04.02.2022. Today, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, who arrived in the People’s Republic of China on a working visit at the invitation of Chairman of PRC Xi Jinping, has become an honourable guest at the solemn opening of the XXIV Winter Olympic Games in Beijing.
Participation of the head of the state in the opening of the “white” Olympics - a grandiose sports festival that has brought together numerous athletes from different regions of the world, once again testifies to the great attention, paid in our country to the development and promotion of sports and strengthening of fruitful international cooperation in this sphere.
Visible results of success of far-sighted strategy, which is realized into life under the leadership of the head of the state in the given area, are wonderful achievements and victories of Turkmen sportsmen, who take an active part in international competitions. All this facilitates augmentation of the authority of Turkmenistan on the world arena and rise of the prestige of our fatherland as sports power.
…Having made a flight to Beijing, the presidential airliner landed in the international airport of the capital of PRC. Here the officials welcomed the head of Turkmenistan.
From the airport, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov headed to the place of residence designated for him during his visit.
Speaking of relations between Turkmenistan and the People’s Republic of China, one should underline that they initially bear a friendly, mutually respectful and long-term character. In the modern epoch, the interstate dialogue build on the principles of strategic partnership, is developed in political and diplomatic, trade and economic, cultural and humanitarian spheres dynamically. Turkmenistan also successfully cooperates with the PRC on a multilateral basis within the framework of authoritative international and regional organizations and institutions.
The invitation of President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov to the opening ceremony of the XXIV Winter Olympic Games to be held in the capital of PRC from February 4 to February 20, attested to the high level of the interstate dialogue. «As history testifies, the Olympic Games have always glorified peace and friendship between peoples, termination of enmity and wars, consolidation of peoples of various nationalities, political beliefs and their adherence to high ideals of the Olympic movement meant to facilitate mutual understanding, openness and sympathy between peoples and states», – the leader of the nation marked in the above-mentioned interview to the Chinese mass media.
«As the President of Turkmenistan, the country, which is committed to these principles in its home and foreign policy, I have accepted gratefully the offer of the respected Chairman of the People’s Republic of China», – the head of the state said.
In the second half of the day, the President of Turkmenistan headed to the Beijing National Stadium. This multipurpose complex, which is also known for its original design as «Bird’s Nest», has been chosen as the venue for the solemn opening of the XXIV Winter Olympic Games.
The mascot of the XXIV Winter Olympic Games has become the cheerful and friendly panda Bing Dwen Dwen. It wears a full-body “shell” made out of ice, which resembles an astronaut suit - a tribute to embracing new technologies for a future with infinite possibilities. The choice on the panda as mascot of the Olympics is not surprising, indeed, this animal is a national symbol of China.
The Olympic torch is an iconic part of any Games. The torch for Beijing 2022 bears the name 'Flying'. It represents a spiral construction that resembles a fluttering ribbon symbolizing mankind’s relentless pursuit of light, peace, and excellence. The interesting fact is that it has been made of carbon-fibre materials, the torch is light, resistant to high temperatures, and is primarily fuelled by hydrogen and without any harmful emission into the atmosphere.
The Beijing 2022 medals have got the named "Tong Xin", meaning "together as one". Their design is based upon Chinese ancient jade concentric circle pendants with the rings gold, silver and bronze medals have a classic view and remind awards of the Summer Games of 2008. By the message of their authors, the choice of colour combination, shapes, and elements of design of medals and the torch are a tribute of respect for the Olympic heritage of the capital of PRC.
The official motto of the Winter Olympics as well as the Paralympic Games of 2022 in Beijing – «Together for a Shared Future». It reflect the necessity for the world to work together towards a better tomorrow, especially given the difficulties faced throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. The motto embodies the core values and vision of the Olympic Movement, and the goal of pursuing world unity, peace and progress.
Upon his arrival in the Beijing National Stadium, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov went up the stands and headed towards the VIP box. Here are heads of other countries as well as authoritative international organizations, including the United Nations Secretary General and Chairman of the 76th session of the UN General Assembly who have been invited to the opening ceremony of the Games. Chairman of PRC Xi Jinping welcomed warmly all the gathered at the stadium.
…Meantime on the arena of the Beijing National Stadium the countdown for the start of the grandiose sports festival goes. Here the inspiring atmosphere of the Olympics, which had seen an enormous preparatory work, prevails.
Over the stadium to the strains of the National Anthem of PRC, the national flag of the People’s Republic of China, the host country of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics is raised.
On the field of the stadium a spectacular show, a kind of excursion into the history of the country from the olden days to our days and look into its future is demonstrated. Special visual effects made by application of the latest technologies and light emitting diode cover of the arena and add a breath-taking colour to the ongoing show.
The date of the opening of the Olympics coincides with the Chinese New Year by the lunar calendar, which symbolizes the onset of spring, which also found its reflection in the festive show.
Then, the official part of the ceremony comes. On the arena of the stadium, there appear main heroes of the Olympics –sportsmen. By the established tradition, the parade of Olympic competitors is opened by the national team of Greece, which is the birthplace of Olympic Games. Then, teams of countries –participants of Beijing 2022 come out to the arena of the stadium. The national Olympic team of the People’s Republic of China completes the parade.
Participants and guests of the Olympics are welcomed by Chairman of the Organizing Committee of the XXIV Winter Olympic Games Cai Qi and President of the International Olympic Committee Thomas Bach.
Chairman of the People’s Republic of China Xi Jinping solemnly declares the Games open.
The best Chinese sportsmen of different generations bring the Olympic flag to the stadium. To the sound of the Olympic Hymn performed by the chorus of children, a large white cloth with bearing five equal interlocking rings is raised to the high flagpole.
On behalf of the 2022 Games –sportsmen, umpires, coaches, and officials the Olympic oath is taken.
The culmination point reaches: the Olympic flame appears at the stadium. Here the Olympic torch relay is over. By the established tradition, the flame for the Beijing 2022 was lit at the Greece Olympia with the parabolic mirror focusing solar rays. And so on the background of the dark night sky in the centre of a large snowflake which rises under the roof of the stadium the flame of the XXIV Winter Olympic Games brightly lights up. And in several moments over the stadium a galaxy of magic fireworks shoots up and scatter in the sky completing the festive event.
So, the wonderful show marking the start of the “white” Olympics, has come to an end. But ahead are tough competitions where sportsmen from the countries located in various continents of the globe will contest for 109 sets of awards (a total of 327 medals). The Beijing 2022 program includes competitions in 15 sports. It is alpine skiing, biathlon, bobsleigh, cross-country skiing, curling, figure skating, freestyle, ice hockey, luge, Nordic combined, short track, skeleton, ski jumping, speed skating, snowboarding. Millions of spectators all over the world, including Turkmen nationals will watch the competitions on TV and through online broadcasting. The closing ceremony of the Games will take place in the Beijing stadium “Bird’s Nest” on February 20.
Under the leadership of the head of the state complex measures are taken to promote and strengthen the healthy lifestyle principles in society by encouraging population to practice physical training and sports regularly and it yields concrete results.
As President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov underlines, our foremost goal is to develop and support sports and the Olympic movement in every possible way and involve the youth in them. The important stimulus for Turkmen sportsmen was their participation in the Summer Olympics, including ones in Beijing in 2008, in London in 2012, in Ryo-de- Janeiro in 2016 and in Tokyo in 2021.
Thus, participation of President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov in the opening ceremony of the XXIV Winter Olympic Games in Beijing has become again a visual evidence of initiative position of Turkmenistan in issues of fruitful international cooperation in the field of sports and the intention of our country will further make an effective contribution to the development of global Olympic movement based on universal humane values.
Upon completion of the ceremony, the head of the state headed towards the place of residence designated for him.
The working visit of the President of Turkmenistan to the People’s Republic of China continues.
