The Youth Olympic Games Opening Ceremony in pictures

Leading the audience in song. (Photo 41 © Marvin Lowe/Red Sports)

The audience being enthralled by the performance. (Photo 42 © Vanessa Lim/Red Sports)

Japanese athletes cheer as their flag is paraded at the Parade of NOC flags. (Photo 43 © Lai Jun Wei/Red Sports)

Athletes from Tunisia jump to their feet as their flag emerges. (Photo 44 © Lai Jun Wei/Red Sports)

The flags of the NOCs all lined up. (Photo 45 © Lai Jun Wei/Red Sports)

A burst of fireworks fills the sky as the Olympic flag is raised. (Photo 46 © Lai Jun Wei/Red Sports)

Singers from the five continents sing the YOG Theme Song ‘Everyone’ produced by Singaporean record producer and composer Ken Lim. (L-R) Jody Williams (Africa), Tabitha Nauser (Asia), Steve Appleton (Europe) and Jessica Mauboy (Oceania). Sean Kingston (Americas) was absent due to a “passport mix-up”. (Photo 47 © Vanessa Lim/Red Sports)

Crowd motivators keep the audience’s spirit up. (Photo 48 © Lai Jun Wei/Red Sports)

A crowd motivator waves the “dove” from the audience interaction kit. (Photo 49 © Marvin Lowe/Red Sports)

3600 helium filled Dove balloons (one for each Olympian) are released into the sky, conveying the message of peace and global unity. (Photo 50 © Lai Jun Wei/Red Sports)