On Friday, August 8, 2008, 8:08 PM EST the moment had finally come:

Inside the spectacular “Bird’s Nest” the floor begins to rise, floating platforms lift smoothly, hundreds of dancers, light and rhythm fill the stadium space – and the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing have started. The brilliant opening has made a stunning impression before the eyes of the whole world. Which should in part be credited to the American company SERAPID, a supplier of lift and linearmotion systems well-known in the international entertainment industry.

Sixty-two of SERAPID’S LinkLift 100 lifting systems elevate the stage area in the Beijing stadium, the total surface measuring 11,625 ft². The gigantic structure might well set the first world record in these Games.

The whole of the stage is divided into ten individual platforms. Beneath the imposing surface, the lifting equipment does an extraordinary job. The lifting height is up to 23 feet, all ten platforms together are capable of carrying a total load of 595 tons. The platforms are independent of each other and free-standing, so the lifting mechanism must do without the aid of external guides. Stability is accomplished by triple-scissor mechanism ensuring a minimal lateral drift up to only five millimeters at the full height of 23 feet. These were designed by SERAPID as well.