BEIJING , China ( CNN ) -- China opened the 29th Olympic Games on Friday with stunning fireworks as the Asian nation kicked off one of the most heavily scrutinized games in history . Drummers perform at the Opening Ceremony of the Summer Olympic Games in Beijing , China . Fireworks shot off across the Chinese capital as hundreds of drummers and dancers performed under a light display at the National Stadium , drawing applause from the estimated 90,000 in attendance . It was a stunning beginning from the nation of 1.3 billion people . Media observers said they believe the opening ceremony will be the single most watched television event in history . Billions of dollars in the making , the Summer Olympics carry with them the ambitions of a nation seeking its place as a global superpower . The anticipation over the Olympics was unmistakable in China 's capital city . The Olympic torch relay , the focus of protests during parts of its international leg earlier this year , will conclude at 11:30 p.m. local time ( 11:30 a.m . ET ) when it enters National Stadium to light the Olympic cauldron . `` This one , I think , is going to be bigger and more spectacular ... not necessarily more surprising , but more impressive , I think , than any previous ceremony , '' said Ric Birch , who oversaw Olympic productions in 1984 , 1992 and 2000 . Watch Birch assess Beijing 's preparations » . In short , it 's just what China wanted -- an opening ceremony with an impressive guest list . President Bush is among more than 100 heads of state , heads of government and sovereigns expected to attend , the International Olympic Committee said . The leaders represent countries including Japan , Russia , Australia , South Korea and Brazil . But this version of the Olympics brings with it controversy , discord that began in 2001 when Beijing won the games . Criticism over China 's human rights record , its policies in Tibet and the persistent pollution across the country have been the focus of much international criticism and media attention . The head of the Australian Olympic Committee complained Friday about pollution as well as Internet access and uncomfortable transportation for his country 's athletes to venues , according to news reports . For some world leaders , the decision to attend was a tough call . French President Nicholas Sarkozy threatened to boycott the games because of human rights abuses in Tibet but later changed his mind . Watch protests in Germany over China 's Tibet policies » . And while he has steadfastly said he would attend the Olympics opening , Bush as recently as Friday stressed China 's need to respect human rights . `` It 's inevitable that people from different countries may not see eye to eye , '' Chinese President Hu Jintao said recently , `` so we should try to expand our common ground on the basis of mutual respect . '' Political leaders do not attend Olympic opening ceremonies as a matter of protocol -- Bush is the first American president to attend them outside the United States -- but China seemed determined to have as many there as possible , taking it as a sign the world recognizes the legitimacy of the Chinese government . `` They want those leaders to confirm the fact that China has returned to great power , prominence in the world , '' said David Zweig , a political analyst at Hong Kong University of Science and Technology . `` They really want to say to the people of China that we , the Communist Party of China , have done a great job . '' Watch why China has invested so much in the Olympics » . Air China suspended some flights from Japan to China on Friday after receiving a bomb threat via e-mail , Japan 's Transport Ministry said . The e-mail said the threat was intended to disrupt the Olympics , according to Fumio Yasukawa , a ministry representative . Many mysteries about the opening ceremony remain , like which athletes will run the final legs of the torch relay and the tightly kept secret of who will light the Olympic cauldron at the stadium . Blog : Anticipation builds . Early favorites such as national sports stars Yao Ming and Liu Xiang were widely discounted because they already had carried the torch during the relay . Many observers speculated that the person lighting the Olympic cauldron would be connected to the devastating May earthquake in China that claimed nearly 70,000 lives . As for the games , an estimated 10,000 athletes from 205 countries will compete in 28 events for about 300 gold medals . The first medals will be awarded Saturday . See a timeline of moments to watch for at the games » . China has put a priority on finishing first in the overall medal standings . On Sunday , swimming competition begins , along with U.S. swimmer Michael Phelps ' quest to win eight gold medals -- more than any individual in a single games . Even if he fails , Phelps could become the all-time leader in gold medals . Watch how pressure is building for the athletes » . The competition -- 17 days in length -- will be a relative blip compared to the years of preparation that went into bringing the games to Beijing . China means it to be a coming-out party . Like many parties , Chinese leaders wo n't know how it went until it 's time to clean up . CNN 's Emily Chang and Kevin Drew contributed to this report .
NEW : Fireworks , drummers in opening ceremony of 2008 Summer Olympics . The Olympic flame is carried by a man during the Opening Ceremony at Maracana Stadium on July 27, 2008. President Bush among world leaders attending opening ceremony . More than 10,000 athletes to compete for about 300 gold medals .