The 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics will officially commence on Friday with the opening ceremony at the National Stadium, known as the Bird’s Nest, the same stadium that hosted the opening and closing ceremonies for the 2008 Beijing Summer Games.
Although competition is already underway in several sports, the opening ceremony will mark the ceremonial start of the Beijing Games when the Olympic flame is officially lit.
More than 150 U.S. athletes are expected to participate in the fanfare of the opening ceremony, which includes the illustrious Parade of Nations, where athletes and officials from participating countries march into the Bird’s Nest with their country’s flag.
The U.S., however, will not send an official delegation after the Biden administration announced a “diplomatic boycott” over China’s human rights abuses. The U.S. traditionally sends a roster of high-profile dignitaries, often led by the sitting vice president or the first lady, to attend Olympic events, including the opening and closing ceremonies. First lady Jill Biden led the U.S. delegation to the most recent Summer Olympics in Tokyo.
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Here’s everything you need to know for the 2022 Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony:
What time does the 2022 Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony start?
The opening ceremony is scheduled to start at 8 p.m. in China, which is 7 a.m. Eastern Time. Beijing is 13 hours ahead of New York.
What TV channel is the 2022 Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony on?
Coverage of the opening ceremony begins at 6:30 a.m. ET on NBC. An enhanced primetime presentation of the opening ceremony will re-air on the network Friday at 8 p.m. ET.
How can I watch the 2022 Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony online?
The opening ceremony can be streamed on NBCOlympics.com, the NBC Sports app and on Peacock. It can also be streamed on FuboTV.
Who will carry US flag at the 2022 Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony?
Bobsledder Elana Meyers Taylor and curler John Shuster were chosen by their U.S. teammates to be flag bearers for Friday’s opening ceremony at the Beijing Olympics.
Speedskater Brittany Bowe, who was second in the voting, will walk with Shuster in place of Meyers Taylor, who tested positive for COVID-19 after arriving in Beijing and remains in an isolation hotel.
Contributing: Tom Schad, Nancy Armour
