The Winter Olympics for 2022 are already underway in Beijing, but the Opening Ceremony is set to take place this afternoon.
Events such as Curling and Ice Hockey have already begun, but the Games do not formally open until the opening ceremony is concluded.
When that occurs Beijing will officially become the first city to host a summer and winter Olympics.
Here's everything you nedd to know ahead of the opening ceremony commencing.
From 2008 to 2️⃣0️⃣2️⃣2️⃣ and from Summer to Winter, we reunite in #Beijing,✨the world’s first #DualOlympicCity. 🎉Let's go faster, aim higher and grow stronger by standing together at the ✨#Beijing2022 ✨#Olympic❄ #WinterGames! 💪#TogetherForASharedFuture🎉 pic.twitter.com/Xw3GoGOmRL
— Beijing 2022 (@Beijing2022) January 31, 2022
When will the Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony be broadcast in the UK?
The opening ceremony will be broadcast in the UK at 12pm GMT on Friday, February 4, with the ceremony expected to last approximately one hour and 40 minutes.
It will be broadcast on BBC One, with coverage beginning just before it starts at 11.30am.
Where will the Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony be held?
It will take place in the Beijing National Stadium, better known as the Bird’s Nest, which also hosted the 2008 Summer Olympics opening ceremony.
During these Games, the stadium will also be the venue for the closing ceremony.
What to expect from the Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony
Globally-acclaimed film-maker Zhang Yimou, who directed the 2008 Olympics opening ceremony, is once again in charge of putting on the ceremony.
The show will feature around 4,000 performers but is expected to be scaled back in comparison to the 2008 show, because of the cold weather and pandemic.
Additionally, organisers have yet to announce who will light the Olympic torch.
Who will hold the flag for Team GB at the Winter Olympics?
Team GB have not yet announced their flagbearer for the opening ceremony.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here