Beijing 2008: Men 100m report

9.69 seconds - World Record

For RACE ANALYSIS, including split times, and average speeds for Usain Bolt's world record: Click HERE

Usain Bolt delivered. Nobody else stood a chance. It was quite simply the most devastating display of 100m sprinting I have ever seen. The "race" that everyone (including us) had predicted never materialised - Bolt was just too good (and Powell bad, it has to be said).

The world record in the 100m is always a special occasion. When it comes on the biggest stage in world sport, the Olympic Games, it's that much more spectacular. And it does not get much more spectacular than the sight of a man destroying the next seven fastest men in the world, celebrating about 20m from the finish line, pumping his fist against his chest with 10 m still to go, and still breaking the world record by 0.03 seconds. Truly incredible.

A race of surprises...except for the world record

The only thing about this race that was NOT surprsing was that the world record was broken. Everything else was something of a shock. Those shocks began in the semi-final, when Tyson Gay, the world champion from the USA failed to qualify after finishing fifth in his heat. That meant that the much-anticipated showdown between the three giants of world sprinting - Bolt, Asafa Powell and Gay - failed to materialize (it also made something of a mockery of my earlier pre-race prediction, which was done BEFORE the semi-final! I'm going to claim that at least I picked the winner, and almost got the winning time right too...!)

In any event, Gay's presence in the final would hardly have made a difference, so dominant was Bolt. But it is a great shame that he hurt himself in the US trials, because perhaps he might have pushed Bolt a little harder and we'd have seen a 9.65s time, so comfortable was the Jamaican in the absence of any rivals in this race.

Powell fails - slower in the final than the semi

The next big surprise was the failure of Asafa Powell to deliver in the final. The big Jamaican, who had beaten Bolt earlier this year, was completely unable to raise his game when it mattered, and finished a very disappointing fifth place. His time in the final? 9.95 seconds. His time in the evening's earlier semi-final? 9.91 seconds. Which means that, for the second big championships in a row, he actually ran a slower race in the final than in a qualifying heat. That performance will serve only to re-inforce the perception that Powell is not a big-race runner. Last year, we mentioned the word "choker", which is a little harsh, of course, but Powell has tried for the past year to shake that particular title. Tonight, he failed, and the title fits a little better. On second thought, perhaps his performance wasn't such a surprise, after all...

Thanks to Powell's disappointing run, the minor medals were won by Richard Thompson of Trinidad and Tobago (silver in 9.89 s) and Walter Dix of the USA (9.91 s for bronze), which was the third big surprise. Both are PB's, which is as much as one could ask in a big final like this. Fourth went to Churandy Martina of Netherlands Antilles, in a national record, which would have been their first medal - 0.02 seconds denied them that glory.

Bolt - the star of the show, a magnificent performance

But the star of the show was Bolt. The race was expected to be close, fast and exciting. It was two of the three, but "close" is not a word that fits this final. In fact, the much anticipated "race" never materialised, thanks in part to Gay's semi-final exit and Powell's "no-show". But the main reason was that Bolt was ridiculously fast.

His start was, as usual, not particularly spectacular. After about 30 m of running, he was mid-pack, with Thompson in Lane 5 slightly ahead of him. Powell also got off to a good start. But after about 30m, as Bolt's head came up, he took control of the race and the men who up to that point had looked competitive suddenly looked very ordinary.

There cannot be a runner with this kind of acceleration from 30 m in the history of the event. Of course, every generation has runners who are dangerous in the latter half of the race, but Bolt, running 9.69s, moved away from men running 9.89 s and created a 0.2 second lead by the finish line. It was astonishing sprinting.

When the cameras showed the race from the front, you could see Bolt actually glancing across to his right, where he knew the big threats would come from. Bolt virtually ran the 100m Olympic Final as a tactical race - he knew where his rivals were, he created a lead between 30m and 80m, and then he celebrated.

About 20m from the line, his arms dropped to his side. About 10m from the line, he leaned backwards, and gave himself a chest thump with his right hand. He crossed the line and kept running, bouncing all the way to the back straight as the crowd erupted. That celebration cost Bolt some time - who knows how much? Perhaps he was capable of 9.65 seconds had he continued at the same rhythm.

In the end, it didn't matter. Bolt had the time to celebrate mid race, to look natural and easy running 9.69 seconds.

Usain Bolt - a new "breed" of sprinter

Bolt is a different type of sprinter - previous champions, like Maurice Greene have been muscular, powerful, strong men, who burn up the track with the sheer force of their running. Bolt is different - he bounces, flows like water, and looks incredibly easy running faster than anyone else has ever been able to. I would love to see a biomechanics analysis of the race, but for a basic illustration of the difference, consider that Bolt took 41 steps to run the race; everyone else took 44 steps.

What is the physiology that underlies this advantage? Very difficult to say...explosive muscles, certainly. Muscle power, yes. But there's something there that no scientist can measure. I believe the big difference is neurological. It is the ability of the brain/central nervous system to control and co-ordinate the muscles, creating the spring. There is something called the stretch-shortening cycle, where energy that is stored on landing is harnessed during the push-off phase, so that the muscle-tendon unit acts like a spring.

It's possible to measure this stretch-shortening cycle activity, but not during sprinting like this. I believe (and this is a bald assertion, admittedly) that what sets Bolt apart is his muscle tendon unit, and the ability of the brain to co-ordinate the timing and sequence of muscle activation. Science can't measure this, but the next time you see a repeat of this race, watch Bolt compared to the men either side of him, and you can see it. And so just watching Bolt allows us to appreciate what it takes to be the world's fastest man.

In all of 9.69 seconds.

Ross

Beijing 2008: Men 100m race analysis

Bolt's 9.69s. Analysis of speed during the world record. How fast did Bolt run?

Welcome to The Science of Sport! Be sure to visit our main page for daily comment and analysis on cycling, athletics, and more.

Well, yesterday evening we posted on the incredible performance of Usain Bolt, who took the Olympic 100m title in 9.69 seconds, breaking his own world record by 0.03 seconds, despite the fact that he started celebrating about 20m from the finish!

It was a spectacular performance, which you can read about here.

The splits and speeds

However, for today, we have been sent the split times for each 10m interval from Bolt's race (thank you to Seb and an anonymous poster!), which we've used to calculate average speed for each 10m interval. The graph is shown below. Then below that, you'll find a table showing the times at each 10m marker.




Comments

According to these data, his peak speed was hit at 50m, and he then maintained this all the way to 80m, running at about 44 km/hour.

Note that this is the AVERAGE speed - there are reports (which I don't fully believe) that he hit 48km/hour. I can't see where this would have happened, because that would mean that either side of it, he must have run much slower, and the graph above gives no indication that he ran anything but a consistently fast pace. So I think it's far more likely that this figure of about 44km/hour is the speed he hit. The "instantaneous" peak is subject to too much error, unless the data are specifically gathered, which I don't think is the case here.

How does this compare to past values? Well, when Donovan Bailey of Canada ran 9.84 secs to win the 1996 Gold, he was clocked at 43.6 km/hour using a radar gun. A later statistical calculation suggested that Bailey hit 47.6 km/hour, but again, I think this is a little misleading, because the "error" in timing means that 0.5 seconds here or there can swing the "peak speed" by a great deal.

Therefore, I think the better measure is average speed over 10m intervals. I'm quite sure that people have run as fast as Bolt did before. The magic of this performance, however, is not so much in the spectacular top speed between 50m and 80m, but rather that Bolt could maintain his speed for so long.

Remember, a sprinter typically hits peak somewhere between 50 and 60m, but then slows progressively. Bolt's huge victory was created thanks to his incredible 50m stint between 40m and 90m, where he never dropped below 42km/hour.

How much faster can he run?

That is the question flying around today. What if Bolt had not celebrated from 20m out? Could he have run 9.50 seconds? Thompson, who took silver, said he'd run 9.54 seconds. The data above suggest that this is probably a little too optimistic. Even if he had maintained his speed for the final 20m (which is unlikely - he'd probably have dropped off slightly), he would have run 0.09 seconds faster. This would give him a 9.60 second time, which is incredible. More likely, he'd have slowed anyway (as all sprinters do), so I'd guess that his celebrations probably denied him about 0.05s and a time of 9.64s.

However, unless he can find the time somewhere else - in the start perhaps (he was second slowest in reaction time) - he won't run 9.50 seconds. Then again, Bolt is a young man, and he's already shown incredible ability. Who knows what the next two years will bring?

Leryn Franco Hot Calendars

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Leryn Franco Photos: Paraguan Athlete Goes Topless In Calender

Leryn Franco is just your run-of-the-mill javelin thrower/pageant queen/model with her own calendar. But during the Beijing Olympics the 26-year old Paraguayan became so much more to the American people; she became our javelin thrower/pageant queen/model with her own calendar. So, my fellow Americans, it is with a heavy heart that I regret to inform you that our favorite Paraguayan athlete (sorry Jose Luis Chilavert) was eliminated from the Olympics on Tuesday after failing to qualify for the javelin finals. Take all the time you need.

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Leryn -- can we call you Leryn? -- didn't return our collective calls, but we didn't mind. We knew she was busy preparing for her event: the javelin throw. She competed this morning, finishing second-to-last in the qualifying round with a throw that was 12 meters short of her personal best. It was a disappointment, to be sure, but not altogether surprising. After all, Leryn's goal was never to medal; it was to win the hearts of men and women worldwide. And in that event, Leryn Franco won gold.

Leryn Franco is a javelin thrower in the Olympics on the Paraguay team. But not only is Leryn a talented Olympian, she is one of the sexiest! View below for more Leryn Franco photos and the Leryn Franco calendar. Click Thumbnails for Larger Images Leryn Franco, 26, is a professional model as well as javelin thrower in the Olympics. Sporty and sexy!

Fireworks will be set off during the Opening Ceremony

China Arts Contemporary
I'm from China Arts Contemporary. We know that a lot of new technologies had been applied in the Olympic Games. Is it going to shape or change your design in the future? The year 2008 is a very important year. Are you going to have some exhibition displays in China? After the Games, there will be a review exhibition. What is your own comments of your own performances in 2008?

Cai Guoqiang
I'm 50 years old this year. I've done something different. It's been the summary of my experience in the past and I want to leave something for the future. It is a very special year for me. I left China in 1986. I went to the United States. I spent a lot of time overseas. I really feel honored to be back in China and be a real part of the Beijing Olympic Games preparation. It is a very good opportunity for me to team up with other artists from different countries. It is a very important experience for me as well. For the technologies used, we enjoyed the support from the central government and from the expertise from different areas. We devoted a lot of efforts. Thanks to the joint efforts from different parties. We will be more event-specific. Artistically, it was all based on my past experience.

CBS
Because you have been living in the US for a certain period of time, you may be familiar with their ways to create special effects. China is the birthplace of gunpowder. How can you produce the spectacular effect for Chinese audience?

Cai Guoqiang
American fireworks and the demand of the spectators are solid colors like gold, silver and long lasting like thunderstorm effects. They want 5,000 shells and very sensational. China has its own characteristic. They want it to be colorful. It is more of a melancholy kind of feeling and very folk-art oriented, which is different from the special effects and demands of the U.S. The opening and the closing ceremonies for both the Olympic and Paralympic Games will be different from each other. But we want to be original, creative, colorful and vibrant. What I mean is Opening Ceremony probably is more thematic, theme oriented and will going to be dazzling.

Associated Press Television
I have two questions. One is about the fireworks and the security. How close will the normal spectators be able to get in order to see the fireworks at the area of Bird's Nest and the Olympic Green? My second question is: what happens if it rains?

Deng Shaohui
Thank you for the question and for your attention on the fireworks. I should say that in the neighboring area of the Bird's Nest, the maximum height will be 100-120 meters above the sky, and some of the special fireworks actually measured up to 500 meters. What do you mean by the distance for safety? Do you mean safe for the spectators inside the venue or the visitors or local residents? Outside the radius of 80 meters to 100 meters, it should be safe.

Associated Press Television
How close can the local residents get close to the Bird's Nest because they are going to close all the roads? Where can we find a good spot to watch the fireworks?

Deng Shaohui
We have controlling areas around the Olympic Green. 100 meters away from the Olympic Green will be a good spot for you to watch. But we do have a lot of buildings surround the area. The security parameter is within the radius of 100 meters.

Cai Guoqiang
I can follow up the question raised by the journalists of AP. He doesn't seem so happy with our answer. Actually, the height is not necessarily the best of the security people's concern. Because sometimes, if it is higher, it is probably safer. 100 or 200 meters above, for some people in a distance, they actually feel like it is right above their heads. We have technical parameters. For example in Shichahai, it is very crowded and so it is pretty low. But in parks and other parks and Tian'anmen Square, so we can shoot up higher to the sky. People don't have to go close to the sites to see the fireworks.

Chengdu Business Daily
Have you considered any incidence, for example, what if there is dumb scroll or what if it rains?

Deng Shaohui
2% dumb scroll is allowed according to the Chinese standard firework display. Because fireworks are all manually made, so with the case in the worst, it is very challenging for us to ensure the quality. Of July 16 for the rehearsal of the fireworks, in the dragon-shaped landscape water system, we shot up about 10,000 shells, and less than 1% was dumb.

What about rains, if it is only drizzle, it is ok. But if it is shower, it would affect our firework. In our contingency plan, we take that into consideration. If it is continuing shower, we probably have to cancel the firework display.

Wen Wei Po
First question. Mr. Wang, you said the total budget is really low. But how exactly low? Can you give the figure? And my second question, on July 16, I saw the fireworks, I saw some long lasting affects like the white smoke. How are we going to avoid that from happening? Also, I understand that there was a fire incident. So other than the clothing, the fireproof clothing, I understand you also have to make some adjustment to the science. What about the safety of the workers? And also another question, there is a hat-like thing in the Bird's Nest. Is that something related to the fireworks?

Wang Ning
I am sure you are very concerned about the budget. I said it is low but I have some comparison. I was comparing it to other similar events. Relatively speaking, it is low. The operation center is responsible for the four ceremonies of the Olympic and Paralympic Games, the production and the operation, everything. The cost of the ceremony is not out yet. But what I can tell you we are costing absolutely low compared to other events like this.

Deng Shaohui
The smoke and dust during the rehearsal of July 16, in terms of the standards, what we were trying to achieve is to minimize smokes. And after all, it is gun powder.

As for the second question, fire incidence? Are you talking about on July 16? We didn't have any fire incident at the above the Bird's Nest?

Due to the membrane structure of the Bird's Nest, to ensure the safety, we did two experimental or rehearsal of fireworks. The first time, because we did some rush preparation, probably 5 to 6 days, so we actually use substitute devices for ignition. We didn't use the designated fireworks for the opening ceremonies because we just decided the suppliers of the fireworks. And we are just testing the impact on the main structure. So we just use some substitute fireworks, some parts were melted on the membrane structure. We use the designated devices for ignition and fireworks products one month later. One ten of fireworks was used compared to the actual consumption and affecting tense of the area, no impact.

On July 16, it was exactly the same scale and amount of fireworks used compared to the opening ceremony. On the Bird's Nest, there is no impact on the membrane structure. Not the holes. So two different things and hat-shaped structure has nothing to do with the fireworks.

Hong Kong Commercial Daily
Any Hong Kong specialists or experts involved in the fireworks plan? Because Hong Kong has some display for fireworks and Hong Kong is also a co-host city. Any graphics of equestrian?

Cai Guoqiang
Unfortunately, no graphics of equestrian. Maybe we can create equestrian graphics in the sky in Hong Kong so that Hong Kong and Beijing can echo each other. Very good idea. Specialists and experts in Hong Kong are not involved. Our team mainly is composed of people from mainland China, from Jiangxi manufactures and Hubei.

AP
In terms of all the potentially exclusive fireworks we are going to have for the opening ceremony, what specific security measures are you taking in terms of protecting the fireworks in all the different areas?

Deng Shaohui
I will take this question. For the safety of the fireworks, it is not only for the on site stadium. Our efforts, generally speaking, from the very beginning, including the production and delivery and final installation, we have all the safety measures in place. The on site safety, firstly, depending on the quality of the product, therefore, the Beijing municipal quality supervision authorities have developed a special regulation and standards, which is higher for the firework products. For example, the dumb shell rate, according to national it is 2%. However, for Olympics, it is much lower. So we can ensure the safety of the firework display. For the release safety and security, it is to do with the equipment and facilities.

On top of the Bird's Nest, we have very special design. As you know, it is steel structure on the top of the Bird's Nest. Normally, we have developed special gadget to secure the release equipment with the top of the Bird's Nest to ensure safety and security. The utilization of the special gadget will ensure there will be no damage for the membrane structure. For the ground level, the dragon-shaped landscape water system, along Hujing East Road, we have the firework site in place. During the installation of the testing stage, the security authorities developed very practical measures for the whole installation, it was conducted and supervised by the quality control authorities of the city to ensure the equipment will be 100 % safe for operation.

Sun WeideThank you for all the three guests. I will keep notice. At 11 o'clock of July 25, still in this press conference hall we are going to have a conference on the opening of the Olympic Village. Your present will be welcome. Thank you!

Fireworks to highlight Olympic Games Opening Ceremony

Fireworks will be set off during the Opening Ceremony of the Olympic Games on August 8 to create a joyous and festive atmosphere. 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

Sun Weide
Good afternoon, Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to our today's press conference at MPC on fireworks display. Introduction of the guests on stage, Mr. Wang Ning, executive deputy director of Opening & Closing Ceremonies Department, BOCOG, director of the Opening & Closing Ceremonies Operation Centre, Mr. Deng Shaohui, deputy director of Opening & Closing Ceremonies Department, BOCOG, deputy director of Opening & Closing Ceremonies Operation Centre, Mr. Cai Guoqiang, member of Core Creative Team, director of Visual & Special Effects of Opening & Closing Ceremonies for Olympics & Paralympics. To start, Mr. Wang Ning will give us a brief introduction of the plan of the fireworks on the Opening Ceremony.

Wang Ning
Friends from media, good afternoon. It is a pleasure for me to talk about the fireworks display for the Beijing Olympic Games Opening Ceremony on the evening of 8th of August complementing with the cultural performances and protocol proceedings.

1. At the Opening Ceremony, we will set up above the National Stadium Olympic Central Zone, Olympic Forest Park, north-south access line and the Great Wall at Juyongguan. The fireworks will be dazzling of different various combinations lasting 20 minutes, altogether creating joyous and festive atmosphere of jubilation.


2. Reflecting the Olympic ideals
   The fireworks at the ceremony will have different shapes and combinations; we will try to add elements as well as symbols to reflect the Olympic ideals. We hope to promote the Olympic ideals though the ignition of fireworks. For example, some of the fire works will be fired off to give stories of the Olympic history, it will depict how the ideals arrive in Beijing and finally settled in the Bird's Nest, and also depict how Chinese are aspired to achieve the century's dreams for the Olympics. For the first time, the shape of the Olympic Rings will be formed.


3. Implementing the idea of High-tech Olympic Games
   Some of the technologies are very sophisticated. For instance, compressive air launch, chamber pressure launch and computerized ignition technologies. All of these technologies will be employed for the first time for fireworks display. This clearly shows the feature of a 'High-tech Olympics'.


4. Highlighting the characteristic of a 'Green Olympics'
   Some of the fireworks at the Opening Ceremony will use small smoke powder, or so-called 'minimum smoke powder'. Some sophisticated launch tech will reduce the smoke and dust to minimize the impact or pollution to the environment.


5. We are aiming to achieve in and out of the venue effects.
   At the Opening Ceremony, for the Olympic Games, the fireworks will not only be for the sake of the people inside the venue and the Olympic Green, the central zone outside the venue will also be combined. The fireworks are along the Olympic Green all the way to the forest park.


6. We are experimenting new fireworks.
   In addition to traditional fireworks, we also use new types. For example, chip controlled shell and special affect display shells.

Above are some of the characteristics of the fireworks of the Opening Ceremony for the Beijing Olympic Games. The fireworks involve a large area. It is very difficult and complicated to carry out. The fireworks will be set off at different stages. We also have high standard to ensure the safety, safe and sound operation of the fireworks, we organize specialists and experts to put together document for the quality, safety, reliability and high-tech reliability and check delivering as well as storage for the fireworks and collateral devices and equipment. Meantime, after repeated experiments, we also developed elaborate plan as well as operational plan to supervise the operation.

It will not affect the rules or the parade of the athletes on August 8. We will also take measures to ensure the security and infrastructures. On July 16, we conducted the first rehearsal of our Opening Ceremony. Overall, the fireworks rehearsal met our expectations. Our work and operation were tested especially. I want to mention that after the rehearsal, the fireworks caused no damage to the steel bone structure of the National Stadium or to the main brain structure, or to the on-site audiences. Today is 16 days away from the Opening Ceremony, and we are still refining our plan. We hope to make our fireworks the most spectacular part of the Opening Ceremony.

That is my introduction. I would like to present one of my colleagues here. He is the creator and designer of the fireworks at the Olympic Games, Mr. Cai Guoqiang, acclaimed artists. Thank you.

Sun Weide
Mr. Cai will give us a brief introduction on creative plan of the fireworks

Cai Guoqiang

Good afternoon, Mr. Wang just gave you a general and comprehensive plan. I, myself joined the team in 2005. All the way from the start of the bidding process, I received the certificate from Mr. Wang and I can still remember that. I gave a lot of my artistic works in the plan. I submitted a lot of my work plan. It took me 2 to 3 years for the preparation. It was a long journey for me. Basically, in 2005 there are a lot of teams who proposed a lot of plans. The team has had a lot of discussions in the creations and the designs. Some of the highlights are no longer there, but the original ideas are still there. I would like to thank the bosses and the leaders for the Opening Ceremony as well as the director of the ceremony for their support to my creative work. And also I would like to thank the team of the fireworks for the security and all the other supports.

As you know, gunpowder is one of the inventions of China. The Opening and Closing Ceremonies all have fireworks display. Fireworks are effective to pump up the atmosphere. It never missed. But the fireworks this time are not only for the sake of pumping up the atmosphere, but have a goal to achieve the theme. It can play the role of storytelling, too. That poses challenges to fireworks in terms of technology and design. I am not going to talk more details about the technology. I would like to talk about some of the features and characteristics of the fireworks ignition.

For example, along the dragon-shaped landscape water system of the Olympic Green, the fireworks will be fired up into yellow dragon and red peonies. The computer ignition system will control the fireworks. So within seconds, the fireworks will span 3.5 kilometers, so that it will be right after the flag raising. Another example: From Yongdingmen to the National Stadium, we have the sense of sights depicting how the Olympics arrived in China, to Beijing, and to the Bird's Nest.

The fireworks will be thematic and concept based. I think it will be very conducive for the inauguration and Opening Ceremony of the Olympic Games. During the climax of the performances, we will display the thousands of pictures of smiling faces collected from all around the world. At that moment, to accompany the picture display, we're going to release the fireworks picturing 2008 smiling faces in the sky. Also, after the Olympic Flame is lighted above the Bird's Nest, we are going to fire the "shan" fireworks to symbolize the historical connection between the past and the present.

As for the details and other displays, I would like to give you some very basic ideas of what the fireworks are going to be. This will be a very glamorous moment of the Opening Ceremony which will only take several seconds. We are going to release the display of the Olympic Rings as well. For the details of all the displays, we will release that on the day of the Opening Ceremony.

On July 16, we have the fireworks rehearsal, Here are some of the pictures. This is above the dragon-shaped landscape water system of the Olympic Green, you can see a dragon shaped fireworks. Next, the red peony display shells. It is above the Bird's Nest. You will see everything in the Opening Ceremony. This is the moment of the countdown. In the Bird's Nest, we have one difficulty and one advantage. The difficulty is how to meet the demands of the spectators within the Bird's Nest because the Bird's Nest is a semi-closed shaped. We can play fireworks of different varieties and colors. Spectators will be accommodated at different layers. We will also set up a lighting equipment support so that the fireworks can be seen within and outside the stadium.

The fireworks will be broadcasted, and spectators within the stadium will be having a good time to have a better chance to enjoy the fireworks. This is the dragon I was mentioning along the dragon-shaped landscape water system. It was very spectacular with a length of 3.5 kilometers. This is the gun pressure launching a smiling face firework. It will be very accurately aimed and lighted up at the sky to form a picture so this is technically very demanding. We have spent two years on this technology. Thank you.

Sun Weide
Thank you Mr. Cai. Now I'll give the floor to the friends from media.

Apple DailyI'm from the Apple Daily. What is the budget of the fireworks display? In addition to the spectators within the National Stadium, outside the National Stadium, how many people do you estimate will be able to see the fireworks? Thank you.

Wang Ning
Thank you for the question. I will take the first one. For the cost of the fireworks, during the preparation of the Olympic Games, we have a very important concept which is to hold the Olympic Games in a cost effective way. This is especially embodied in the preparation for the Opening Ceremony. Generally speaking, the budget and the cost are very low as compared to events of the same level. Fireworks are costly as we know. During the Opening Ceremony preparation, however, it only takes a very small part of the total cost of the Opening Ceremony. As you know, China is the birthplace of the gunpowder and fireworks. We have a lot of products to choose from. As for the specific number, I can only give you a percentage points. Fireworks will take less than 1% of the total cost of the Opening Ceremony. For your second question, for the characteristics of the fireworks, I said we need to combine the effects both inside and outside the stadium to light up the skyline of Beijing on the August 8, to give everybody an opportunity to experience the joy brought by the Olympic Games. Therefore, in addition to the release within the Olympic Green central domain, we also have other locations appointed so that more and more people will see the fireworks. Thank you.

Cai Guoqiang
From Yongdingmen to the Tian'anmen Square to the Bird's Nest, we have 29 artistic fireworks which will be displayed. That is from Tiananmen to Yongdingmen to the Bird's Nest to the Forest Parks. In those key areas, we will have fireworks which will last for 10 minutes, leading up to the climax of the Opening Ceremony. We have 73 release sites located surrounding the Bird's Nest. From the director's point of view, we want to make the National Stadium extended to the city center so that people in downtown can also experience part of the Opening Ceremony.

Reporter from Brazil
Can you explain a little bit more about the technological involvement in the ignition system? If I understood correctly, it's the first time that this kind of technology will be used for the ignition of fireworks. What does it need in terms of the accuracy and perfection of the part you are going to see? Can you give us the idea of the amount of the fireworks that will be used? Can you give us an idea of how big it is going to be as compared with the past events?

Cai Guoqiang
The total amount will be 35,000 shells. Obviously it's a big number; however it is not too much. We are trying to use them in all the key points and key locations. For the 10-second display and the dragon-shaped fireworks, the fact is we are not using too much fireworks. But we are trying to achieve the best effects. From the technological point of view, we are using some of the traditional display shells as seen in other events.

In addition, we are also preparing a vast variety of displays to be special and to be different. Also, we are working on the brightness of all the fireworks so that it can be seen really well on the pictures and on the broadcaster's point of view. We have the air compression lauch system and also the gun pressure release system. With this system, we can better adjust the pressure before lauching so that we can control the height of the fireworks, so this is what we have done technically.

Children sing for Olympics

Olympic outdoor activities already are in full swing at parks and plazas in Beijing. Sunday, children from all over China performed at the plaza of the Millennium Monument, expressing their excitement.

The kids from everywhere sang in chorus, in solos and they joined in ethnic dances. All of the performances were created especially for the Games. Popular children's TV host Ju Ping acted as Master of Ceremonies. The talented kid artists offered their tribute to this year's games. And their excitement was reflected in their beaming faces and merry dancing. Some well-known young singers joined in.

Olympic outdoor activities already are in full swing at parks. (Photo credit: CCTV)

If the Olympic Games are festive for Beijingers and for all Chinese people, the children especially add that unrestrained quality of youthful enthusiasm. As participants, helping to raise the Olympic spirit, it's a happy summer holiday for all these kids, one they will always remember.

Phase Four Olympics ticket sales to start

BOCOG announced on July 22 the policy concerning the phase four sales of Olympic tickets to the domestic public. Beginning July 25, the remaining 820,000 Olympic tickets will be sold at venue ticket booths from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. daily.

Unlike the first three phases, the fourth phase of ticket sales is open to the individuals rather than groups, and the public can line up to buy tickets at ticket booths of the Olympic venues and pay with cash or a Visa card.

In order to give more people a chance to buy tickets, each person is allowed to buy at most two tickets for one session at once.

According to Zhu Yan, director of the BOCOG Ticketing Center, only tickets for competitions taking place locally will be available for purchase. Of the 820,000 remaining tickets, 250,000 are for competitions in the Beijing area. Venues in the co-host cities -- Shanghai, Tianjin, Shenyang and Qinhuangdao -- will only sell tickets for Football matches to be held in each respective city.

Where to live in Beijing during Olympic 2008?

Five Reasons to Choose a Hostel

A Smart and Economic Stay
The price of hotel during Beijing 2008 has reached its sky_high. According current reservation rate, an economic hotel room is expected to be around $350/night and a luxury room is about $500-$800. Even for a normal bed in youth hotels, the rate will be increased to $100/night. Officials from the Beijing Municipal Government have already announced that they will not restrict hotel room rates during the Olympics.

On the other hand, there are family owned hostel, bed & breakfast and short-term renting apartment available during Beijing 2008. Those hostels provide hotel-grad services while the price will be a lot cheaper than equivalent services in hotels. The trip will surely become economical and pleasant.


Comfortable and Customized Services
"We prefer hostel to hotels. The price will surely be cheaper and hostels are usually located in developed communities and are comfortable to live in", Mrs. White, a visitor from USA, gives her comments after her Beijing tour.

Similar to the equipments in hotel, hostel also provides standard bedroom and bathroom. The hostel could provide more, such as full-equipment kitchen, living-room and balcony. The developed community also has various restaurant, super market, park, bank and hospitals.

As the local resident, the landlord will be your real guide during Beijing 2008. They could provide a lot of customized services, such as airport-hostel transportation, free internet, local mobile phone renting, SIM card purchasing and even helping to get Olympic tickets.


Nearby Olympic Venues and Fast Transportation
According to news, all of the best hotels within the fourth ring road are nearly fully booked by Beijing Olympic organization for Olympic officials, international VIPs, sponsors and media organizations. So, how could you find a living place close to your favorite Olympic venues?

Try to search the 10-minutes-walk hostels nearby the Olympic venues on our map. You could also find a lot of hostels close to the Subway/Metro station within 5 minutes walk.


Experience Real Chinese Culture
Home_stay with a Chinese family; Dinner with a Chinese family; Expirence Chinese Culture, Chinese language and literature, Confucianism, Buddhism, Chinese strategy.

The visitors could have the experience of real Chinese culture by living in hostel during Beijing 2008. Besides Olympic Games, the visitors could also have a wonderful tour in Beijing top attractions, such as Great Wall, Forbidden City, Summer Palace and etc.

The Earlier Reservation, the Much Saving Your Money
The earlier reservation, you could get the cheaper price and the hostel more nearby the Olympic venues. The landlord may also help booking competition tickets for you by now.

How Can You Trust the Hostel?
try this Trust Program

IAAF president: Beijing Olympics will be one of the greatest ever held

The head of the International Association of Athletics Federations, Lamine Diack, predicted in an interview with the official website of the 2008 Olympic Games that "the Beijing Olympics will be one of the greatest ever held, not just for athletics, but for all sports."

"I hope they [the Olympics] allow the Chinese people to express the special culture of their wonderful country," said IAAF President Lamine Diack, who is also a member of International Olympic Committee.

IAAF president Lamine Diack

Diack forecast in a cyberspace-based interview that Beijing's elevated temperatures in August could challenge some of the athletes set to converge on the ancient Chinese capital from across the world: "Athletics is a very complex sport which is made up of many different throwing, jumping and running events. So the weather in Beijing, which we expect to be hot and humid, will be excellent for the sprinters and jumpers, but not ideal for athletes in long distance events such as race walk and marathon."

Yet many of the athletes slated to join the Olympic Games, he added, got a foretaste of the weather conditions likely to prevail in the Chinese capital next month when they took part in last summer's IAAF World Championships in Osaka, Japan. He explained that Osaka has very similar climate to Beijing's.

The head of the IAAF is himself a former athlete and one-time university champion in the long jump. He is also a champion when it comes to building a family. The official website of the IAAF states that Diack has 15 children.

The IAAF, the global governing group on athletics, was established nearly a century ago, and is currently headquartered in Monaco. The group organizes competitions that include the IAAF World Championships in Athletics, the World Junior Championships in Athletics and the AF Golden League.

Lamine Diack has headed the group since 1999.

Diack told the official website of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games that "IAAF representatives say that the [Olympic] stadium is not only an exceptional architectural monument but also has everything they need to conduct an excellent athletics competition."

"I have no doubts at all that the new track will motivate the athletes to perform at their best highest level," he added.

The IAAF's Golden League competitions this year, Diack said, have helped an array of athletes prepare for the Summer Games in Beijing. "The IAAF is currently studying the future of the Golden League," he explained. "Our biggest priority is to extend the circuit outside of Europe and certainly, we fully expect to have competitions from Asia included in the "new Golden League".

Diack also suggested that the Olympic Games, being staged for the first ever by China, have the power to infuse an entire generation of young people with the spirit of global games and interaction: "My wish is that the youth in China benefits from the Games in terms of enthusiasm and motivation."

Olympic tickets distributed to Olympic Education Schools

With the Beijing Olympic Games one month away, BOCOG and the Ministry of Education distributed Olympic tickets allotted for schools involved in the Olympic education program nationwide on Tuesday.

Following the practice of previous Olympics, BOCOG is offering elementary and secondary schools under the program up to one million tickets, or 14 percent of the total ticket pool, at low prices of five yuan to ten yuan per ticket. Opening and closing ceremony tickets are not included in the special ticketing program.

To ensure sound arrangement for students' accommodations and transportation, ten high schools in Beijing have been designated as hosts to offer affordable services.

BOCOG and the Education Ministry have also issued a special invitation to 65 teachers and students from earthquake-hit areas in Sichuan Province to attend the Olympics as a part of the program.

Beijing Olympic Main Press Center opens

(BEIJING, July 8) -- The Main Press Center (MPC) for the Beijing Olympics formally opened on Tuesday, July 8 and will follow a 24-hour operation schedule between July 25 and August 27 for media crews from around the world, Director of the MPC and IBC operation team, Sha Wanquan, told reporters Tuesday.

The International Broadcast Center (IBC), nearby the MPC, also began operation Tuesday, stated Director of the BOCOG Median Operations Department, Sun Weijia, who joined Sha at the press conference.


Sun Weide, deputy director of the BOCOG Media and Communications Department chairs the press conference.
The Chinese government, Beijing Municipal Government and BOCOG have attached great importance to media services with courtesy for media members a top consideration, both Sha and Sun stressed.


Sha Wanquan gives a briefing.
With a floor space of 62,000 square meters, the MPC is the largest media center in Olympic history. Located within reach of the "Bird's Nest", "Water Cube", National Indoor Stadium, the Olympic Fencing Hall, the Olympic Village, Media Village and other venues, the MPC allows for more convenient news coverage and easy access by journalists.

The two media hotels are conjoined to the MPC, allowing for direct flow between media work space and living quarters, setting a precedent for the Olympic Games, Sha said.

With 971 workstations, the press work room is also the largest in Olympic history. Among these workstations, 680 are equipped with electrical and network interface features to provide media crews with optimal communication capabilities. An additional 206 workstations will be available for photographers. W-LAN and laptop locks will accompany all stations for user convenience. To date a record 144 media organizations have rented 110 offices at the facility.

The MPC and IBC will follow international practice to provide information terminals, Games-time live broadcasting, competition results, and print and distribution service stations. "In addition, we have also set up a resource area offering a variety of international newspapers, magazines, and library facilities for members of the media," Sha said. "Abundant news coverage and press conferences addressing various topics will also be conducted to provide additional information," he added.

For added convenience, the MPC will offer facilities such as free of charge internet buffet, mobile phone charging stations, Internet IC card lending machine, a bank, a post office, a UPS center, a medical station, a pharmacy, a licensed product shop, a dry cleaning shop, a hair dresser, a travel agency, a convenient store and vending machines. The MPC will also offer a restaurant with a wide selection of international foods, media lounge, massage room, gym, showers and other spaces for relaxation.

Discussing the IBC, Sun said that it would also offer similar facilities for media teams. Additional information would be made available through press conferences from July 8 to 23. Starting July 8, the help desk will begin accepting applications for use of interview facilities and assisting crews with navigating the facility and addressing any concerns.


Sun Weijia gives a briefing.
Offering optimal working conditions and cutting edge technology capabilities has been a priority for planners. "Ever since the early planning stage, we have been committed to top service and setting new Olympic precedents with our offerings," Sun said.

This would be the first time high definition signals would be provided to broadcasters to serve over four billion spectators around the world

"This is also the first time that new media technologies such as the internet and mobile phones will be used for widespread broadcasting," Sun said.

Chinese vice president inspects Olympic equestrian events venues in HK

HONG KONG, July 6 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping inspected the equestrian events venues for the 2008 Beijing Olympics and Paralympics Sunday afternoon to get firsthand information about Hong Kong's preparations for the Games.

Xi inspected the racecourses for the equestrian events at the Beas River and Shatin in the New Territories of Hong Kong.

He will be briefed in the afternoon on the preparation work for the 2008 Olympic and Paralympic equestrian events by officials from the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region government.

The Olympic equestrian events will run from Aug. 9 to 21, with jumping and dressage events to be held at Shatin and the cross country competition at the Beas River.

Xi arrived in Hong Kong Sunday morning from Shenzhen on a three-day inspection tour.

Flash Base little Beijing Olympic 2008 Countdown

Are you want to put Beijing Olympic 2008 Countdown at your website with flash base.
here the little scale countdown base on flash look like :

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To put this little Beijing Olympic 2008 Countdown by place code below :
<div align="center"><span>olympic 2008 countdown</span><object classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" width="150" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=7,0,19,0" height="36"><param value="http://welcome2bj2008.com//images/coutdown.swf" name="movie"><param value="high" name="quality"><embed pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" quality="High" width="150" src="http://welcome2bj2008.com/images/coutdown.swf" height="36" wmode="transparent" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"></embed></object><span><a href="beijing2008view.blogspot.com">beijing olympic 2008</a></span></div>

Olympic Beijing 2008 Countdown #1
Olympic Beijing 2008 Countdown #2
Beijing Olympic 2008 Mascots
Beibei, Olympic 2008 Mascot
Jingjing, Olympic 2008 Mascot
Huanhuan, Olympic 2008 Mascot
Yingying, Olympic 2008 Mascot
Nini, Olympic 2008 Mascot
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The Beijing Olympic Countdown Widget in English

This widget are special present for english usage create by Qirui Guo @ Beijing, China

So if you support China and the Olympic Games, just put this HTML code into your blog:

<p><embed style="”overflow:" src="”http://aw.awflasher.com/2008e.swf”" width="”140″" height="”260″" type="”application/x-shockwave-flash”/"></embed></p>

However, if you don’t like the “support links”, you may use this code:

&<p><embed style="”overflow:" src="”http://aw.awflasher.com/2008e.swf”" width="”140″" height="”260″" type="”application/x-shockwave-flash”"></embed></p>

However, if you don’t like the “support links”, you may use this code:

<p><embed style="”overflow:" src="”http://aw.awflasher.com/2008e.swf?skipSupport=" width="”140″" height="”260″" type="”application/x-shockwave-flash”"></embed></p>

Of course, available in Chinese here.
It’s also available in Netvibes, WordPress and Facebook as:
(URL) 2008 Beijing Olympics Countdown (Netvibes widget)
(Download) 2008 Beijing Olympics Countdown (WordPress plugin)
(Application) Countdown to 2008 Beijing Olympic Games (Facebook Application)
However, if you don’t like it, just forget it :)
So if you support China and the Olympic Games, just put this HTML code into your blog:

<p><embed style="overflow: hidden; width: 140px; height: 260px" src="http://aw.awflasher.com/2008e.swf" width="140" height="260" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"></embed></p>

However, if you don’t like the "support links", you may use this code:

<p><embed style="overflow: hidden; width: 140px; height: 260px" src="http://aw.awflasher.com/2008e.swf?skipSupport=yes" width="140" height="260" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"></embed></p>

Of course, available in Chinese here.

Of course, available in Chinese here.
It’s also available in Netvibes, WordPress and Facebook as:
(URL) 2008 Beijing Olympics Countdown (Netvibes widget)
(Download) 2008 Beijing Olympics Countdown (WordPress plugin)
(Application) Countdown to 2008 Beijing Olympic Games (Facebook Application)

Olympic Beijing 2008 Countdown #1
Olympic Beijing 2008 Countdown #2
Beijing Olympic 2008 Mascots
Beibei, Olympic 2008 Mascot
Jingjing, Olympic 2008 Mascot
Huanhuan, Olympic 2008 Mascot
Yingying, Olympic 2008 Mascot
Nini, Olympic 2008 Mascot
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International torch relay for Beijing Paralympic Games cancelled

The planned international route of the Beijing 2008 Paralympic torch relay was cancelled, announced the Beijing 2008 Organizing Committee for the Olympic Games (BOCOG) here on Wednesday.

Due to the devastating May 12 earthquake that struck China, BOCOG has decided to modify arrangements for the Paralympic torch relay under the principle of "safe, simple and effective".

According to BOCOG, those changes have been made to afford the Chinese government to focus on the rescue and relief work and show support for the people affected by the earthquake.

Changes to the Paralympic torch relay include shortened domestic routes calling off four stops of Chengdu, Chongqing, Urumqi and Tianjin, simplified procedures and the cancellation of the international route of the relay which was due to pass through Vancouver in Canada, London in Britain and Sochi in Russia. Besides, the Hong Kong stop was also snuffed out.
Nevertheless, the committee welcomes all overseas torch bearers to join the domestic relay, a BOCOG official told Xinhua.

The official expressed BOCOG's thanks to the International Paralympic Committee, the National Paralympic Committee of countries concerned, the international community as well as the government and people from the four cities -- Vancouver, London, Sochi and the Chinese Special Administrative Region of Hong Kong.

The BOCOG will spare no effort on holding both the Olympic and Paralympic Games, the official said.

The Beijing 2008 Paralympic torch relay was to be the first to include an international leg. The BOCOG announced the planned torch relay routes last September, including 16 domestic legs, 3 international legs and Hong Kong.

The Beijing Olympic Torch

The Beijing Olympic Torch boasts strong Chinese characteristics, and showcases Chinese design and technical capabilities. It embodies the concepts of a Green Olympics, a High-tech Olympics and the People's Olympics.

The Key Facts about the Torch
The torch is 72 centimetres high, weighs 985 grams and is made of aluminium. The torch is of a curved surface form, with etching and anodizing being used during its production. A torch can usually keep burning for approximately 15 minutes in conditions where the flame is 25 to 30 centimetres high in a windless environment. The torch has been produced to withstand winds of up to 65 kilometres per hour and to stay alight in rain up to 50mm an hour. The flame can be identified and photographed in sunshine and areas of extreme brightness. The fuel is propane which is in accordance with environmental guidelines. The material of its form is recyclable.

The Artistic and Technical Features of the Torch
The torch of the Beijing Olympic Games has a very strong Chinese flavour. It demonstrates the artistic and technical level of China. It also conveys the message of a Green Olympics, a High-tech Olympics and the People's Olympics. The shape of the paper scroll and the lucky clouds graphic, expresses the idea of harmony. Its stable burning technique and adaptability to the environment have reached a new technical level. The torch of the Beijing Olympic Games is designed, researched and produced in China. BOCOG owns all intellectual property rights.

The Fuel for the Torch
Under the concept of a Green Olympics, environmental protection was a key element listed in the invitation documents to the design companies, by BOCOG. The fuel of the torch is propane, which is a common fuel which also comes with a low price. It is composed of carbon and hydrogen. No material, except carbon dioxide and water remain after the burning, eliminating any risk of pollution.

The Burning System
Its stable burning technique and adaptability to the environment have reached a new technical level. It can stay alight in severe weather conditions such as strong wind, rain, snow, hail, etc. The flame can also be identified in sunshine and areas of extreme brightness so as to satisfy the requirements of capturing photographic images and video footage.

The Design Timelines

• 2005 August BOCOG developed the design concepts and requirements of the torch.
• 2005 December BOCOG recruited potential torch designs from the design society. In total, BOCOG received 388 pieces of works. 2006 June-August BOCOG selected the structural designer and the burning system designer.
• 2007 January Beijing Olympic Torch was approved by IOC

Olympic City : Qingdao International Marina

Location: City of Qingdao
Use during the Games: Sailing
Category: New competition venue (under construction)

Qingdao

Qingdao is located on the southern coastline of the Shandong Peninsula, in east China's Shandong Province. Dubbed "Eastern Switzerland", Qingdao is one of China's most important port cities. With an area of 10,654 km2, it has a population of 7.31 million by the end of 2004.

A unique blend of sea and mountains and a pleasant climate make Qingdao extraordinary. It has an average temperature of 12.2 degrees Celsius and a total length of coastline (including that of its 69 offshore islands) of 862.64 kilometers, of which 730 kilometers are continental.

Qingdao is an important manufacturing centre, an ice-free seaport and one of the most important textile industrial centres in China. It is also famed as a transit pivot for Eurasia and the Pacific region.

Qingdao International Marina

The Qingdao International Marina for the Games of the 29th Olympiad is located on the old site of the Beihai shipyard by Qingdao's Fushan Bay in China's Shangdong Province. The Centre will cover a total area of 45 hectares (450,000 sq.m.), two thirds of which will be utilised for the competitions.

The whole project is comprised of the Land Area, and the Harbor and the Off-shore Section. The projects on land will provide the administration and competition management centre, the athletes' centre, the press centre, the logistic and functional centre, and other affiliated facilities as well. The Harbor and Off-Shore parts will focus on the engineering of the major and secondary breakwater, an embankment, a quay featuring the Olympic Memorial Wall, and the renovation of the shore wall.

The quay, the secondary breakwater, and the embankment will enclose an area of 15.5 hectares (155,000 sq.m.) while the major breakwater, together with the embankment, will occupy 7.5 hectares (75,000 sq.m.). Additional overlay and facilities will also be placed for temporary use of the Games. A removable surveying shed and a pontoon, for instance, will be set up separately on the embankment and the western quay to facilitate observations and transportation.

Pictograms of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games unveiled

The Beijing Organizing Committee for the Games of the XXIX Olympiad (BOCOG) released the Pictograms of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games on the occasion of the 2-year countdown to the opening of the Games.

One of the basic image elements of the Olympics, the Olympic Games Pictograms are widely applied in areas such as Olympic directional instruction system, advertising and communications, landscape and environmental arrangement, TV broadcasting and souvenir designs. The Pictograms play an important role in identifying the Olympic sports as well as in Olympic marketing.

Named "the beauty of seal characters" and with strokes of seal characters as their basic form, the Pictograms of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games integrate pictographic charm of inscriptions on bones and bronze objects in ancient China with simplified embodiment of modern graphics, making them recognizable, rememberable and easy to use. Skillfully using the effect of sharp contrast between the black and white colors which the typical Chinese traditional artistic form of rubbings have, the Pictograms of the Beijing Olympic Games display distinct motion character, graceful aesthetic perception of movement and rich cultural connotations, thus arriving at the harmony and unity of form with conception.

The Beijing Olympics Pictograms comprise of 35 sport icons, namely those of athletics, rowing, badminton, baseball, basketball, boxing, canoe / kayak flatwater, canoe / kayak slalom, cycling, equestrian, fencing, football, artistic gymnastics, rhythmic gymnastics, trampoline, weightlifting, handball, hockey, judo, wrestling, swimming, synchronized swimming, diving, water polo, modern pentathlon, softball, taekwondo, tennis, table tennis, shooting, archery, triathlon, sailing, volleyball and beach volleyball.

In March 2005, BOCOG invited four professional design institutes and organizations to the solicitation campaign of Pictograms of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games. The design based on "seal characters" by China Central Academy of Fine Arts and that on "string" by Academy of Arts and Design, Tsinghua University were shortlisted after experts' appraisal.

A joint design working group between China Central Academy of Fine Arts and Academy of Arts and Design constantly improved and perfected the design in accordance with the suggestions of BOCOG and experts home and abroad.

In December 2005, BOCOG submitted the Beijing Olympic Pictograms to the 28 International Sports Federations (IFs) for approval, and all of IFs had endorsed the Pictograms by April 2006. And in June this year, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) granted the set of the Pictograms.

Beijing 2008 Olympic Emblem - Invitation

Invitation

"Dancing Beijing" is a kind invitation. The open arms in the emblem say that China is opening its arms to welcome the rest of the world to join the Olympics, a celebration of "peace, friendship and progress of mankind."

"Is it not a joy to have friends come from afar?" The idiom portrays the feelings of friendly and hospitable Chinese people and expresses the sincerity of the city.

Come to Beijing, take a good look at the historical heritages of China's Capital city, and feel the pulse of the country's modernization;

Come, share every piece of its joy, and experience the vigor of the country;

Come, and let us together weave a peaceful and wonderful dream.

! Milestone ! Commitment ! Image ! Beauty ! Hero ! Spirit ! Invitation !
Beijing 2008 Olympic Games Mascot

Beijing 2008 Olympic Emblem - Spirit

Spirit

"Dancing Beijing" extends the totem of the Chinese nation. The form of a running human being stands for the beauty and magnificence of life. Its graceful curves are like the body of a wriggling dragon, relating the past and future of one same civilization; they are like rivers, carrying the century-old history and the nation's pride; they are like veins, pulsing with vitality of life.

The intrinsic values of sports -- athlete-centered and people-oriented - are well defined and upgraded in an artistic way in "the dance of Beijing." We sing if words fail to explain it all, and we dance if the singing does not explicitly tell the meaning.

Vigorous Beijing is looking forward to the celebration in 2008 and the Olympics wait all mankind to dance together.

! Milestone ! Commitment ! Image ! Beauty ! Hero ! Spirit ! Invitation !
Beijing 2008 Olympic Games Mascot

Beijing 2008 Olympic Emblem - Hero

Hero

"Dancing Beijing" calls upon heroes. Olympic Games functions as the stage where heroes are made known, miracles created and glories earned, and where every participant constitutes an indispensable part of the occasion.

The powerful and dynamic design of the emblem is a life poem written by all participants with their passion, affections, and enthusiasm. It is an oath every participant takes to contribute power and wisdom to the Olympics.

The emblem cheers for arts and for the Olympic heroes, who pass down the essence of the Olympic Spirit, which well connects sports and cultures.

! Milestone ! Commitment ! Image ! Beauty ! Hero ! Spirit ! Invitation !
Beijing 2008 Olympic Games Mascot

Beijing 2008 Olympic Emblem - Beauty

Beauty

"Dancing Beijing" is a favorite color of the Chinese people. The color "red" is intensively used in the emblem, pushing the passion up to a new level. It carries Chinese people's longing for luck and happiness and their explanation of life.

Red is the color of the Sun and the Holy Fire, representing life and a new beginning. Red is mind at ease, symbol of vitality, and China's blessing and invitation to the world.

! Milestone ! Commitment ! Image ! Beauty ! Hero ! Spirit ! Invitation !
Beijing 2008 Olympic Games Mascot

Beijing 2008 Olympic Emblem - Image

Image

"Dancing Beijing" serves as the city's foremost appearance. It is an image that shows the eastern ways of thinking and the nation's lasting appeal embodied in the Chinese characters. It is an expression that conveys the unique cultural quality and elegance of Chinese civilization.

With inspiration from the traditional Chinese art form - calligraphic art, the character "Jing" (the latter of the city's name) is developed into the form of a dancing human being, reflecting the ideal of a "New Olympics". The words "Beijing 2008" also resembles the vivid shapes of Chinese characters in handwriting, voicing in concise strokes of the countless feelings Chinese people possess towards the Olympics.

As people ponder on the rich connotations and charms of these Chinese characters, a "New Beijing" has thus been brought forward.

! Milestone ! Commitment ! Image ! Beauty ! Hero ! Spirit ! Invitation !
Beijing 2008 Olympic Games Mascot

Beijing 2008 Olympic Emblem - Commitment

Commitment

"Dancing Beijing" is a Chinese Seal. It is engraved with commitment made to the Olympic Movement by a country that has 56 ethnic groups and a population of 1.3 billion. While witnessing the advocacy of the Olympic Spirit by a nation with both ancient civilization and modern culture, it also unfolds a future-oriented city's pursuit of the Olympic Ideal.

It is a symbol of trust and an expression of self confidence, standing for the solemn yet sacred promise that Beijing - the host city of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games - has made to the world and to all mankind.

"Complete sincerity can affect even metal and stone (literally meaning sincerity smoothes the way to success)." The inception of our ancestors' wisdom and the image of a seal made of metal and stone allow the emblem to present Chinese people's respect and honesty for the Olympics.

The moment we earnestly imprint the emblem with the "Chinese seal", Beijing is about to show the world a grand picture of "peace, friendship, and progress of mankind" and to strike up the passionate movement of "faster, higher, and stronger" for mankind.

! Milestone ! Commitment ! Image ! Beauty ! Hero ! Spirit ! Invitation !
Beijing 2008 Olympic Games Mascot

Beijing 2008 Olympic Emblem Milestone

Every emblem of the Olympics tells a story. The Beijing 2008 Olympic Games emblem "Chinese Seal, Dancing Beijing" is filled with Beijing's hospitality and hopes, and carries the city's commitment to the world.

Milestone

"Dancing Beijing" is a milestone of the Olympics. It serves as a classic chapter of the Olympic epic inscribed by the spirit of the Chinese nation, calligraphed by the deeper import of the ancient civilization, and molded by the character of Cathay's descendents. It is concise yet deep inside, bringing forth the city's gradual changes and development. It appears dignified yet bears a tune of romance, reflecting the nation's thoughts and emotions.

In the lead up to the Beijing 2008 Olympics, the emblem will attract more and more people from around the world to Beijing and China to join the great celebration with the Chinese people.


! Milestone ! Commitment ! Image ! Beauty ! Hero ! Spirit ! Invitation !
Beijing 2008 Olympic Games Mascot

Nini - Mascots of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games

Every spring and summer, the children of Beijing have flown beautiful kites on the currents of wind that blow through the capital. Among the kite designs, the golden-winged swallow is traditionally one of the most popular.
Nini's figure is drawn from this grand tradition of flying designs. Her golden wings symbolize the infinite sky and spread good-luck as a blessing wherever she flies. Swallow is also pronounced "yan" in Chinese, and Yanjing is what Beijing was called as an ancient capital city. Among Fuwa, Nini is as innocent and joyful as a swallow. She is strong in gymnastics and represents the green Olympic ring at Olympic 2008 Mascot.

Olympic 2008 Mascots
Beibei, Olympic 2008 Mascot
Jingjing, Olympic 2008 Mascot
Huanhuan, Olympic 2008 Mascot
Yingying, Olympic 2008 Mascot
Nini, Olympic 2008 Mascot

Yingying - Mascots of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games

Like all antelopes, Yingying is fast and agile and can swiftly cover great stretches of land as he races across the earth. A symbol of the vastness of China's landscape, the antelope carries the blessing of health, the strength of body that comes from harmony with nature. Yingying's flying pose captures the essence of a species unique to the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, one of the first animals put under protection in China.
The selection of the Tibetan Antelope reflects Beijing's commitment to a Green Olympics. His head ornament incorporates several decorative styles from the Qinghai-Tibet and Sinkiang cultures and the ethnic design traditions of Western China. Strong in track and field events, Yingying is a quick-witted and agile boy who represents the yellow Olympic ring at Olympic 2008 Mascot.

Olympic 2008 Mascots
Beibei, Olympic 2008 Mascot
Jingjing, Olympic 2008 Mascot
Huanhuan, Olympic 2008 Mascot
Yingying, Olympic 2008 Mascot
Nini, Olympic 2008 Mascot

Huanhuan - Mascots of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games

In the intimate circle of Fuwa, Huanhuan is the big brother. He is a child of fire, symbolizing the Olympic Flame and the passion of sport -- and passion is the blessing he bestows. Huanhuan stands in the center of Fuwa as the core embodiment of the Olympic spirit.
And while he inspires all with the passion to run faster, jump higher and be stronger, he is also open and inviting. Wherever the light of Huanhuan shines, the inviting warmth of Beijing 2008 -- and the wishful blessings of the Chinese people -- can be felt. The fiery designs of his head ornament are drawn from the famed Dunhuang murals -- with just a touch of China's traditional lucky designs. Huanhuan is outgoing and enthusiastic. He excels at all the ball games and represents the red Olympic ring as Olympic 2008 mascot.

Olympic 2008 Mascots
Beibei, Olympic 2008 Mascot
Jingjing, Olympic 2008 Mascot
Huanhuan, Olympic 2008 Mascot
Yingying, Olympic 2008 Mascot
Nini, Olympic 2008 Mascot