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11th National Games opening ceremony lights up Jinan
By Ju Chuanjiang, Zhao Ruixue and Wang Qian (chinadaily.com.cn)
Updated: 2009-10-19 15:33

Chinese president Hu Jintao declared the opening of the 11th National Games at the opening ceremony held last Friday night at the Olympic Sports Center in Jinan, capital of Shandong province.

Jacques Rogge, president of the International Olympic Committee, was also in attendance at the Games' opening ceremony.

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The Games, with the theme "Harmonious China, Everybody's Games", is home to 362 competitive events in 33 sport forms. A total of 104 gold medals were already handed out by October 15 in previously-held events including table tennis, gymnastics, diving, women's volleyball and speed skating. On October 17, the Games were in full swing, with many competitions entering the final stages.

After the referees and athletes entered the stadium, a large art performance of the opening ceremony entitled "A harmonious and prosperous Shandong welcomes you" was staged. It featured three sections, "Soul of Qilu", "the Wind of Harmony" and "Ode to the Motherland", displaying the typical features of Shandong, "Everybody's Games" and 60 years’ achievements of China.

Following the spectacular performance, the cauldron of the Games was ignited with the joint effort of 5,000 people amid loud cheers.