Spectacular ceremony opens Beijing Olympics

The Beijing Olympic Games are officially underway after a spectacular opening ceremony was held in the 'Bird's Nest' Stadium.

Some 91,000 people and an estimated global audience of billions watched as the Games were opened in a glittering and highly-choreographed ceremony in Beijing, amid a backdrop of intense security and pollution fears.

Many of the world's heads of state, including American President George W. Bush and Russian PM Vladimir Putin, were present but British leader Gordon Brown was not there as he will be at the closing ceremony.

After a stunning visual display, that featured thousands of volunteers, the traditional parade of athletes from every country taking part entertained the crowd with swimmer Mark Foster carrying the Union Jack as he led out Team GB.

The four-hour long ceremony was then brought to a dramatic close when Chinese gold medal winner Li Ning was hoisted up to the top of the stadium before being pulled around the whole circumference to then light the Olympic flame from the torch.

Jacques Rogge, president of the International Olympic Committee, said in the official programme: "Tonight we will witness history being made.

"For the first time, the Olympic Games are in China, marking not only a major milestone for the Chinese sports movement but also for the entire Olympic movement.

"For 16 days, the Beijing Games will not only be a moment of sporting excellence, they will also be the discovery of other countries and will allow us to share the passion that only an event like the Olympic Games can bring to life."