2008年7月30日 星期三
2008年7月28日 星期一
Photos: Olympic Village welcomes first delegation
Chinese delegation poses for pictures in the Olympic Village.
Chinese delegation
The world's best athletes will begin to move into Beijing's Olympic Village starting on Sunday, July 27, embarking on their stay in safe, comfortable, warm accommodations while in the Chinese capital.
The Olympic Village in Beijing will be home to 16,000 athletes and representatives from over 200 countries and regions around the world.
At 9:20 on Sunday morning, a fantastic opening ceremony was held in the flag raising plaza of the Village, after which the Chinese Olympic delegation proudly stepped across the threshold, becoming the first athletic group to enter Beijing's Olympic Village.
(Photo credit: Xinhua)
Yang Wei, member of the Chinese gymnastics team, talks to reporters.
Yao Ming, Chinese basketball star
Yao Ming enters the Olympic Village
Yang Wei
2008年7月23日 星期三
Torch Relay in Jinan winds up
(JINAN, July 23) -- A total of 243 torchbearers, including a number of Olympic and world champions, completed the Jinan leg of the Beijing Olympic Torch Relay at 10:45 a.m. on Wednesday, July 23.
This also marks the end of the relay in Shandong Province, where runners passed through Qingdao, Linyi, Qufu, Taian and Jinan in three days.
This afternoon, the flame escort team will head for Henan Province to start the "Journey of Harmony" in the capital city, Zhengzhou, on Friday.
The sacred flame began its trip in the capital city of eastern China's Shandong Province at about 8:00 a.m. with celebrated ex-basketball player Gong Xiaobin. Xing Huina, Lin Weining, Wu Minxia, Qiao Yunping, Gao Jianmin and other sportsmen who have achieved excellent results at Olympic Games and world championships also took part in the relay, which ended with famous divers Guo Jingjing and Wang Feng lighting the flame cauldron.
Jinan, a city of 6 million residents, welcomed the torchbearers with a festive atmosphere on Wednesday. The 13.5km route from Shangdong Provincial Stadium Square to Qilu Software Park, was filled with dancing spectators and decorated with large posters, banners, slogans and balloons. The route featured areas of cultural relics, scenic spots, and economic areas, as well as the Olympic Sports Center Stadium, the main stadium for the 11th National Games in 2009.
A well-known cultural and historical city with an area of 8,177 square meters, Jinan is a political, economic, cultural, scientific, educational and financial center of the province.
2008年7月20日 星期日
Beijing Olympic victory ceremony components unveiled
A show of all victory ceremony costumes
(BEIJING, July 17) -- With the Beijing Olympic Games 22 days away, BOCOG unveiled the components of the victory ceremony for the Games, including the victory podium and certificates as well as the hostess dresses and flowers for winners on Thursday night.
BOCOG Executive Vice-President Jiang Xiaoyu takes the floor.
Designers made efforts to combine traditional Chinese elements with the modern Olympic spirit.
Five series of costumes, featuring white, blue, green and pink, all widely used colors in China, have been designed for 302 Olympic victory ceremonies and 472 Paralympic victory ceremonies.
The victory podium is dominated by yellow, a color symbolizing honor and respect, and elements of "lucky clouds" that characterize a number of Beijing Olympic symbols.
Organizers have chosen brocade, silk and Chinese art paper produced in Xuancheng, Anhui Province, as materials for victory certificates, in view of their nobility and durability. Unearthed relics show that these materials can last as long as over a thousand years.
A group photo of guests and volunteers at the unveiling ceremony
The rose will be the main flower for the victory ceremony. The red flower is among the top ten flowers in China and the city flower of more than 50 cities in the country.
2008年7月19日 星期六
Beijing 2008 Olympic Games posters available July 20
Theme Posters
Full coverage on Official pictures of the Olympics&Paralympics
(BEIJING, July 18) -- On Friday afternoon, a press conference was held at the Main Press Center (MPC) in Beijing regarding the launch of official posters of the Beijing Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Zhao Yanxia, deputy director of BOCOG Culture and Ceremonies Department, pointed out that Olympic and Paralympic posters are an important part of promoting the appeal of the Games, as well as highlighting Olympic host cities, acting as "a visual representation of commerce and culture."
People's Posters
Next, Zhao Meng, art director of the look and image of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, spoke about the design concept and creation procedure of the official posters. He indicated that designers kept the ideas of a "Green Olympics, High-tech Olympics and People's Olympics" in mind when creating the images, while embodying the philosophy of "One World One Dream." He also emphasized that artists wanted to bring out elements of Chinese culture and the passion felt by the Chinese about having the honor of hosting the international event.
Sports Posters
The several categories of posters were introduced to the media present at the press conference. They are: "Sophisticated Beijing for a harmonious Olympic Games," "Smiling Beijing and inclusive Olympic Games," and "Robust Beijing to exceed the Dreams."
Zhao also described the creative process of the Olympic posters, starting with the first stage, when on May 23, 2007, a special meeting involving 71 invited design institutes and studios was held for a brainstorming session. During the second stage, 930 designs were collected for evaluation; in stage three, a special committee organized in Tsinghua University reviewed the submissions. In the end, after serious scrutiny and refinement, the team lead by Professor He Jie, vice-dean of the Academy of Art and Design of Tsinghua University, was selected as the artist group with the best design. 16 poster designs each for the Olympic and Paralympic Games were chosen.
Beijing Morning Post under Beijing Daily Group has been designated as the official poster publisher. According to Zhao, about 100,000 posters will be printed and made available to the public on July 20 at 10 yuan each. They may be purchased at franchised kiosks.
The scene of the press conference
2008年7月17日 星期四
Volkswagen presents 5,000 vehicles to BOCOG
(BEIJING, July 16) -- Worldwide Olympic Partner Volkswagen has presented a fleet of 5,000 vehicles to the organizers of the Beijing Olympic Games, the company announced on Wednesday.
The vehicles, including such models as Touran, Passat, Skoda Octavia, Mogotan, Sagitar and Audi, are provided by Volkswagen Group China, Shanghai Volkswagen and FAW-Volkswagen. They will be used to transport athletes, officials and VIPs during the Olympics. A Multivan is reserved for IOC President Jacques Rogge and an Audi for IPC President Philip Craven.
Yu Chunquan, director of the Transport Department of BOCOG, received from Zhang Suixin, executive vice-president of Volkswagen Group China, on Wednesday a "key" symbolizing the fleet of 5,000 vehicles. He praised the company for its efforts to ensure the success of the Olympic Games and its support for the Beijing Olympic Torch Relay.
Volkswagen announced a week ago that it had provided 180 vehicles for the Olympic equestrian events in Hong Kong.
2008年7月16日 星期三
Chinese Olympic victory uniforms unveiled
The suits for Chinese medalists at the Beijing Olympics were unveiled on July 15, 2008.
(BEIJING, July 15) -- Chinese medalists at the 2008 Olympic Games will wear tailored uniforms featuring the colors red and yellow and a "lucky cloud" pattern, according to Xinhua.
Red and yellow are the dominant colors of the Chinese national flag.
Designed by the Beijing Institute of Clothing Technology and made by Worldwide Olympic Partner Adidas, the suits were selected from more than 2,000 entries in an international design contest over a year's time.
Models showcase the suits.
Ma Jilong, director of the sports equipment center under the General Administration of Sport of China, lauded the uniforms for their elegance and aesthetic quality.
Adidas has tailored the uniforms for every competing Chinese athlete, manufacturing an unprecedented 17 sizes for heights ranging from 1.40m to 2.26m. The suits are handmade.
The suits for Chinese medalists at the Beijing Olympics were unveiled on July 15, 2008.
It was reported that every athlete will be given two suits, one for the victory ceremony and the other for their personal collection.
Olympic diving champion Gao Min gave a thumbs-up to the outfits, saying they feature the auspicious atmosphere of the Olympic Games and reflect the spirit of Chinese athletes.
2008年7月13日 星期日
Olympic Torch Relay in Changchun ends
Local performers wave flags to welcome the torch during the Torch Relay in Changchun, Jilin province, on July 14.
Spectators welcome the torch during the Torch Relay in Changchun, Jilin province, on July 14.
(Photo credit: Wang Haofei/Xinhua)
Local official receives the torch during the Torch Relay in Changchun, Jilin province, on July 14.
Updated：2008-07-14(CHANGCHUN, July 14) -- Last torchbearer Wang Chunlu, a Winter Games short-track silver medalist, lit the cauldron at Changchun World Sculpture Park at 10: 04 a.m. on Monday to end the Changchun leg of the Olympic Torch Relay. The cities of Songyuan and Jilin will host the torch on Tuesday.
The Olympic Torch Relay kicked off in Changchun at 8:08 a.m. Altogether 218 torchbearers carried the Olympic flame along this nine-km-long journey.
Wang Jiaqi, academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, was the first torchbearer.
Changchun is the capital of Jilin Province, located in the northeast of the People's Republic of China. The city has a population of 7.4 million.
Hair and make-up for victory ceremony hostesses
(BEIJING, July 11) -- BOCOG Cultural Activities Department director Zhao Dongming, BOCOG executive vice-president Cui Ning, Olympic champion Yang Yang, and television celebrity Yu Sheng were on hand to inspect the make-up and hairstyles that victory ceremony hostesses would be donning for the Olympic Games on Saturday morning.
"First, I'd like to thank the entire team of cosmetic artists and all the victory ceremony volunteers their hard work," said Zhao. The leader is quite satisfied with the group's participation.
The make-up and hairstyles of the volunteers must be compatible with the concept of sports, while still reflecting the spirit of Chinese youth. Although they are required to be simple, the make-up and hair should be distinct enough to look good on TV.
Yang, as a previous Olympic champ, has had first-hand experience with victory ceremony hostesses. She believes that the hair and make-up of the hostesses should be natural, and not so overbearing as to drown out the main reason for the celebration, the athletes themselves.
Male flag raisers will be dressed in attire that brings out the beauty of strength, health and youth.
The make-up artists will take into account suggestions made by the visitors today to re-think the appearances of the volunteers.
According to reports, the professionals can create even the most complicated of the four designated hair designs in 5-10 minutes.
(Photo credit: Zhang Yu)
2008年7月12日 星期六
Get your own Olympic gold
(BEIJING, July 12) -- Recently, a series of gold and silver commemorative souvenirs were put on the market to welcome the upcoming Olympic Games.
These medallions fully embody the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games emblem, "Chinese Seal, Dancing Beijing."
The official emblem incorporates traditional Chinese calligraphic artistry with athleticism to form a harmonious symbol for the Beijing Games.
The high-quality souvenirs are made of 99.9% pure gold and silver. Officially inspected and authorized, the medallions will definitely be treasured as an important part of the Beijing Games.
These special medallions embody Chinese spirit, style and enthusiasm, as well as the Olympic concepts of friendship and harmony to promote excellence by encouraging society to go faster, higher and stronger.
(Photo credit: Zhang Yu)
Olympic torch leaves Daqing for Qiqihar
Cheer squad welcomes the torch during the Torch Relay in Daqing, Heilongjiang province, on July 12.
(Photo credit: Xinhua)
Updated：2008-07-12
(DAQING, July 12) -- Last torchbearer Gu Shuangyan, vice-president of Daqing Intermediate People's Court, lit the cauldron at 9:55 a.m. on Saturday amid rain, marking the end of the Daqing leg of the Olympic Torch Relay. The city of Qiqihar will host the Olympic flame on Sunday.
First torchbearer Hu Zhiqiang, who leads the No. 1205 drilling team of Daqing oilfield, carried the torch at 8:20 a.m. on Saturday to start the Daqing leg of the Olympic Torch Relay amid showers.
Hu graduated from the Daqing Petroleum Institute in 1994 and has devoted his life to oil drilling since then.
A total of 208 torchbearers participated in the 7.6 km-long relay.
Daqing, meaning "Great Celebration," is a city in northeast China's Heilongjiang Province. It was founded in 1959 to house workers extracting oil and gas from the Daqing oilfield and to host industries which could take advantage of the energy and petrochemicals found here.
2008年7月7日 星期一
Olympic torch finishes tour of Gansu
Cheer squad welcomes the torch during the Torch Relay in Lanzhou city, Gansu province, on July 7.
(Photo credit: Qi Heng/Xinhua)
Updated：2008-07-07
(LANZHOU, June 7) -- Zhu Jun, a CCTV host, lit the cauldron at the Waterwheel Exhibition Park at 11: 45 a.m., marking the end to the Lanzhou leg of the Torch Relay and the last stop in Gansu Province.
Tian Yu carried the Olympic flame at 8:15 on Monday from Zhongshan Bridge to kick off the relay.
Tian Yu, who has made great contributions to the Sichuan quake relief work, overcame loss of his home and family members during the May 12 earthquake to lead paramilitary personnel in rescuing eight residents, saving 3,000 tons of grain and more than 2,000 goods from destruction and resettling 1,100 quake victims.
A total of 296 torchbearers participated in the 15.6-km long relay.
Tang Zhongli, a scholar with the Chinese Academy of Engineering; Gao Xionghou, who has done research on oil refinement; Li Yuanzhen, an imam of Hui Ethnic Minority; and Ma Ying, a softball coach, are among the torchbearers.
2008年7月5日 星期六
Flame finishes tour of Dunhuang
A girl cheers for the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games torch relay in Dunhuang, a city of northwest China's Gansu Province, on July 5, 2008.
(Photo credit: Xinhua)
(Photo credit: Xinhua Photo)
(Photo credit: Xinhua)
(DUNHUANG, July 5) –- With the lighting of the flame cauldron at Moonlight Shadow Square by last torchbearer Sai Like, vice-mayor of Jiuquan, the Dunhuang leg of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Torch Relay successfully wound up at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday. The highlight of today's Torch Relay was the carrying of the sacred flame on camels.
The relay in Dunhuang started from the Mogao Grottoes, with the director of the Dunhuang Research Institute, Fan Jinshi, serving as the first of 120 torchbearers.
Planners selected the Mogao Grottoes as the starting point of Dunhuang's 7.6 kilometer relay route to showcase the ancient site's historical and cultural charm as an important relic left behind that witnessed the passing of many Chinese dynasties, including the Wei, Jin, North and South and Tang Dynasties. In addition, this is the "birthplace" of one of the Fuwa, Huanhuan. Fuwa are the official Beijing 2008 Olympic Games mascots.
Next, the Torch Relay team will move on to Jiayuguan, the second stop in Gansu Province, to prepare for the relay of the Olympic flame there on Sunday.
2008年7月4日 星期五
Torch relay illuminates ancient capital Xi'an
Torchbearer Tian Liang waves during the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games torch relay in Xi'an, capital of northwest China's Shaanxi Province, July 4, 2008.
(Photo credit: Jiao Weiping/Xinhua)
The last torchbearer Wang Libin lights the cauldron at Furong Garden (Photo credit: Fan Fan)
(XI'AN, July 4) -- Near the fantastic afterlife palace complex built to hold China's first emperor and his terracotta warriors through eternity, torchbearer Wang Libin completed the last leg of the Olympic torch's odyssey through Xi'an.
Olympic gold medalist Tian Liang, who grabbed first-place prizes in diving during the 2000 Sydney and 2004 Athens Games, launched the torch relay through Xi'an, and another 200-plus bearers carried the sacred flame through the ancient Chinese city.
The last torchbearer Wang Libin (Photo credit: Fan Fan)
As it passes through China, the Olympic torch has been lighting up a spectacular spectrum of cities and cultures, artifacts and architecture across the ages.
Xi'an was the imperial capital of the Tang Dynasty of 618-907, which is regarded by many cultural historians as the "Golden Age" of Chinese Buddhist sculpture, figure painting, Daoist poetry and aristocratic learning.
The Tang's open-minded rulers supported global trade across the Silk Road, and their capital became a multicultural world metropolis that was probably unrivalled in terms of technology and urban sophistication for centuries.
The Tang Dynasty-styled Furong Garden is decorated with flags and banners (Photo credit: Fan Fan)
A palatial imperial wall and sentry watchtowers still surround the city, and nearby the intricately sculpted Terracotta Army still stands sentinel over the underground necropolis built for Qin Shihuang, who created the first Chinese empire in 221 BC.
While completing the Olympic flame's relay through Xi'an, torchbearer and basketball star Wang Libin said: "I hope the Beijing Olympics push forward progress in our society and promote social harmony in our country."
An art performance featuring terracotta figurines (Photo credit: Fan Fan)
Wang, called the "Best Center in Asia," joined the national team in 1981, and has since taken part in a string of world competitions.
Xi'an, meanwhile, is believed to be the birthplace of many sports in China. Polo, tug-of-war, wrestling, chess and other sports flourished here more than one thousand years ago.
An early version of football appeared in China even before Qin Shihuang forged the first Chinese empire here, and the real-life models for his terracotta sentries might have played the game during their spare time.
