The 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics
The Games of the XXIX Olympiad
August 08 - 24 2008

If you went to the Games, we hope you enjoyed yourself. If you just stayed home and watched the games on TV, that's cool too. We hoppe you enjoyed them.

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Eight is a lucky number in China.
The Beijing Summer Olympics ran for two weeks. It started on August 8, 2008 or on 080808. The Opening Ceremony started at 8 seconds after 8 minutes after 8:00PM, or at 08:08:08 PM. So this was an auspicious time . shortly after 8:00 PM at 08:08:08. The IOC answers only to themselves

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The Beijing Summer Olympics was held between August 8th and August 24th, 2008. 
The Beijing Olympic slogan, One World, One Dream, called upon the world to unite in the Olympic spirit. For the Beijing Olympics, 202 NOCs (National Olympic Committees.) and 35 IFs (International Federations) are part of the Olympic Movement. OCOGs (Organizing Committee for the Olympic Games) are dissolved after the celebration of each Games and once all subsequent paperwork has been completed.
Most Olympic Games have been held in European and North American cities. Only a few games have been held in Asia. All bids by countries in South America and Africa have failed. Some believe the Olympics Games should be expanded to include third world locations.

In Beijing, athletes competed in 302 events in 28 sports. This was just one more event than in the Athens 2004 Games.

Purity
Criticism
What the IOC does with its new-found millions is, however, the subject of much speculation and criticism, with some criticizing the over-commercialization of what had used to be a strictly-amateur competition, while others began accusing the IOC of corruption.
Also during his tenure as IOC president, Samaranch insisted that he be addressed with the title of "Your Excellency". He would also insist on a chauffeured limousine and a presidential suite in the finest hotel of whatever city he was conducting business in. The IOC put an annual rental (at a cost of US$500,000 per year) on a presidential suite for his stays.

Corruption
Besides his lavish accommodations, he was increasingly criticized for judging and doping scandals and rampant corruption that occurred under his watch. A closed-door inquiry later expelled several IOC members for accepting bribes but cleared Samaranch of wrongdoing. Samaranch declared that the IOC's worst crisis was over but a group of former Olympic athletes,

Pierre de Coubertin, the father of the Modern Olympic Games. His attachment to it is verified by the fact that it is prominently displayed at each of the Olympic Games. Actually, de Coubertin appropriated the Creed as well as the Olympic Motto, Citius - Altius - Fortius, (Latin for "Faster, Higher, Stronger") from two separate religious clergy. While these holy men have probably forgiven de Coubertin for pilfering their words, this is only half the story. For it seems the good Bishop of Pennsylvania from whom de Coubertin stole the Olympic Creed actually did some pilfering of his own. Perhaps it is best that we posthumously give credit to the Dean of American Sports Writers for inspiring the bishop's words. Please go to Creed on the Olympic Symbols page to get the full story.

"The important thing in these Olympics is not so much winning as taking part.
The essential thing in Life is not conquering but fighting well." - The Olympic Creed

The above statement, known as the Olympic Creed was idealism stated by Whereas no one in the world over the age of 12 believes the Olympic Creed, we have decided it is a noble fight and have chose to take up this banner. For that reason, we are choosing not to count any medals on this Olympic Medal Count page. Rather, on this page, we will report on any and all true incidents of sportsmanship we can uncover in the 112 year history of the Modern Olympic Games.

Fear not, this will be a short read, as we know of very few. But here we go

China Travel Tips If you are adventuresome and choose to travel on your own, without a tour group or tour guide, this is great. However, please be aware very few people speak English. Some may know a few words or terms, but most will be able to say little more than "How are you?" This is particularly true of Chinese over 30. This can present serious challenges and problems. Often, at the worst possible time. If you need assistance, college students are normally very willing to help. On a One on One Personal Basis, Chinese people will treat you with hospitability and kindness. You probably will have a very pleasant experience..
Also, do not anticipate railroad or bus ticket sellers or hotel clerks in two or three star hotels to speak English.

 

http://www.iht.com/articles/2003/04/08/edbecker.php
 
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Olympics_2008
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Juan_Antonio_Samaranch
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_Tewksbury
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Katarina_Witt
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Olympics
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eric_Robert_Rudolph
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beijing
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zhuang_Zedong
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maya_Lin
http://www.atimes.com/china/BA07Ad01.html
http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0422/is_2_86/ai_n6140249

 

 

 

 

Update 081028