Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, attended the opening ceremony of the Winter Olympics in Beijing on Friday.
Sheikh Mohamed was invited to the event by China's President Xi Jinping.
"I was honored to attend the spectacular opening ceremony of the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing," he said in a tweet.
"I wish the organisers and competitors every success for the Games, which embody the power of sport to promote understanding and friendship among the people of the world."
The National Stadium — also known as the Bird's Nest Stadium — was the venue for the celebrations, which were scaled down due to Covid-19 safety measures.
China marked the beginning of the Year of the Tiger in style at the grand show.
The placard bearers for all 91 countries in the parade of nations wore a unique tiger-head hat and a children’s choir was outfitted in traditional shoes featuring tigers that were made in the northern Hebei province.
Sheikh Mohamed led a UAE delegation that included Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs, Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed, member of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council and chairman of Abu Dhabi Executive Office, Dr Sultan Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, Khaldoon Al Mubarak, chairman of Abu Dhabi Executive Affairs Authority, and Ali Obaid Al Dhaheri, the UAE's ambassador to China.
Sheikh Mohamed expressed his delight at attending the event and wished success to all participants in the 24th Winter Olympics.
Beijing Winter Olympics 2022 begin with grand opening ceremony
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Performers create a flower display with LED lights during the opening ceremony of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics at the Beijing National Stadium on Friday, February 04, 2022. Getty -
Performers during the opening ceremony of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics. AFP -
China's President Xi Jinping, centre, and his wife Peng Liyuan, right, greet other attendees during the opening ceremony of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics. AFP -
An overview of the National Stadium during the opening ceremony. AFP -
Russia President Vladimir Putin arrives for the opening ceremony. Getty -
Dancers perform during the opening ceremony on Friday. EPA -
Performers create a flower display with LED lights during the opening ceremony. Getty -
Dancers perform during the pre-show ahead of the opening ceremony of the 2022 Winter Olympics, Friday, Feb. 4, 2022, in Beijing. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong) -
View inside the stadium as performers dance during the opening ceremony. Getty -
Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan at the opening ceremony. Getty -
Performer’s dance during the opening ceremony. Getty -
Performers during the opening ceremony of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics at the National Stadium on Friday, February 4, 2022. AFP -
Performers take part in the opening ceremony of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games. AFP -
Firework display during the Opening Ceremony at the Beijing National Stadium. Getty -
A projection display during the opening ceremony of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics. Getty -
An overview of the stadium ahead of the opening ceremony of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympic Games. AFP -
A general view inside the stadium during the opening ceremony of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics at the National Stadium. Getty -
Performers dance during the opening ceremony of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics. Getty -
Hosts address the crowd during the pre-show ahead of the opening ceremony of the 2022 Winter Olympics. AP Photo -
BEIJING, CHINA - FEBRUARY 04: A general view inside the stadium as fireworks are set off during the Opening Ceremony of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics at the Beijing National Stadium on February 04, 2022 in Beijing, China. (Photo by Richard Heathcote / Getty Images) -
Inside the national stadium before the opening ceremony of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics. Reuters -
Inside the national stadium before the opening ceremony of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics. PA -
A woman wearing a face mask holds a Chinese national flag before the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics. Reuters -
Spectators arrive for the Opening Ceremony of the Beijing 2022 Olympic Games at the National Stadium, also known as Bird's Nest, in Beijing China. EPA -
Volunteers hold placards of Bing Dwen Dwen and Shuey Rhon Rhon, mascots of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics and Paralympics, during a community event at an Olympics Live Site before the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics opening ceremony, in Beijing, China. Reuters -
A man waves a Chinese flag as people gather near the National Stadium, also known as the Bird's Nest, for the opening ceremony of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics, in Beijing, China. Reuters -
Members of Team United States during the opening ceremony. Getty -
Athletes of China march during the opening ceremony. EPA -
Athletes of China arrive for the opening ceremony. EPA -
Dancers perform around the large snowflake during the opening ceremony. Getty -
Opening ceremony of the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics. Getty -
The Bird's Nest stadium during the opening ceremony. Reuters
