It is revealed after the opening ceremonies that part of the footprint fireworks footage were computer generated and it took about a year to make. The footprint fireworks did occur outside the stadium, but the TV and stadium audiences watched the pre-recorded version.

The organizers wanted a perfect show rather than the real less than perfect footprint shape in the middle of the Beijing smog at night.

The final shot from inside the stadium shows 3 actual footprints over the stadium.