Highlights Of The Pyeongchang Olympics Opening Ceremony, In Photos
More than 1,200 people, including 1,000 residents of Gangwon province, form the shape of a dove out of candlelight during the opening ceremony. Francois-Xavier Marit/AFP/Getty Images hide caption
More than 1,200 people, including 1,000 residents of Gangwon province, form the shape of a dove out of candlelight during the opening ceremony.
Francois-Xavier Marit/AFP/Getty ImagesBeginning with fireworks and ending with the lighting of the Olympic cauldron, Pyeongchang's Winter Olympics opening ceremony, called "Peace in Motion," took place Friday evening amid gusts of wind and frigid temperatures.
Watching inside the Olympic stadium was a crowd of more than 30,000 — including South Korean President Moon Jae-in, who shook hands with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un's sister Kim Yo Jong. Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Vice President Pence sat nearby.
In the parade of nations — 92 are taking part in these Olympics — American luger Erin Hamlin, a four-time Olympian, served as Team USA's flag-bearer. A unified Korean team marched together under a unification flag. But many thought Pita Taufatofua — who competed in taekwondo in Rio's Summer Games and is in Pyeongchang to compete in cross-country skiing — stole the show by reprising his bare-chested appearance as flag-bearer for Tonga.
Spectators watch fireworks go off at the start of the opening ceremony. Martin Bernetti/AFP/Getty Images hide caption
Top: Performers with candles; a makeup artist applies glitter to a performer backstage. Bottom: Dancers perform inside a tiger. Matthias Hangst; Gregory Bull; Quinn Rooney/Getty Images hide caption
South Korean figure skater Yuna Kim performs before lighting the Olympic cauldron. Franck Fife/AFP/Getty Images hide caption
North and South Korean athletes enter together under the Korean unification flag during the parade of athletes. Matthias Hangst/Getty Images hide caption
North and South Korean athletes enter together under the Korean unification flag during the parade of athletes.
Matthias Hangst/Getty Images
Kim Yo Jong (left), the sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, shakes hands with South Korean President Moon Jae-in at the opening ceremony of the 2018 Winter Olympics. Patrick Semansky/AP hide caption
Kim Yo Jong (left), the sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, shakes hands with South Korean President Moon Jae-in at the opening ceremony of the 2018 Winter Olympics.
Patrick Semansky/AP
The crowd stands amid lights. Mark Ralston/AFP/Getty Images hide caption
South Korean Olympic figure skating champion Yuna Kim kindles the Olympic flame. David J. Phillip/AP hide caption
A firework display during the opening ceremony. Jonathan Nackstrand/AFP/Getty Images hide caption
Fire displays light up the opening ceremony before the Olympic cauldron (bottom left) is kindled. Lars Baron; Jonathan Nackstrand; Frank Fife;Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images hide caption
Pita Taufatofua, who competed in taekwondo in the 2016 Rio Olympics and will compete in cross-country skiing in Pyeongchang, carries the flag of Tonga during the opening ceremony. Jae C. Hong/AP hide caption
Performers entertain the crowd during the opening ceremony. Martin Bureau/AFP; Richard Heathcote; Matthias Hangst/Getty Images hide caption
Some 20,000 fireworks were set off during the opening ceremony at the Pyeongchang Stadium. Brendan Smialowski/AFP/Getty Images hide caption