Japanese performers dance around an inflatable planet earth during the official Opening Ceremony of the XVIII Winter Olympic Games. Reuters photo	The Olympic Torch is carried into the stadium by Chris Moon during the Opening Ceremony of the XVIII Winter Olympics at the Minami Nagano Sports Park in Nagano, Japan. Associated Press photo
Grand Champion Sumo Wrestler Akebono takes the stage to purify the venue during the official Opening Ceremony of the XVIII Winter Olympic Games, symbolically purging it of all evil. Reuters photo	A child shows her support for Japan during the Opening Ceremony of the 1998 Winter Olympic Games at the Minami Sports Park in Nagano, Japan. Allsport photo

---