© KEYSTONE / SALVATORE DI NOLFI
The Beijing Olympics were opened at 2:51 p.m. Swiss time by Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Bird’s Nest, the Olympic stadium in the capital. They will close on February 20.
Beijing had already hosted the Olympics in 2008, but it was then the Summer Games. Skier Wendy Holdener and hockey player Andres Ambühl carried the Swiss flag during the traditional delegation parade.
Some 3,000 athletes from 91 countries will compete in 15 disciplines. A total of 109 Olympic titles will be awarded, as well as as many silver and bronze medals.