The Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics officially commence on Friday with the opening ceremony at the National Stadium in Beijing. Photo: Xinhua

In a show of unity, two Korean torchbearers, Jong Su Hyon from North Korean and South Korean Park Jong-ah, hold the Olympic flame during the opening ceremony of the Pyeongchang 2018 Winter Olympics at the Pyeongchang Stadium. Photo: VCG

Snowflakes transform into four Olympic rings with one failing to take shape during the opening ceremony of the 2014 Winter Olympics at Fisht Olympic Stadium in Sochi, Russia. Photo: VCG

A snowboarder flips out of the huge white rings on a skateboard at the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, Canada. Photo: VCG

Fireworks light up the Olympic stadium during the opening ceremony of the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin, Italy. Photo: VCG

As the Olympic Cauldron burns bright in the background, flaming Olympic rings close the opening ceremony for the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, Utah, United States. Photo: VCG

Jets leave trail of Olympic colors as they fly over the opening ceremony of the 1998 Winter Olympics in Nagano, Japan. Photo: VCG

An overview of the activity during the opening ceremony with a fireworks display at the 1994 Winter Olympics in Lillehammer, Norway. Photo: VCG

Former French soccer champion Michel Platini and Francois-Cyrille Grange walk with the Olympic torch during the 1992 Winter Olympics opening ceremony in Albertville, Finance. Photo: VCG

Colorful balloons float in the air during the opening ceremony of the 1988 Winter Olympics in Calgary, Canada. Photo: VCG

The Olympic flame is lighted during the opening ceremony of the 1984 Winter Olympics in Sarajevo. Photo: VCG

The 1976 Winter Olympics opened in Innsbruck, Austria. Two torch towers were successively lit during the opening ceremony, one being the main torch of the 9th Winter Olympic Games and the other that of the 12th Winter Olympic Games. Photo: VCG

The 10th Winter Olympics are held in Grenoble, France, in 1968. Photo: VCG

A general view of the athletes in Bislett stadium, Oslo, Norway, during the opening of the 1952 Winter Olympics. Photo: VCG

The American contingent of athletes (center, in while coats) enter the stadium during the opening ceremony of the 1948 Winter Olympics at St. Moritz, Switzerland. Photo: VCG

The flags of the participating countries are displayed in a semi-circle at the opening ceremony of the first Winter Olympic Games in Chamonix, France, in 1924. Photo: Courtesy of Olympics

Figure skaters at the 1924 Winter Olympics in Chamonix, France. Photo: VCG