olympics08

Our friend ikarus360 has uploaded recently the finale of the Beijing 1990 Asiad OC. Thank you, I'm looking for this for a long time... P.S. I like the song in this video, if anyone can translate the title, please do!

A diver has just lit the cauldron along with two children from the beginning of this ceremony! They lit a wick (with a Chinese design on its pot) and pyrotechn ics shot up into the cauldron! Now the finale: Tan Jing singing the song roughly titled "Smile". With fireworks of course, at least later.

Three athletes have now carried the Asian Games flame: a dragot boat athlete, a gymnast an trackster, and a table tennis player.

Fu Hiafeng, badmintaon player: In the name of all the competitors I promise that we shall take part in these Asiuan Games, respecting and abiding by the rules which govern them, committing ourselves to a sport without doping and without drugs, in the true spirit of sportsmanship, for the glory of sport and the honour of our teams. Guo Hainan, gymnastics judge: In the name of all the judges and officials, I promise that we shall officiate in these Asian Games with complete impartiality, respecting and abiding by the rules which govern them in the true spirit of sportsmanship.

The OCA flag is now taken to the stage as Sun Nan and Mao Amin sing the 16th Asian Games theme song "Reunion" ("Chongfeng" in Chinese). The flag will be raised to the OCA's anthem, first played at the 1998 Asian Games.

Wen Jiabao: I declare the 16th Asian Games open!

Now the speeches by the President of the Guangzhou Asian Games Organzing Committee (GAGOC), Li Peng, and the President of the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA), Sheikh Fahad Al Sabah. Can you help me translate what Li Peng and Huang Huahua (the President of GAGOC who is also adressing the audience) are saying?

The Chinese have entered.

The Filipinos have just entered!

The participating delegations are now entering the stadium: (in order of appearance) Afghanistan (64) Bahrain (89) Bangladesh (152) Bhutan (11) Brunei (9) Cambodia (21) North Korea (199) Hong Kong (406) India (674)[ Indonesia (178) Iran (381) Iraq (52) Japan (722) Jordan (88) Kazakhstan (388) South Korea (801) Kuwait (215) Kyrgyzstan (136) Laos (52) Lebanon (53) Macau (174) Malaysia (344) Maldives (85) Mongolia (244) Myanmar (68) Nepal (142) Oman (52) Pakistan (175) Palestine (41) Philippines (23) (Philippines flag bearer: Mikee Cojua

Nice! Drummers enter the stage (with the Asian Games red sun emblem, as opposed to the Olympic Rings, on their drums) as what would possibly be the Games' cauldron emerged. Peoples from across Asia entered the stage and danced, untimately form the red sun and the Guangzhou Asian Games logo. Now the song "Sunshine Again" is sung by a group of singers, namely Kim Hyun Joong and three others (all of these others Chinese). Can anyone identify these three?

Amazing act! Performers in midair (18m high) formed water waves, smiling faces, and birds to complete the scenes show on the eight LED screens! They even pretended to be the people on the mountains!

Jet skiers coming from the Pearl River sailed into a narrow water passage separating the stage from the temporary bleacher made for the opening. They waved to the crowds, performing stunning manouvers.

An amazing segment featuring a giant model of a Chinese junkship sailing into the stage from behind (there are tall fountains backstage). The ship went through a storm, until a new dawn was greeted by Cantonese drummers and women with shawls. The crew on the ship wore traditional Cantonese dress. Now a song is being sung, with the famous pianist Lang Lang playing the piano. PS. Does anyone know the singer?

That was amazing! Red flowers appeared on stage, joined by those people in illuminated green peasant's hats, before together forming a spring tree. The stage is projected with water, due to the ceremony's theme.