The Olympic Flame now burns in a "snowflake" outside the Ice Cube.

A Torch had been placed there by Beijing 2022 volunteer Zhang Junyin.

It was just a few minutes after the snowflake in the stadium had been lit by a member of the Uyghur minority in the main stadium in a moment which seemed hardly coincidental.

Director Zhang Yimou promised something that was unprecedented.

What we were given was an Opening Ceremony that was as remarkable in its way as the colossal 2008 ceremony in the same stadium.

What no-one expected was that the Flame itself would be so small.

In taking it outside the arena to a different venue, it followed a practice first seen at the 2010 Games in Vancouver when ice hockey superstar Wayne Gretsky lit a Cauldron outside after an indoor ceremony.

The idea of a modest Flame to protect the environment was also seen at Rio 2016 when a Flame burned in a public area at Candelaria during the Games.

As in 2008 when the Rings rose from the floor of the stadium using LED beads, they moved into the air seamlessly to provide a backdrop for the teams to enter.

This was the "Gate of China", a different entrance to that used in 2008.

The Window of China expressed the idea of seeing China through "an open window", a similar sentiment to 2008.

There were further echoes of that Ceremony in the march past. 

Not least Brazil’s cross-country skier Jaqueline Mourao had competed as a mountain biker 14 years ago.

"It is a great feeling to be back here again and to be a part of history," Mourao said.

"I am making history for the most Olympic appearances by a Brazilian, so it’s a big accomplishment for me and I’m very honoured to carry the flag."

When she last entered this stadium musicians from the five continents played to welcome the teams.

This time they went for the classics so we had Sir Edward Elgar’s Pomp and Circumstance March Number One, which was appropriate for such an occasion.

There were also selections from other great composers with Tchaikovsky, von Suppe Verdi and Bizet among those heard as the teams came in with commendable speed.

Tonga’s popular cross-country skier Pita Taufatofua had decided to stay at home to help with disaster relief after the eruption of a volcano.

Even he might have agreed that it was no night to go without a shirt.

The American team wore outfits which regulated body temperature, designed by Ralph Lauren. 

For them the highly unusual concept of an honorary flagbearer. 

Speedskater Brittany Rowe marched on behalf of Elana Meyers Taylor, a bobsledder who had been forced to isolate after returning a positive test result.

Chinese Taipei is the Olympic name for Taiwan and they were said to be unhappy about marching close to Hong Kong China.

The tension has grown between them and their powerful neighbours.

It is over forty years since the agreement was brokered to allow both Chinas to participate.

Both sides had previously adopted an aggressive stance, not least over what each should be called.

The arrival of the Chinese was greeted by the Hymn to the Motherland, a popular Chinese tune which is like a second national anthem.

Flagbearers Zhao Dan and Gao Tingyu were only children when Beijing last hosted the Games.

The cross generational idea was writ large and this was reflected in the choice of participants for the set pieces.

The colour party for the Olympic flag had included names from China’s sporting past and present.

Perhaps the most satisfying choice was Lu Zhihuan, a speed skater who won their first World Championship gold in 1963 before the country had been part of the Olympic Movement.

It had been quite a few days for Lu, he had also carried the Olympic Flame in its much shortened journey around the three competition zones.

The song Imagine was performed as part of a "Tribute to the People" in which a ski jumper soared through the air to land, perfectly of course.

John Lennon’s peace masterpiece had been previously performed by Peter Gabriel at Turin 2006 and also more recently at Pyeongchang 2018 and Tokyo 2020.

There was one piece of Olympic music which went back rather further.

The Olympic Hymn, written for the first Modern Olympics in 1896 by Corfiot composer Spiros Samaras was performed by a choir of "Children of the Mountain," who had spent three months learning the original Greek words written by Greek national poet Kostis Palamis.

They were word perfect.

What eventually became the snowflake which would hold the Flame was formed of the nameplates of all 91 competing teams.

An original idea but one which reminded you of 2012.

The petals for each team were formed into London’s Cauldron and at the end of the Games dismantled and presented to each National Olympic Committee.

President Xi Jinping seemed to enjoy the whole affair and made the opening declaration with a flourish.

Uyghur cross-country skier Dinigeer Yilamujiang and Nordic combined competitor Zhao Jiawen placed the Torch on a receptacle to end a journey that had begun in Ancient Olympia in Greece, the site of the Olympic Games of Antiquity.

Once again symbolically linking the present with the past, the snowflake rotated as the fireworks crackled above.

There seemed fewer than there had been in 2008 but this may have been because fireworks are discouraged as a precaution against COVID-19.

At the start of the evening, a drop of icy blue Chinese ink had dropped from the sky into the Yellow River.

"Billowing waves condense into a crystal clear icy world which appears to freeze time," said ceremony organisers.

There were many idealistic sentiments throughout a skilfully executed Ceremony but the reality may prove at odds with the dream.

Although an Olympic Truce is in force for the Games, many remain fearful for the future once the Flame dies in just over a fortnight’s time.

It is to be hoped that their fears prove unfounded.