Politics, COVID-19 front and centre during Beijing Olympics Opening Ceremony

Canadian athletes enetr the stadium during the opening ceremony at the Beijing Winter Olympics in Beijing, China, on Friday, Feb. 4, 2022. (Paul Chiasson/THE CANADIAN PRESS)

The world's best winter athletes promise to put on a spectacular show for the next 16 days at the Beijing Olympics.

They'll do so with an ominous political cloud hovering.

The Opening Ceremony on Friday signalled the start of a Winter Games not only taking place during the midst of severe COVID-19 pandemic restrictions in China, but with several countries, including Canada, staging diplomatic boycotts because of human rights violations.

Even the choice of torchbearers to light the Olympic flame – Chinese cross-country skier Dinigeer Yilamujiang and Nordic combined skier Zhao Jiawen – had political undertones, reported Tom Schad of USA Today.

The flame was placed inside a giant snowflake, officially making Beijing the first city to host both a Summer and Winter Games after staging the warm-weather version just 14 years ago.

The Bird's Nest stadium hosted the Opening Ceremony for both events.

Here's a look back at this year's version.

How it started

The show began with a countdown from the No. 24 – representing the 24th Winter Olympics as well as the 24 solar terms in the Chinese Lunar calendar.

From there, it was a light and firework show followed by the first introduction of dignitaries – IOC president Thomas Bach and Chinese President Xi Jinping, socially distanced by well over six feet and both wearing masks.

That introduction led to a focus on the host country. The Chinese flag came out and was passed along by outstretched arms meant to represent the 56 ethnic groups of the country – a controversial move because of human rights violations – before going to military members.

Parade of nations

As usual, Greece was first to enter the stadium.

Taiwan was one of the first countries to be introduced – after reports emerged that it did not want to march, but was told to do so by the IOC.

As India walked in, no one from one of the world's largest countries could see it on TV. India decided not to show the Opening Ceremony this week after China chose a military commander involved with deadly clashes with Indian border forces in 2020 to be a torchbearer.

About 90 Canadian athletes from the 215-member team marched in their red jackets. They were led out by flag bearers Marie-Philip Poulin (hockey) and Charles Hamelin (short-track speedskating).

"We're here representing Canada, there's no better feeling than that," Poulin told CBC before walking in. "We can not wait to walk right in there."

The Russian Olympic Committee, not allowed to be called Russia officially because of doping violations, received a cheer that could be heard clearly on the television broadcast.

Russian President Vladimir Putin also was in attendance, unlike many of his counterparts because of diplomatic boycotts.

As Ukraine entered the stadium, Putin was shown on the NBC broadcast. American and Ukrainian officials have estimated Russia has stationed about 100,000 troops close to the Ukraine border, causing fears of an invasion.

Bach talks

Bach touched on politics and the pandemic during his speech.

He appealed to political leaders to "observe your commitment to the Olympic truce. Give peace a chance."

Bach also thanked the medical community for their work during the pandemic.

He had a message for athletes unable to attend because of COVID-19.

"Our heart goes out to all the athletes who because of the pandemic cannot make their Olympic dream come true," he said.

Jinping declared the Winter Games open after Bach's speech.

If you needed proof that the Olympics is about far more than just sport, this ceremony provided more than enough evidence.

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