clipped from: uk.news.yahoo.com 
Parts of the spectacular Beijing Olympics opening ceremony were faked, it has emerged.
The global television audience of more than three billion people watched in amazement as a series of giant footprints outlined in fireworks proceeded through the night sky from Tiananmen Square to the Bird's Nest stadium - except they were watching a computer animation.
Even the giant television screens within the stadium itself broadcast the fake images.
Stunned viewers thought they were watching the string of fireworks filmed from above by a helicopter.
But in reality they were watching a 3D graphics sequence that took almost a year to produce.
It even included a 'camera shake' to mimic the effect of filming from a helicopter.
The dupe was revealed by China's Beijing Times. Speaking to the paper, the man responsible for the animation said he was pleased with the result.
"But most of the audience thought it was filmed live - so that was mission accomplished."