On this day six years ago, the 2008 Olympics finally got underway in Beijing during a memorable opening ceremony inside the Bird's Nest.
It would prove to be the ceremony which all other nations would have to live up to, with the spectacle capturing the imagination of viewers all around the world.
The numbers were enough to shock anyone tuning in to watch the ceremony, with around 14,000 performers gracing the floor inside the stadium as the organisers took everyone on a trip through Chinese history.
Despite the excitement which arrived when the ceremony started with a fantastic display of drumming and fireworks - a sign of things to come that evening - the build-up to the event had been marred by an accident involving a performer.
On July 27 as rehearsals were taking place, Liu Yan, one of China's most celebrated classical dancers, fell from a malfunctioning moving platform, and suffered injuries which paralyzed her lower body.
Yan was still named as the lead dancer on the night of the ceremony as part of a tribute to her, while director Zhang Yimou, the creative mind behind the ceremony, later took responsibility for her injury.
There was also a controversial moment on the night of the ceremony after Lin Miaoke's rendition of 'Ode to the Motherland' was later found out to have been originally performed by Yang Peiyi, with officials reportedly suggesting that the former was selected because she was more photogenic.
Controversies aside, it would prove to be a fantastic night for organisers of the Games and for China, who displayed to the world what all ceremonies should aspire to be like.
Every changeover took place with precision timing as spectators inside the stadium and at home were treated to a flurry of excellent performances from dancers, singers and gymnasts before the traditional parade of athletes started.
Eight athletes were selected to carry the torch in one final relay inside the stadium, and it was eventually left to former gymnast Li Ning to run across the walls of the stadium with the help of wires before lighting the cauldron.
Despite going past the expected finish time by more than 30 minutes, there was still a few moments available for one final fireworks display before an encore, which was not televised, involving Jackie Chan brought the ceremony to a close.
The ceremony was just the start of a brilliant 16 days in Beijing as 204 nations and over 10,000 athletes competed for the most important medals in the world of spot.
In truth, 2008 may be remembered as 'Usain Bolt's Games' following his stunning performances on the track, but very few people will forget the show put on by China before the competitive action had started.
Callum Mulvihill
