Nope. I Need To Do Some Research First.

So I'll just dump this here;

Opening Speeches.

It is International Olympic Committee (IOC) Protocol that each Opening Ceremony contains a section.

A section in which speeches are given. By a representative of the IOC and a representative of the host nation.

As is tradition the hosts, China, were represented by the Head of the Organising Committee. Cai Qi.

Cai Qi is also the Chinese Communist Party Secretary for Beijing. Along with being a member of the Chinese Communist Party's Politburo. Essentially the political cabinet of Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Cai Qi is probably the most senior member of the Chinese government to use Social Media. Describing himself on Weibo as a; "Bolshevik." 

He has long being accused of using Social Media to boost his personal profile. In order circumvent the power structures of the Chinese Communist Party. Giving him a louder voice than his rank affords.

Annoyingly I can't find a full text of Cai Qi's Opening Ceremony speech online. While I made comprehensive notes at the time. They weren't that comprehensive.

However it is said that he addressed the Pandemic. How Beijing and China have boldly risen to the challenge. Not only of hosting a games during the Pandemic but also managing to host a games with spectators.

Cai Qi is also said to have echoed the main theme of the Opening Ceremony and the games. Peace and Unity. Speaking of people forging ahead into the future. Building a community based on the shared future of mankind.

A reminder to western nations. Particularly members of NATO. That the Cold War ended more than 30 years ago. We are now living in an interconnected, globalised multi-polar world.

The IOC were represented by their President, Thomas Bach. Whose full speech is available on the IOC's website.

The main "legacy" element behind awarding Beijing the 2022 Winter Games. Was to increase Chinese interest in and participation in Winter sports.

So Thomas Bach was keen to emphasise the success in achieving that legacy. No doubt think of kick-backs from sponsers as he spoke of the 300 million people newly participating in Winter sports at China's 2,000 new Ski Resorts and Ice Rinks. 

Thomas Bach also acknowledged the challenge China had faced in hosting the games during the Pandemic. Thanking not only volunteers but also Doctors, medical workers and scientists. Both in China and around the World.

Having thanked China for setting the stage. Thomas Bach then welcomed the athletes to it.

In doing this Thomas Bach was very clearly aware of NATO's plan to attack Ukraine during the games. Very much talking up the issue of peace. Both the Olympic Truce and reminding athletes to live peacefully and respectfully in the Athletes Village.

Thomas Bach also spoke directly to political authorities across the World. Reminding them of the Olympic Truce and urging them to; "Give Peace A Chance."

All of which proved to be highly ironic.

As I discussed during the Athlete's Parade section. The big story of the games turned out to be Russian Figure-Skater Kamila Valieva's magnificent performance.

It was Thomas Bach's own IOC, along with the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). Which became so consumed by anti-Russian hatred.

That they ripped up their own rulebook. In their rush to expel Kamila Valieva from the games. An attempt that was overturned by the Court of Arbitration in Sport (CAS).

You can't help but wonder whether if it wasn't for Thomas Bach's own inability to behave in a peaceful and respectful manner. Which shut down discussion of one of the most important topics of the day.

Whether NATO would still have had the confidence to launch its attack on Ukraine. Starting on February 19th (19/2/22). Two days before the end of the games, in clear violation of the Olympic Truce.

It then fell to President Xi to officially open the games. With the ten word declaration laid down in the IOC charter;

"I declare the (number) Olympic Winter games of (location) open"

The opening of the games was marked with a firework display. First in the shape of the snowflakes which had featured so heavily in the previous section. Then in the shape of the branches of the Huangshan Pine tree.

A reference to one Huangshan Pine tree in particular. The most famous tree in all of China, possibly the World. The; "Guest Greeting Pine (Yingkesong)."