Australia will be led into the arena by gold medal rower James Tomkins, after he was named the official flag bearer at a reception held last night attended by Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, Crown Princess Mary and former primer minister John Howard.
But after the lights and music of the opening have subsided, it will be time to get down to the real business of the games.
Over the next sixteen days, around 10, 500 athletes will compete across 28 sports, while an army of over 20,000 accredited media bring every moment of triumph and tradgedy to the eyes of the world.
Australia is taking its second largest travelling team and has high hopes for gold in many of the events.
For more Beijing news, pictures and info, see our special Beijing Olympics Guide.
- APN
