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Fireworks exploded across the Bird's Nest Stadium and across the city as Greece led the parade of athletes from 204 nations. The Games were declared open by Chinese President Hu Jintao in the presence of 80 foreign heads of state. The Game's cauldron was lit by Chinese triple gold medalist Li Ning. International Olympic Committee president Jacques Rogge called for rejection of doping. Over the next 16 days, 10,500 athletes will compete for 302 gold medals. The Games will cost an estimated 40 billion dollars, dwarfing the 15 billion dollars spent in Athens four years ago. Overshadowing the event are fears about air quality in Beijing, controversy over China's human rights record and Internet restrictions. China has rejected criticism, calling it interference in its internal affairs.
(Deutsche Welle)
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