Eyes of the world on Beijing as spectacular ceremony opens Olympic Games

An audience of 91,000, including many of the world's heads of state, were in the Bird's Nest stadium for the ceremony.

American president George Bush, Russian prime minister, Vladimir Putin, and France president Nicolas Sarkozy were among the dignitaries while Britain was represented by Olympics minister Tessa Jowell - Gordon Brown is coming to the closing ceremony.

Fireworks explode from the stadium roof during the Opening Ceremony of the Beijing Olympic Games

After a build-up dominated by pollution worries, and the occasional protest by human rights campaigners, organisers were relieved to get the ceremony under way.

Some measures of pollution were almost four times the World Health Organisation
recommended level, and visibility in the Chinese capital was as poor as it has been for a fortnight.

The threat of rain appeared to have receded however, despite some gloomy forecasts.

The opening was to be carried out by Hu Jintao, president of the People's Republic of China, as part of a ceremony last three-and-a-half hours.

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.'

The Chinese authorities imposed the strictest of security precautions and deployed an extra 100,000 soldiers and police on the streets.

Beijing's international airport was closed for the duration of the ceremony, and a no-fly zone imposed in the air above the city.

The Bird's Nest stadium was protected by rows of tall fences, surveillance cameras and anti-aircraft missile batteries.