2008 Olympics: One World, One Dream
 A flaming torch atop the largest peak in the world. A stark red emblem with delicate white arms outstretched to the world. The Great Wall, The Forbidden City, and 11,000 athletes at the center of it all. Welcome to the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing!
In August 2008, China will play host for the first time in
Olympic history. It will also mark the first return of the Olympics
to Asia since 1988 in Seoul, Korea. Preparations are well underway since Beijing
beat out bids from Toronto, Paris, Osaka, and Istanbul.
 Beijing is already busy constructing 37 competition arenas, 59 training facilities, the Olympic Village, and the Olympic stadium where opening and closing ceremonies will take place. The National Stadium -- designed to resemble a bird’s nest with an all-encompassing retractable roof -- will house over 80,000 people.
Millions around the globe will watch China achieve another Olympic “first.” The Olympic torch will begin its journey in Athens, Greece and set a world record atop Mount Everest – the world’s highest peak! From the southern slope of Nepal, to the northern slope into Tibet, through Taiwan and the Himalayas, the torch relay will take its final steps into Beijing with the help of more than 80 trained mountaineers and countless other athletes.
However, not everyone is in full support of these record-setting Olympic plans. Supporters of Falun Gong, Tibetan Independence, and Taiwanese Independence are concerned the Chinese  government will use the games as a platform to promote unity among the territories of Taiwan, Tibet, Uigher, and Hong Kong, or cite historical grievances with the Western world and Japan. However, International Olympic Committee President Jacques Rogge is confident that Beijing will “use sport to promote peace and understanding.”
Undeniably, the money, time, and efforts put into the 2008 Olympics are staggering. The games will come and go. But what will they leave behind?
With more than 400 million people under the age of 18, Beijing’s
youth will benefit most from the programs, facilities, and Olympic spirit around
every corner. The standard of living will improve as subways, light-rail lines,
and other modes of public transportation are constructed. New job opportunities
will sustain economic growth locally and globally.
Dubbed the “Green Games,” these Olympics also have a unique environmental focus. Beijing suffers from terribly polluted air and water. By 2008, a revitalized, scrubbed and cleaner Beijing is expected to have:
- 50 percent green space in a residential Olympic village that uses solar power.
- Coal usage cut by one-third and replaced primarily with cleaner-burning natural gas.
- 200 fewer manufacturing plants in the suburbs, reducing pollution.
- Low-pollution fuel used by most vehicles; and half the city covered in plants and trees.
“One world, one dream.” China’s official slogan for the 2008 games speaks to the universal values and indomitable spirit of the Olympics and every athlete who participates in them: unity, friendship, dreams, progress.
Factoids:
Beijing is developing toilets with water-saving technology to use during and after the games.
The official logo is called “Dancing Beijing” and is the first to use red as a dominant color.
The Beijing Olympics will take place August 8-August 24,
2008.
Still Curious?
http://en.beijing-2008.org/
The official site for the Beijing 2008 Olympics. Includes maps, articles, and links.
http://www.olympic.org/uk/games/beijing/index_uk.asp
International Olympics Committee site.
http://www.china.org.cn/e-shenao/
Information on Beijing’s economy, environment, and Olympics.
http://english.people.com.cn/zhuanti/Zhuanti_119.shtml
Detailed articles about the background and current events surrounding the Olympics.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2008_Summer_Olympics
Information on the locations, emblems, and locations of the Olympics.
http://www.moscow2001.olympic.org/en/2008/index.asp
A report on the election of Beijing as the Olympics host city.
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