2010 Asian Games opening ceremony

2010 Asian Games
opening ceremony
Part of 2010 Asian Games
Firework displays at the Canton Tower
Date12 November 2010 (2010-11-12)
Time20:00 – 22:05 CST (UTC+8)
VenueHaixinsha Island
LocationGuangzhou, Guangdong, China
Asian Games logo
Part of a series on
2010 Asian Games

The 2010 Asian Games opening ceremony officially began at 8:00pm China Standard Time (UTC+8) on November 12, 2010. The ceremony took place along the Pearl River on Haixinsha Island, mark it the first time in history that an Asian Games ceremony was held outside the main Games stadium. In front of 30,000 spectators,[1] it lasted four hours, featured about 6,000 performers,[2] with at least 40,000 of fireworks.[3] The ceremony was directed and choreographed by Chen Weiya (陈维亚), who was assistant director to Zhang Yimou in 2008 Summer Olympics opening ceremony and was filmed by Guangzhou Asian Games Broadcasting (GAB).[4]

Sequence of events

[edit]

Pre-ceremonial events

[edit]

Prior to the opening ceremony, athletes and officials from 45 National Olympic Committees (NOC) were paraded by boat around the Pearl River with distance of 9.3 km to showcase the Cantonese culture.[5]

Welcoming ceremony

[edit]

After the countdown, the opening began with firework displays at Canton Tower and around Haixinsha Island. Afterwards eight PLAGF Honor Guard Soldiers received the flag of the People's Republic of China from two children who then unfurled and raised it up, accompanied by the national anthem March of the Volunteers.[6]

Artistic section

[edit]

The artistic section, dubbed "Sailing" began at 8:06pm. The beginning saw a drop of water shown on eight giant retractable screens followed by a boy sat in a giant leaf slowly descending from the sky. By this time the centre stage was flooded with water and the men on horseback rode onto the arena.[7]

The next portion "Water of the Earth" saw dancers perform and form a series of flowers. Initially five smaller flowers were formed before eventually the performers came together to form one big flower bloom. Children dancers then came out with lanterns followed by neon light dancers.[8]

Afterwards the segment "The Ship in the Ocean" saw two main dancers perform in the centre stage along with others in the background. A giant expedition boat then entered the stage with dancers acting as waves in an intense storm. The boat measured 28.8 metres long, 8 metres wide and 18 metres high.[9] The boat then reached its destination.

In the penultimate segment, which was known as "Sail of the White Cloud", Chinese pianist Lang Lang opened with song "Light". The song was sung by Zhang Ziyi[10] and written by lyricist Albert Leung and composer Li Hai-ying (李海鹰). 180 dancers twirled in the air and converged on the water.[9][11] Watercraft riders then created a series of water displays. High wire performers then put up a series of acts in front of the giant screens to form waves, seesaws, smiley faces, birds and other shapes.

Before going into the final segment, a one-minute segment known as the "Green Minute" showed people from each district of Guangzhou bring pots of plants to display, displaying Guangzhou as a green city.[12]

The last segment known as "Invitation from the City of Flowers" started with a stage full of drummers.[13] A group of hostesses joined the performance. China's Wei Wei, Tang Jing (谭晶), Hong Kong's Joey Yung, Taiwan's David Tao and South Korea's Kim Hyun Joong performed the games' official song "Sunshine Again".[14][15] The cauldron was then reveal when it emerged from the ground as a four end tower. Fireworks then lit up the area, followed by watercraft and boat exhibitions.

Parade of Nations

[edit]

All athletes and officials from 44 National Olympic Committees and Kuwait entered the site in English alphabetical order as per Olympic Council of Asia protocol with the host country entering last. Due to the NOC suspension, Kuwaiti athletes entered the site as the penultimate team under the Olympic flag with the banner "Athletes from Kuwait".[16][17] Each NOC was led by a national flagbearer. During the parade of the NOCs, a local song from each country was played when the country marched to the arena.[18][19]

Whilst most countries entered under their short names, a few entered under more formal or alternative names, sometimes due to political disputes. Taiwan (Republic of China) entered with the compromised name and flag of "Chinese Taipei" under T. Unlike last edition's opening ceremony, the two Korea's marched separately from each other. South Korea entered as "Republic of Korea" under K, while North Korea entered as "Democratic People's Republic of Korea" under D. The formal English names of North Korea, South Korea, and Laos were abbreviated on the placards, but announced in full.

Below is list of national flagbearer during the ceremony.[20][21]

Order Nation Chinese name Pinyin Flag bearer Sport
1  Afghanistan (AFG) 阿富汗 Āfùhàn
2  Bahrain (BRN) 巴林 Bālín
3  Bangladesh (BAN) 孟加拉国 Mèngjiālāguó
4  Bhutan (BHU) 不丹 Bùdān
5  Brunei (BRU) 文莱 Wénlái Lee Ying Shi[22] Wushu
6  Cambodia (CAM) 柬埔寨 Jiǎnpǔzhài Chhoeung Puthearim[23] Taekwondo
7  North Korea (PRK)
(DPR Korea) 		朝鲜 Cháoxiǎn
8  Hong Kong (HKG)
(Hong Kong, China) 		中国香港 Zhōngguó Xiānggǎng Yip Pui Yin[24] Badminton
9  India (IND) 印度 Yìndù Gagan Narang[25] Shooting
10  Indonesia (INA) 印度尼西亚 Yìndùníxīyà Ade Candra Rachmawan Beach volleyball
11  Iran (IRI) 伊朗 Yīlǎng Samad Nikkhah Bahrami[26] Basketball
12  Iraq (IRQ) 伊拉克 Yīlākè Haider Nawzad[27] Rowing
13  Japan (JPN) 日本 Rìběn Reiko Shiota[28] Badminton
14  Jordan (JOR) 约旦 Yuēdàn
15  Kazakhstan (KAZ) 哈萨克斯坦 Hāsàkèsītǎn
16  South Korea (KOR)
(R.O.Korea) 		韩国 Hánguó Yoon Kyung-shin[29] Handball
17  Kyrgyzstan 吉尔吉斯斯坦 Jíěrjísīsītǎn
18  Laos (LAO)
(Lao PDR) 		老挝 Lǎowō
19  Lebanon (LIB) 黎巴嫩 Líbānèn
20  Macau (MAC)
(Macao, China) 		中国澳门 Zhōngguó Àomén Au Ieong Sin Ieng[30] Synchronized swimming
21  Malaysia (MAS) 马来西亚 Mǎláixīyà Koo Kien Keat[31] Badminton
22  Maldives (MDV) 马尔代夫 Mǎěrdàifū
23  Mongolia (MGL) 蒙古 Měnggǔ
24 Myanmar (MYA) 缅甸 Miǎndiàn
25  Nepal (NEP) 尼泊尔 Níbóěr
26  Oman (OMA) 阿曼 Āmàn
27  Pakistan (PAK) 巴基斯坦 Bājīsītǎn Zeeshan Ashraf[32] Field hockey
28  Palestine (PLE) 巴勒斯坦 Bālèsītǎn
29  Philippines (PHI) 菲律宾 Fēilǜbīn Mikee Cojuangco-Jaworski[33] Equestrian
30  Qatar (QAT) 卡塔尔 Kǎtǎěr Ali Al-Rumaihi[34] Equestrian
31  Saudi Arabia (KSA) 沙特 Shātè
32  Singapore (SIN) 新加坡 Xīnjiāpō Jasmine Yeong-Nathan[35] Bowling
33  Sri Lanka (SRI) 斯里兰卡 Sīlǐ Lánkǎ Mithun Perera Golf
34  Syria (SYR) 叙利亚 Xùlìyà
35  Chinese Taipei (TPE) 中华台北 Zhōnghuá Táiběi Lin Chih-sheng[36] Baseball
36  Tajikistan (TJK) 塔吉克斯坦 Tǎjíkèsītǎn
37  Thailand (THA) 泰国 Tàiguó Danai Udomchoke Tennis
38  East Timor (TLS)
(Timor-Leste) 		东帝汶 Dōngdìwèn
39  Turkmenistan (TKM) 土库曼斯坦 Tǔkùmànsītǎn
40  United Arab Emirates (UAE) 阿联酋 Āliánqiú
41  Uzbekistan (UZB) 乌兹别克斯坦 Wūzībiékèsītǎn
42  Vietnam (VIE) 越南 Yuènán Ngô Văn Kiều Volleyball
43  Yemen (YEM) 也门 Yěmén
44  Athletes from Kuwait (IOC) 科威特运动员 Kēwēitè Yùn dóng yuán
45  China (CHN) 中国 Zhōngguó Jin Ziwei[37] Rowing

Speeches

[edit]
Diver He Chong lit the main flame.

A few people gave welcoming speech, they were:

  1. Huang Huahua – Executive President of Guangzhou Asian Games Organising Committee (GAGOC), Governor of Guangdong
  2. Liu Peng (刘鹏) – President of GAGOC, President of Chinese Olympic Committee (COC)
  3. Sheikh Ahmed Al-Fahad Al-Ahmed Al-Sabah – President of Olympic Council of Asia (OCA)

Afterwards, Premier Wen Jiabao of the State Council of the People's Republic of China declared the Games to be officially open, making him the first and as of 2022 only non-head of state to open the Asian Games. It was followed was a large scale of fireworks erupt from the Canton Tower and Pearl River delta once again. Sun Nan and Mao Amin then performed the official theme song "Reunion" (Chinese: 重逢; pinyin: Chóngféng),[38] and flag of OCA was carried in by eight athletes.

The eight athletes who carried in the flag were:[39]

  1. Li Xiaopeng (李小鹏) – gymnast
  2. Yang Boyong (杨伯镛) – basketball coach
  3. Meng Guanliang (孟关良) – canoer
  4. Huang Jiangang (黄建刚) – wushu
  5. Wang Liping (王丽萍) – race walker
  6. Lu Yuansheng (陆元盛) – table tennis
  7. Gao Ling (高崚) – badminton player
  8. Jia Zhanbo (贾占波) – shooter

As flag of the OCA was raised, the official anthem of OCA was played. Fu Haifeng took the athlete's oath while gymnastics referee, Yan Ninan took the judge's oath.

Lighting ceremony

[edit]

In the closing stages, dragon boat team leader Wu Guochong (吴国冲) carried the torch through the Pearl River into the stage. The torch was relayed by three athletes, before being passed to the final torchbearer. The three were:[40]

  1. Chen Yibing (陈一冰) – 2008 Olympic gold medalist gymnast
  2. Rong Zhixing (容志行) – ex-footballer
  3. Deng Yaping (邓亚萍) – Olympic gold medalist table tennis

The final torchbearer, Olympic gold medalist diver He Chong (何冲) was accompanied by two children, Xiong Yuxiang (熊钰翔) and daughter of director, Chen Jiayu (陈佳雨). The trio used the flame to light the fuse of a traditional Chinese firecraker that produced an explosion which ignited the cauldron tower directly above it.[41][42] Song Zuying (宋祖英) then performed the song "Smile" (Chinese: 微笑; pinyin: Wéixiào). Fireworks were set off in the air and around the arena to conclude the opening ceremony.[43][44]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Asian Games sets sail on Pearl River". Xinhuanet. 2010-11-12. Archived from the original on November 15, 2010. Retrieved 2010-11-15.
  2. ^ "Romance never out of style". China.org.cn. 2010-11-13. Retrieved 2010-11-14.
  3. ^ "Guangzhou Asian Games: opening ceremony in numbers". The Hindu. 2010-11-12. Retrieved 2010-11-13.
  4. ^ "IGBS Partakes In Guangzhou Asian Games Deliverables".
  5. ^ "9-km boat parade on Pearl River to showcase opening ceremony". The Times of India. 2010-11-11. Retrieved 2010-11-15.
  6. ^ "第十六届广州亚运会:升国旗仪式". XJBS. 2010-11-13. Archived from the original on 2011-07-23. Retrieved 2010-11-15.
  7. ^ "现场：广州亚运会开幕式文艺表演《启航》开始". People. 2010-11-12. Retrieved 2010-11-15.
  8. ^ "现场：第一篇章《大地之水》水面开满"木棉花"". People. 2010-11-12. Retrieved 2010-11-15.
  9. ^ a b "海洋之舟开启未来航程 亚运开幕独具中国风情". ifeng.com. 2010-11-13. Retrieved 2010-11-13.
  10. ^ "郎朗章子怡献艺亚运开幕式 16万枚焰火发射创纪录". sports.163.com. 2010-11-11. Retrieved 2010-11-13.
  11. ^ "白雲之帆緩慢啟動 郎朗鋼琴伴奏章子怡甜美獻唱". CNTN. 2010-11-12. Retrieved 2010-11-13.
  12. ^ Venkateswaran, Anand (2010-11-12). "Asian Games 2010 - Opening Ceremony". The Hindu. Retrieved 2010-11-15.
  13. ^ "今晚8点 广州亚运开幕". news.163.com. 2010-11-12. Retrieved 2010-11-13.
  14. ^ "譚晶：廣州亞運會開幕式演唱時像做夢一樣（圖）". News.cn. 2010-11-13. Archived from the original on November 17, 2010. Retrieved 2010-11-13.
  15. ^ "祖兒代表港人 高歌《日出東方》". Hong Kong Daily News. Archived from the original on 2011-10-06. Retrieved 2010-11-13.
  16. ^ "Spectacular Asian Games open". Arab Times. 2010-11-12. Retrieved 2010-11-22.
  17. ^ Schiffman, Matt (2010-11-21). "Kuwait athletes at Asian Games under IOC banner". Taiwan News. Retrieved 2010-11-22.
  18. ^ "Opening ceremony part 11".
  19. ^ "Opening ceremony part 12".
  20. ^ "Opening ceremony part 13".
  21. ^ "Opening ceremony part 14".
  22. ^ Thomas, Jason. "Lee Ying Shi Brunei's Flagbearer In China". BruDirect. Retrieved 2010-11-22.
  23. ^ "Puthearim loses bout by just a single point". The Phnom Penh Post. 2010-11-19. Retrieved 2010-11-22.
  24. ^ "羽將葉姵延任亞運旗手". orientaldaily.on.cc. 2010-11-04. Retrieved 2010-11-28.
  25. ^ "Gagan Narang to be India's flag-bearer at Asian Games". The Hindu. 2010-11-02. Retrieved 2010-11-22.
  26. ^ "Nikkhah Bahrami named Iran's flag-bearer in Asian Games". Iran Sports Press. 2010-10-19. Retrieved 2010-11-22.
  27. ^ "伊拉克实现奖牌"零"突破 哈马拉希德获得铜牌". Sina. 2010-11-21. Retrieved 2010-11-22.
  28. ^ "Asian Games: Japan looking to outshine S. Korea in gold medal tally". Mainichi Japan. 2010-11-13. Archived from the original on 2010-11-16. Retrieved 2010-11-22.
  29. ^ "Veteran handball player named S. Korean flag bearer at Asian Games". Yophap News Agency. 2010-10-27. Retrieved 2010-11-22.
  30. ^ "歐陽善盈擔大旗興奮". Macao Daily News. 2010-11-13. Archived from the original on 2010-11-16. Retrieved 2010-11-22.
  31. ^ Paul, Rajes (2010-10-28). "Kien Keat named flag bearer of the Malaysian contingent". The Star Online. Retrieved 2010-11-22.
  32. ^ "Pakistan change flag bearer for Asian Games". The Times of India. 2010-11-10. Retrieved 2010-11-22.
  33. ^ "Cojuangco-Jaworski is PHL flag bearer in Asian Games". GMANews.tv. 2010-11-06. Retrieved 2010-11-22.
  34. ^ "马术选手鲁迈希将担任亚运会卡塔尔代表团旗手". sports.cn. 2010-11-01. Archived from the original on 2011-07-21. Retrieved 2010-11-22.
  35. ^ "Team Singapore All Set For the 2010 Asiad". teamsingapore.com.sg. Archived from the original on 2011-06-17. Retrieved 2010-11-22.
  36. ^ "Taiwan has high hopes for Guangzhou Asian Games". The China Post. 2010-11-12. Retrieved 2010-11-22.
  37. ^ "Olympic rowing champ named as China's flag bearer". China Daily. 2010-11-12. Retrieved 2010-11-22.
  38. ^ "一曲重逢抒放中國寬廣胸懷 歷屆亞運會主題曲精粹". Sina. 2010-11-13. Archived from the original on 2011-09-29. Retrieved 2010-11-13.
  39. ^ "李小鹏等八名体坛名将 将出任亚奥理事会会旗执旗手". Dayoo.com. 2010-11-12. Archived from the original on 2011-08-10. Retrieved 2010-11-27.
  40. ^ "东莞时报：他们是最幸运的火炬手". Sohu. 2010-11-13. Retrieved 2010-11-13.
  41. ^ "2010 Asian Games launched with spectacular ceremony in China". CNN. 2010-11-12. Retrieved 2010-11-13.
  42. ^ "点火女孩陈佳雨 总导演之女". yard.cc. 2010-11-14. Retrieved 2010-11-27.
  43. ^ "宋祖英登场献唱《微笑》 亚运开幕式圆满落幕". QQ.com. 2010-11-12. Retrieved 2010-11-13.
  44. ^ "亚运开幕式诠释岭南文化内涵 何冲点燃主火炬". QQ. 2010-11-12. Retrieved 2010-11-27.
[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to 2010 Asian Games opening ceremony.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=2010_Asian_Games_opening_ceremony&oldid=1249832385"