 In order to host the ceremonies the grass field was paved over with asphalt and a stage was constructed, scoreboards were removed, flags and Olympic livery were installed, temporary seating was brought in (allowing more than 50,000 spectators) and the 2002 Olympic Cauldron was installed atop the southern bleachers.An estimated 3.5 billion people watched the Opening and Closing Ceremonies on television, through broadcasts from the stadium.The opening ceremony of the 2002 Winter Paralympics was also held in the stadium on March 7, 2002.