Pictures: Grand opening of Beijing Winter Olympics

Performers wave during the opening ceremony of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games. Less than seven months after the conclusion of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, it is time for the 2022 Beijing Olympics. The quick turnaround is due to the postponement of the Tokyo Games caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, which pushed the event from the summer of 2020 to 2021.

Chinese President Xi Jinping waves with his wife, Peng Liyuan.

China's national flag is raised during the opening ceremony of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games, at the National Stadium.

The 2022 Olympics will be historic for Beijing, as it will soon become the first city to ever host the Summer Olympics and Winter Olympics.

The Chinese capital hosted the Olympics back in 2008 and the Games were highlighted by one of the most mesmerizing Opening Ceremonies in recent memory.

The venue also held the Opening Ceremony for the Summer Olympics 14 years ago in a dazzling display.

Fireworks explode over the Olympic rings during the opening ceremony of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games, at the National Stadium, known as the Bird's Nest, in Beijing.

Performers take part in the opening ceremony of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games.

Dancers perform during the pre-show ahead of the opening ceremony of the 2022 Winter Olympics.

Nearly 3000 athletes will be participating in the winter sports disciplines, with the extravaganza running from February 4-20.

Performers during the opening ceremony.

Volunteers hold placards of Bing Dwen Dwen and Shuey Rhon Rhon, mascots of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics and Paralympics, during a community event at an Olympics Live Site before the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics opening ceremony, in Beijing,

Performers during the opening ceremony of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games, at the National Stadium, known as the Bird's Nest, in Beijing.

The China delegation wave the national flag as they enter the stadium during the opening ceremony of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games, at the National Stadium, known as the Bird's Nest, in Beijing.

Performers dance as part of the pre-show during the opening ceremony of the 2022 Winter Olympics.

Dancers perform during the pre-show ahead of the opening ceremony of the 2022 Winter Olympics.

Performers line up for the pre-show for the opening ceremony of the 2022 Winter Olympics.

Restrictions have been put in place on crowd attendance with organisers deciding last month not to sell tickets to Olympic events to limits the spread of the virus.

Eve Muirhead and Dave Ryding of Britain lead their team during the opening ceremony of the 2022 Winter Olympics Friday, Feb. 4, 2022.

Performers dance in a pre-show ahead of the opening ceremony of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games.

Saudi Arabia's flag bearer Fayik Abdi leads the delegation during the opening ceremony of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games, at the National Stadium, known as the Bird's Nest, in Beijing.

Andres Ambuhl and Wendy Holdener of Switzerland carry their country's flag during the opening ceremony of the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing.

Flag bearer Arif Mohd Khan of India during the athletes parade at the opening ceremony.

Germany's flag bearer Claudia Pechstein and Germany's flag bearer Francesco Friedrich lead their delegation during the opening ceremony.