The Olympic Games have begun in Beijing amid tight security and political controversy, with billions of people watching on television worldwide.
Fireworks displays were shown as Greece led the parade of athletes from 204 nations. Chinese President Hu Jintao declared the Games open in the presence of 80 foreign heads of state. Chinese triple gold medalist Li Ning lit the Olympic flame. Over the next 16 days, 10,500 athletes will compete for 302 gold medals. The Games will cost an estimated 26 billion euros, dwarfing the 10 billion euros spent in Athens four years ago. China has rejected criticism of its human rights policies and media restrictions as interference in its internal affairs.
(Deutsche Welle)
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