Beijing 2008 Olympic Opening Ceremony

Overview

The 2008 Summer Olympics opening ceremony was held at the Beijing National Stadium, also known as the Bird's Nest. It began at 8:00 p.m. China Standard Time (UTC+8) on August 8, 2008, as 8 is considered to be a lucky number in Chinese culture. Featuring more than 15,000 performers, the ceremony lasted over four hours and cost over $100 million USD to produce.

Directed by Zhang Yimou

Top cast

Hu Jintao

Self

Henry Kissinger

Self

Barbara Bush

Self

George H. W. Bush

Self

George W. Bush

Self

Laura Bush

Self

Shimon Peres

Self

Anne, Princess Royal

Self

Lee Myung-bak

Self

Jiang Zemin

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Kobe Bryant

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Yao Ming

Self

Jacques Rogge

Self - IOC President

Thomas Bach

Self - IOC Vice President

Details