Chang Yu, director general of the Beijing Organizing Committee for the 2022 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (BOCOG), had teased that the ceremony would be “splendid”—and it certainly was, offering up beautiful pageantry that was a feast for the senses and a heartwarming reminder of the power of unity. From who directed to what Team USA wore and how to watch the rebroadcast, here is everything you need to know about the 2022 Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony.
Where was the opening ceremony for the 2022 Winter Olympics?
The event took place at Beijing’s National Stadium, which is also known as the Bird’s Nest and previously served as the venue for the 2008 Beijing Olympics Opening Ceremony. (Fun fact: The Chinese capital is the first city to host both the Summer and Winter Olympics!)
When is the Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony 2022?
The Opening Ceremony took place Friday, Feb. 4 in the evening, Beijing local time—but keep in mind that evening there is actually early-morning in the U.S. What that means: NBC and its platforms broadcast the ceremony live at 6:30 a.m. ET on Friday, Feb. 4. But if you didn’t catch it then, it’ll air again on Feb. 4 in primetime (see “What time is the opening ceremony for the 2022 Winter Olympics?” below for more).
How to watch the 2022 Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony on TV
In 2014, NBCUniversal acquired the broadcast rights in the USA for the Olympic Games through the 2032 Olympics. So NBC broadcast the 2022 Winter Games Opening Ceremony both live and later on in primetime on Friday, Feb. 4. “These Games have provided some unprecedented challenges, but by having already produced the Tokyo Olympics amidst the pandemic, we’re fully prepared and equally excited to bring all the memorable moments of the Winter Games and Team USA to American viewers this February,” Pete Bevacqua, Chairman, NBC Sports, said in a press release.
How to stream the 2022 Winter Games Opening Ceremony
NBC’s streaming service Peacock provided live streaming coverage of the Opening Ceremony for premium tier customers. If you don’t pay for a Peacock subscription, there are other streaming options; you can instead watch the opening ceremony with a Hulu + Live TV or YouTube TV subscription. The NBC Sports app and NBCOlympics.com also live streamed all coverage.
What time is the Opening Ceremony for the 2022 Winter Olympics?
NBCU’s first-ever live morning presentation of a Winter Games Opening Ceremony began on Friday, Feb. 4 with coverage starting at 6:30 a.m. ET. (The Eastern time zone is 13 hours behind Beijing, FYI.) An “enhanced primetime presentation” of the Opening Ceremony aired later in the day from 8-11 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock.
Who directed the Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony in 2022?
Zhang Yimou, who directed the epic Opening Ceremony that kicked off the Beijing Summer Olympics in 2008, returned for the 2022 Opening Ceremony. “It’s a great honor to direct the Opening Ceremony for the second time,” Yimou told Xinhua. The renowned filmmaker noted that the “performance and the process” of the Winter Games Opening Ceremony would “not be exactly the same as” the previous one he directed. “I think a lot of classics cannot be duplicated. They happen only once, so the most important thing for me is to let go of that burden. Of course we know that we cannot repeat Beijing 2008, so we are striving to be different from it. The era is different, so is the public’s perspective,” he said. “Also, the Winter Olympics and Summer Olympics are different, so I will let go of that burden and start from scratch.” Yimou had also said he hoped to make a “good impression and create some wonderful moments that will go down in history,” and he lived up to that goal. The 2022 Opening Ceremony was beautifully staged from start to finish (and—bonus!—it wasn’t super-long!).
What did Team USA wear to the 2022 Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony?
Team USA’s Olympians wore Ralph Lauren, the Official Outfitter of Team USA since 2008. This year’s Opening Ceremony Parade Uniform is described as a “modern and fresh take on sportswear” that was “created with sustainability in mind.” The 2022 look includes an anorak featuring Intelligent Insulation technology, a mid-layer jacket, pants, gloves and boots, all of which include recycled polyester fiber made with post-consumer plastic bottles. “Ralph Lauren has defined American style for over five decades, and we’re thrilled that Team USA will once again wear this cutting- edge, sustainable and iconic apparel at the Olympic and Paralympic Games,” Sarah Hirshland, Chief Executive Officer, U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee said in a press release. “America’s elite athletes have worked a lifetime for the opportunity to represent the United States on the world stage. We thank Ralph Lauren for celebrating and supporting them, and for pushing the boundaries when developing apparel that serves a purpose for Team USA.” If you want the look for yourself, the uniform will be available for purchase online at Ralphlauren.com and in select Ralph Lauren retail stores starting Jan. 20!
How long will the 2022 Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony be?
Xinhua reported that the ceremony would last less than 100 minutes, and the live broadcast certainly felt short and sweet compared to other live TV events. Yimou told the outlet, “We want to carry out the concept—simple, safe and splendid. So in that context, as well as during the pandemic, I think it will probably not be lavish and will not last that long.” Plus with the weather being cold, Yimou acknowledged that people might not want to spend too much time outside!
Who lit the Olympic Cauldron at the 2022 Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony?
The 2022 Olympic Winter Games cauldron was lit by two Chinese athletes: cross country skier Dinigeer Yilamujiang and Nordic combined skier Zhao Jiawen.
Why was the Olympic cauldron different this year?
This year’s cauldron, lit by a micro-flame, is shaped like a snowflake. The large snowflake features the names of participating countries, per NBC Sports. Previously discussing the cauldron with Xinhua, director Yimou said, “It’s a major reform of this opening ceremony. It will be unprecedented in the over 100 year history of the Olympic Games in line with the concept of low carbon emission.” The director also shared that they came up “with a bold idea” for the lighting and the design of the main cauldron. “I’m very nervous. I think it’s totally innovative,” he said. “It will be a surprise, whether people will like it or not. I hope you like it.”
Who were the Team USA flag bearers at the 2022 Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony?
Gold medal-winning Olympic curler John Shuster and bronze medalist speed skater Brittany Bowe had the honors of carrying the U.S. flag into the Bird’s Nest for Team USA.
What did the doves at the Opening Ceremony symbolize?
During the opening ceremony on Feb. 4, children sung and danced while carrying dove lamps. The Beijing Organizing Committee tweeted that “they symbolize the celebration of unity and strength at Beijing2022 and peace around the world.”
What is Lichun/立春?
Translated from Chinese, 立春, means the beginning of spring. According to Visit Beijing, Lichun is the first solar term of 24 solar terms, and usually falls between Feb. 2 and Feb. 5 “when the sun reaches the celestial longitude of 315 degrees.” “The timing of lichun is perfectly matched with the slogan ’together for a shared future,’” Liu Bailing, an expert on Chinese folk customs, told the Global Times. “The Games will also be a great opportunity for China to present its ancient traditional culture to the world to better know and understand China.”
Is Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson in the 2022 Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony?
Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson is narrating a film titled I Dare You for NBC’s enhanced primetime presentation of the Opening Ceremony. The film “tells the story of how young athletes dare to pursue the fastest, highest, most high-stakes events on snow and ice,” NBC revealed in a press release. “Our athletes representing Team USA at this year’s Winter Olympics are some of the most talented and determined men and women in the world,” Johnson said. “They have dedicated their lives to their sport, pushing through injuries and personal setbacks, training through the toughest of conditions, to rise up and join the elite who have the opportunity to represent their country in the most iconic competition in the world. It’s my honor to once again be asked to participate in the presentation of the Opening Ceremony. And on behalf of our country, I will proudly introduce our U.S. Olympians to the world as they take that first step of defining their legacy.”
What is the motto of the 2022 Winter Olympics?
Out of 79 proposals, “Together for a Shared Future” was picked as the official motto of the 2022 Winter Games. The motto “represents the power of the Games to overcome global challenges as a community, with a shared future for humankind,” per the Olympics’ website. “The words reflect the necessity for the world to work together towards a better tomorrow, especially given the difficulties faced throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.”
Who is the mascot for the 2022 Winter Olympics?
Bing Dwen Dwen is the new Olympic mascot. Cao Xue created the panda, who sports a full body “shell” made out of ice. Next, 125 Olympics Trivia Questions and Answers to Test Your Knowledge About the History of the Winter and Summer Games
