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{{future sport}}
{{Olympics infobox|2008|Summer
| Logo = Beijing 2008.svg
| Size = 200
| Name = Official logo of the 2008 Summer Olympic Games
| Optional caption = 同一个世界同一个梦想 ('''''One World, One Dream''''')<br />The "Dancing Beijing" emblem, depicting a Chinese<br />seal inscribed with the character "Jīng" (京, from the name<br />of the host city) in the form of a dancing figure.
| Motto = 同一個界同一個夢想 (])
| Motto = '''''One World, One Dream''''' (])
| Nations participating = ]
| Athletes participating = 10,500 (approx.)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.olympic.org/uk/games/beijing/full_story_uk.asp?id=1805 |title=6th Coordination Commission Visit To Begin Tomorrow |publisher=] |accessdate=2006-05-20}}</ref>
| Officially opened by = <!--] ]-->
| Athlete's Oath =
| Judge's Oath =
| Olympic Torch =
}}
The '''2008 Summer Olympics''' ({{zh-stp|s=二零零八年北京夏季奥林匹克运动会|t=二零零八年北京夏季奧林匹克運動會|p=èr líng líng bā nián běi jīng xià jì ào lín pǐ kè yùn dòng huì}}), officially known as the '''Games of the XXIX Olympiad''', will be celebrated from ], ], to ], ], with the opening ceremony commencing at 08:08:08 pm ] (12:08:08 ]) at the ] in ], ].{{Ref_label|A|a|none}} Some events will be held outside ], namely ] (in ], ], ] and ]), ] (in ]) and ] (in ]).

The Olympic games ] to ], ] after an ] of the ] (]) on ], ]. The official logo of the games, titled "]," features a stylized ] ] ''jīng'' (], meaning ''capital''), referencing the host city. The mascots of ] ] are the five ], each representing one color of the ]. The Olympic slogan, ''One World, One Dream'', calls upon the world to unite in the Olympic spirit. ] will compete in 302 events in 28 sports, just one event more than was on the schedule of the ]. Several new ]s (]s) have also been recognized by the ].

The ] government has promoted the games to highlight ]'s emergence on the world stage,<ref>{{cite news|title=China's coming out party |publisher=Toronto Star |date=August 2007 |url =http://www.thestar.com/Sports/Olympics/article/242172}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=2008-The Year of China? |publisher=BusinessCenter.TV |date=2007-08-07 |url= http://www.webcastr.com/index.php?option=com_seyret&task=videodirectlink&id=2023 |accessdate=2008-01-02}}</ref> amidst concerns about environmental issues and the alleged ] violations, particularly in ]. There have also been growing concerns of major nations boycotting the Olympics in protest of China's actions in Tibet.<ref> ], ], ]</ref><ref> 27th March 2008</ref><ref> ] ], ]</ref> Earlier in 2007, former ] president ] has said that he believes that the ] games will be "the best in Olympic history."<ref name="Samaranch">{{cite news |url=http://en.beijing2008.cn/culture/festivals/exhibition/n214101234.shtml |title=Beijing 2008 will be best-ever Games: Samaranch |date=] |accessdate=2007-06-25 |publisher=BOCOG}}</ref>

==Host selection process==
]
{{main|2008 Summer Olympics bids}}
] was elected the host city on ], ], during the 112th ] Session in ], beating ], ], ], and ]. Prior to the session, five other cities—], ], ], ], and ]—submitted bids to the ] but failed to make the shortlist in ]. The voting distributions were as follows.
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! colspan="4" | 2008 Summer Olympics bidding results
|-
! City
! {{abbr|NOC|National Olympic Committee}}
| bgcolor="silver" |'''Round 1'''
| bgcolor="silver" |'''Round 2'''
|-
| ] || {{flag|China}} || '''44''' || '''56'''
|-
| ] || {{flag|Canada}} || 20 || 22
|-
| ] || {{flag|France}} || 15 || 18
|-
| ] || {{flag|Turkey}} || 17 || 9
|-
| ] || {{flag|Japan}} || 6 || —
|}

Whereas the "political structures" of the non-] bids were clearly described, the ] evaluation commission made an exception for ] and just quoted ]'s position<ref> of the IOC Evaluation Commission for the Games of the XXIX Olympiad in 2008, pg.60</ref>: «The political system is classed as ''"working for China"''». The evaluation commission also declared: "The overall presence of strong governmental control and support is healthy."

After the first round of voting, ] held a significant lead over the other four candidates. ] received only six votes and was eliminated. In the second round, ] was supported by an ] of voters, eliminating the need for subsequent rounds.<ref name="Election">{{cite web|url = http://www.olympic.org/uk/games/beijing/election_uk.asp |title = Beijing 2008: Election |publisher = International Olympic Committee |accessdate = 2006-12-18}}</ref>

After winning the bid, the vice premier of the ] ] declared (], ]): "The winning of the ] Olympic bid is an example of the the international recognition of ]'s social stability, economic progress and the healthy life of the ] people." Previously, ] had bid to host the ]. It led the voting over the first three rounds, but ultimately lost to ] in the final round in ].

==Development and preparation==
===Venues===
{{main|2008 Summer Olympic venues|Olympic Park}}
By ], construction of all thirty-one ]-based Olympic Games venues had begun.<ref name="Under construction">{{cite news |publisher=BOCOG |date=2007-05-11 |accessdate=2007-05-11 |url=http://en.beijing2008.cn/01/32/article214073201.shtml |title=All Beijing-based Olympic venues under construction}}</ref> The ] government is also investing in the renovation and construction of six venues outside ] as well as fifty-nine training centers. Its largest ] pieces will be the ], ], ], ], ], and ]. Almost 85 percent of the ] budget for the six main venues is being funded by ]2.1 billion (]17.4 billion) in corporate bids and tenders. Investments are expected from corporations seeking ownership rights after the '''2008 Summer Olympics'''. Some venues will be owned and governed by the ''State General Administration of Sports'', which will use them after the Olympics as facilities for all future national sports teams and events.

It was announced on ], ] that the equestrian events are to be held in ] because of the "uncertainties of equine diseases and major difficulties in establishing a disease-free zone." The five venues outside ] will be located in ], ], ], ], and ].<ref>, Beijing 2008. Retrieved on May 15, 2006.</ref>

====Beijing National Stadium====
]
{{main|Beijing National Stadium}}
The centerpiece of the '''2008 Summer Olympics''' will be the ], ]d the "]" because of its ]-like skeletal structure.<ref name="391 days left">{{cite news |url=http://olympic.org/uk/news/olympic_news/full_story_uk.asp?id=2244 |title=The Olympic Games en route for Beijing |publisher=International Olympic Committee |date=2007-07-13 |accessdate=2007-07-16}}</ref> Construction of the venue began on ], ]. The ] was originally planned, constructed, and completed in ] for the Games, but a decision was made to construct a new stadium in ].{{Fact|date=March 2008}} Government officials engaged architects worldwide in a design competition. A ] firm, ] Architekten AG, collaborated with ] Architecture Design & Research Group to win the competition. The ] will feature a lattice-like concrete skeleton forming the stadium bowl and will have a seating capacity of 80,000 people. Architects originally described the overall design as resembling a ] with an immense ocular—an opening with a ] over the stadium. However, in ], the idea of ] was abandoned for economic and safety reasons. The ] will be the site of the opening and closing ceremonies, as well as the athletics events and soccer finals. The stadium's designer ] has since withdrawn his support for ]'s Olympic games, saying "he wants nothing to do with them anymore".<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R-CdWcszb_8|title=Stadium designer blasts China Olympics|publisher=Aljazeera|date=2007-08-12 |accessdate=2007-07-16}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url= http://edition.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/asiapcf/08/13/china.olympics.reut/?iref=mpstoryview|title= Chinese architect slams Olympic 'pretend smile'|accessdate=2007-08-16 |publisher= Reuters}}</ref>

===Public transport===
{{see|Beijing Subway}}
] the center of the city, providing for quick transportation around the city and between venues.]]
Anticipating a huge rush during the games, ] is currently undergoing a major expansion which will increase its capacity to more than twice its existing size. The system currently is composed of four lines and 64 stations. An additional seven lines and more than eighty new stations are being constructed, including a direct link to ]. In the airport itself, eleven unmanned trains, each transporting a maximum of 83 passengers, will expedite the movement of people throughout the new terminal building.<ref name="Airport trains">{{cite news |url=http://en.beijing2008.cn/news/olympiccities/beijing/n214096864.shtml |title=Un-manned trains to operate at new airport terminal building |date=] |publisher=] |accessdate=2007-06-17}}</ref> Most of them are scheduled to operate from June 30, 2008, one month before the beginning of the games. In ], the ] announced that the Metro cars will be fitted with video screens showing the latest news and events during the games. Additionally, cellphone signals would be made available, so that people can use their communication devices in the metro stations or underground.<ref name="Video screen">{{cite news |url = http://en.beijing2008.cn/31/45/article214014531.shtml |title = Official: passengers can watch the Games in Beijing metro |publisher = ] |date = ] |accessdate = 2006-02-15}}</ref>

According to the General Administration of Civil Aviation of China, a new five-level ] for ] and security threats will be implemented in the airport. This system is designed to ensure smooth and safe transportation for the estimated three million domestic and overseas visitors who will flock to Beijing for the games in August 2008.<ref name="Airport security system">{{cite news |url=http://en.beijing2008.cn/news/dynamics/headlines/n214101265.shtml |title=Beijing airport to launch emergency alert mechanism for Olympics |date=] |accessdate=2007-06-25 |publisher=]}}</ref>

On the ground, Beijing is set to designate thirty-eight official public transit routes that will link the Olympic venues. During the games, 2,500 large-size ]es and 4,500 ]es will be operated by a total of 8,000 drivers to transport people across various venues. Prior to the games, public transport will be optimized in order to reduce the existing 110 overlapping routes.<ref name="Transportation">{{cite news |url = http://en.beijing2008.cn/05/25/article214012505.shtml |title = 38 public transit routes to the Olympic venues |publisher = ] |date = ] |accessdate = 2007-01-29}}</ref>

] is banned in the 66,000 ]s, the ] of which would lead to a fine of 100 to 200 yuan (13 to 26 USD). Beijing authorities are thus trying to make the event a non-smoking event.

==Marketing==
===Emblem===
]'' emblem depicted in a flower garden.]]
{{main|Dancing Beijing}}
'''The 2008 Summer Olympics''' emblem entitled "]" (Chinese:舞动的北京) was unveiled in ] in a ceremony attended by 2,008 people at ''Qi'niandian'' (祈年殿) — the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests in ]'s ] (天壇 or 天坛). The emblem combines elements of traditional ] society—a red seal and a calligraphic word for ''jing'' (京) ("national capital") with athletic features. The open arms of the calligraphic word symbolizes the invitation of ] to the world to share in its culture. ] president ] was very happy with the emblem, saying, "Your new emblem immediately conveys the awesome beauty and power of ] which are embodied in your heritage and your people."<ref name="Message">{{cite news |url = http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/200308/03/eng20030803_121618.shtml |title = Rogge's Message for Beijing Olympics Emblem Unveiling |publisher = People's Daily Online |date = 2003-08-03 |accessdate = 2006-12-19}}</ref>

===Mascots===
{{main|Fuwa}}
]<!-- FAIR USE of Friendlies All.jpg: see image description page at http://en.wikipedia.org/Image:Friendlies All.jpg for rationale -->
The '''Fuwa''' ({{zh-cp|c={{linktext|福|娃}}|p=Fúwá}}; literally "good-luck dolls") were unveiled as the ]s of the games by the National Society of Chinese Classic Literature Studies on ], ], at an event marking the 1000<sup>th</sup> day before the opening of the games. They were originally named "The Friendlies", but this name was dropped as Chinese officials were worried that it would be misunderstood as "friendless" or "friend lies."<ref></ref>

The ] consist of five members that incorporate ], ], ], ], and ] designs. They roughly correspond with the ] of ]: ], ], ], ], and ]. The Fuwa each have as their primary color one of the colors of the five ] that stand for the five continents. The five Fuwa are named Beibei, Jingjing, Huanhuan, Yingying, and Nini. When the first syllable of each of the five names are said together, the result is the phrase {{linktext|北|京|欢|迎|你}} (Běijīng huānyíng nĭ) which means "''Beijing welcomes you''".<ref name="Fuwa">{{cite news |url = http://en.beijing2008.com/37/03/column211990337.shtml
|title = The Official Mascots of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games |publisher = BOCOG |accessdate = 2006-12-19}}</ref>

===Tickets===
The Beijing Olympic Organizing Committee began publicizing in early ] 2006 that it will sell over 7 million tickets for various sporting events and ceremonies to the general public.<ref name="tickets">{{cite news |title=China to sell over 7mn tickets |url=http://www.gulf-times.com/site/topics/article.asp?cu_no=2&item_no=101298&version=1&template_id=49&parent_id=29 |publisher= |date=] |accessdate=2006-08-14}}</ref> The chief of the committee expressed her hopes that all Chinese people would have a chance to come to the games. The committee has, therefore, set low ticket prices so as to encourage the Chinese people to become more involved in the Olympics.

On ] ], tickets to the general public went on sale through the Beijing Organizing Committee for domestic tickets (which will account for 75% of the sales) and through each nation's NOC for overseas ticket sales.<ref name="Tickets on sale">{{cite news |publisher=] |url=http://en.beijing2008.cn/39/61/article214036139.shtml |date=] |title=Beijing 2008 tickets go on sale |accessdate=2007-05-05}}</ref> By ], 2.2 million tickets—about a third of the supply volume—had already been sold.<ref name="⅓ sold">{{cite news |url=http://en.beijing2008.cn/tickets/news/n214099817.shtml |title=Olympic Opening ceremony tickets getting hot |date=] |accessdate=2007-06-25 |publisher=]}}</ref>

===Slogan===
]<!-- FAIR USE of One World One Dream.jpg: see image description page at http://en.wikipedia.org/Image:One World One Dream.jpg for rationale -->
On ], ], The Beijing Olympic Committee announced that the slogan for the 2008 Olympics will be "''One World, One Dream''" ({{zh-stp|s=同一个世界 同一个梦想|t=同一個世界 同一個夢想|p=Tóng Yíge Shìjiè Tóng Yíge Mèngxiǎng}}.)<ref name="Slogan">{{cite news|title='One World One Dream' selected as the Theme Slogan for Beijing 2008 Olympic Games |url=http://en.beijing2008.cn/75/66/article211996675.shtml |date=] |publisher=] |accessdate=2007-05-05}}</ref> The slogan calls upon the whole world to join in the Olympic spirit and build a better future for humanity. It was chosen from over 210,000 entries submitted from around the world.<ref name="391 days left" />

===Merchandising===
]
Since early 2007, licensed Olympics merchandise stores have been in business throughout China. More than 800 official stores were in operation at the end of ]. Since August 2007, Olympic merchandise has been made available online, with more than 5000 products available via the , which include apparel, mascot dolls, key-chains and commemorative chopsticks.<ref name="Merchandising">{{cite news |url=http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/2008/2007-07/31/content_5446188.htm |title=Official Olympics gear now just a click away |date=] |publisher=] |author=Lei, Lei |accessdate=2007-08-03}}</ref>
In November 2007, provide online access to customers all over the world to Licensed Products of Beijing 2008 Olympic Games. (Excluding the USA, Japan, UK, Canada and China)<ref>{{cite web|url = https://www.bj2008eshop.com/?c=xtc&a=Aboutus |title = The Overseas Olympic E-shop goes on-line 29 November 2007 |publisher = The Official Website of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games |accessdate = 2007-11-29}}</ref>

===Music===
The official song for the game's countdown celebration was entitled "We Are Ready"<ref>http://en.beijing2008.cn/video/promotional/weareready/</ref> with a version recorded by ]'s ]<ref>http://en.beijing2008.cn/culture/songs/n214147033.shtml</ref>. 106 contestants of ] performed the English version of the torch relay song "Light the Passion Share the Dream", composed by ]<ref>http://en.beijing2008.cn/culture/songs/n214199507.shtml</ref> About ten Olympic-themed music videos were recorded, including "Every One is Number One" by ]'s ]<ref>http://en.beijing2008.cn/1year/talks/s214124614/n214124615.shtml</ref>, "Hero" by ] from China featuring the story of athelete ] from ]<ref>http://en.beijing2008.cn/culture/songs/n214225553.shtml</ref>, "Dream in Sight" by ] from China<ref>http://en.beijing2008.cn/culture/songs/n214218155.shtml</ref>, "Forever Friends" by American ] and ]<ref>http://en.beijing2008.cn/culture/songs/n214206508.shtml</ref>, "You, me, and him -- happily we participate" by ] and ]<ref>http://en.beijing2008.cn/culture/songs/n214207960.shtml</ref>, and "Together on the Blue Planet" by ] and ] from ]<ref>http://en.beijing2008.cn/culture/songs/n214214660.shtml</ref>.

It was announced that Canada's ]<ref>http://en.beijing2008.cn/culture/songs/n214233951.shtml</ref> and Taiwan's ]<ref>http://en.beijing2008.cn/culture/songs/n214237717.shtml</ref> would perform during the opening ceremony. Seperately, "Bravo Beijing" (喝彩北京) was recorded as a single by Taiwanese boy-band ] with an Olympic theme.

==Sports==
]
] depicting various ].]]
The programme for the Beijing 2008 Games is quite similar to that of the ] held in ]. The 2008 Olympics will see the return of 28 sports, and will hold 302 events (165 men’s events, 127 women’s events, and 10 mixed events), one event more in total than in ].

Overall nine new events will be held, which include two from the new ] discipline of ]. Women will compete in the 3000m ] for the first time. In addition, marathon swimming events for men and women, over the distance of 10 kilometers, will be added to the swimming discipline. Team events (men and women) in ] will replace the doubles events. In ], women's team foil and women's team sabre will replace men's team foil and women's team ].{{Ref_label|B|b|none}}<ref name=2008programme>{{cite news |url = http://olympic.org/uk/news/olympic_news/full_story_uk.asp?id=1797 |title = Beijing 2008: Games Programme Finalised |publisher = International Olympic Committee |date = ] |accessdate = 2006-05-10}}</ref><ref>, International Olympic Committee. Retrieved on May 15, 2006.</ref>

In mid-2006, video gamers held talks with the Chinese government in hopes of allowing ]s to be a ] at the games. Demonstration events have not been held at any Olympic Games (Summer or Winter) since ].<ref>{{cite news|first=Chris |last=Morris |author=Chris Morris |url=http://money.cnn.com/2006/05/31/commentary/game_over/column_gaming/index.htm |title=Competitive gaming trying to earn a berth in the Olympics |work= |publisher= |date=2006-05-31 |accessdate=2006-06-03 }}</ref>

On ], ], a day before the 2-year countdown to the Beijing Games, the ] released pictograms of the 35 Olympic disciplines. Each pictogram is designed so that people of nations around the world can recognize the different sports being played at the Olympic Games. This set of sport icons is named ''the beauty of seal characters'', due to each pictogram's likeness to Chinese ].<ref name="pictograms">{{cite news |url = http://en.beijing2008.com/37/34/article212033437.shtml |title = Pictograms of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games unveiled |publisher = ] |date = ] |accessdate = 2006-08-09}}</ref>

The following are the sports to be contested at the games. The ] of aquatics has been split into its constituent disciplines of ], ], ], and ]. The number of events to be contested in each sport is indicated in parentheses.
<!-- FAIR USE of 2008 Pictograms: see image description page at http://en.wikipedia.org/Image:Archery 2008.png for rationale
-->{{Col-begin|width=100%}}
{{Col-1-of-4}}
* ] ] <small>(4)</small>
* ] ] <small>(47)</small>
* ] ] <small>(5)</small>
* ] ] <small>(1)</small>
* ] ] <small>(2)</small>
* ] ] <small>(11)</small>
* ] ] <small>(16)</small>
* ] ] <small>(18)</small>
{{Col-2-of-4}}
* ] ] <small>(8)</small>
* ] ] <small>(6)</small>
* ] ] <small>(10)</small>
* ] ] <small>(2)</small>
* ] ] <small>(2)</small>
* ] ] <small>(18)</small>
* ] ] <small>(2)</small>
* ] ] <small>(14)</small>
{{Col-3-of-4}}
* ] ] <small>(2)</small>
* ] ] <small>(14)</small>
* ] ] <small>(11)</small>
* ] ] <small>(15)</small>
* ] ] <small>(1)</small>
* ] ] <small>(34)</small>
* ] ] <small>(2)</small>
* ] ] <small>(4)</small>
{{Col-4-of-4}}
* ] ] <small>(8)</small>
* ] ] <small>(4)</small>
* ] ] <small>(2)</small>
* ] ] <small>(4)</small>
* ] ] <small>(2)</small>
* ] ] <small>(15)</small>
* ] ] <small>(18)</small>
{{Col-end}}

==Torch relay==
]
{{main|2008 Olympic Torch Relay}}
The plans accepted by the IOC for the Olympic ] were announced on April 26, 2007, in Beijing.<ref name="IOC torch">{{cite news |date=] |title=Beijing 2008: BOCOG Announces Olympic Torch Relay Route |url=http://www.olympic.org/uk/news/olympic_news/full_story_uk.asp?id=2147 |publisher=] |accessdate=2007-04-26}}</ref> The relay, with the theme "''Journey of Harmony''", will last 130 days, carrying the torch 137,000 km (85,100 mi.) – the longest distance of any Olympic torch relay (though most of it is by air). The relay will begin on March 24, 2008, in ]. From there, it will travel across Greece to ] in ], and then to Beijing, arriving on March 31. From Beijing, the torch will follow a route passing through every continent except Antarctica. The torch will visit cities on the ], symbolizing ancient links between China and the rest of the world. A total of 21,880 torchbearers will be selected from around the world by various organizations and entities.<ref name="BOCOG relay">{{cite news |publisher=] |url=http://torchrelay.beijing2008.cn/en/news/headlines/n214042288.shtml |title=Beijing 2008 Olympic Torch Relay Planned Route and Torch Design unveiled |date=] |accessdate=2007-04-26}}</ref>

], ], ].]]

The BOCOG also plans to carry the flame to the top of ].<ref name="BOCOG relay" /> In ], construction began on a 108 km (67 mi) long "highway" scaling the Tibetan side of the mountain. The $19.7 million blacktop project will span from ] of ] to the ]. Environmental concerns about the effects of the road on the fragile Himalayan region have been expressed by the media, but denied by the Chinese government.<ref name="Everest road">{{cite news |url=http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/007200706200340.htm |title=China to build highway on Mt Everest for 2008 Olympics |date=] |accessdate=2007-06-25 |publisher=The Hindu}}</ref> In March 2008, China banned mountaineers from climbing its side of Mount Everest and later persuaded the Nepalese government to close their side as well, officially citing environmental concerns.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/asia/climbers-banned-from-everest-as-china-seeks-to-stop-protests-on-summit-796782.html|title=Climbers banned from Everest as China seeks to stop protests on summit|date=] |accessdate=2008-03-23 |publisher=The Independent}}</ref> It also reflected concerns by the communist government that ] activists may try to disrupt its plans to carry the Olympic torch up the world's tallest peak.<ref name="cnn13mar08">{{cite news |url=http://edition.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/asiapcf/03/12/china.everest.ap/index.html |title=China closes its side of Everest to climbers |date=] |accessdate=2008-03-13 |publisher=CNN}}</ref>

The original scheduled route agreed in April included a stop in ] just before heading for Hong Kong. Taiwan's government, however, later rejected this proposal, claiming that such arrangement would make the Taiwan relay be seen as part of China's domestic route, rather than the international route.<ref name="Taiwan relay">{{cite news |publisher=Taiwan Journal |title=Taiwan rejects 'domestic' Olympic torch route |url=http://taiwanjournal.nat.gov.tw/ct.asp?xItem=24170&CtNode=122 |date=] |accessdate=2007-08-15}}</ref> Recent negotiations have led the IOC to officially take Taipei off the torch relay. Both China and Taiwan have blamed each other for injecting politics into the event.<ref name="China torch Taipei">{{cite news |publisher=] |title=China blames Taiwan for scuttling Olympic torch relay through Taipei, labels 'vile precedent'|url=http://sports.yahoo.com/top/news?slug=ap-china-torchrelay&prov=ap&type=lgns |date=] |accessdate=2007-09-24}}</ref>

The Olympic Torch is based on traditional scrolls and uses a traditional Chinese design known as the "Propitious Clouds" (祥云). The torch is designed to remain lit in 65 kilometer per hour winds, and in rain of up to 50 millimeters per hour.

On ], ], the ] was ignited at ], ], site of the ]. The High Priestess, ], ignited the torch of the first torchbearer, a silver medalist of the ] in ] ] from ], who handed the flame over to the second torchbearer, Olympic champion in women's ] ] from ].<ref> at the Official Website of the Torch Relay</ref> The Olympic torch has been re-lit at an elaborate ceremony, on ] ], in ] that included President ], signaling the start of a round-the-world torch relay. It allowed the government a brief respite before the relay sets off on a problematic, month-long world tour. The grandiose relay is the longest in Olympic history and has the most torchbearers -- a sign of the vast attention lavished on the Games by Beijing, which hopes to use it to showcase China's rising economic and political power.<ref>[http://edition.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/asiapcf/03/31/olympics.torch.ap/index.html Olympic torch re-lit in Tiananmen Square</ref>

==Participating NOCs==
]. A vast majority of these nations are expected to return for the 2008 games.]]
Though the qualifying competitions for various sports are well underway, it cannot be certain which of the current 205 ]s (NOCs)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.olympic.org/uk/organisation/noc/index_uk.asp |title=National Olympic Committees |publisher=International Olympic Committee |accessdate=2008-03-11}}</ref> will participate in 2008. Most NOCs participate regularly, although various circumstances could cause a nation to be absent from the games, as was the case for six NOCs at the ]. Nevertheless, placements in various qualifying races can help predict which nations and how many athletes will be at the games. Steven Roush, chief of sport performance for the ], expects that the ] will bring about 600 competitors to the games, their largest Olympic team thus far.<ref name="USA-600">{{cite news |url=http://en.beijing2008.cn/news/official/ioc/n214119077.shtml |title=About 600 athletes to compete for the U.S. at 2008 Olympic Games |publisher=] |date=] |accessdate=2007-08-03}}</ref>

===Participation changes===

The ] gained NOC status in February 2006, and is expected to participate in the Games.<ref name="ONOC">{{cite news | title = Marshall Islands joins Olympic Family| url = http://www.oceaniasport.com/onoc/index.cgi?det=1&intArticleID=331&sID=12| publisher =] | date = ] | accessdate = 2006-12-17 }}</ref> Representatives from ] also met with IOC president ] in ], who indicated that the country was likely to be voted a full-fledged Olympic member at the 119th IOC session in 2007.<ref name="Tuvalu">{{cite news | title = Robert Meets IOC President| url = http://www.oceaniasport.com/tuvalu/| publisher =] | date = ] | accessdate = 2006-12-17 }}</ref> At that meeting, the Tuvalu Association of Sports and National Olympic Committee was accepted as a new National Olympic Committee.<ref name="New NOCs accepted">{{cite news |url=http://www.olympic.org/uk/news/olympic_news/full_story_uk.asp?id=2237 |title=Two new National Olympic Committees on board! |publisher=] |date=] |accessdate=2007-07-08}}</ref>

In ] (just after the 2006 Winter Olympics), the citizens of Montenegro voted in a ] that severed its political union with Serbia. The states of ] and ], which participated at the 2004 Games jointly as ], will now compete separately. The Montenegrin Olympic Committee was accepted as a new National Olympic Committee at the 119th IOC session along with Tuvalu.<ref name="New NOCs accepted" />

A dissolution of the ] was to have taken place in ],<ref name="Netherlands Antilles wayback">{{cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/country_profiles/4547635.stm |title=Regions and territories: Netherlands Antilles |accessdate=2007-06-29 |date=] |publisher=] |archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20060104075304/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/country_profiles/4547635.stm |archivedate=2006-01-04}}</ref> giving ] and ]—like ]—a ''status aparte''. This status would have permitted the islands to create their own NOCs, allowing them to compete separately at the games. However, the dissolution was postponed until December ], four months after the scheduled 2008 Olympics,<ref name="dissolution delay">{{cite news |url=http://www.government.nl/actueel/nieuwsarchief/2007/02February/13/0-42-1_42-92711.jsp |title=Agreement on Division of Netherlands Antilles |date=] |accessdate=2007-07-20 |publisher=Netherlands Government Information Service}}</ref><ref name="Netherlands Antilles">{{cite news | title = Regions and territories: Netherlands Antilles| url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/country_profiles/4547635.stm| publisher =] | date = ] | accessdate = 2006-12-17 }}</ref> forcing any newly formed NOCs to wait until the ] to participate in the ].

On ], ], the IOC also promised to recognize the Republic of ] as a new independent nation. However, it is not probable that athletes from the newly formed republic will be able to qualify for the Olympics in time to send a delegation to Beijing. Their participation is additionally compromised by the fact that the new nation has yet to be recognized by many other international athletic federations.<ref>{{cite news|title=IOC to recognise Kosovo |publisher=News24 |date=2008-02-17|url=http://www.news24.com/News24/Sport/More_Sport/0,,2-9-32_2272369,00.html|accessdate=2008-02-17}}</ref>

] and ] have considered sending a united team to the 2008 Olympics.<ref name="Korea1">{{cite news | title = Koreas 'to unify Olympics teams'| url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/4396170.stm| publisher =] | date = ] | accessdate = 2006-12-17 }}</ref><ref name="Korea3">{{cite news | title = Two Koreas to meet on unified team in Beijing Olympics| url = http://en.beijing2008.cn/74/86/article214018674.shtml| publisher =] | date = ] | accessdate = 2006-02-15 }}</ref> In the past, the two nations have walked together in the parade of nations during the opening ceremonies, but have never competed as one team. The two NOCs met with IOC president ] on ], ], to discuss the possibility of creating such a combined team.<ref name="Korea2">{{cite news | title = Two Koreas Make Progress in Creation of Unified Team| url = http://www.olympic.org/uk/news/olympic_news/full_story_uk.asp?id=1893| publisher =] | date = ] | accessdate = 2006-09-10 }}</ref> In early 2007, Korean Olympic Committee President Kim Jung-Kil and North Korean Olympic Committee President Mun Jae-duk met to further discuss the logistics of sending a unified team.<ref name="Korea3" /> At the meeting, South Korea advocated for the selection of athletes based on performance, while North Korea hoped for equal representation of athletes if the two indeed sent a joint team.<ref name="Korea4">{{cite news | title = North, South Korea discuss joint team in 2008| url = http://www.nbcsports.com/sports/1041507/detail.html| publisher =] | date = ] | accessdate = 2007-02-15 }}</ref> The NOCs failed to reach an agreement on representation, but said they would have further discussions in the future.<ref>{{cite news|title=Koreas fail to agree on fielding joint team for Beijing Olympics |url=http://sports.yahoo.com/olympics/news?slug=ap-koreas-unifiedteam&prov=ap&type=lgns |publisher=] |date=] |accessdate=2007-02-28}}</ref>
<!--

*************************
The nations below should
remain hidden until we
know for sure who will be
competing. For now it is
just speculation. Thanks.
*************************


{| use flagIOC-x template to avoid redlinks until these articles are created in January 1, 2008
|valign=top|
* {{flagIOC-x|AFG|2008 Summer}}
* {{flagIOC-x|ALB|2008 Summer}}
* {{flagIOC-x|ALG|2008 Summer}}
* {{flagIOC-x|ASA|2008 Summer}}
* {{flagIOC-x|AND|2008 Summer}}
* {{flagIOC-x|ANG|2008 Summer}}
* {{flagIOC-x|ANT|2008 Summer}}
* {{flagIOC-x|ARG|2008 Summer}}
* {{flagIOC-x|ARM|2008 Summer}}
* {{flagIOC-x|ARU|2008 Summer}}
* {{flagIOC-x|AUS|2008 Summer}}
* {{flagIOC-x|AUT|2008 Summer}}
* {{flagIOC-x|AZE|2008 Summer}}
* {{flagIOC-x|BAH|2008 Summer}}
* {{flagIOC-x|BRN|2008 Summer}}
* {{flagIOC-x|BAN|2008 Summer}}
* {{flagIOC-x|BAR|2008 Summer}}
* {{flagIOC-x|BLR|2008 Summer}}
* {{flagIOC-x|BEL|2008 Summer}}
* {{flagIOC-x|BIZ|2008 Summer}}
* {{flagIOC-x|BEN|2008 Summer}}
* {{flagIOC-x|BER|2008 Summer}}
* {{flagIOC-x|BHU|2008 Summer}}
* {{flagIOC-x|BOL|2008 Summer}}
* {{flagIOC-x|BIH|2008 Summer}}
* {{flagIOC-x|BOT|2008 Summer}}
* {{flagIOC-x|BRA|2008 Summer}}
* {{flagIOC-x|IVB|2008 Summer}}
* {{flagIOC-x|BRU|2008 Summer}}
* {{flagIOC-x|BUL|2008 Summer}}
* {{flagIOC-x|BUR|2008 Summer}}
* {{flagIOC-x|BDI|2008 Summer}}
* {{flagIOC-x|CAM|2008 Summer}}
* {{flagIOC-x|CMR|2008 Summer}}
* {{flagIOC-x|CAN|2008 Summer}}
* {{flagIOC-x|CPV|2008 Summer}}
* {{flagIOC-x|CAY|2008 Summer}}
* {{flagIOC-x|CAF|2008 Summer}}
* {{flagIOC-x|CHA|2008 Summer}}
* {{flagIOC-x|CHI|2008 Summer}}
* {{flagIOC-x|CHN|2008 Summer}}
* {{flagIOC-x|TPE|2004 Summer}}
* {{flagIOC-x|COL|2008 Summer}}
* {{flagIOC-x|COM|2008 Summer}}
* {{flagIOC-x|COD|2008 Summer}}
* {{flagIOC-x|CGO|2008 Summer}}
* {{flagIOC-x|COK|2008 Summer}}
* {{flagIOC-x|CRC|2008 Summer}}
* {{flagIOC-x|CIV|2008 Summer}}
* {{flagIOC-x|CRO|2008 Summer}}
* {{flagIOC-x|CUB|2008 Summer}}
* {{flagIOC-x|CYP|2008 Summer}}

* {{flagIOC-x|CZE|2008 Summer}}
* {{flagIOC-x|DEN|2008 Summer}}
* {{flagIOC-x|DJI|2008 Summer}}
* {{flagIOC-x|DMA|2008 Summer}}
* {{flagIOC-x|DOM|2008 Summer}}
* {{flagIOC-x|ECU|2008 Summer}}
* {{flagIOC-x|EGY|2008 Summer}}
* {{flagIOC-x|ESA|2008 Summer}}
* {{flagIOC-x|GEQ|2008 Summer}}
* {{flagIOC-x|ERI|2008 Summer}}
* {{flagIOC-x|EST|2008 Summer}}
* {{flagIOC-x|ETH|2008 Summer}}
* {{flagIOC-x|FIJ|2008 Summer}}
* {{flagIOC-x|FIN|2008 Summer}}
* {{flagIOC-x|FRA|2008 Summer}}
* {{flagIOC-x|GAB|2008 Summer}}
* {{flagIOC-x|GAM|2008 Summer}}
* {{flagIOC-x|GEO|2008 Summer}}
* {{flagIOC-x|GER|2008 Summer}}
* {{flagIOC-x|GHA|2008 Summer}}
* {{flagIOC-x|GBR|2008 Summer}}
* {{flagIOC-x|GRE|2008 Summer}}
* {{flagIOC-x|GRN|2008 Summer}}
* {{flagIOC-x|GUM|2008 Summer}}
* {{flagIOC-x|GUA|2008 Summer}}
* {{flagIOC-x|GUI|2008 Summer}}
* {{flagIOC-x|GBS|2008 Summer}}
* {{flagIOC-x|GUY|2008 Summer}}
* {{flagIOC-x|HAI|2008 Summer}}
* {{flagIOC-x|HON|2008 Summer}}
* {{flagIOC-x|HKG|2008 Summer|name=Hong Kong, China}}
* {{flagIOC-x|HUN|2008 Summer}}
* {{flagIOC-x|ISL|2008 Summer}}
* {{flagIOC-x|IND|2008 Summer}}
* {{flagIOC-x|INA|2008 Summer}}
* {{flagIOC-x|IRI|2008 Summer}}
* {{flagIOC-x|IRQ|2008 Summer}}
* {{flagIOC-x|IRL|2008 Summer}}
* {{flagIOC-x|ISR|2008 Summer}}
* {{flagIOC-x|ITA|2008 Summer}}
* {{flagIOC-x|JAM|2008 Summer}}
* {{flagIOC-x|JPN|2008 Summer}}
* {{flagIOC-x|JOR|2008 Summer}}
* {{flagIOC-x|KAZ|2008 Summer}}
* {{flagIOC-x|KEN|2008 Summer}}
* {{flagIOC-x|KIR|2008 Summer}}
* {{flagIOC-x|KOR|2008 Summer}}
* {{flagIOC-x|PRK|2008 Summer}}
* {{flagIOC-x|KUW|2008 Summer}}
* {{flagIOC-x|KGZ|2008 Summer}}
* {{flagIOC-x|LAO|2008 Summer}}
|valign=top|
* {{flagIOC-x|LAT|2008 Summer}}
* {{flagIOC-x|LIB|2008 Summer}}
* {{flagIOC-x|LES|2008 Summer}}
* {{flagIOC-x|LBR|2008 Summer}}
* {{flagIOC-x|LBA|2008 Summer}}
* {{flagIOC-x|LIE|2008 Summer}}
* {{flagIOC-x|LTU|2008 Summer}}
* {{flagIOC-x|LUX|2008 Summer}}
* {{flagIOC-x|MKD|2008 Summer}}
* {{flagIOC-x|MAD|2008 Summer}}
* {{flagIOC-x|MAW|2008 Summer}}
* {{flagIOC-x|MAS|2008 Summer}}
* {{flagIOC-x|MDV|2008 Summer}}
* {{flagIOC-x|MLI|2008 Summer}}
* {{flagIOC-x|MLT|2008 Summer}}
* {{flagIOC-x|MNE|2008 Summer}}
* {{flagIOC-x|MHL|2008 Summer}}
* {{flagIOC-x|MTN|2008 Summer}}
* {{flagIOC-x|MRI|2008 Summer}}
* {{flagIOC-x|MEX|2008 Summer}}
* {{flagIOC-x|FSM|2008 Summer|name=FS Micronesia}}
* {{flagIOC-x|MDA|2008 Summer}}
* {{flagIOC-x|MON|2008 Summer}}
* {{flagIOC-x|MGL|2008 Summer}}
* {{flagIOC-x|MAR|2008 Summer}}
* {{flagIOC-x|MOZ|2008 Summer}}
* {{flagIOC-x|MYA|2008 Summer}}
* {{flagIOC-x|NAM|2008 Summer}}
* {{flagIOC-x|NRU|2008 Summer}}
* {{flagIOC-x|NEP|2008 Summer}}
* {{flagIOC-x|NED|2008 Summer}}
* {{flagIOC-x|AHO|2008 Summer}}
* {{flagIOC-x|NZL|2008 Summer}}
* {{flagIOC-x|NCA|2008 Summer}}
* {{flagIOC-x|NIG|2008 Summer}}
* {{flagIOC-x|NGR|2008 Summer}}
* {{flagIOC-x|NOR|2008 Summer}}
* {{flagIOC-x|OMA|2008 Summer}}
* {{flagIOC-x|PAK|2008 Summer}}
* {{flagIOC-x|PLW|2008 Summer}}
* {{flagIOC-x|PLE|2008 Summer}}
* {{flagIOC-x|PAN|2008 Summer}}
* {{flagIOC-x|PNG|2008 Summer}}
* {{flagIOC-x|PAR|2008 Summer}}
* {{flagIOC-x|PER|2008 Summer}}
* {{flagIOC-x|PHI|2008 Summer}}
* {{flagIOC-x|POL|2008 Summer}}
* {{flagIOC-x|POR|2008 Summer}}
* {{flagIOC-x|PUR|2008 Summer}}
* {{flagIOC-x|QAT|2008 Summer}}
* {{flagIOC-x|ROM|2008 Summer}}

|valign=top|
* {{flagIOC-x|RUS|2008 Summer}}
* {{flagIOC-x|RWA|2008 Summer}}
* {{flagIOC-x|SKN|2008 Summer}}
* {{flagIOC-x|LCA|2008 Summer}}
* {{flagIOC-x|VIN|2008 Summer|name=St. Vincent & Grenadines}}
* {{flagIOC-x|STP|2008 Summer}}
* {{flagIOC-x|SAM|2008 Summer}}
* {{flagIOC-x|SMR|2008 Summer}}
* {{flagIOC-x|KSA|2008 Summer}}
* {{flagIOC-x|SEN|2008 Summer}}
* {{flagIOC-x|SER|2008 Summer}}
* {{flagIOC-x|SEY|2008 Summer}}
* {{flagIOC-x|SLE|2008 Summer}}
* {{flagIOC-x|SIN|2008 Summer}}
* {{flagIOC-x|SVK|2008 Summer}}
* {{flagIOC-x|SLO|2008 Summer}}
* {{flagIOC-x|SOL|2008 Summer}}
* {{flagIOC-x|SOM|2008 Summer}}
* {{flagIOC-x|RSA|2008 Summer}}
* {{flagIOC-x|ESP|2008 Summer}}
* {{flagIOC-x|SRI|2008 Summer}}
* {{flagIOC-x|SUD|2008 Summer}}
* {{flagIOC-x|SUR|2008 Summer}}
* {{flagIOC-x|SWZ|2008 Summer}}
* {{flagIOC-x|SWE|2008 Summer}}
* {{flagIOC-x|SUI|2008 Summer}}
* {{flagIOC-x|SYR|2008 Summer}}
* {{flagIOC-x|TJK|2008 Summer}}
* {{flagIOC-x|TAN|2008 Summer}}
* {{flagIOC-x|THA|2008 Summer}}
* {{flagIOC-x|TLS|2008 Summer}}
* {{flagIOC-x|TOG|2008 Summer}}
* {{flagIOC-x|TGA|2008 Summer}}
* {{flagIOC-x|TRI|2008 Summer}}
* {{flagIOC-x|TUN|2008 Summer}}
* {{flagIOC-x|TUR|2008 Summer}}
* {{flagIOC-x|TKM|2008 Summer}}
* {{flagIOC-x|TUV|2008 Summer}}
* {{flagIOC-x|UGA|2008 Summer}}
* {{flagIOC-x|UKR|2008 Summer}}
* {{flagIOC-x|UAE|2008 Summer}}
* {{flagIOC-x|USA|2008 Summer}}
* {{flagIOC-x|URU|2008 Summer}}
* {{flagIOC-x|UZB|2008 Summer}}
* {{flagIOC-x|VAN|2008 Summer}}
* {{flagIOC-x|VEN|2008 Summer}}
* {{flagIOC-x|VIE|2008 Summer}}
* {{flagIOC-x|ISV|2008 Summer}}
* {{flagIOC-x|YEM|2008 Summer}}
* {{flagIOC-x|ZAM|2008 Summer}}
* {{flagIOC-x|ZIM|2008 Summer}}
|}

*************************
The nations above should
remain hidden until we
know for sure who will be
competing. For now it is
just speculation. Thanks.
*************************

-->

==Broadcasting==
{| class="wikitable" align="right" style="margin-left:1em; margin-top:0em; margin-right:0em;"
!colspan=3|International broadcasters
|-
!Nation!!Broadcaster!!Cite<!-- NOTE: THESE REALLY DO NEED TO BE SOURCED! -->
|-
|{{flag|Australia}}||]||
|-
|{{flag|Brazil}}||]||
|-
|{{flag|Bulgaria}}||]||
|-
|{{flag|Canada}}||], ], ], ]||
|-
|{{flag|Chile}}||]||
|-
|{{flag|China}}||], ]||
|-
|{{flag|Eritrea}}||]||
|-
|{{flag|European Union}}||]||
|-
|{{flag|Finland}}||]||
|-
|{{flag|France}}||]||
|-
|{{flag|Germany}}||], ]||
|-
|{{flag|Greece}}||]||
|-
|{{flag|Hong Kong}}||], ]||<ref>{{cite pressrelease|url=http://www.olympic.org/uk/news/media_centre/press_release_uk.asp?id=2262|title=IOC Awards Broadcast Rights in Hong Kong to i-CABLE|quote=Please note: Over the air broadcast rights for the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games were acquired by Asia Television Limited and Television Broadcasts Limited through the Asian Broadcasting Union.|date=2007-08-06|publisher=International Olympic Committee|accessdate=2008-04-04}}</ref>
|-
|{{flag|Hungary}}||]
|-
|{{flag|Iran}}||]||
|-
|{{flag|Ireland}}||]||<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.rte.ie/news/2007/1112/olympics.html |title=China to mark its territory with Olympics 2008 |date=] |accessdate=2008-03-17 |publisher=RTÉ News}}</ref>
|-
|{{flag|Italy}}||] (])||
|-
|{{flag|Japan}}||], others||
|-
|{{flag|Latvia}}||]||
|-
|{{flag|Mexico}}||]||
|-
|-
|{{flag|Malaysia}}||], ]||<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-04/01/content_7900459.htm |title=Malaysia's TV operator to add more channels for Beijing Olympics |publisher=Xinhuanet |date=] |accessdate=2008-04-03}}</ref>
|-
|{{flag|Netherlands}}||]/]||<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.broadcastpress.nl/ccs/contentviewer01menu.php?showarticlecatid=&menuid=70&article_id=5372&catid=78 |title=NOS brengt Olympische Spelen en EK Voetbal in HDTV |accessdate=2008-03-17 |work=Broadcast Magazine |publisher=Broadcast Press }}</ref>
|-
|{{flag|New Zealand}}||]||
|-
|{{flag|Peru}}||]||
|-
|{{flag|Romania}}||]||
|-
|{{flag|Russia}}||], ]||<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.rscc.ru/en/news/news/2007.10.04.html |title=The Russian satellite operator RSCC and the Chinese company CNC signed a cooperation agreement for international satellite TV transmissions from 2008 Olympic Games |accessdate=2008-03-26 |work=News |publisher=Russian Satellite Communications Company
}}</ref>
|-
|{{flag|Serbia}}||]||
|-
|{{flag|Singapore}}||], ]||
|-
|{{flag|Slovakia}}||]||
|-
|{{flag|South Korea}}||]||
|-
|{{flag|Spain}}||]||
|-
|{{flag|United Kingdom}}||]||<ref></ref>
|-
|{{flag|United States}}||]||
|-
|{{flag|Venezuela}}||], ], ]||<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.lavinotinto.com/detalle_noticia.php?id_categoria=58&id=19567 |title=Medios se alistan para Beijing |accessdate=2008-02-19 |work=News |publisher=Lavinotinto.com}}</ref>
|-
|}

In their bid for the Olympic games in 2001, Beijing confirmed to the olympic evaluation commission "that there will be no restrictions on media reporting and movement of journalists up to and including the Olympic Games."<ref> of the IOC Evaluation Commission for the Games of the XXIX Olympiad in 2008, pg.73</ref>

These games will be the first to be produced and broadcast entirely in ], and will likely garner upwards of four billion viewers.<ref name="HDTV">{{cite news |url=http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/2008/2007-07/06/content_911825.htm |title=Seeing clearly: Panasonic ushers in first HDTV Game |publisher = China Daily |date=] |accessdate=2008-03-24}}</ref> In ] the public network CBC/Radio-Canada and cable networks ] and ] will broadcast its final games before a private consortium involving CTV/Rogers/TQS takes over for the ], which will be happening within Canadian borders, in Vancouver. In ] the Games will be broadcasted by ], ] (free-to-air) and ], ] and ] (cable-tv networks).

===Issues===
Likely competitors in the Games, especially swimmers, have voiced dissatisfaction with the IOC's decision to schedule some events to meet the requests of ], which paid US$5.7&nbsp;billion<ref name="NBC Cov">{{cite news |url=http://www.nytimes.com/2006/02/17/sports/olympics/17tv.html |title=Some Shows Turn NBC Olympics Into Also-Ran |publisher = New York Times |date=] |accessdate=2008-01-22}}</ref> for exclusive ] broadcasting rights to the ] and ] Games from ] through ].<ref name="NBC rights">{{cite news |url=http://speakout.com/activism/issue_briefs/1383b-1.html |title=Are the IOC and NBC Unfairly Prohibiting Internet Coverage of the Sydney Olympics? |date=] |accessdate=2007-05-06}}</ref> NBC requested that popular events, such as swimming, athletics, basketball, and gymnastics, be broadcast live during television ] in the United States between 8:00 and 11:00 p.m. ] (between 00:00 and 03:00 UTC) for maximum advertising revenue. This would require events to be held in the early morning between 8:00 and 11:00 a.m., Beijing time. The IOC granted the request for swimming and gymnastics but denied it for athletics and basketball.<ref name="Swimming">{{cite news |url = http://swimming.about.com/od/olympics/a/amolympicfinals.htm |title = 2008 Beijing Olympic Swimming Finals in the morning Looks to be a Reality |publisher = About, Inc. |date = ] |accessdate = 2006-12-19}}</ref> The IOC has precedent for its decision: at the ] in ], some swimming, gymnastics, and athletics finals were held in the morning. Also, at the ] in ], gymnastics finals were held in the afternoon which allowed most of Europe to view gymnastics during their primetime.

== Concerns and controversy ==
Concerns over the games include the potential for boycotts from pro-]an organizations such as ] as well as from organizations such as ] upset with China's involvement in the crisis in Darfur. China has also been battling problems with ] both in the city of Beijing and in neighboring areas, which the Beijing Organizing Committee (BOCOG) says it hopes to remedy before the games.

===Olympic lawmaking===
The Beijing municipal authority has declared that more than 70 local laws and decrees would be made before the 2008 Summer Olympics which would banish local people who don't have ] (residency permits) of Beijing. It would also banish vagrants, beggars, and people with ] from the city. The municipal authority also made it clear that it would strengthen border control, call for a "special holiday", or forcible shutout, to make Beijing citizens stay at home during the Olympics. It also seeks to strengthen controls over Chinese and foreign NGOs and forbid any protests during the games. The government has also strengthened its laws relating to prosecution of those deemed to be disseminating material not beneficial to the state.<ref>''法制晚报 (Fazhi Wanbao, or Evening Paper of Legal System), April 10 2006, A05''</ref>

The Geneva-based group, Centre on Housing Rights and Evictions has claimed that 1.5 million Beijing residents will be displaced from their homes for the Olympics event. Beijing's Olympic organizing committee and China's Foreign Ministry have put the number at 6,037.<ref>{{cite news |url= http://today.reuters.com/news/articlenews.aspx?type=sportsNews&storyid=2007-06-05T095210Z_01_PEK122632_RTRUKOC_0_US-OLYMPICS-BEIJING-HOUSING.xml|title= Beijing to evict 1.5 million for Olympics: group|date= 2007-06-05|publisher= ]|accessdate=2007-06-06}}</ref> Some sources say that as of ], 300,000 residents have been evicted in preparation for the games and that police in Beijing placed many people under arrest for protesting against the evictions.<ref name="300k evicted">{{cite news |url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/article526586.ece |title=Thousands of homes destroyed to make way for Olympic tourists |publisher=TimesOnline |date=] |author=Macartney, Jane |accessdate=2006-05-14}}</ref> While other sources can be found to say that nearly 15,000 people have been relocated.<ref></ref>

The Beijing government has issued new mandates that require ]s in the city to act more appropriately. The government has circulated pamphlets urging officers to desist from using foul language, lose their arrogance, and not hang up on people who call to report crimes. They have been told that violators will be reprimanded. By doing this, Beijing hopes to clean up its image in time for the games.<ref name="Police conduct">{{cite news |publisher=] |accessdate=2007-05-11 |url=http://www.gamesbids.com/cgi-bin/news/viewnews.cgi?category=1&id=1178899588 |date=] |title=New Guidelines For Beijing Police Ahead Of 2008 Games}}</ref>

A drive has also been launched to improve the poor English translations common on Chinese signage and labeling in readiness for the Olympics.<ref>, BBC News, 15 October 2006</ref>

=== Protests and potential boycotts ===
{{POV-section|date=April 2008}}
::''See Also: ]''

]s and protests have occurred at past Olympic Games by groups of protesters, activists, and political groups who have had grievances against the host countries or another participating nations. In some cases, these activities have been sanctioned by member states, such as in the ], ] and ].

While no state has indicated a willingness to boycott the 2008 games, some groups are initiating independent campaigns to do so and other notable groups have called for protests. It has been reported that ] were monitoring the activities of foreigners suspected of plotting demonstrations during the Olympics. In addition to monitoring ]s that are concerned with domestic Chinese issues, the Chinese intelligence is also monitoring possible ]-related activities and ] demonstrations.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=D8QIF1E81&show_article=1|title= China Sees Activists As Olympic Threat|accessdate=2007-07-29 |publisher= Associated Press|date= 2007-07-23|author=Hutzler, Charles}}</ref>

] groups, such as ], have initiated a campaign to protest the Beijing 2008 Summer Olympics.<ref name="Tibet protest">{{cite news |url=http://sport.guardian.co.uk/breakingnews/feedstory/0,,-6152766,00.html |title=Tibetan Protesters train hard for Beijing Olympics |author=Denyer, Simon |accessdate=2007-05-30}}</ref><ref name="Tibet protest 2">{{cite news |url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,10510-1240517,00.html |title=Tibet activists begin Beijing Games protest |date=] |author=August, Oliver |publisher=] |accessdate=2007-05-30}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=D8QSCOR00&show_article=1|title= Protests, Smog Cloud Olympics a Year Out|accessdate=2007-08-07|date= 2007-08-07|author= Wade, Stephen|publisher=Associated Press}}</ref> The group plans to protest for Tibetan independence and objects to the Chinese government's use of the ] (chiru) as one of its five ]s.<ref>, blog.studentsforafreetibet.org. Retrieved on January 8, 2007.</ref> The Tibetan People's Movement has also demanded representation of ] with its own national flag. ] actor ] in his position as the chairman of the ] called for the boycott of the games to put pressure on ] to make ] independent. There has also been plans by Tibetans to organise ] in May at the headquarters of Tibetan government-in-exile, because Tibet doesn't get representation.<ref> Dharamshala, March 20, 2008 ]</ref>

The ] organisation ] has advocated a boycott expressing concerns over violations of free speech and human rights in China. It hopes that international pressure and petition can effect the release of ], and hold China to promises made to the ], regarding improvements in ].<ref>, Reporters Without Borders, ]. Retrieved on ]</ref> Reporters Without Borders journalists interrupted the speech of ] organizing committee chief during the Olympic torch lighting ceremony in ] ] ].<ref name cnn23mar08=">{{cite news |publisher=] |title=Olympic torch begins epic journey|url=http://edition.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/europe/03/24/torch.relay/index.html|date=] |accessdate=2008-03-24}}</ref> Three of them breached a cordon of 1,000 police at the ancient Olympia stadium and ran behind Liu Qi, head of the Beijing Games committee, as he made a speech. One protestor tried to snatch the microphone as another unrolled a black flag showing the Olympic rings as handcuffs. The trio, from a French human rights group, were dragged away by police.<ref name="the Sun 25mar08">{{cite news |publisher=] |title=Tibet's Olympic flame of fury|url=http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/article956407.ece|date=] |accessdate=2008
-03-25}}</ref> Nearly 50 Tibetan exiles in India began a global torch relay ] ] with a symbolic "Olympic" flame that will end in Tibet on ] ], the day of the Summer Games' opening ceremonies in ].<ref name cnn25mar08=">{{cite news |publisher=] |title=Tibetan exiles begin protest Olympic relay|url=http://edition.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/asiapcf/03/25/tibet.protest.relay.ap/index.html|date=] |accessdate=2008-03-25}}</ref>

Activists working to address the ] in ], ], have called for pressure to be exerted on China because of their financial and diplomatic support for ], who is responsible for the Sudanese government's ]. These advocates, which include actress ], NBA athlete ], and Sudan researcher ], have organized a global advocacy campaign called . Some have begun to refer to the Beijing Olympics as the "Genocide Olympics" as noted in '']'' as a way of connecting Beijing's close political and economic ties to the Sudanese regime. The Chinese government, in turn, has criticised the activists for "politicising" the Olympics and outlined its plans to help the Sudanese economy.<ref name="Genocide Olympics">{{cite news |url=http://www.chinapost.com.tw/editorial/110707.htm |title=
China hopes to avoid 'genocide Olympics' |date=] |author=Bloomberg, Frederick Kempe |publisher=] |accessdate=2007-05-30}}</ref><ref name="China's Games">{{cite news |url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/05/28/AR2007052801087.html |title=China's Games |date=] |publisher=] |accessdate=2007-05-30}}</ref>

Calls for sustained pressure and possible boycotts of the Olympics have come from former French presidential candidate ],<ref>, Reuters. Retrieved on ].</ref> actor and ] Goodwill Ambassador ],<ref name="boycotters">, The Wall Street Journal, ]. Retrieved on ].</ref> ] Representative ],<ref name="boycotters" /> author and Sudan scholar Eric Reeves<ref>, Sudan Tribune, ]. Retrieved on ].</ref> and the '']'' editorial board.<ref>, The Washington Post, ]. Retrieved on ].</ref> Filmmaker ], founder of the USC Shoah Foundation Institute for Visual History and Education, sent a letter to ] on ] ] to discuss and possibly end China's involvement in the conflict.<ref>{{cite news | author = ] | title =
Steven Spielberg on Darfur/China situation | publisher = Spielbergfilms | date = ] | url = http://www.spielbergfilms.com/general/1398 | accessdate=2007-05-13}}</ref> In February 2008, Spielberg announced he was stepping down from his role as an artistic advisor in protest of the Chinese government's refusal to pressure Khartoum to stop the "continuing human suffering" in the Darfur region. He noted: "Sudan's government bears the bulk of the responsibility for these on-going crimes, but the international community, and particularly China, should be doing more."<ref></ref> Additionally, a group of 106 lawmakers in the United States have circulated a letter calling for the US to boycott the coming Olympics because of China's support of the Sudanese regime and the forced relocation<ref name="300k evicted" /> of 300,000 Chinese poor to make room for the games.<ref>, ] AlertNet, 10 May 2007</ref> Congresswoman ] introduced a similar resolution in early ].<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/08/07/politics/politico/thecrypt/main3140647.shtml|title= Waters Wants To Boycott Beijing Olympics|accessdate=2007-08-08 |date= 2007-08-07|publisher= The Politico Crypt|author=Bresnahan, John}}</ref>

On ], ], the ] laureate ] urged China to intervene in the ] in ]. Tutu said that if China did not take a stance against the military rulers in Myanmar he would "join a campaign to boycott the Beijing Olympics".<ref> Dagens Nyheter, September 28, 2007.</ref> His call has been taken up by the ].

The ] (BOA) will require that before leaving for China, British Olympic team members sign an agreement, stating that they "are not to comment on any politically sensitive issues." However, BOA spokesman Graham Newsom stated that the BOA didn't intend to censor athletes, and referred to a rule in the International Olympic Committee charter which states, "No kind of demonstration or political, religious or racial propaganda is permitted in any Olympic sites, venues or other areas."<ref>{{cite news|url=http://sport.guardian.co.uk/breakingnews/feedstory/0,,-7298200,00.html|publisher=The Guardian|title=Olympics - UK athletes barred from political comments|date=], ]|accessdate-2008-02-10}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://multimedia.olympic.org/pdf/en_report_122.pdf|title=Olympic Charter|publisher=International Olympic Committee|date=], ]|accessdate=2008-02-10}}</ref>

The Chinese government did however get a boost from US President George W. Bush, who declined to support actions taken in protest of the Chinese government, declaring: "I view the Olympics as a sporting event."<ref>{{cite web |url= http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/7245002.stm|title= Bush defends US record on Darfur|accessdate=2008-03-12 |date= 2008-02-14|publisher= BBC News}}</ref>

In March of 2008, few high-ranking politicians have openly announced that they will not attend the opening ceremony. The German chancellor, ], was the first world leader to decide not to attend the Olympics in Beijing. But Germany's foreign minister said that Merkel had not planned to go to Beijing anyway, so there was "nothing to cancel", and "no link to Tibet".<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7319147.stm|title=Call for Olympic boycott rejected|publisher=BBC News|date=]|accessdate=2008-03-29}}</ref> Poland's prime minister, ], and the president of the Czech Republic, ], have also decided not to attend.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2008/mar/29/germany.olympicgames2008|title=Merkel says she will not attend opening of Beijing Olympics|accessdate=2008-03-29 |date= 2008-03-29|publisher=The Guardian}}</ref> However, Merkel's decision of not attending the ceremony is not officially linked to China's crackdown on dissidents in Tibet.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.france24.com/en/20080329-eu-split-over-boycotting-beijing-olympics-eu-olympics&navi=EUROPE|title=EU split over boycotting Beijing Olympics|accessdate=2008-03-29 |date= 2008-03-29|publisher=France 24}}</ref>

On April 2, 2008, the Japanese government announced that its royal family will not participate in the opening ceremony. China has requested the participation of the royal family to the Japanese government serveal times{{Fact|date=April 2008}} since last year. But besides the chinese poisonous dumplings{{Fact|date=April 2008}} and China's illegal development of the gas fields in the East China Sea{{Fact|date=April 2008}}, now the violent crackdown in Tibet has been the focus of international concern. These issues led the government to decide to reject the request.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://sankei.jp.msn.com/politics/policy/080402/plc0804020108000-n1.htm|title=Japanese royal family will not attend opening of Beijing Olympics|accessdate=2008-04-02 |date= 2008-04-02|publisher=Sankei Shimbun}}</ref>

On ], French newspaper ''Le Monde'' quoted a French minister as stating that the attendance of president ] at the opening ceremony is "conditional". Three conditions were set: "an end to violence against the population and the release of political prisoners, light to be shed on the events in Tibet and the opening of dialogue with the Dalai Lama."<ref>{{cite news|url=http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5gbv20Oxll_oabfy9mRNZDU1DPYHg|title=Paris sets conditions for Sarkozy to attend Olympics: report|publisher=Associated Press|date=]|accessdate=2008-04-05}}</ref> However, Minister Rama Yade said that ''Le Monde'' misquoted her as listing conditions, and that the word "conditions" was never used. ''BBC News'' wrote that while Sarkozy was opposed to a full boycott, he would "not close the door to any possibility" as far as his own attendance is concerned.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7332543.stm|title=Sarkozy aide 'misquoted' on Games|publisher=BBC News|date=]|accessdate=2008-04-05}}</ref>

On Sunday April 6th, the Olyimpic torch on it's 130 day "journey of harmony" will make a 31-mile trip through ] from ] at 10.30am to the ] in ]. There will be an eight-hour relay through the streets with 80 torchbearers and up to 80,000 spectators. The ] amongst at least six other groups will gather to protest along the official torch relay route with a further Tibetan Freedom Torch Rally at Argyle Square from 2.30pm.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.freetibet.org/events/torchrelay.html|title=Protest along the official torch relay route|accessdate=2008-04-05 |date= 2008-04-05|publisher=]}}</ref> ] reported on April 5, ''The disabled comedian ] has become the first torchbearer to pull out of the relay in protest at China's human rights record. She was swiftly joined by another torchbearer, ], the British badminton number one, who is also a member of a sporting pressure group committed to highlighting China's role in Sudan. Mark Byford, the deputy director general of the ] has also withdrawn, while the sports presenter ] is rumoured to be set to follow suit.''<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/olympic-torch-to-be-met-by-storm-of-protest-804893.html|title=Olympic torch to be met by storm of protest|accessdate=2008-04-05 |date= 2008-04-05|publisher=]}}</ref> Two thousand police officers are being drafted on to the streets with further air and marine support, to control the Olympic torch relay at an estimated cost of $2,000,000 USD.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/opinion/main.jhtml?xml=/opinion/2008/04/05/dl0502.xml|title= Protecting free speech in Tibet - and London|accessdate=2008-04-05 |date= 2008-04-05|publisher=]}}</ref>

===Environmental and health issues===
Concern has been raised over the air quality of Beijing and its potential effect on the athletes.{{Ref_label|C|c|none}} Although the Beijing Municipal Government, in its bid file in 2001, committed to lowering air pollution, increasing environmental protection, and introducing environmental technology,<ref name="IOC report 299">{{cite web |url=http://multimedia.olympic.org/pdf/en_report_299.pdf |title=Report of the IOC Evaluation Commission for the Games of the XXIX Olympiad in 2008 |publisher=] |page=62 |accessdate=2007-07-18 |date=]}}</ref> research data show that even if the city were to dramatically cut down its emissions, pollution would still drift over the neighboring provinces,<ref name="WSJ pollution">{{cite news |last=Oster |first=Shai |title=Will Beijing's Air Cast Pall Over Olympics? |publisher=The Wall Street Journal|date=] |url=http://online.wsj.com/article/SB117148719982908969.html}}</ref> from which 50 percent of Beijing's air is believed to originate.<ref name="PopSci pollution article">{{cite journal | last = Mone | first = Gregory | title = Choking at the Olympics | journal = ] | issue = ] | pages = 33–35 | issn = 0161-7370 | accessdate = 2007-07-18 | laysummary = http://www.popsci.com/popsci/environment/4ec1a78d87273110vgnvcm1000004eecbccdrcrd.html | laysource = Popular Science | laydate = June 2007 }}</ref> At current levels, air pollution is at least 2 to 3 times higher than levels deemed safe by the ]. ] of the ] has stated that air pollution coupled with heat and humidity makes it "very unlikely we'll see outstanding performances in endurance sports."<ref name="WSJ pollution"/> Despite this, Beijing, in its commitment to improve air quality, will remove 60,000 ] and ]es from the roads by the end of ] and plans to relocate 200 local factories, including a prominent steel factory,<ref name="WSJ pollution" /> before the games begin.<ref name="PopSci pollution article" /> The Chinese government has provided assurances that "blue skies are a requirement not only for Beijing, but also for the places around it."<ref name="Environment">{{cite news|url=http://en.beijing2008.cn/29/47/article214024729.shtml |title=Promise of clean air during Olympics |date=] |accessdate=2007-03-16 |publisher=]}}</ref> The ] has also expressed its assurance that the air quality of Beijing will not be a concern for the U.S. delegation to the games.<ref name="USOC-air">{{cite news |url=http://en.beijing2008.cn/news/official/ioc/n214119154.shtml |title=USOC official: air quality not a concern for U.S. Olympic delegation in Beijing |date=] |accessdate=2007-08-03 |publisher=]}}</ref> Nevertheless, recent medical research by the ] suggest air pollution could pose a risk to the health of athletes.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://online.wsj.com/article/SB120577799162242425.html|title=Olympic Worry in the Air|date=] |accessdate=2008-03-23 |publisher=]}}</ref>

In spite of such efforts, several countries have indicated that their athletes will arrive at the games as late as possible to limit exposure to pollution.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/6950883.stm|title=WHO fears over Beijing pollution|date=2007-08-17|accessdate=2007-08-17 |publisher=BBC}}</ref> Some countries have set up offshore training camps mainly in ] to avoid the pollution.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://travel.latimes.com/articles/la-trw-olympics13mar13|title=Olympians gripe about Beijing's air quality|date=] |accessdate=2008-03-23 |publisher=]}}</ref>

Meteorological findings in ] also have suggested that, based on rainfall data from the past 30 years, there is a 50 percent chance of rain for the opening and closing ceremonies of the games.<ref name="BOCOG rain">{{cite news |title=Beijing to keep skies clear on Games' opening day |date=] |url=http://en.beijing2008.cn/11/20/article214042011.shtml |publisher=] |accessdate=2007-04-27}}</ref><ref name="Pilot rain">{{cite news |title=The Buzz: Is China's weather plan for the Olympics all wet? |url=http://content.hamptonroads.com/story.cfm?story=123605&ran=11774 |date=] |author=Tandan, Marc |publisher=] |accessdate=2007-04-27}}</ref> To combat the chance of poor weather, Beijing officials plan to ] to induce rain several days before the games begin by shooting thousands of ] pellets into the air using ground-based rockets.<ref name="a yes to cloud-seeding">{{cite news |url=http://en.beijing2008.cn/news/dynamics/headlines/n214111767.shtml |title=Weather drills get under way for 2008 Olympics |date=] |accessdate=2007-07-19 |publisher=] |author=Xiaohua, Sun}}</ref><ref name="Cloud seed">{{cite news |url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/china/story/0,,2078030,00.html |title=Organisers to give Olympic clouds a silver lining |date=] |author=Watts, Jonathan |publisher=Guardian Unlimited |accessdate=2007-05-16}}</ref> While the effectiveness of this method is questionable, Beijing is optimistic that it will reduce the chance of rainfall during the games,<ref name="CBN rain">{{cite news |url=http://www.cbn.com/CBNnews/146187.aspx |date=] |author=Robertson, Laura |title=Beijing Fights Olympic Rain, But Can it Prevent the Protestors' Storm? |publisher=] |accessdate=2007-04-27}}</ref> and planned to carry out several tests as a practice in the summer of 2007, one year before the games begin.<ref name="a yes to cloud-seeding" /> Officials have also stated that inducing rain should also remove some of the pollution from the air.<ref name="Pilot rain" />

Another issue of concern is that of Beijing's poor ] supply. A high-ranking Beijing official has stated that tap water in the city should be avoided.{{Fact|date=February 2008}} The water coming out of the water plants is safe, according to Bi Xiaogang of the Beijing Water Management Bureau; the process of transporting the water throughout the city is what contaminates it. Beijing is suffering from a ] of 15 years as well as a lack of major fresh water sources elsewhere, so many locals drink ] instead of that from the tap.<ref name="Water contamination">{{cite news |url=http://www.nbcsports.com/sports/1486766/detail.html |title=Beijing 2008 advice: Don't drink the water |date=] |publisher=] |accessdate=2007-05-11}}</ref> Officials of the city water authority have ensured, however, that "the safety and efficiency of the water system" will be maintained and that the recycled water supplied to the Olympic Village will be as clean as tap water.<ref name="treatment system">{{cite news |url=http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/2008/2007-07/19/content_5439193.htm |title=New water treatment system for Olympics |date=] |accessdate=2007-07-19 |publisher=] |author=Xiaohuo, Cui}}</ref>

Following recent scares regarding the safety of food products manufactured in China, the United States Olympic Committee has decided to import food for its athletes. In particular, athletes were concerned that eating meat that was raised in China could contain enough steroids to cause the athletes to test positive for steroid use.<ref name="Steroid use">{{cite news|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/09/sports/othersports/09olympics.html?_r=1&scp=1&sq=olympic%20food%20beijing%20committee&st=nyt&oref=slogin|title=Steroid use}}</ref> The ]'s plan to bring its own food to China has disappointed the leader of food services for the Beijing Olympics.<ref name="U.S.food plan">{{cite news |url=http://edition.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/asiapcf/02/22/olympics.food.ap/index.html |title=China hurt over U.S. food plan for Games |date=] |accessdate=2008-02-22 |publisher=]}}</ref>

===Class discrimination===
The new toilet facilities built in the Beijing stadiums can no longer be used by regular Chinese citizens living or working in the area. Concerns have been raised by ] officials that the hygiene issues of local citizens would affect the Beijing Olympic image.<ref name="Singtao07-22-07">Singtao Shanghai news. Section A-14. </ref> There is now a penalty of 100 to 500 Yuan imposed on any Chinese locals caught using the bathrooms.<ref name="Singtao07-22-07"/>

==See also==
{{commonscat|2008 Summer Olympics}}
{{portalpar|Olympics}}
* ]
* ]
* ]
* ]
* ] (co-directing 2008 Opening and Closing Ceremonies)
* ] (co-directing 2008 Opening Ceremonies)
* ]
*
*

== References ==
=== Citations ===
{{reflist|2}}

=== Notes ===
<div class="references-small">
<ol type="a">
<li>{{Note_label|A|a|none}}The ] is associated with prosperity and confidence in ].<ref name="Eight">{{cite web |url=http://afgen.com/china8.html |title=The Number Eight And The Chinese |accessdate=2007-04-22}}</ref></li>

<li>{{Note_label|B|b|none}}The fencing programme will again include all six individual events and four team events, though the team events will be a different set than were held in 2004. The ] rules call for events not held in the previous Games to receive automatic selection and for at least one team event in each weapon to be held. Voting is conducted to determine the fourth event. In 2004, the three men's team events and the women's épée were held. Thus, in 2008, the women's foil and sabre events and men's épée were automatically selected. Men's sabre was chosen over foil by a 45–20 vote.<ref name="FencingTeam">{{cite web |type=pdf |url=http://www.fie.ch/download/letters/2006/urgent/09/en/decisions%20ANG.pdf |title=List of decisions of the 2006 General Assembly |date=] |publisher=] |accessdate=2007-04-22}}</ref></li>

<li>{{Note_label|C|c|none}}Poor-quality air in ] contributes to the death of about 400,000 Chinese annually. ] and fine ] matter—bits of ], ]s, and industrial ]s—will be the two biggest pollution threats to the athletes in 2008. When high ozone levels are present, lungs are not able to absorb as much air, causing ], ], or ]s.<ref name="PopSci pollution article" /></li>

</ol>
</div>

==External links==
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{{wikinews|Forget driving to the Olympics, says Beijing}}
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{{Olympic Games}}
{{NOCin2008SummerOlympics}}

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Revision as of 13:21, 6 April 2008

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