There were 90,000 spectators in the Stadium, including United States President George W. Bush and Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, to watch Chinese President Hu Jintao declare the Games open.

 

Jacques Rogge, the President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), said: "For a long time, China has dreamed of opening its doors and inviting the world's athletes to Beijing for the Olympic Games.

 

"Tonight that dream comes true.

 

"Congratulations, Beijing."

 

Minutes later, the Olympic cauldron was to be lit by Li Ning, the Chinese gymnast who captured three gold medals at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics.

 

A three-and-a-half hour opening ceremony, directed by Oscar-nominated filmmaker Zhang Yimou, featured 5,000 competitors from 204 nations parade in a lavish event, with 35,000 fireworks lighting up a typical, smog-filled Beijing evening.

 

A tightly-choreographed hour-long sector, shot through with themes from Zhang's signature movies Hero and House of Flying Daggers, portrayed China's colourful history from ancient dynasties to 21st century power.

 

In a country where eight is a lucky number, the ceremony burst into life at eight minutes past eight on the eighth day of the eighth month.

 

As tradition demands, Greece, the home of the ancient Olympics, led the parade of teams into the Stadium with judoka Ilias Iliadis carrying his country's flag.

 

But in a break from that famous tradition, the competing nations then filed through in the order based on the number of strokes of their names as written in Chinese characters.

 

Britain, whose flag was carried by swimmer Mark Foster, were the 115th team to march into the Bird's Nest.

 

China, with a 639-strong squad, brought up the rear led by flag bearer, and basketball superstar, Yao Ming unleashing a huge roard from the crowd.

 

Taiwan, classed as a breakaway province by China's Communist rulers, were given a rapturous welcome when their 24 competitors filed through with Iraq's five-strong delegation also attracting warm, sympathetic applause.

 

The United Arab Emirates were led by Sheikha Maitha al-Maktoum, the first woman to lead a Gulf nation at the Games.

 

Disabled swimmer Natalie du Toit, who has qualified for these Games despite having had part of her leg amputated following a motor accident, led the way for South Africa.

 

The United States were led in by Sudan-born Lopez Lomong, a former refugee from Darfur, in a politically-charged choice given the criticism of Chinese foreign policy over the conflict in the African region.

 

South and North Korea, who failed to agree on marching in side-by-side, entered separated by three other nations.

 

Tennis legend Roger Federer led the Swiss in on his 27th birthday

 

Many heads of state attended the opening ceremony.

 

Other heads of state who attended the ceremony included French President Nicolas Sarkozy, Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda and South Korean President Lee Myung-Bak.

 

British Prime Minister Gordon Brown did not attend as he is planning to be at the closing ceremony on August 24 when London is handed the Olympic flag to signify the fact that it will be the next Host City.

 

The Government were represented by Olympics Minister Tessa Jowell.