Beijing kicks off winter Olympics with less fanfare than the 2008 summer Olympics; Beijing first city to host both editions

Fireworks during the opening ceremony of the Winter Olympics at Beijing's National Stadium on Feb 4, 2023. - Reuters

BEIJING, Feb 5 (The Straits Times/ANN): China kicked off the Winter Olympics officially on Friday night (Feb 4) with a ceremony that was a much more pared-down affair compared with the extravaganza for the Summer Games more than 13 years ago.

Held at the “Bird’s Nest” stadium that was originally built for the August 2008 Games in Beijing, the show was also directed by famed film-maker Zhang Yimou, who helmed the earlier showcase that was watched by billions around the world and hailed as one of the most iconic opening ceremonies in Olympic history.