The spacious Olympic Bird's Nest stadium was filled with passion and excitement here on Friday night as thousands gathered to celebrate the enlivened Olympic spirit and marvel at the Chinese culture.

The iron-latticed stadium sprang to life with an hour-long performance that delivered both ancient Chinese symbols and modern feats. Each delegation began entering the stadium to loud cheers.

Liu Xiaoyan, a young woman from southwest China's Chongqing municipality, was the only one in her family who had a ticket to the ceremony. "I got the ticket a year ago at only 200 yuan, and then I found myself pregnant," she said.

"The pregnancy and the chance to come to the ceremony were double bonanza for me," she said.

Hamidon Gaye, a Mali delegation member, said he also cherished the chance because not many people from his country can make it to the grand occasion.

"This is the first time I came to an Olympics. The ceremony is wonderful, and I'm looking forward to seeing the Mali athletes marching into the stadium," he said.

In the facility, spectators waved Olympic and Chinese flags to drum-beat music that cooked up the fervent atmosphere.

Volunteers who had to attend their jobs snatched at chances for a few photos. Some hurried to cart cold beverages for sweating spectators in the hot weather.

"Just look at the size and scale of the ceremony, the Olympics is here only because China is a stronger nation now," said Guo Liang, a businessman from central China's Hunan province.

His two-and-half year old son, which he took to "witness history", seemed to be a little overwhelmed by the razzle-dazzle shows. "I wish his mom was here too, but we only got one ticket," he said.

The ceremony is expected to last three and half hours.

(Xinhua News Agency August 8, 2008)