Thrilling spectacle as Beijing wows the world again

A giant ice block then rose above the ground, with 24 laser beams shot from the roof engraving the ice cube to carve out the names of the 23 previous Winter Games' hosts, before eventually freezing on 2022 Beijing.

Six performers dressed in ice hockey suits then took the stage to strike the ice cube with puck shots emulated by light beams, breaking the ice apart to reveal crystals in the shape of the Olympic Rings at the center of the stage.

Describing it as an "ice breaking" moment, the ceremony's creative team expected the segment to encourage the world to break barriers, resolve conflicts and understand each other with equality and respect, according to the media guide for the ceremony.

The creative team was led by renowned film director Zhang Yimou, who also was the mastermind behind the 2008 Games' opening show.