Beijing, September 6th 2008.
Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games Opening Ceremony
Lighting of the Cauldron
The cauldron of the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games was lit by Hou Bin, China's triple Paralympic high jump champion, in the National Stadium in north Beijing. The wheelchair athlete lifted himself through the air by hauling himself up on a rope to light the impressive cauldron.
The beautiful Aegean island of Chios.
No further description is needed... Just hold your breath and watch...
Note: ALL the images are EXCLUSIVELY from Chios.
Greek athletes' great moments at the Olympic Games.
From Barcelona 1992 to Atlanta 1996 and to Sydney 2000.
On the road to Athens 2004 triumph.
10 golden, 10 silver and 3 bronze medals within 8 years.
The golden era, the spring of greek athletism.
Athens 2004 Olympic Games Official Emblem (logo) Presentation.
The Athens 2004 logo was kotinos, an olive branch, symbol of glory and honour.
To be crowned with this wreath was the award that the athletes of the ancient Olympic Games competed for.
At Athens 2004 the kotinos tradition was renewed, although in this case it was bestowed together with the gold medal.
The Sleeping Village.
A historical abandoned village in Chios.
It was abandoned right after the Greek civil war (end of 40's), during which the village's population was politicaly divided, and clashes, even brutal killings took place between the rival parts. These incidents concluded a period of the village's gradual decline.
![Greek athletes\](http://img.youtube.com/vi/TBgFz-CCKGE/2.jpg "Greek athletes\")
![Greek Paralympic Athletes\](http://img.youtube.com/vi/IjNvpN_BI58/2.jpg "Greek Paralympic Athletes\")
![On board F/B \"Mytilene\", en route to Chios (music video - FAST)](http://img.youtube.com/vi/hJSwm0zxnh4/2.jpg "On board F/B \\"Mytilene\\", en route to Chios (music video - FAST)")
