Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed attends Winter Olympics opening ceremony

Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi led UAE delegation at spectacular show on Friday

Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, then Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, takes a photograph during the opening ceremony of the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics, at the National Stadium in China's capital. All Photos: Oussama Lacfer for the Ministry of Presidential Affairs

Sheikh Mohamed takes a photograph during the opening ceremony of the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics.

Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed, Member of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council and Chairman of Abu Dhabi Executive Office, right, attends the opening ceremony of the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics.

Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs, attends the ceremony.

Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed watches proceedings.

Sheikh Mohamed with Sheikh Mansour, left, and Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed, top right.

Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed, right, and Dr Sultan Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, left, at the ceremony.

Sheikh Mansour, right, speaks with Sheikh Mohamed.

Sheikh Mohamed with Sheikh Mansour, Sheikh Khaled and other dignitaries.

Sheikh Mohamed watches the opening ceremony of the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics.

Sheikh Mansour takes a photograph during the opening ceremony.

Khaldoon Khalifa Al Mubarak, Member of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council and Chairman of Abu Dhabi Executive Affairs Authority, left, and Ali Obaid Al Dhaheri, the UAE's ambassador to China, attend the ceremony.

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

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