BEIJING, Aug. 18 (Xinhuanet) -- It was party night in the eastern Chinese city of Nanjing on Saturday, as the 2014 Youth Olympic Games officially kicked off. Over 3,000 young athletes from across the world gathered for the opening gala, a night of fun that no one wanted to end.

Nanjing lit up by young passion. The 40-minute opening gala featured traditional Chinese performances like dragon dancing and Taichi, but the crowds really got going when the music got going.

Afterwards, no one wanted to leave the party.

"It's really good, a lot of fun, a lot of emotion, a lot of culture. Everybody was laughing and having a good time." Mack Dylan, an Aruban athlete, said.

"When the ball is passed around it feels like everybody is brought together. It's just fun to just hit someone at random, and everybody is having fun." Mackenzie, an Australian athlete, said.

"Similar like this, some more music." Anna, a Hungarian athlete, said.

There was something for everyone over in the Culture Tent, where participating countries had their own way of showing themselves to the world. Anything from lighting the Eiffel Tower with pedal power to simply enjoying a Bavarian Dance.

"I'm actually speechless, because it's so huge. Everywhere there is something new. We love it here." Sarah, a German athlete, said.

"This is the really the youth Olympic you can feel the atmosphere. It's great. The athletes are feeling relaxed. This is as it should be. To enjoy, enjoy being together in a world community," said Thomas Back, President of International Olympic Committee.

Special cultural events are being staged throughout the competition, mostly at the Youth Olympic Village itself.

Aside from the medals and the sportsmanship, it's an experience that these young sports stars are unlikely to ever forget.

(Source:CCTV.com)