The Beijing 2008 Olympic Games Days To Go

The Closing Ceremony of the 2008 Olympic Games(5)

2008-08-24T10:09:00.001-07:00

23. Chapter 3: Carnival -- an Energetic and Passionate Song -- Beijing, Beijing, I love Beijing

Synopsis: On the Main Stage, six Chinese and foreign singers sing together Beijing, Beijing, I Love Beijing, a song full of passion, vitality and energy.

On the Main Stage, six Chinese and foreign singers sing together Beijing, Beijing, I Love Beijing, a song full of passion, vitality and energy.

On the Main Stage and the steps, 8 percussion players and 64 female erhu players jointly perform along with the song.

When the singing performance reaches the climax, the "memory tower" performers on the tree of friendship descend rapidly.

Singers perform. (Photo credit: Xinhua)

24. Chapter 3: Carnival -- a Sweet Love Song -- The Moon is Bright Tonight

Synopsis: Seven singers walk onto the Main Stage from below the steps and sing The Moon is Bright Tonight.

In the prelude, seven singers walk from below the steps to the Main Stage and sing The Moon is Bright Tonight.

Four columns rise on the Main Stage and four acrobats perform spectacular actions on top of the four columns.

25. Chapter 3: Carnival -- a Romantic and Emotional Song –- The Flame of Love

Synopsis: Two Chinese and foreign singers on the mobile singing performance car go from Gate 1 to the front of the VIP corridor, and sing The Flame of Love emotionally.

Singers Domingo and Song perform. (Photo credit: Michael Steele/Getty Images)

26. Chapter 3: Carnival -- a Joyous and Passionate Song -- Surpass It

Synopsis: Two singers on the Main Stage and sing the joyous and passionate song Surpass It.

Two singers walk onto the Main Stage and sing the song passionately.

Behind them are 50 young singers singing together.

At the same time, 75 aerobatic performers wearing luminous flight clothes perform elevation and rotation in the air.

27. Chapter 3: Carnival –- Spectacular Circle Dance -- Please Stay, Guests from Afar

Synopsis: The passion is overwhelming in the song, and the friendship is extending in the circle dance. This is the grandest carnival of mankind.

1). Dozens of young singers and 112 performers in beautiful clothes of the 56 ethnic groups dance hand in hand and sing the song Please Stay, Guests from Afar on the Main Stage and the steps.

50 male dancers holding Fuwa lucky cloud yarn strips and paper flower launchers and 120 other dancers dance on the Main Stage in tune with the rhythm of the song.

600 female performers in festival clothes enter the stadium, flow around the athletes and dance with all athletes in the stadium and 1,046 marshals in tune with the rhythm of the song, forming a spectacular dance circle.

2). 600 female performers in festive clothes, 112 performers of minority ethnic groups, 50 male dancers, 70 collectors of launched red silk and 200 "memory tower" performers throw the Fuwa lucky cloud yarn strips into the stadium, interacting with the athletes.

3). At the same time, innumerable dazzling fireworks are launched from the top of the "bowl rim".

4). Above the Tian'anmen Square, numerous festival fireworks form a huge circle of fireworks, symbolizing the successful conclusion of 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.

28. Exit of VIP and Athletes

The Closing Ceremony of the 2008 Olympic Games(4)

2008-08-24T10:08:00.001-07:00

20. Chapter 2: Memory -- Extinguishing the Olympic Flame -- Prelude

Synopsis: An airport electronic flight screen appears on the large screen of the Stadium. An athlete about to leave walks up the boarding ladder and turns around affectionately.

1). In special-effect light, the boarding ladder truck with the logo of Beijing Olympic Games is slowly elevated. An airport electronic flight screen appears on the large screen.

2). An athlete about to leave walks up the boarding ladder and turns around affectionately. He slowly takes out an exquisite painting scroll and unfolds it ...

In the dark, a huge mechanic device -- the "memory tower" at the center of the field -- rises slowly, with two "sports sculpture" performers standing on top of it and showing various athletic gestures.

The Olympic torch is seen extinguished. (Photo credit: Clive Rose/Getty Images)

21. Chapter 2: Memory -- Extinguishing the Olympic Flame -- Memory

Synopsis: This eternal moment of 2008 in Beijing is unforgettable.

The rim of the bowl changes into a red track. Special lights cast precious and spectacular scenes of the 16 days from the lighting of the holy flame to now onto the track in the air.

At the center of the field, two "sports sculpture" performers rise gradually and show different athletic gestures slowly in the air, conveying the noble Olympic spirit to people.

22. Chapter 2: Memory -- Extinguishing the Olympic Flame -- Flame

Synopsis: The holy flame embodies man's noble spirit of trying to pursue and build friendship together.

1). The athlete on the boarding ladder looks at the burning holy flame in the distance, and slowly folds painting scroll. The holy flame of 2008 Beijing Olympic Games is slowly extinguished.

Sacred flame extinguished (Photo credit: Xinhua)

2). As the holy fame is extinguished, a huge "holy flame" is lighted at he center of the field (396 "memory tower" performers simulate the flame with their bodies).

The "holy flame" on the "memory tower" is flowing with ever-changing scenes, expressing man's Olympic spirit of "Citius, Altius, Fortius."

3). The torch lights in the hands of the marshals and over 90,000 audience are turned on at the same time, implying that the holy flame will be in our hearts forever.

4). In the passionate far-reaching music, 16 lucky cloud yarn strips slowly rise along the "memory tower" on the Main Stage.

5). The top ends of the lucky cloud yarn strips extend towards the sky and change into a lucky could tree symbolizing friendship and joy.

Acrobats perform on memory tower. (Photo credit: Michael Steele/Getty Images)

The Closing Ceremony of the 2008 Olympic Games(3)

2008-08-24T10:07:00.002-07:00

18. Entry of Mayor of Beijing and Mayor of London, Olympic Flag Handover Ceremony

Synopsis: The Mayor of Beijing and the Mayor of London walk onto the Main Stage to hold the Olympic Flag Handover Ceremony.

1). The Mayor of Beijing Guo Jinlong walked form VIP corridor to the Main Stage with the Mayor of London Boris Johnson. One flag bearer holds the Olympic flag by the pole, walking behind the two mayors.

2). The Mayor of Beijing receives the Olympic flag from the flag-bearer and hands it to the President of IOC, who then hands the flag to the Mayor of London standing on the left to the Olympic Flag Handover Ceremony.

Jacques Rogge waves the Olympic flag watched by London Mayor Boris Johnson. (Photo credit: Clive Rose/Getty Images)

19. Handover Performance

Synopsis: London handover performance.

1). Destination London 2012

The 2012 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games reunites the world's greatest sporting event with one of the world's greatest sporting event with one of the world's great cities. In the year in which we mark the anniversaries of the 1908 and 1948 Olympic Games in London, we are enormously proud to receive the Olympic Flag tonight as we begin our journey tonight from Beijing to London, where the Games will be held in the heart of one of the world's most culturally vibrant, diverse and sports passionate cities.

Red double-decker bus (Photo credit: Xinhua)

2). Youth capital showcasing best of British talent

We invite the media to celebrate this moment with us. As the creative capital of the world, London leads its performance tonight with music and dance, showcasing the very best of British talent and diversity in performances that reflect key themes of the London 2012 Games- sport, culture, social change, urban transformation, and changing lives- all inspired by young people and our vision to use the power of the Games to inspire change. Tonight's performance highlights the artistic creativity, energy, and passion for sport, art and culture that London and UK will bring to the 2012 Games. The Olympic and Paralympic Games in London will rock the UK and the world in an Olympic celebration party of sport, culture and amazing human performances.

3). Special guest performers

The Handover segment is led by special guest performers from London whose achievements demonstrate the power of sport, music and art to cross barriers and divided in ways where talent and creativity can be celebrated and enjoyed the world over- from our Rock royalty to the current global star urban pop, to one of our greatest global sporting heroes. These include global football hero, David Beckham, new international singing sensation, Leona Lewis and legendary Led Zeppelin rock group guitarist Jimmy Page. We demonstrate why London remains the coolest place on the planet.

Beckham kicks a football. (Photo credit: Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)

The special guests are joined by performers spanning the spectrum of diverse, creative, multi-cultural dance in London. Zoonation's athletic urban dance, Candoco's inspirational and contemporary dance along with dancers form the world renowned Royal Opera House perform as one company to music performed in part by the London Symphony Orchestra- a truly unique combination of talent for a unique occasion.

Tonight's Handover segment is indicative of our four-year, youth focused Cultural Olympiad, which starts in September and will reflect the interests of young people from all backgrounds, from music and video to disability and urban arts, which will help to spread the values of the Olympic Movement to young people more widely.

The London 2012 Cultural Olympiad provides a contemporary interpretation of the vision of the founder of the modern Olympic Movement Pierre de Coubertin for the Games as an international festival of sport and culture for the athletes and youth of the world.

4). Games for the new generation

I am, of course fiercely proud of London and the UK, proud of its passion for sport, proud for its creativity and diversity as a home to ethnic and faith groups from every part of the world; and very proud that London is seen as the youth capital of the world. We want to share this London with all of you and through you send a message to the youth of the world that the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games is for them. We want you to help us to use the power of the Games to inspire children and young people from all backgrounds to fulfill their potential- on and off the sporting field. Tonight's performance will be beamed to millions of UK residents, who will be celebrating back home and getting ready to welcome you in 2012.

We hope you enjoy tonight's special performance -- from London with a Wholelotta Love!

The Closing Ceremony of the 2008 Olympic Games(2)

2008-08-24T10:07:00.001-07:00

8. Entrance of the NOC Flags

Synopsis: Entry of the flags of all delegations.

1). Led by guides and placard holders, the flag bearers of all delegations enter the stadium, divided into two groups. One group (1-102), headed by Greece, enters from Gate 4 in the right order and stands along the Main Stage. The other group (103-204), headed by Saudi Arabia, enters from Gate 3 in the right order and stands along the Main Stage. The Chinese Flag bearer enters last and stands at the designated place.

2). After all flags are in position, 1,046 marshals run into the designated places.

Flags of the participating delegations (Photo credit: Xinhua)

9. Entrance of the Athletes

Synopsis: All athletes enter from four gates without differentiation of nationality.

1). A women's percussion band for welcoming performance and two children percussion players play cheerful music, and the whole stadium is in raptures.

2). Entry of the medal-winning athletes of the 29th Olympic Games.

3). Simultaneous entrance of the athletes from four gates without differentiation of nationality.

Entrance of athletes (Photo credit: Xinhua)

10. Marathon Victory Ceremony

Synopsis: Holding the marathon victory ceremony.

1). The music for marathon victory is played. The winning athletes and award presenters enter.

2). The marathon victory ceremony is held. The national anthem of the winner's country is played, and the marathon flag operators of the Guard of Honor of the Chinese People's Liberation Army raise the national flag of the winner's country.

Marathon Victory Ceremony (Photo credit: Xinhua)

11. Entrance of the Representatives of Volunteers

Synopsis: Entry of the volunteer representatives.

Twelve children lead twelve representatives of volunteers to walk from Gate 2 to the Main Stage.

Representatives of volunteers (Photo credit: Xinhua)

12. Entrance of the New Members of IOC Athletes' Commission

Synopsis: Entry of the newly elected members of the IOC Athletes' Commission.

Four children lead for new members of IOC Athletes' commission to walk together with four persons for the ceremony from Gate 1 to the Main Stage.

Newly-elected members of the Athletes' Commission of the IOC (Photo credit: Xinhua)

13. New Members of IOC Athletes' Commission Present Flowers to the Representatives of Volunteers

Synopsis: New members of the Athletes' Commission present flowers to the representatives of volunteers.

The new members of the Athletes' Commission present flowers to the representatives of volunteers.

14. The Present of IOC and the Present of BOCOG Take the Floor

Synopsis: Mr. Jacque Rogge, President of IOC, and Mr. Lu Qi, President of BOCOG, walk to the Main Stage from the VIP corridor.

Mr. Jacques Rogge, President of IOC, and Mr. Liu Qi, President of BOCOG, walk to the Main Stage from the VIP corridor.

IOC president delivers a speech. (Photo credit: Xinhua)

15. Address by the President of BOCOG and the President of IOC

Synopsis: Address by Mr. Rogge, President of IOC, and Mr. Liu Qi, President of BOCOG.

Mr. Liu Qi, President of BOCOG, gives an address.

Mr. Rogge, President of IOC, gives an address.

16. Raising the UK National Flag and Playing the UK National Anthem; Raising the Greek National Flag and Playing the Greek National Anthem

Synopsis: Raising the Greek National Flag and playing the Greek National Anthem; raising the UK National Flag and Playing the UK National Anthem

1). The flag operators of the Guard of Honor raise the Greek National Flag while the Greek National Anthem is played.

2). The flag operators of the Guard of Honor raise the UK National Flag while the UK Natinal Anthem is played.

National flag of Great Britain (Photo credit: Xinhua)

17. Lowering the Olympic Flag and singing the Olympic Hymn

Synopsis: Lowering the Olympic Flag and singing the Olympic Hymn.

1). The flag operators of the Guard of Honor slowly lower the Olympic Flag and hold it.

2). A chorus of 226 Chinese and foreign children sings the Olympic Hymn in Greek.

The Closing Ceremony of the 2008 Olympic Games(1)

2008-08-24T10:06:00.000-07:00

An interior view of the National Stadium (Photo credit: Xinhua)

1. Pre-ceremony Performance

Synopsis: With Fuwa as the creative theme, relaxing and humorous performances interact with the audience and create a passionate, relaxed and joyous atmosphere for the Closing ceremony.

1). With Fuwa as the main focus, the best wishes from Beijing are presented to the audience by each Fuwa in their own unique style.

a. Best wishes brought by Beibei (humorous interactive performance)

b. Luck brought by Jingjing (awe-inspiring bicycle trick performance)

c. Happiness brought by Huanhuan (acrobatic plate-spinning performance)

d. Health brought by Yingying (springboard slam-dunk performance)

e. Peace brought by Nini (acrobatic stick-shaking performance)

2). The hosts arouse the passion of the audience for the Closing Ceremony and explain how to use the prop package.

Prop Package includes:

1. Torch-shaped fluorescent stick with cloud patterns: 30cm x 8cm

2. Shining handball: 22cm x 13.5cm

3. Lengthened Chinese fan: 30cm x 60cm

Artists perform (Photo credit: Xinhua)

2. Entrance of the President of PRC, the President of IOC and VIP

Synopsis: Greeted by solemn music and warm applause, the president of PRC, the President of IOC and VIP enter the stadium.

3. Prelude, Countdown and Fireworks Display

Synopsis: The countdown music is played. The countdown videos are played simultaneously on the screens in the south and north of the stadium. The countdown starts from "29", indicating the 29th Olympic Games.

1). The countdown starts from "29", indicating the 29th Olympic Games. From "29" to "11", highlights of this Olympic Games are shown with countdown numbers on the screen. Accompanied with sound effects, the atmosphere reaches its climax.

Guided by volunteers, all audience count down from 10 together. Both Arabic numerals and numbers written in Chinese characters appear on the screen with typical patterns of minority ethnic groups as the background.

2). Fireworks on top of the National Stadium (Bird's Nest) burst immediately when the countdown ends, forming a great circle in the sky which symbolizes the success of Beijing Olympic Games.

(Circle: In traditional Chinese culture, "circle" is a symbol of harmony and renewal, indicating the success of Beijing Olympic Games.)

Fireworks of the closing ceremony in the National Stadium (Photo credit: Xinhua)

Girls dancing in the Closing Ceremony (Photo credit: Xinhua)

4. Welcome the president of PRC, the President of IOC

Synopsis: Welcome the President of the People's Republic of China, Mr. Hu Jintao, and the President of the International Olympic Committee, Mr. Jacques Rogge.

5. Raising the PRC National Flag, Singing the PRC National Anthem

Synopsis: The National Flag of PRC is raised while the Military Band of the Chinese People's Liberation Army plays the National Anthem of PRC.

6. Chapter 1: Reunion -- Prelude

Synopsis: All lights go out in the Stadium. A video is played on the large screen in the north and south to explain the theme of the Closing Ceremony. The video reviews the exciting and memorable moments during the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. A grand celebration is about to begin.

1). Two hundered performers of drum formation line up in a circle on the steps of the Main Stage, dance and beat drums while looking up at the sky. Two large heavenly drums fly from the north and south, and the resonant sound of the drum comes from far away.

2). The performers beat the heavenly drums in a unique style in magical light. The two heavenly drums meet at the center above the stadium, slowly fall down to the Main Stage and are suspended about 5 meters above the stage. The heavenly drum and the drum on the ground complement each other.

3). Summoned by the drumbeat, 1,148 silver bell dancers wearing silver bells gather around the Main Stage, and sing and dance for the heavenly drums. A grand celebration is about to begin.

(Drum: The drum has the distinct symbolic meaning in traditional Chinese ceremonies; the drumbeat indicates the commencement of the ceremony. The drumbeat calls people to gather together, to express common dreams and passion through grand ceremonial performance.)

Performance of the Closing ceremony (Photo credit: Xinhua)

7. Chapter1: Reunion -- Greeting the Guests

Synopsis: Silver bell performers dance in tune with the beat of the heavenly drums on the Mian Stage to greet the guests.

1). Eight drum carts in different shapes enter the stadium, carrying performers who beat drums in unique ways.

The sound of the song is mingled with the drumbeat, passionate and dynamic.

2). Eight rotating poles swing and go across.

3). With 60 light wheels shuttling, 200 bouncing and flying men run and roll over.

4). The silver bell dancers change into radiating wave lines coming through, and form four festive passages with the eight drum carts to great guests.

Photos: Chinese Zhang Yining wins Olympic Table Tennis Singles gold

2008-08-22T20:04:00.001-07:00

Three Chinese national flags are being hoisted up. (Photo credit: Xinhua)

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Chinese Zhang Yining beat teammate Wang Nan 4-1 to win the Women's Singles gold medal at the Olympic Games here on Friday.

Earlier, Chinese Guo Yue downed Singapore's Li Jiawei to claim the bronze.

Zhang Yining poses with her medal. (Photo credit: Xinhua)

(L-R) Wang Nan, Zhang Yining and Guo Yue (Photo credit: Xinhua)

Zhang Yining returns the ball. (Photo credit: Xinhua)

Zhang Yining plays a shot. (Photo credit: Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images)

Zhang Yining (R) and Wang Nan wave to spectators. (Photo credit: Xinhua)

Zhang Yining wins fourth Table Tennis Gold

Updated: 2008-08-22 22:27:10

(L-R) Wang Nan, Zhang Yining and Guo Yue pose with their medals. (Photo credit: Xinhua)

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(BEIJING, August 22) -- Defending Olympic champion Zhang Yining of China once again secured her title Friday night at the Peking Univeristy Gymnasium with a commanding 4-1 win over teammate Wang Nan. Zhang has participated in four Olympic events (two Singles and two Team) and won the gold medal on every occasion.

Despite losing to Zhang in the final, Wang Nan became the most successful Table Tennis player ever in Olympic history with four gold medals and one silver.

Zhang Yining celebrates her win. (Photo credit: Xinhua)

Teammates and training partners on the Chinese national Table Tennis team, Zhang and Wang were very familiar with each other's style going into the match. For the world's top-ranked players, the duel came down to a battle of acumen over skill.

But after a challenging contest, Zhang finally prevailed. Wang made several mistakes in the second and third game which provided Zhang a two point lead at 3-1. In the fifth crucial game, Zhang sealed the deal with an incredible 11-3 win over Wang.

China claimed all three medals in the Women's Singles at Beijing 2008, with Guo Yue winning bronze after beating Singapore's Li Jiawei 4-2. It was China's second medal sweep in the Women's Singles event; their first was at the Seoul 1988 Olympic Games. Altogether China has won 11 out of a possible 12 gold medals in Women's Table Tennis.

Emmons repeats Athens tragedy

2008-08-17T04:13:00.000-07:00

Emmons lines up his last shot. (Photo credit: Xinhua)

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(BEIJING, August 17) -- Despite not shooting the wrong target this time, the 4.4 that the United States' Matthew Emmons scored on his last shot was no better than the zero from his last shot in the same event final four years ago.

After nine shots in the final of the Men's 50m Rifle Three Positions, Emmons was leading by 3.3 points over Ukraine's Jury Sukhorukov. Qiu Jian of China was in third place with one tenth of a point less.

After that, history repeated itself. Emmons shot an amateurish 4.4 points on his last shot. Qiu Jian shot 10.0 to win the gold medal with a tenth of a point more than Sukhorukov, who scored 9.8 on his last shot. Four years ago in Athens, China's Jia Zhanbo was lifted from second to win gold when Emmons hit his neighboring target and earned zero on his last shot.

Rajmond Debevec of Slovenia, the current world and Olympic record holder was the highest-ranked shooter after qualification with a score of 1176, which was one point short of the Olympic record that he set at Sydney 2000. Due to Emmons' mistake, Debevec was lifted into third position and won the bronze medal.

Reigning champion Jia Zhanbo failed to make it to the final, finishing a disappointing 24th after qualification.

Men's 200m Individual Medley: Phelps chalks up sixth gold

2008-08-15T04:33:00.000-07:00

Updated: 2008-08-15 12:21:58

Michael Phelps competes (Photo credit: Lars Baron/Bongarts/Getty Images)

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(BEIJING, August 15) -- Michael Phelps continued his attack on winning a record eight gold medals on Friday pocketing his sixth at the National Aquatics Center, this time in the 200m Individual Medley.

He swam yet another world record, saving 0.57 seconds off the mark he set at the US trials in July this year.

Michael Phelps celebrates victory after the Men's 200m Individual Medley Final (Photo credit: Lars Baron/Bongarts/Getty Images)

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Phelps was never in trouble and led comfortably throughout, touching the wall in 1:54.23.

The field stayed with Phelps during the Backstroke and Butterfly legs but the defending Olympic champion took the lead during the Breaststroke leg and pulled away in the final 50 meters of Freestyle.

Phelps has dominated every event he has entered, including the 400m Individual Medley.

(L-R) Silver medalist Laszlo Cseh, gold medalist Michael Phelps and bronze medalist Ryan Lochte pose on the podium (Photo credit: Al Bello/Getty Images)

Hungarian Laszlo Cseh put in another great performance, again edging out Phelps' teammate Ryan Lochte to win the silver medal in a European record time of 1:56.52.

Cseh now has a pair of silver medals from the Individual Medley events after finishing second to Phelps in Sunday's Men's 400m Individual Medley.

With only 10 minutes to recover after winning the gold in the 200m Backstroke, Lochte could only manage the bronze medal in a time of 1:56.53, just one hundredth of a second behind Cseh.

Lochte now has a pair of bronze medals in the Individual Medley events after finishing third in Sunday's 400m Individual Medley.

Men's 4 x 200m Freestyle Relay: Phelps leads record relay

2008-08-13T00:05:00.001-07:00

(L-R) Ricky Berens, Ryan Lochte and Michael Phelps of the United States shout encouragement to Peter Vanderkaay (Photo credit: Nick Laham/Getty Images)

(BEIJING, August 13) -- The US Men's 4 x 200m Freestyle team, led out by the indomitable Michael Phelps, smashed the world record on the way to winning the gold medal on Wednesday.

The triumph keeps alive Phelps' dream of gathering a record eight golds at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games. The win also brings Phelps his 11th career Olympic gold to date.

The US team of Phelps, Ryan Lochte, Ricky Berens and Peter Vanderkaay led for the entire race and stretched the world record margin throughout the race.

Lochte followed Phelps' lead-off leg and established command under the world record time by 3.63 seconds. Berens slightly increased this, handing over to Vanderkaay to anchor the relay home and extend their lead on the world record, smash it by 4.68 seconds and break the seven-minute barrier at 6:58.56.

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(L-R) Ricky Berens, Peter Vanderkaay, Ryan Lochte and Michael Phelps celebrate their victory (Photo credit: Nick Laham/Getty Images)

US and Russia fought out the first 200m, with Australia's Grant Hackett edging the Russians out for second place at the 400m mark. Canada enjoyed a great third leg through Brent Hayden, to give them second place behind the US at the 600m mark.

Russia's Alexander Sukhorukov swam a fast final 200m to move past Canada and grab the silver medal in 7:03.70 which was also under the old world record.

Australia, through Nick Ffrost, also overhauled the Canadians to take the Bronze medal in 7:04.98.

Photos: China's Xian Dongmei wins Women's 52kg Judo gold

2008-08-10T11:11:00.000-07:00

She is my hero!Because she is my hometown people!I feel very arrogant!

Xian Dongmei poses with her medal. (Photo credit: Clive Rose/Getty Images)

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The Women's -52kg Judo final on day two of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games was held at the University of Science and Technology Beijing Gymnasium on August 10, 2008, in Beijing, China. Chinese Xian Dongmei defeated An Kum-ae of the DPRK to win the gold medal in the event. An Kum Ae took the silver medal. Soraya Haddad of Algeria and Nakamura Misato of Japan won bronze.

Xian Dongmei poses with her medal. (Photo credit: Clive Rose/Getty Images)

(L-R) An Kum Ae, Xian Dongmei, Soraya Haddad and Misato Nakamura (Photo credit: Clive Rose/Getty Images)

Champion Chen of China with 48kg Olympic Record

2008-08-09T18:26:00.002-07:00

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(BEIJING, August 9) -- Chen Xiexia of China performed with the confidence of a champion throughout the Women's 48 kilogram Weightlifting competition on August 9, successfully completing all her attempts for a gold medal finish with 95kg in the Snatch and 117kg in the Clean and Jerk for a total of 212kg, a new Olympic Record.

Chen also set an Olympic record in the Clean and Jerk with 117kg.

China's Chen adds this Olympic gold medal to her collection of golds from the 2007 World Championships and 2007 Asian championships.

Turkey's Sibel Ozkan won the silver medal with 88kg in the Snatch and a successful 111kg in the Clean and Jerk for a 199kg total.

Chen Wei-Ling of Chinese Taipei is the bronze winner, with 84kg in the Snatch and 112kg in the Clean and Jerk for a 196kg total finish.

Defending gold medalist Nurcan Taylan of Turkey, the previous Olympic Record-holder who lifted a total 210kg in Athens, bombed-out in the Snatch and was subsequently knocked out of competition. She kissed the left side weight discs on her barbell before waving to the crowd on the way out.

Taylan wasn't the only competitor to bomb-out in the Snatch. Italy's Genny Caterina Pagliaro, the youngest competitor in this weight class at 19-years old, didn't finish, nor did Pramsiri Bunphithak of Thailand, the 2004 Athens silver medalist.

The Snatch bomb-out streak didn't last too long. The eventual fourth place finished, Republic of Korea's Im Jyounghwa, couldn't complete her final attempt of 88kg but finished the Snatch with 86kg. Thailand's Pensiri Laosirikul, who came in fifth, just barely avoided a Snatch bomb-out herself, finally lifting 85kg on her final attempt.

Turkey's Ozkan managed 86kg on her first Snatch attempt, and hit her 88kg lift on the third try. Chen Wei-Ling achieved her 84kg lift in the Snatch on her first attempt, but failed the next two times.

China's Chen made her first attempt in the Snatch of 90kg with barely a struggle, and followed it up with two more seemingly effortless lifts at 93kg and then 95kg, punctuating each success with a quick bow. Her performance ignited the crowd, and with each lift their cheers of "Let's go China!" grew louder. Finishing 7kg above Ozkan in the Snatch made Chen almost a lock for the gold, since she is the current World Record-holder for the Clean and Jerk.

As for some of the other competitors, Nicaragua's Carla Moreno finished 85kg in Clean and Jerk for a last place total of 150kg. Marilou Dozois-Prevost of Canada successfully lifted 90kg in the Clean and Jerk for a 166kg total. Misaki Oshiro of Japan and Marzena Karpinska of Poland both lifted 92kg in the Clean and Jerk, but Oshiro finished with a 172kg total while Karpinska's total was 171kg.

Melanie Noel of France lifted 97kg but failed twice to complete 100kg, finishing at a 177kg total.

Japan's Hiromi Miyake came out full speed with the first triple-digit successful lift of the competition, 105kg on her first Clean and Jerk attempt, although she stumbled a bit causing only two of the three judges to call it a successful attempt. She finished with 185kg for her total.

Thai lifter Laosirikul celebrated her first Clean and Jerk attempt, a successful 110kg,but ultimately missed the podium by one kilogram with a 195kg total.

ROK's Im was able to complete her 106kg Clean and Jerk first attempt in good form, and finished the Clean and Jerk with 110kg successfully lifted. Im's total of 196kg was even with bronze medalist Chen Wei-Ling of Chinese Taipei, but she fell short of the podium because Chen had a lower body weight at the pre-competition weigh-in.

Chinese Taipei's Chen easily hit 108kg in her first Clean and Jerk attempt, and 112kg on her second attempt. Junior World Champion Ozkan finished the Clean and Jerk with 111kg in her third attempt, less than Chen Wei-Ling, but with a total of 199kg Ozkan knew she was likely to reach the podium. She ran off to hug her coach, who also erupted in a display of excitement.

When Chen Wei-Ling collapsed at the last second in her final attempt of 115kg and ended with a 196kg total, Ozkan began to tear up backstage over the exciting realization that she would be the silver medalist.

The crowd was alive again for China's Chen Xiexia, who started her Clean and Jerk attempt at 113kg, one kilogram above the last successful attempt of her competitors. Her completion of this first attempt made it beyond a doubt that she would be the gold medalist. She followed with 115kg and 117kg in her next two attempts, and clinched the gold with a 212kg total.

While Chen Xiexia set a new Olympic Record, she did not break her own personal best of 214kg in the total, nor any World Records. She still holds the Clean and Jerk World Record of 120kg, and her compatriot Yang Lian has the World Record in the Snatch with 98kg and the total with 217kg.

China now holds 14 of 20 Olympic records in Women's Weightlifting.

Chen Xiexia's gold was the first medal of the 2008 Olympic Weightlifting competition. All Weightlifting events are held in the Beijing University of Aeronautics & Astronautics Gymnasium.

Day 1 Review: Perfect Emmons sets the pace

2008-08-09T18:26:00.001-07:00

Good Emmons: Katerina claims shooting gold. (Photo credit: Getty)

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(BEIJING, August 9) -- A dazzling first day at Beijing 2008 got off to a storming start with seven gold medals seized by competitors in five separate sports and challengers in a further 13 sports beginning their Olympic quest.

The pace was set by the first gold medalist of the Games,24-year-old Katerina Emmons of the Czech Republic, who claimed a new Olympic record in the Women's 10m Air Rifle of 103.5 points in the final, which gave her an overall total of 503.5. Emmons also broke the Olympic qualification record with a perfect score of 400.

The silver medal went to Russia's Lioubov Galkina and the bronze to Snjezana Pejcic of Croatia.

Home-favorite and defending champion Du Li of China finished a disappointing fifth, while World No. 1 Sonja Pfeilschifter of Germany failed to reach the final -- however China didn't have long to wait to claim its first shooting gold of the Games.

Twenty-two-year-old Pang Wei took the Men's 10m Air Pistol gold, with the Republic of Korea's Jin Jong-oh claiming silver and Kim Jong-su collecting bronze for the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.

Emmons' Czech teammate David Kostelecky stands in first place after the first three qualification rounds in the Men's Trap. Italian shooters, Athens 2004 silver medalist Giovanni Pellielo and Erminio Frasca are one target behind, with the two remaining qualification rounds continuing tomorrow morning, August 10. The final round begins at 3:00 p.m. local time (UCT/GMT +8).

Heave: China's Chen XieXia hoists gold. (Photo credit: Getty)

Pang Wei wasn't China's first medalist of the day -- that honor went to 25-year-old world record holder Chen Xiexia, who won the 48 kilogram Weightlifting competition with a new Olympic Record total score of 212kg. Turkey's Sibel Ozkan won the silver medal with 199kg, and Chen Wei-Ling of Chinese Taipei seized bronze with 196kg.

Defending gold medalist and previous Olympic Record-holder Nurcan Taylan of Turkey bombed in the Snatch, which knocked her out of the competition.

Spaniard Samuel Sanchez captured Cycling gold in the Men's Road Race. The two-time World Champion out sprinted Italy's Davide Rebellin in a tight finish. Rebellin took silver with the bronze medal going to Fabian Cancellara of Switzerland.

America seized gold, silver and bronze in the Fencing Women's Individual Sabre with reigning Olympic Champion Mariel Zagunis defeating teammate Sada Jacobson 15-8 in the final to retain her crown, and Rebecca Ward beating Russian fencer Sofiya Velikaya 15-14 to claim the bronze medal. Reigning world champion Elena Nechaeva of Russia crashed out early on, while Athens 2004 silver medalist Tan Xue of China lost in the quarterfinals.

Magnificent Mariel: Zagunis grabs fencing gold for USA. (Photo credit: Getty)

Alina Alexandra Dumitru of Romania defeated Cuba's Yanet Bermoy with an ippon in 1:20 to win gold in the Judo Women's -48kg final. Japanese defending champion Tani Ryoko defeated Lyudmila Bogdanova of Russia, also with an ippon, to claim a bronze medal.

The legendary 33-year-old joins an elite list of Olympians to win medals at five consecutive Games, having struck gold in Athens and Sydney, and silver in Atlanta and Barcelona. Paula Belen Pareto of Argentina defeated Pak Ok-song of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea to win the other bronze medal.

In the Men's -60kg contest, Choi Min-ho from the Republic of Korea won gold by defeating World No.1 Ludwig Paischer of Austria with an ippon in 2:14. Choi took just four seconds to beat World No. 2 Dutch judoka Ruben Houkes in the semifinal. Houkes took a bronze, with Rishod Sobirov of Uzbekistan claiming the other bronze medal.

Away from the medals, 13 other sports began on Day 1.

Records tumbled at the Water Cube as the Beijing 2008 Swimming competition splashed into style with Michael Phelps of the USA setting a new Olympic record of 4:07.82 in the heats for the Men's 400m Individual Medley. Also through to Sunday (August 10) morning's final are Ryan Lochte (USA), Gergo Kis (Hungary), Alessio Boggiatto (Italy), Brian Johns (Canada) and Thiago Pereira (Brazil).

Five swimmers broke the old Olympic Record of 1:00.01 in the Men's 100m Breaststroke. Alexander Dale Oen of Norway was the top finisher with a time of 59.41. Japan's Kitajima Kosuke, Hugues Duboscq of France, Australian Brenton Rickard and Cameron van der Burgh of South African also fractured the previous best.

Jensen Larsen from the United States leads the eight qualifiers in the Men's 400m Freestyle preliminaries clocking 3:43.10. Favorite for the event, Grant Hackett of Australia, came in at an unexpected fifth fastest qualifier for the final, which will be held at 10:24 a.m. local time (UCT/GMT + 8) on Sunday, August 10.

Another US swimmer, 15-year-old Elizabeth Beisel finished first in the heats of Women's Individual Medley with a time of 4:34.55, ahead of compatriot World record holder Katie Hoff. Stephanie Rice (Australia), Alessia Filippi (Italy), defending Olympic champion Yana Martynova (Russia), Li Xuanxu (China), Kirsty Coventry (Zimbabwe) and Hannah Miley (Great Britain) will contest Sunday's final.

The Beijing 2008 Basketball tournament tipped off with six women's round-robin preliminary matches.

In group A, Australia comfortably beat Belarus by a 19-point margin, 83-64 with Boomers captain Lauren Jackson netting 18 points. Asian Champion Republic of Korea edged out World No. 4 Brazil 68-62 in overtime, and Russia beat Latvia 62-57.

Mali gave New Zealand a surprise run for their money in group B -- leveling the scores briefly in the final quarter at 64-64, before the Kiwis ran out winners, 76-72. China edged out Spain 67-64 in another close encounter, and tournament favorites the USA thrashed the Czech Republic 97-57 in the final group game of the day.

The Beijing 2008 Women's Football tournament continued with 1-0 group game wins for Sweden, Germany, the United States and Norway. Brazil defeated the Democratic People's Republic of Korea 2-1, while Canada and China drew 1-1.

In the Women's Volleyball tournament, there were 3-1 pool A wins for Italy, who edged out Russia and Serbia, with World No. 1 Brazil recording a straight sets win over Algeria. In pool B, defending Olympic champion China defeated Venezuela, Cuba beat Poland in straight sets and the USA beat Japan 3-1 in the final game of the day.

In Women's Handball, there were opening game wins for France, Hungary, Romania, Norway and Germany.

Elsewhere, the opening day saw the start of competition in Artistic Gymnastics, Equestrian Eventing, Rowing and Sailing, and opening rounds of the Olympic Boxing and Badminton tournaments.

Those are the highlights from Day 1. There are 15 more days like this to come -- so hold on to your hats, folks -- it's going to be a thrilling 16-day ride.

Great minds think alike: Tan and Wells on Olympic music

2008-08-07T22:39:00.000-07:00

Scene of the interview

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Video: Interview with Tan Dun and Robert Wells

(BEIJING, August 5) -- Both Academy Award winner Tan Dun and world-renowned pianist Robert Wells agree: Beijing's Olympic music must have Chinese tones.

The two composers were on hand on Tuesday to talk about their cooperation and involvement in creating Olympic music to be used for demonstration events and medal ceremonies during the 2008 Summer Games.

Tan Dun: Music is a map of sound (video)

Tan relied on his philosophical instinct to guide him in his compositions, contemplating how thousands of years ago, the Chinese used traditional ways to spiritually present great honors to the people. He went back 2,400 years in Chinese history to bring back the original sound of chromatic gold bells and combined this instrument with a brand-new one -- jade chimes -- to "create harmony through instrumentation." According to Tan, the two instruments share the same wavelength, or have the same yuan fen, which, in traditional Chinese belief, is a kind of fate that brings people together.

World-renowned pianist Robert Wells

Interestingly enough, gold and jade are also the same two elements that make up the Olympic medals to be awarded at Beijing's Olympic Games.

Tan was invited to work on Olympic music after Olympic officials attended a dress rehearsal for an opera that the composer was conducting in New York.

Academy Award winner Tan Dun (R)

Wells likes to keep it simple, using only five tones, the same number as the Olympic rings, when writing music. He incorporated his interest in rock and roll and classical music in his composition but couldn't find the right Chinese spirit to add to it, until he met with Tan.

Robert Wells on his Olympic compositions (video)

Wells believes that Olympic music must be positive and "wake people up." It's about people all around the world getting together in friendship, he continued.

Tan Dun (R) and Robert Wells

A week's vacation from music (video)

Everyone dreams about someday writing music for the Olympics, said Wells. As such, two years ago, when he heard about the competition soliciting songs for the Games, he jumped at the chance. The musician was invited to perform in front of the Forbidden City on August 8, 2007, as part of the celebration for the one-year countdown to the Beijing Games. Now, he is known as one of the main composers for medal ceremony music for Beijing 2008.

Wells concluded the interview by expressing his happiness for the Chinese nation for having been awarded the honor of hosting the great sports event. "We wish the best, best luck in the Olympics," he said.

Yao Ming: The flag bearer for the host

2008-08-07T08:33:00.000-07:00

Updated: 2008-08-07 19:05:52

(BEIJING, August 7) -- Star basketball player Yao Ming will hold China's national flag during the Opening Ceremony of Beijing 2008 tomorrow night.

Cui Dalin, the Deputy Director of the General Administration of Sport, made the announcement to journalists at a press conference in the Main Press Center today.

Cui Dalin, the Deputy Director of the General Administration of Sport

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Cui said the Chinese delegation was very careful with its choice since a flag bearer should symbolize China's sporting spirit. So only those with a high sporting caliber, excellent ethics and a positive public image were considered.

Yao Ming holding China's national flag

Yao, who plays center for China's national basketball team and the NBA's Houston Rockets, donated a large amount of money to the victims of the Sichuan earthquake, thus making him the perfect flag bearer.

By:http://www.beijing2008.cn

Photos: China beats Sweden 2-1 in Olympic women's soccer

2008-08-07T04:48:00.000-07:00

Zhou Gaoping (L) of China vies with Solveig Gulbrandsen of Sweden.

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China edged European powerhouse Sweden 2-1 in front of some 38,000 home fans in their opening match of the Olympic women's soccer tournament here on Wednesday.

(Photo credit: Xinhua)

Pu Wei (L) of China fights for the ball with Sara Thunebro of Sweden.

Chinese women's football players pose for photos.

Torch relay in Chengdu concludes

2008-08-05T09:23:00.000-07:00

Local residents welcome the flame with cheers during the Torch Relay in Chengdu, Sichuan Province, on August 5, 2008.

(Photo credit: Fan Fan)

The last torchbearer Xu Zhirong lights the cauldron during the Torch Relay in Chengdu, Sichuan Province, on August 5, 2008.

(Photo credit: Fan Fan)

A traditional performance is given during the Torch Relay in Chengdu, Sichuan Province, on August 5, 2008.

(Photo credit: Fan Fan)

Updated：2008-08-05

(CHENGDU, August 5) -- The Olympic Torch Relay ended in Chengdu at 10:41 a.m., when last torchbearer Yu Zhirong, a hero of the recent Sichuan earthquake, arrived at the International Convention Center to light the cauldron. Yu is a member of the 7716 PLA unit.

He sent out three helicopters on reconnaissance missions to the cities of Mianzhu and Dujiangyan just 40 minutes after the May 12 quake hit. The first pictures of the destruction were brought back on this first mission. Yu then went on to personally open up several airways to the Sichuan area, even under difficult weather conditions.

The flame traveled 13.2 kilometers via 315 bearers from its starting point of the Chengdu Export Processing Zone.

The flame's next destination is Beijing, where it will be relayed August 6-8 before the main Olympic cauldron is lit during the Opening Ceremony.

Photos: Tourism images from Beijing 2008

2008-08-04T21:58:00.000-07:00

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(BEIJING, August 2) -- Directed by renowned filmmaker Feng Xiaogang, Beijing 2008, a short movie, was released on Saturday. The film showcases several famous tourist landmarks to represent the age-old glory and modern atmosphere of China and its capital. The film will be broadcasted on CNN, BBC, CCTV and BTV in planes, cruise ships, train stations, malls and Olympic cultural centers around the world.

Fireworks to highlight Olympic Games Opening Ceremony

2008-08-02T01:31:00.000-07:00

Updated: 2008-07-23

Scene of the press conference

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Full coverage on the Press conference on Fireworks for the Opening and Closing Ceremonies

(BEIJING, July 23) -- Fireworks will be set off during the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games on August 8 to create a joyous and festive atmosphere, an official said on Wednesday.

Wang Ning, deputy director of the Opening & Closing Ceremonies Department of BOCOG, said fireworks of different shapes will be displayed above the main stadium of the Games, Olympic Forest Park and the Juyongguan section of the Great Wall.

Wang Ning gives a speech.

"For the first time, the shape of the Olympic Rings will be formed in the sky," said Wang, adding that Olympic symbols and elements will be a part of fireworks' designs with an aim to promote Olympic ideals.

Firing skills will feature compressive air launches, chamber pressure launches and computerized ignition technologies, employed for the first time in the display of fireworks, he told the media attending a press conference in Beijing.

To reflect the "Green Olympics" concept, some of the fireworks will use less smoking powder to minimize smoke and dust pollution, Wang said.

The designers intend to highlight the fireworks' effect both on the ceremony's stadium and larger areas around the facility so that the Olympic central zone will be an extension of the ceremony owing to the splendid fireworks.

Cai Guoqiang, a member of the core creative team in charge of visual & special effects of the opening and closing ceremonies for the Beijing Olympics and Paralympics, updated the press on the implementation of a comprehensive design and production project.

He said he joined the team in 2005 and it took him 2 to 3 years to do preparatory work. "Gunpowder is one of the inventions of China, but the fireworks this time are not only for the sake of pumping up the atmosphere, but also have a goal to achieve - playing the role of storyteller," he said.

Cai gave an example: Along the dragon-shaped landscape water system of the Olympic Green, the fireworks will be fired up into yellow and red peonies. The computer ignition system will control the fireworks, and within seconds, the fireworks will span 2 to 3 kilometers following the flag raising process.

During the climax of the art performances, the firing squad will display thousands of pictures of smiling faces collected from around the world, according to Cai's design. At that moment, fireworks will mimic 2008 smiling faces in the sky, said Cai.

Olympics 2008 Monkey Movie - BBC Sport

2008-07-30T23:21:00.000-07:00

Photos: Olympic Village welcomes first delegation

2008-07-28T17:31:00.000-07:00

Updated: 2008-07-27

Chinese delegation poses for pictures in the Olympic Village.

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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

Torch Relay in Jinan winds up

2008-07-23T04:10:00.000-07:00

Updated：2008-07-23

(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.

Beijing Olympic victory ceremony components unveiled

2008-07-20T03:41:00.000-07:00

Updated: 2008-07-18

A show of all victory ceremony costumes

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(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.

Beijing 2008 Olympic Games posters available July 20

2008-07-19T00:13:00.000-07:00

Updated: 2008-07-18

Theme Posters

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Full coverage on Official pictures of the Olympics&Paralympics

Official posters

(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

Volkswagen presents 5,000 vehicles to BOCOG

2008-07-17T04:26:00.000-07:00

Updated: 2008-07-17

Fleet of Volkswagen vehicles for the Beijing Olympics

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(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.

Dr. Zhang Suixin, executive vice-president of Volkswagen Group China, hands over a “key” to Yu Chunquan, director of the Transport Department of BOCOG, symbolizing the handover of the fleet.

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.

Chinese Olympic victory uniforms unveiled

2008-07-16T04:32:00.000-07:00

Updated:2008-07-16

The suits for Chinese medalists at the Beijing Olympics were unveiled on July 15, 2008.

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(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.

Olympic Torch Relay in Changchun ends

2008-07-13T23:17:00.000-07:00

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

2008-07-13T23:16:00.000-07:00

Updated：2008-07-12

Examples of hostesseshair and make-up

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(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.

Zhao Dongming thanks the volunteers.

"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.

Close inspection of hostesses'hairstyles

Flag raisers

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)

Get your own Olympic gold

2008-07-12T23:34:00.000-07:00

Updated：2008-07-13

Souvenir medallion, style one

"Chinese seal" gold Olympic souvenir series

(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."

Souvenir medallion, style two

Souvenir medallion, style three

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)

Souvenir medallion, style four

Souvenir medallions reflecting Olympic Torch Relay

Souvenir medallion, style five

Olympic torch leaves Daqing for Qiqihar

2008-07-12T23:31:00.000-07:00

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.

Olympic torch finishes tour of Gansu

2008-07-07T01:16:00.000-07:00

Cheer squad welcomes the torch during the Torch Relay in Lanzhou city, Gansu province, on July 7.

Excited foreign torchbearers No.7 and No.6 hold their hands together 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.

Flame finishes tour of Dunhuang

2008-07-05T16:53:00.000-07:00

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)

Torchbearer Du Wei (R) lights the torch for the next torchbearer Tian Hongzhang during 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)

Torchbearer shows the Torch in Mount Mingsha during the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games Torch Relay in Dunhuang, Gansu Province on July 5.
(Photo credit: Xinhua)

Updated：2008-07-05

(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.

Torch relay illuminates ancient capital Xi'an

2008-07-04T04:42:00.000-07:00

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)

Updated：2008-07-04

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.

In a region that served as the imperial capital on and off for centuries, Wang lit a fire-catching cauldron to mark the close of the torch's passage through Xi'an on Friday morning.

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.

Olympic flame departs Ningxia for Shaanxi

2008-07-01T22:52:00.000-07:00

Spectators waves flags to welcome the torch during the Torch Relay in Yinchuan city, Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, on July 1.
(Photo credit: Xinhua)

A child beats a drum ahead of the Olympic Torch Relay in Yinchuan, Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, July 1, 2008.

Updated：2008-07-01

(YINCHUAN, July 1) -- At 10:40 a.m., Wang Youde, who has made notable contributions to desert sand control, lit the cauldron at People's Square to conclude the Olympic Torch Relay in Yinchuan, which is the last stop in Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region.
Wang Youde was named hero for his major achievements in desert sand control last year. He has made efforts to prevent desertification for more than 20 years.
The city of Yan'an, dubbed the "Cradle of Revolution," will host the Olympic torch on Wednesday.

Olympic torch bids farewell to Wuzhong

2008-06-30T18:57:00.000-07:00

Torchbearer Hao Wei and Wang Binchen 'make a heart' during the torch relay in Wuzhong, Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, on June 30.
(Photo credit: Xing Guangli/Xinhua)

Torchbearers make thumbs-up signs during the Torch Relay in Wuzhong, Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, on June 30.
(Photo credit: Xing Guangli/Xinhua)

Torchbearer Zhang Ming (R) passes the torch to local official during the Torch Relay in Wuzhong, Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, on June 30.
(Photo credit: Xing Guangli/Xinhua)

Updated：2008-06-30

(WUZHONG, June 30) -- The Olympic torch bid farewell to Wuzhong, Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, at 10:48 a.m. on Monday with last torchbearer Huang He lighting the cauldron at the Shengyuan Square. The torch will begin its Yinchuan leg, the last stop of Torch Reley in Ningxia, on Tuesday.
Wuzhong is famous for its unique scenery and is home to the country's largest concentration of Hui people.
The 5.6-km-long Wuzhong leg followed the Zhongwei leg that ended on Sunday. Established in 1947, Wuzhong Middle School, the starting point of the relay, is a model school that contributes to local development.
A total of 193 torchbearers, including Zhang Dongguo, who is dedicated to promoting local Qingzhen delicacies, and Li Youdong, head of the Wuzhong Firefighting Team that headed to Wenchuan for quake relief work, participated in the Torch Relay in Wuzhong.
As early as 8 a.m., crowds of local residents flocked to the streets to see the Olympic flame.

Sacred flame completes first stop in journey through the west

2008-06-17T01:14:00.000-07:00

Updated：2008-06-17

One minute of silence observed for the victims of the deadly May 12 earthquake that hit Sichuan province before the Beijing Olympic torch relay kicks off in Urumqi, Xinjiang Autonomous Region on Tuesday morning.

The Torch Relay in Xinjiang Autonomous Region kicked off at half past nine here on Tuesday morning from Urumqi People's Square. The photo shows local offical giving speech.

Torchbearer Huang Hong runs during the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games torch relay in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region in northwest China Tuesday, 2008.
(Photo credit: Xinhua)

(URUMQI, Xinjiang, June 17) -- Excited fans were greeted with the scene of Paralympian athlete Wang Yanhong lighting the flame cauldron at 11:53 a.m. on Tuesday, June 17, in front of Xinjiang Sports Center, marking the end of the Torch Relay in Urumqi, the capital city of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. Wang took the gold for China in archery in the 2004 Athens Olympic Games. Urumqi is the first stop of the relay in Xinjiang. In the afternoon, the sacred flame will make its way to Kashi for a relay scheduled the next day.
The construction of Xinjiang Sports Center was completed in December of 2005. Currently, it stands as the most comprehensive, most technologically advanced sports venue in China's western region. The center includes an outdoor stadium with room for 50,000 audience members, a gymnasium that can hold 7,000 fans, a running track, football training field, a general training center, and tennis courts, among other facilities.
Hours before the scheduled start of the Torch Relay, Xinjiang residents were out eagerly awaiting the launch in front of Urumqi People's Square.
Abuduxikeer Mijiti, a boxer of Uyghur descent, took off from the launch site as Tuesday's first torchbearer. The athlete is famed around China as the title holder of several national boxing tournaments. Under the skilled training of the "Boxing King," Xinjiang has produced many boxing champs.

For a total of 12.5 kilometers, 208 torchbearers carried the sacred flame past Urumqi's unique sites. To celebrate the relay, traditional ethnic singing and dancing followed the flame, performed at designated sites along the route, showcasing the capital's distinct and diverse culture.
Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region is located in the western section of China, bordering 8 other countries. About 21 million residents live on its 1.6 million square kilometer area, which equals about one-sixth of China's entire land territory. 55 of China's ethnic minority groups call Xinjiang home.
Urumqi, the capital, is the region's center of economics, politics, and culture. About 2.6 million people live in the picturesque city, which has jurisdiction over seven districts and one county.
Historically, Urumqi was a stop on the northern Silk Road, making it a very important post for economic and cultural exchange between the east and west. Today, within its multiethnic communities, traditions still stand strong, and the unique ethnic flavors give Urumqi strong appeal.

Flame ends Chongqing tour

2008-06-16T01:36:00.000-07:00

Participants mourn victims of the May 12 Wenchuan earthquake victims before they start the 2008 Beijing Olympic torch relay in Chongqing, Southwestern China, June 16, 2008.
(Photo credit: Xinhua)

Local people celebrate the arrival of the Beijing Olympic flame at the end of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games torch relay in Chongqing, June 16, 2008 at Great Hall of the People.
(Photo credit: Xinhua)

Citizens cheer during the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games torch relay in Chongqing municipality in southwest China on June 16, 2008.

Updated：2008-06-16

(CHONGQING, June 16) -- Chinese boxing champion Li Bin reached the Great Hall of the People here at 10:30 a.m. on Monday with the Olympic flame and lit the cauldron to mark the end of the Torch Relay in Chongqing.
The 17-kilometer relay had begun at 8:10 a.m. with Go world champion Gu Li as the first of 208 torchbearers.
BOCOG Executive Vice-President Jiang Xiaoyu; BOCOG member Tian Maijiu; Chongqing Vice-Mayor Huang Qifan; Minister of the Publicity Department of the Chongqing Municipal Committee of the CPC; and other officials attended the closing ceremony.
The Torch Relay will continue in Urumqi on Tuesday.

Immigrators embrace Beijing Olympic torch with enthusiasm

2008-06-15T04:05:00.000-07:00

Updated：2008-06-15 From：Xinhuanet

The last torchbearer Wang Lingang ignites the flame in Wanzhou. (Photo credit: Fan Fan)

WANZHOU, Southwest China, June 15 (Xinhua) -- Immigrators from the Three Gorges region celebrated the Beijing Olympic torch relay with enthusiasm when it kicked off in heavy rains in Wanzhou, Chongqing, Southwestern China Sunday morning.
Kong Linghui, former Olympic table tennis champion, became the first torch bearer to run off the Wanzhou Middle School after one minute of silence observed for the victims of the deadly May 12 earthquake that hit Sichuan province.
Despite showers pouring down, thousands of students and immigrating residents stood around the school with smiles all over their faces, cheering for the torch relay, shooting "Go On Olympics, Go On Sichuan"

Kong Linghui (C), former Olympic table tennis champion, became the first torch bearer to run off the Wanzhou Middle School in Wanzhou, Chongqing, Southwestern China Sunday morning after one minute of silence observed for the victims of the deadly May 12 earthquake that hit Sichuan province. (Photo credit: Xinhua)

A total of 208 torch bearers are running for 29.4 kilometers through the city, a population of 1.72 million, including 263,000 immigrators.
Being one of the 10 biggest port cities along the Yangtze River, Wanzhou is located in the center of Three Gorges Reservoir region as the biggest immigrating city, with one fifth immigrators from the region.
"The Beijing Olympic Games and the torch relay through the country, will surely enhance our sense of All For Fitness sports activities," said Tan Qibin, a resident at Baianba street in Wanzhou, "while China is set to become more stronger, we are going to host a successful Olympics and to create more miracles for our country and for the world as well."

Immigrators from the Three Gorges region celebrated the Beijing Olympic torch relay with enthusiasm when it kicked off in heavy rains in Wanzhou, Chongqing, Southwestern China Sunday morning. (Photo credit: Xinhua)

As one of the main themes, People's Olympics has been rooting among ordinary Chinese people, even for immigrating cities, such as Wanzhou.
Fitness Corridor has been set up along the riverside boulevard in the city with variety of sports equipment, attracting thousands of residents daily for physical training.
Residents who used to have their physical exercises by walking only, nowadays have easy access to the sports facilities even among their communities.
"I keep physical exercises one to two hours daily," said Xia Qingcheng who cheered for the torch relay along the rainy road, "We're putting sports activities in our daily life, and we're participating in the Olympic Movement actively."
Sports facilities and recreational equipment have been put in place in all immigrating cities, including Wanzhou.
"We have set up many a squares in our city, and the riverside Corridor has an area of nearly 6,000 square meters, which alone attracted some 2 million person-time last year," said Ran Molin, director of Wanzhou Sports Bureau.
To explore the advantage of two rivers flowing through, Chongqing, with Wanzhou as its second biggest city, has carried out a Fitness Program along the banks of the rivers for ordinary people in sports activities of basketball, tennis, beach volleyball, rock climbing and swimming.
Ten treks have been set up along mountain roads, which recorded the footsteps of 2 million person-time last year, and more than 600,000 square meters have been allocated for sports activities in the countryside for more than 3 million peasants in Chongqing.

One minute of silence observed for the victims of the deadly May 12 earthquake that hit Sichuan province before the Beijing Olympic torch relay kicks off in heavy rains in Wanzhou, Chongqing, Southwestern China Sunday morning. (Photo credit: Xinhua)

Therefore, many of the torch bearers in Wanzhou are ordinary residents. Luo Yang, a nurse in the Three Gorges Central Hospital, said after her leg of the torch relay that "I likes running and I enjoys the torch relay. Running the hundred meter is an easy call for me."

Olympic flame ends visit to Kaili

2008-06-13T04:12:00.000-07:00

First torchbearer Lin Li of Tujia ethnic minority runs with the torch during the torch relay in Kaili, southwest China's Guizhou Province, June 13, 2008.

First torchbearer Lin Li of Tujia ethnic minority displays the torch during the torch relay in Kaili, southwest China's Guizhou Province, June 13, 2008.

A girl is dressed in the starling ethnic minority clothing. The torch of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games is relayed in Kaili, where many ethnic minorities inhabit, on June 13, 2008.

Updated：2008-06-13
(KAILI, GUIZHOU PROVINCE, June 13) -- At 11:45 a.m. on Friday, Liao Shaohua, party chief of Qian Dongnan Autonomous Prefecture, ignited the cauldron of the Olympic flame at the Qian Dongnan Autonomous Prefecture Ethnic Stadium, marking the end of the Olympic Torch Relay in Kaili, the flame's second stop in Guizhou Province in southwestern China.
A total of 208 torchbearers ran along a route of 19.3 kilometers, concluding the 45th leg of the relay in the Chinese mainland.
Earlier today, the relay started from Upper Langde Miao Village in Leishan County of the Qian Dongnan Autonomous Prefecture. The village was awarded the name of "Hometown of Chinese Folk Arts" by the Ministry of Culture because of its rich ethnic culture.
People at the Stadium welcomed the arrival of the Olympic torch, an unprecedented event in the region where Miao, Dong and other ethnic groups live.

Torch ends tour of Guiyang

2008-06-12T00:35:00.000-07:00

This photo shows the sacred flame's escort lighting the torch in Guiyang. Guiyang is the first leg of the Torch Relay in Guizhou Province.

The June 12 Torch Relay in Guiyang continued in spite of rain. This photo shows people mourning for the quake victims at the launching ceremony.

Locals wait for the 2008 Olympic torch relay in Guiyang, southwest China's Guizhou Province, June 11, 2008

The Torch Relay in Guiyang, Guizhou, kicked off on June 12. Ouyang Ziyuan, chief scientist of China's Lunar Exploration Program ran the first leg. The torch will be relayed in three cities in Guizhou Province.

Updated：2008-06-12

(GUIYANG, June 12) -- Guiyang Mayor Yuan Zhou, the last torchbearer, lit the cauldron at Citizen's Square in the Jinyang city administrative center at 10:40 a.m., ending the 16.9-km leg of the Torch Relay here.
The relay had begun shortly after 8 a.m. from Guiyang People's Square, with 208 torchbearers taking part.

Beautiful Lijiang bids farewell to sacred flame

2008-06-11T04:03:00.000-07:00

This photo shows torchbearer Shi Chunyang kissing the torch during the Olympic torch relay in Shangri-La in China's Yunnan Province, on June 11, 2008.

The Torch Relay in Xamgyi'nyilha kicked off at 8 a.m. on June 11. Excited locals stand alongside the relay route with a large banner, which reads, "May reconstruction work in quake-devastated Sichuan goes well!"

Aweto "Chinese vegetable caterpillar"-- an important medicine and tonic.

Updated：2008-06-10

(LIJIANG, June 10) - Beautiful Lijiang concluded its leg of the 2008 Olympic torch relay on Tuesday morning at 11:59 a.m. with the lighting of the flame cauldron at a parking lot in the town of Ganhaizi, 26 kilometers from the city.
In the afternoon, the relay team will launch another leg of the torch relay, this time in the third scheduled stop for the torch relay in Yunnan Province, Shangri-La.

Lijiang lies in the northwest of Yunnan, southwest of China, approximately 360 kilometers (225 miles) from the Tibetan border by in road distance and 270 kilometers (168 miles) from the Burmese border in land distance.
Like other regions in Yunnan Province, Lijiang is diverse ethnically, with Bai, Pumi, Yi, Tibetans, Miao, and Lisu inhabiting its valleys and mountains.
The average annual temperature of the year is 12.6°(54.7°)
The rainy season begins in late May and lasts until early November with storms possible in May and June.
Then the rest of year is the dry season with good weather. Wild flowers start to bloom give blossoms in late March in normal years.
Population: 1,060,000
Area: 21219 square kilometers (8190 square miles)

'City of Eternal Spring' hosts successful torch relay

2008-06-10T05:56:00.000-07:00

People mourned for the quake victims during the launching ceremony of the Torch Relay in Kunming. Kunming is the first leg of the Torch Relay in Yunnan Province.

Torchbearer Wang Zigang (L) passes the flame to torchbearer He Zhigang (R) of the Naxi ethnic minority. The Torch Relay in Kunming concluded on June 9.

Torchbearer Zhao Shaohan waves to spectators during the Torch Relay in Kunming. (Photo credit: Xing Guangli/Xinhua)

Updated：2008-06-09

(KUNMING, June 9) -- Gymnast Jiang Shaomin, a native of Yunnan Province, ignited the flame cauldron at 11:41 a.m., marking the end of the torch's journey in the capital city of Kunming. Kunming is known by many for its temperate climate, which is why it has been nicknamed the "City of Eternal Spring." The sacred flame will head for Lijiang, the second stop in the province, this afternoon.

At 10:30, people flocked to the site of the closing ceremony. Thunderous applause created a joyous atmosphere.

A slight drizzle chilled the city this morning, but this did not bother the 208 torchbearers of 13 ethnicities, led by Zhong Hundi, known as a long distance running princess. All participants joined together to experience the sacred flame and to spread the Chinese people's love for the victims of the May 12 earthquake.

Covering a distance of 8.3 km, the Kunming leg started off at the century square in the Kunming World Expo Park. The closing ceremony was held at the Dalian Lake Platform in Min Village.

Banners reading "Rebuild Homes and Support the Quake-hit Areas," "One World One Dream," and "Kunming joins hands with Wenchuan" were seen along the torch relay route to express people's wishes and love to the Sichuan quake victims.

Ouyang Jian, a CPC leader, addressed the closing ceremony and presented the Torch Relay certificate to city officials.

The torch will continue its journey in Lijiang, a picturesque tourist destination in the province.

Athletic energy exudes from historic Bose

2008-06-08T20:14:00.000-07:00

This photo shows a section of the Torch Relay route in Bose. Bose is the last leg of the Torch Relay in Guangxi Zhuang Antonomous Region.

Bose people greet the relay with flags all over the city. The Beijing Olympic torch relay in Guangxi Zhuang Antonomous Region concluded in Bose on June 8.

This photo shows the old site of the headquarters of the Seventh Red Army, located in Bose, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. Bose is the largest city in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region

Updated：2008-06-08

(BOSE, Southwest China, June 8) -- On Sunday, historic Bose in Guanxi Zhuang Autonomous Region played host to the 2008 Olympic torch relay. Numerous activities set up to celebrate the event were participated in by the 3.8 million Chinese residents of different ethnicities in the city.

One of Bose's most interesting and unique athletic activities is a relay race made up of 3 to 6 runners on each team. Dressed in wooden shoes, competitors race to see which team is fastest. Holiday or not, Bose residents can be seen participating in this activity on any day.

Members of the Miao minority take part in a yearly activity which involves climbing a 10-meter long pole which is topped with a bundle of goods, including pork, alcohol, and other treats. The climb is a matter of not only who can get to the top the fastest or highest, but also who can climb the pole with a high degree of artistry, which often also means a high level of difficulty as well. The more intricate the climb, the louder the applause from gawking fans.

Sports have become a major part of the lives of Bose's residents. For example, to celebrate the numerous minorities that live in the region, in 2006, Bose organized the first traditional ethnic minority sports tournament.

"Everyone says Bose is an old district, but from what I see, this ancient region really isn't 'old.' Just the opposite, under the athletic spirit of Bose's residents and the continuous excitement that they use to welcome athletics, this old district's appearance is becoming younger and younger, more and more alive," said Lan Hongping of Bose's sports bureau.

Torch Relay's Nanning leg ends

2008-06-07T19:26:00.000-07:00

This photo taken on June 7, the first day of nation-wide college entrance exam, shows a special routeway for local examinees along the torch relay route. The Beijing Olympic torch relay in Nanning started at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday at Minzu Square in Southwestern China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region.

Torchbearer Qin Zhiyuan who just came from the Wenchuan quake area salutes with the torch to the dead during the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games torch relay in Nanning, southwest China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, June 7, 2008.

The torch convey runs with the torch at downtown street of Nanning during the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games torch relay in Nanning, southwest China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, June 7, 2008.

(NANNING, June 7) -- Chen Wenzhong proudly carried the Olympic torch shortly after noon on Saturday as he ran into the Nanning International Convention and Exhibition Center, where the flame was used to light the cauldron and mark the end of the Torch Relay in Nanning.

Chen, a sprinter and a Nanning native, was the last of 208 torchbearers who took part in the 16.5-km relay, which started at 9:15 a.m. with Wu Shude, a 1984 Olympic weightlifting gold medalist, running the first leg.

Mainly along Minzu Avenue, the relay route was planned with two considerations. First, as this year's National College Entrance Exam is being administered this weekend, organizers wanted to minimize the disturbance to students. Second, the chosen route contains several of the city's landmarks, including the South Lake, Wuxiang Square and the Nanning International Convention and Exhibition Center.

The Torch Relay will move on to Baise, Guangxi Province next.

Shanghai all set for torch relay

2008-05-23T17:53:00.000-07:00

Torchbearer Cao Yanhua runs with the torch during the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games torch relay in Shanghai, east China, on May 23 - 24, 2008.

Pop star Zhou Xun runs with the torch during the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games torch relay in Shanghai, east China, on May 23, 2008.

People cheer for the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games torch relay and care for the people of the earthquake-ridden southwest and northwest China's regions during the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games torch relay in Shanghai, east China, on May 23, 2008.

BEIJING, May 22 -- The Shanghai leg of the Beijing Olympic torch relay will be held in the city tomorrow and on Saturday after being postponed during the nation's period of mourning for earthquake victims.

The Olympic flame will be passed on to Shanghai from Zhejiang Province this evening, local authorities announced yesterday.

The relay will pass eight city areas including historic sites, education and commercial centers as well as zones outside the downtown area.

More than 400 torchbearers will take part in the Shanghai relay.

The relay means there will be traffic restrictions and some transit bus lines will make detours or have their routes temporarily shortened.

The torch relay organizers will hold a news conference in Shanghai today, open to both Chinese and overseas media representatives.

China National Radio, the CCTV Olympic Channel, and local radio and TV stations will make live broadcasts of the torch relay from the launching ceremony at 8 a.m. tomorrow until the end.

As the relay continues on Saturday, sightseeing bus routes will also be affected, city tourism authorities said yesterday. Some services will be delayed, and others canceled.

Officials said people who have bought tourism tickets for Saturday can receive refunds before May 31 at all business sites of the Shanghai Sightseeing Bus Center.

The Olympic torch relay resumes its journey through China today at a container port in the eastern city of Ningbo, traveling across the Hangzhou Bay Bridge to Jiaxing. Later today the flame will be moved by vehicle to Shanghai.

It is unclear exactly how the route through the rest of China will be adjusted to make up for the delay this week.

After Shanghai, the torch and relay move to neighboring Jiangsu Province.

They are due to arrive on June 13 in Chongqing City and enter Sichuan Province, site of the deadly earthquake, two days later.

The torch will make a triumphant return to Beijing on August 6, two days before the Games' opening ceremony.

(Source: Shanghai Daily)

Torch relay kicks off in Hangzhou Sunday

2008-05-17T22:58:00.000-07:00

The Olympic torch relay kicked off in Hangzhou on Sunday. People mourn for the dead in the big earthquake that took place in Sichuan Province on Monday.

The Olympic torch relay kicked off in Hangzhou city on Sunday, the third leg in East China's Zhejiang province.

The torch relay started from the city's Great Hall of the People with the total length of 15.63 kilometers around the West Lake.

The first torchbearer of Hangzhou leg of torch relay was former badminton star Li Lingwei, who owns 38 medals including 13 world titles.

Olympic torch relay goes through China's SE Xiamen

2008-05-13T02:56:00.000-07:00

Torchbearer, retired badminton player Ji Xinpeng lights the cauldron at the celebration ceremony of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games torch relay in Xiamen, southeast China's Fujian Province, on May 12, 2008. (Photo credit: Xinhua)

XIAMEN, China, May 12 (Xinhua) -- The Olympic torch was relayed through scenic Xiamen, the third stop in China's southeast province at 14:03 and concluded 17:15 local time on Monday.
Guo Yuehua, former table tennis world champion ran the first leg at a seaside launching ceremony, while Olympic badminton champion Ji Xinpeng, the final leg.
The Xiamen relay route covered 17.4 kilometers, with 100 torchbearers carrying the flame along palm tree-lined roads looking out over the Sea.
The relay started on Xiamen International Conference & Exhibition Center, passing a number of renown scenic spot including Huandao Road, Yanwu Bridge, Gulangyu Island, Yundang Lake, Egret Park, which highlighted Xiamen's seaside landscape and harmonious living environment.
Spectators flocked into the street and awaited the arrival of the Olympic flame, waved national flags and Olympic flags. Amid cheers and jubilance from the rapturous crowd, the torch reached the destination Xiamen Sports Center.
Guo, honored to be the first torchbearer, is a world-famous table tennis player with eight successive world titles.
"I'm proud of our country and also proud of the great achievement that several generations of Chinese athletes made with their passion and sweat in the past decades," the 52-year-old Guo said.
Xiamen, located on the south-eastern coast of Fujian, is one of China's five special economic zones, and a rapid developing city in the province. It has long since enjoyed its soubriquet of the "Garden on the Sea", known for its clean air, tidiness and comfortable living environment.
In 2004, the city was awarded the "UN Habitat Scroll of Honour" as one of "the best places to live".

Olympic torch relay in Fuzhou starts

2008-05-11T06:07:00.000-07:00

FUZHOU, Southeast China, May 11 (Xinhua) -- The Olympic torch relay in Fuzhou, the capital city of southeastern China's Fujian province, kicked off at 9:39 a.m. local time on Sunday.
At the launching ceremony, Zheng Meizhu, the former volleyball Olympic champion, took the torch from a local official in the Wuyi Square, running as the first of the 208 bearers.
"I'm extremely excited and honored at this moment. It's quite different from being an athlete to go all out for an Olympic medal. As a torchbearer, I felt I shoulder the responsibility of passing on the love and friendship to the world," smiling Zheng told reporters.
A large number of spectators witnessed the launching ceremony, with national flags and Olympic flags waving, and hundreds of citizens performed Chinese traditional drum dancing from the starting point.
The 28-kilometer Fuzhou relay started on the Wuyi square in the center of the city, set to pass local landmarks and historic sites, including Three Hills and Two Pagodas, Three Alleys and Seven Lanes, Luoxing Tower and Taijiang Dock. The relay will end at the Wanglongtai Park, where a celebration is going to be held.
Fuzhou is a famous historic and cultural city on the southeastern coast of China with a history of more than 2,200 years, and also a pivotal gateway on "the silk road via the sea".
The city is also a famous hometown for overseas Chinese. There are 2.7 million overseas Chinese, and Hong Kong, Macao compatriots with the origin of Fuzhou living in more than 110 countries and regions in the world.
After the tour of Fuzhou, the Olympic flame is set to carry on its relay in Quanzhou, the second stop in Fujian province, on Monday.

Olympic torch relay in China's Guangdong Province ends

2008-05-10T07:46:00.000-07:00

SHANTOU, South China, May 10 (Xinhua) -- The Olympic torch relay in China's Guangdong province concluded as Shantou leg went off in spells of rain on Saturday.
Shantou's relay started at 8:05 a.m. local time, marking the last stopover in Guangdong province. Shantou was one of the original Special Economic Zones of China in the 1980s.
The launching ceremony overcame the rainstorm in the morning, with a former weightlifting world champion Cai Yanshu taking over the first torch from a local official in the Dragon Bay District Square.
Cai Yanshu, 44, is a world champion himself before training Zhang Guozheng to the Olympic champion at the 2004 Athens Games.
Cao won gold in men's 75kg category at the 1986 Asian Games. He snatched a weight of160kg, grabbing the title of 75kg category at the 1989 World Championships,.
"I have never win an Olympic medal. The experience of being an Olympic torchbearer just makes up for the regret," said Cao.
"I trained Zhang Guozheng to the top of Olympic podium at the Athens Olympics and I am now honored to pass the Olympic torch. That's a consummation for me," added Cao.
"It's a surprise for me to be the first torchbearer. It's no less than winning an Olympic gold medal. It's a credit from my hometown. The 200m is very short, so I need to get prepared for each action and movement each second as I am carrying the torch. Each torchbearer is bound to show the best in his/her country and his/her hometown."
There are 22 world champions in the 208 torchbearers . Renowned torchbearers are Sun Shuwei, the 1992 Olympic champion in diving, Chen Kunxiong, a paralyzed athlete with over 20 gold medals in his career, Xu Yinchuan, a international master of Chinese chess and Chen Hanshi, who ran for a second time after Bangkok relay last month.
Shantou mayor Cai Zongze was the last one to carry the torch and lighted the cauldron with Sun together at 4:15 local time.
The relay in Shantou proceeded a course of 36km, traversing Pangu Bank, Heng Mountain Road, Tai Mountain road, Train Station Square, Golden Bay Bridge, City Swimming Stadium, Golden Sand Park, Times Square, Yellow Mountain Road, Seaside Road, training base of Chinese diving team.
The highlights along the route are Golden Bay Bridge, Star Lake Park and torch exhibition in diving base. The celebration ceremony was put on in City People's Square.
"It's as significant to be a torchbearer as to win the Olympic gold medal," said Sun Shuwei, who won China's first diving gold atthe 1992 Barcelona Olympics. He was also a titlist at World Championships and World Cup.
Sun missed a treasured opportunity to pass the Olympic flame in2004 due to unavailability for the U.S. visit.
"I missed the Olympic torch last time. It's a pity for me, but this time I'd like to enjoy the moment. It's once-in-a-lifetime experience for everyone. This helps me better understand the Olympic spirit," said Sun. Sun is working as a coach in Guangdong Provincial Sports Skill College. "Now my expectation lies in my students. I hope someone among them can be crowned as world champion someday."
Chen Hanshi is the only one carrying the Beijing Olympic torch twice by far after taking part in the Bangkok relay on April 19.
"It's a more remarkable story to carry the Olympic torch in my hometown. It's an honor endowed by my hometown and I will reserve the memory for life," said the 73-year-old.
Chen Hanshi emigrated to Thailand from Shantou, his Ancestral home, in 1963, who is running the world second largest tunny can factory.
"Overseas Chinese are concerned about our homeland. Once the time comes, we would come back to do something right for our hometowns. Now the Olympic Games become a new ligament binding domestic Chinese and overseas Chinese," added Chen.
"The last time to hold torch is in my emigration country, this time in my home country. I am so lucky."
Shantou, historically known in the West as Swatow or Swatau, is a city of five million permanent inhabitants in coastal eastern Guangdong Province.
With its immediately surrounding cities of Jieyang and Chaozhou, the metropolitan region - known as Chaoshan - had a permanent population of 14 million by the end of 2007.
Shantou, a city significant in 19th-century Chinese history as one of the treaty ports established for Western trade and contact, was one of the original Special Economic Zones in China, along with other cities such as Shenzhen, Xiamen and Zhuhai.
In the 1930s, Shantou Port was a transport hub and merchandise distribution center for Southeast China; its cargo throughput ranked third in the nation.
Shantou was a fishing village part of Tuojiang City, Jieyang District during the Song Dynasty. It came to be Xialing during the Yuan Dynasty. In 1563, Shantou was a part of Chenghai District in Chao Prefecture (Chaozhou). As early as 1574, Shantou had been called Shashan Ping. In the seventeenth century, a cannon platform called Shashan Toupaotai was made here, and the name later was shortened to "Shantou".

Olympic torch goes through picturesque Huizhou

2008-05-09T04:17:00.000-07:00

HUIZHOU, South China, May 9 (Xinhua) -- The Olympic torch was carried through scenic Huizhou in Friday's relay, the third stop in Guangdong province, with the local backstroker Chen Xiujun bearing the first leg.
Chen, 22, finished first in women's 200m backstroke at China's national games 2001. Then a year later, she was ranked fourth at the Busan Asian Games in the event. In the 2004 Athens Games, Chensettled with the fourth place in 4x100m medley.
The itinerary lasted for 30 kilometers, covering lake-encircling scenery, avenues, tree-thriving massif, demonstrating a scene of "half landscape and half lake" in the city, which has two rivers and a zigzag lake located in downtown area.
As usual in torch relay, thousands of residents occupied the sidewalk along the route, presenting a grand ovation for the passing of Olympic flame in their hometown.

Spectators wave Chinese flags while watching the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games torch relay in Huizhou, south China's Guangdong Province, on May 9, 2008. (Photo credit: Xinhua)
Other top athletes in torchbearers include Liang Wenbo, a snooker player and Lv Qin, a chess master and Zhong Xiu'e, a retired wrestler.
Besides, workers, servicemen, entrepreneurs, army officers and merchants are all taken into account in the relay.
Lv Qin, a team and individual world chess champion, is the last one in the day's relay.
"I would like to put my torch in my chess club, so as to let more people see it and be part of the Olympic Games," said 47-year-old Lv, who started playing chess when he was seven.
Liang was the champion at the 2005 world youth billiard championships, and also was the team champion at the Doha Asian Games 2006. He reached the quarterfinals at the World Championships 2008.
Zhong Xiu'e boasted a five-time world champion in a row and was entitled "Top Ten Wrestlers in 20th Century".
The Huizhou relay started at 8:10 a.m. local time in the City Stadium Square, set to pass East River Bridge, East River Sands Park, Rivers Joining Building, Pen Pagoda, Ancient City Gate, FlatLake Gate, Huabianling Square, Centurymart, Huizhou College, SouthLine Intersection, Red Flower Lake, West Lake Gate, Ciyun Pavilion and Huizhou Bridge before reaching the destination Civic Eden.
Thousands of local residents witnessed the opening ceremony in which hundreds of pigeons were released.
Liu Wenjie, a member in China's peace-keeping police squad in Haiti, ran a leg in Friday's relay. He was awarded a "Peace Medal" by UN.
"I am a peace keeper in Haiti and now being a torchbearer, I am a peace promoter as the Olympic spirit represents peace," said Liu.
"World peace is the strongest power for progress. I hope the Olympic flame can light the world and the relay can spread the message of peace around China and the world," he added.
The relay ended at 3:10 p.m. local time. The celebration activity took place in the starting site, the Huizhou Stadium. Chinese drum beating, lion and drag dancing, and Olympic style songs were staged.
Huizhou is a prefecture-level city in Guangdong province, China. Part of the Pearl River Delta, Huizhou borders the provincial capital of Guangzhou to the west, Shaoguan to the north, Heyuan to the northeast, Shanwei to the east, Shenzhen and Dongguan to the southwest, and looks out to the South China Sea to the south. Its name is linked to the "four treasures of the scholar's studio", often referred to as Huizhou's "four treasures of the scholar's studio".
Huizhou gradually gained benefit from the Chinese economic reform in the late 1980s. The blossom of real estate market attracted capital investment from Hong Kong and Taiwan, together with the establishment of factories and plants by these investment.
In the provincial economic development strategy, Huizhou is regarded as a site for a world-class petrochemical industry, as well as the hub for solidifying information technology, and expanding exports and trades.
The relay is to continue its journey of harmony in Shantou, the last stopover in Guangdong before moving to Fujian Province on Saturday.

Olympic torch relayed on Mt. Qomolangma for first time in history

2008-05-08T03:51:00.000-07:00

Chinese climbers display an Olympic torch, an Olympic flame lantern, a flag of International Olympic Committee, a Chinese National flag and a flag of the 29th Olympic Games at the top of the 8844.43-meter summit of Mt. Qomolangma in southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region on May 8, 2008. (Photo credit: Ngawang Chagxi/Xinhua)
MT. QOMOLANGMA BASE CAMP, Tibet, May 8 (Xinhua) -- The Olympic flame made its first trip to Mount Qomolangma as Chinese mountaineers brought it to the top of the world at 9:12 a.m. Beijing time (0112 GMT) on Thursday.
The torch was lit at about one hundred meters away from the summit and then relayed upwards by five torchbearers.
The last bearer Tsering Wangmo, an ethnic Tibetan and one of the two female climbers on the final assault team, carried the torch to the peak.
The unprecedented relay lasted about six minutes.
"The successful ascent does not only belong to the Chinese Mountaineering Team, but also to our country," said Hu Jiayan, deputy director of the General State Administration of Sports.
Having promised to take the torch relay to Mt. Qomolangma in their bidding campaign, the Beijing organizers gathered a team of 36 climbers. Among them 19 were picked for the final assault starting from the 8,300-meter-high camp in early hours of Thursday.

TV grab from May 8, 2008 shows Female climber Cirenwangmu displays the Beijing Olympic torch "Xiangyun" at the top of the 8844.43-meter summit of Mt. Qomolangma in southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region on May 8, 2008. (Photo credit: Xinhua)

The final team, dressed in red parkas emblazoned with Olympic logos, should have reached the top earlier. But in order to get better sunlight and hence clear-cut live footage for the TV audience, the climbers slowed down and finally topped the 8844.43-meter (29,035-foot) peak a little more than six hours later.
The 19-member final assault team consists of both ethnic Tibetans and Han Chinese, including university students and female climbers. They were spearheaded by ethnic Tibetan Nima Tsering and deputy head Luo Shen who is Han Chinese.
About 30 climbers, including the mountaineering team and the cameramen, scaled Mt. Qomolangma in gusty winds and freezing temperature.
The first four torchbearers are Gigi (female, ethnic Tibetan), Wang Yongfeng (male, Han Chinese), team captain Nima Tsering (male, ethnic Tibetan) and Huang Chungui (male, Han Chinese).
The climbers unfurled the Chinese and Olympic flags at the summit. Some took off their oxygen masks while topping the peak.
"I feel so good as the torchbearer. I know every climber wants to be a torchbearer," Gigi, a two-time Qomolangma climber, told the China Central Television (CCTV) ahead of the ascent.
The Olympic flame was kept in a specially-designed metal canister during the ascent. As the team neared the top, the 28-year-old Norbu Zhamdul, a three-time Qomolangma climber who carried the lantern on his back, opened the lantern, ignited the torch and then passed it to the 39-year-old Gigi.

Chinese Mountaineering Team members and mountaineering training school members pose for a photo after they successfully pave the ascent route above the altitude of 8300 meters to Mount Qomolangma on May 7, 2008. (Photo credit: Suolang Luobu/Xinhua)
The torch stayed alight and bright against strong winds, as all the torch, lighter and lantern used for the Qomolangma expedition are high-tech items capable of withstanding gale-force winds, low temperatures and the oxygen-thin air atop Mt. Qomolangma.
"We had planned to take the torch to the top in late April, but strong winds and heavy snow had delayed us again and again. This week we had the first period of good weather," said Li Zhixin, chief of the Base Camp Headquarters of the Torch Relay Qomolangma Leg.
"It is a strong team. Everyone is excellent and I feel so proud of them. We kept our promise and have made our own contribution to the promotion of the Olympic spirit," added Li, a well-known climber himself.
The Olympic flame's first Qomolangma trip was live televised by the CCTV.
Tsering Daintar, a younger brother of the last torchbearer Wangmo, scaled the summit as a CCTV cameraman.
Daintar is a student of the Tibetan Mountaineering School, whose principal Nima Tsering led Thursday's ascent.
The Beijing Olympic torch relay is the longest and most ambitious one, traveling 137,000 kilometers across five continents in 130 days. The torch returned to the Chinese mainland at the beginning of May and is touring South China's boomtown Shenzhen on Thursday.

Olympic torch relay sets off in Guangzhou

2008-05-07T04:25:00.000-07:00

GUANGZHOU, May 7 (Xinhua) -- The relay of the Olympic flame resumed on Wednesday in Guangzhou, the capital city of Guangdong province, after the relay's start on the Chinese mainland wrapped up in Hainan.
The torch relay in Guangzhou will cover 40 kilometers with 208 torchbearers to carry the torch amid cheers and jubilation from thousands of local supporters.
The relay started at the Guangzhou International Convention Center at 8:10 a.m., local time, and is set to pass Hill Top Park, Yuntai Garden, Guangzhou Arts Museum, Dr. Sun Yat-sen Museum, Chen Ancestral Temple, Beijing Road, Haiyin Park, Consulate District Square and reach the celebration site at the Guangzhou Tianhe Sports Complex.
Folk artists performed traditional Chinese lion and dragon dances around the starting point before a large crowd of spectators that had gathered to watch the launching ceremony.
The torchbearers include athletes, entertainers, workers, teachers, students and volunteers, with some high-profile torchbearers like Olympic gold medalist Yang Jinghui, Swedish diver Ulrika Margarata Knape-Lindberg, former Chinese national soccer coach Shen Xiangfu, three-time fencing Olympian Dong Zhaozhi and actor Chen Kun.
First torchbearer Yang Jinghui, a Guangzhou native, won a gold medal in the synchronized 10m platform diving competition with Tian Liang in the 2004 Athens Olympics.
"It's a great honor for me to be selected as the first runner," said the 24-year-old Yang. "I am an athlete, a student and a volunteer, so I can represent all three kinds of people."
Yang had previously carried the torch for the 2006 Doha Asian Games and 2007 Guangzhou National University Games.
"It's quite a different feeling to hold the Olympic torch," Yang said.
Dong Zhaozhi, a Guangzhou native and fencing silver medalist at the 2000 and 2004 Olympics, will run the last leg of the relay, which is scheduled to end at 6:00 p.m.

Sacred flame hits the beach

2008-05-06T03:42:00.000-07:00

Updated：2008-05-05
(QIONGHAI, Hainan, May 5) -- After short visits to special cities in Hainan Province, the Olympic torch relay is scheduled to tour the capital, Haikou, on Tuesday, May 6, reported Hainan Evening News.
On Monday morning, the city of Wuzhishan celebrated the torch relay along its short 1.2 kilometer route. Only 6 torchbearers had the honor of carrying the flame here, representing the shortest relay along the flame's entire international and domestic journey.
Nevertheless, the sacred flame was celebrated with intense fervor, and involved perhaps the most uniquely cultural ceremonies, with representatives of ethnic minorities showcasing distinct traditions.
Soon after the conclusion of the relay in Wuzhishan, the sacred flame left for the coastal city of Wanning. Before arriving in the city proper, the sacred flame made a short tour of the holiday district of Xinlong and took a break at breathtakingly beautiful Shimei Bay. The entire 16.63 kilometer long Wanning leg of the relay finished after 180 minutes, with the help of 113 torchbearers.
With hardly enough time to breathe, the escort team hurried the flame off to its next stop, the Qionghai region, where the sacred flame first took off from the meeting site of the Bo'ao Forum for Asia. At 4:40 p.m., the flame began its tour of the city of Qionghai itself. This section of the route took a total of 13.51 kilometers, 120 minutes, and the efforts of 89 torchbearers.
Around 10 p.m., the lantern holding the sacred flame is scheduled to arrive in Haikou, the capital of Hainan Province. Bright and early on Tuesday morning, at 8:00, the sacred flame will begin its 30.2 kilometer route through the city.

Beijing Olympic torch relay in Sanya concludes

2008-05-04T17:56:00.000-07:00

SANYA, South China, May 4 (Xinhua) -- The Beijing Olympic torch relay in south China's Sanya concluded at the senic spot of TianyaHaijiao on Sunday.
Pop star Jackie Chan and Pu Huifang, head of a small town in Sanya, who run as the last torchbearers, kindled the cauldron at 5:56 p.m. local time, prompting loud cheers and applauses from the spectators.
The torch relay started from the Phoenix Island, passing the Crown of Beauty Center, Haiyue Square of Sanya Gulf and Haihong Square. A total of 208 torchbearers from all works of life run through the 30.09-kilometer route.
During the torch relay, tens of thousands local people lined the route, chanting support for the Beijing Olympic Games. The Olympic "five-ring" flags and red flags laid all over the sidewalk along the route.
This was the first leg of the Beijing Olympic torch relay in the Chinese mainland. The sacred flame will go to Wuzhishan city on Monday.

Beijing Olympic torch relay concludes in Macao

2008-05-03T17:11:00.000-07:00

MACAO, May 3 (Xinhua) -- The Beijing Olympic torch relay in Macao concluded at 18:53 local time on Saturday as Leong Heng Teng, member of the Executive Council of the Macao government, lit the cauldron at the Fisherman's Wharf.
Starting from 15:50 p.m. the torch relay lasted for more than three hours. More than a thousand of audiences gathered at the performing ground of the Fisherman's Wharf, cheering and waiving national flags, regional flags, and Olympic flags. They all wished a successful relay of the Olympic torch after the Macao leg, and that the Olympic spirit of peace, friendship and improvement will be passed on to the next stop.
A total of 120 torchbearers together finishing the 27 kilometers relay. They started from Fisherman's Wharf, then went pass Golden Lotus Square, Ruins of St. Paul's, A-Ma Temple, Headquarters of the Macao Government, Ponte Governador Nobre de Carvalho, Sai Van Bridge, Macao Tower, Macao Cultural Center, and finally went back to the Fisherman's Wharf as the finishing point.
The relay also took place on Chinese dragon boats at Sai Van Lake, featuring the traditional Chinese culture.

Beijing Olympic torch relay concludes in HK

2008-05-02T05:31:00.000-07:00

Updated：2008-05-02 From：Xinhuanet
Hong Kong's star cyclist Wong Kam-Po who ran as the last torch bearer, lighted the cauldron.
HONG KONG, May 2 (Xinhua) -- The Beijing Olympic torch relay in Hong Kong concluded at 16:56 local time on Friday as Wong Kam Po, a world champion cyclist, lit the cauldron at the Golden Bauhinia Square on the southern coast of the Victorian Harbor.
As Wong, also the last torch bearer, ran into Golden Bauhinia Square, he was greeted by hundreds of people waving red flags and chanting support for Beijing Olympics.
"The torch relay in Hong Kong has successfully completed, but the Olympic spirit of friendship, peace and harmony will pass on forever," said Timothy Tsun-Ting Fok, president of Sports Federation & Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, said at the closing ceremony.
"We expect a successful Beijing Olympic Games and a good performance of Chinese athletes including those from Hong Kong," said Fok, also the second from last torchbearer.
The 20th leg of the Beijing Olympic torch relay started from the Hong Kong Cultural Center on the northern coast the Victorian Harbor at 10:28 am local time on Friday.
The passion during the first relay in Chinese territory was drastically lit up. Cheers could be heard all through the city as large crowds lined the route despite spells of drizzle. Flags, banners, placards of good-will were far and near.
One hundred and twenty torchbearers covered a 26-km route, passing by such landmarks as Tsing Ma Bridge, Sha Tin racecourse and the Avenue of Stars before the torch was ferried across the Victoria Harbor onto the Hong Kong Island.
Among the 120 torchbearers, there are top athletes, celebrities, officials, business tycoons, students and teachers.
Horses, dragon boats and a sightseeing ship were used to carry the Olympic flame during the torch relay.

Welcome to Beijing: Singers celebrate 100-day Olympic countdown at Tai Miao

2008-05-01T02:40:00.000-07:00

Hosts and hostresses preside the grand awarding ceremony on April 30, 2008. (Photo credit: Zhang Yu)
(BEIJING, April 30) -- Nearly a hundred singers that included Jackie Chan, Emil Chau, Wang Lee-Hom, Gigi Leung gathered at Tai Miao at the Beijing Working People's Culture Palace to celebrate the 100-day countdown to the Beijing Olympic Games on the evening of April 30.
The party began at 7:30 p.m., when singers performed a range of Beijing Olympic songs as a prelude for the real treat a half hour later, the first live rendition of "Beijing Huan Ying Ni" ("Welcome to Beijing"), which was written especially for the occasion.
Afterwards, an awards ceremony was held to recognize 30 outstanding Olympic songs and 10 outstanding Paralympic songs, including "Light the Passion Share the Dream," composed by Chris Babida and written by Huang Xiaomao; "I Am A Star," composed by Emil Chau and written by Lam Jik; and "Smile Beijing," written and composed by Chen Ying. The latter two songs were named the theme songs for the Olympic and Paralympic volunteer programs, respectively.
In addition, Aifly, Zhengzhou Synear, China Mobile, China Record Corporation, People's Music Publishing House and Radio Beijing were recognized as outstanding organizations, and FAW-Volkswagen was recognized for its special contributions.
Feng Jianzhong, Vice Minister of the General Administration of Sport, Cai Fuchao, Member of the Standing Committee and Head of the Publicity Department of the CPC Beijing Municipal Committee and Vice Mayor of Beijing Municipality, BOCOG Executive Vice-President Liu Jingmin, BOCOG Executive Vice-President Jiang Xiaoyu, Tang Xiaoquan and other municipal and BOCOG officials presented the awards.
Organized by BOCOG, the evening's celebration activities were sponsored by FAW-Volkswagen, with media support by China Mobile.

A group of stars sing "Beijing Welcomes You" during a gala celebrating the 100-day Olympic countdown on April 30, 2008. (Photo credit: Zhang Yu)