The two Koreas on Friday evening entered together in the opening ceremony of the 2006 Winter Olympics in Torino, Italy.

Marching under a single banner with the word Corea spelled with a "c" as their country name, South and North Korean athletes donned white uniforms and were the 21st delegation to enter the stadium of 82 participating countries.

South Korean female speed skater Lee Bo-ra and North Korean male figure skater Han Jong-in were up front holding a flag featuring a blue image of the Korean Peninsula on a white background.

The two Koreas have marched together six times at global sporting events since the 2000 Sydney Olympics, but Friday marked the first time for them to do so in a Winter Olympics.

Over 16 days of competition, 26-hundred athletes will vie for 84 gold medals in 15 sports.

Competing in five events, South Korea is seeking to finish among the top ten in the final standings with at least three gold medals in short-track speed skating.

The opening ceremony featured a mix of pageantry, pyrotechnics, music and the lighting of the Olympic cauldron. The final torch bearer was former cross country skier Stefania Belmondo of Italy.

A crowd of 35-thousand filled the Olympic Stadium. More than 47-hundred performers, including fast-moving skaters with fiery rocket packs, dancers and dancing cows opened the festivities.

International Olympic Committee President Jacques Rogge also urged athletes to compete in the spirit of fair play, mutual understanding and respect.

Italian tenor Luciano Pavarotti capped off the ceremony with a performance.