Mr Liu Qi,

Members of the Organising Committee,

Dear Chinese Friends,

Dear Athletes,

For a long time, China has dreamed of opening its doors and inviting the world’s athletes to Beijing for the Olympic Games.

Tonight that dream comes true. Congratulations, Beijing!

You have chosen as the theme of these Games One World, One Dream. That is what we are tonight.

As one world, we grieved with you over the tragic earthquake in Sichuan Province. We were moved by the great courage and solidarity of the Chinese people.

As one dream, may these Olympic Games bring you joy, hope and pride.

Athletes, the Games were created for you by our founder, Pierre de Coubertin. These Games belong to you. Let them be the athletes’ Games.

Remember that they are about much more than performance alone.

They are about the peaceful gathering of 204 National Olympic Committees—regardless of ethnic origin, gender, religions or political system.

Please compete in the spirit of Olympic values: excellence, friendship and respect.

Dear athletes, remember that you are role models for the Youth of the World. Reject doping and cheating.

Make us proud of your achievements and your conduct.

As we bring the Olympic dream to life, our warm thanks go to the Beijing Organising Committee for their tireless work. Our special thanks also go to the thousands of gracious volunteers, without whom none of this would be possible.

Beijing, you are a host to the present and a gateway to the future. Thank you!

I now have the honour of asking the President of the People’s Republic of China to open the Games of the XXIX Olympiad of the modern era.

中华人民共和国主席先生，

　　刘淇先生，

　　奥组委的成员们，

　　亲爱的中国朋友们，

　　亲爱的运动员们：

　　长久以来，中国一直梦想着打开国门，邀请世界各地的运动员来北京参加奥运会。

　　今晚，梦想变成了现实，祝贺北京！

　　你们选择“同一个世界，同一个梦想”作为本届奥运会的主题，今晚就是这个主题的体现。

　　我们处在同一个世界，所以我们像你们一样，为四川的不幸灾难而深感悲恸。中国人民的伟大勇气和团结精神使我们备受感动。

　　我们拥有同一个梦想，所以希望本届奥运会带给你们快乐、希望和自豪。

　　各位运动员，我们的创始人皮埃尔·德·顾拜旦是因为你们而创立了现代奥林匹克运动会。奥运会属于你们。让奥运会成为运动员的盛会。

　　请大家牢记，奥运会不仅仅意味着比赛成绩。

　　奥运会还是和平的聚会。２０４个国家和地区奥委会相聚于此，跨越了民族、性别、宗教以及政治制度的界限。

　　请大家本着奥林匹克的价值和精神，即卓越、友谊和尊重，投身于比赛。

　　亲爱的运动员们，请记住，你们是世界青年的楷模，请拒绝兴奋剂，向作弊说不。

　　你们的成就和表现应该让我们感到骄傲。

　　当我们把奥林匹克梦想变成现实之时，我们要诚挚地感谢北京奥组委，感谢他们不辞劳苦的工作。我们还要特别感谢成千上万、无私奉献的志愿者们，没有他们，这一切都不可能实现。

　　北京，你是今天的主人，也是通往明天的大门。感谢你！

　　现在，我荣幸地邀请中华人民共和国主席先生宣布第２９届现代奥林匹克运动会开幕。