Last modification: 25/09/08
 
The Beijing 2008 Olympic Games
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Beijing, China's dynamic capital, is preparing to host more than 550,000 visitors and 10,500 athletes at the 2008 Olympic Games starting August 8.
China is bubbling with activity with the kickoff of the 2008 Olympic Games on August 8. Beijing is doing all it takes to make sure the Games are a success. The shiny new Olympic sites are ready for use, several metro lines have been opened and food adapted to western tastes can now be found around the city, in case tourists are wary of sautéed grasshoppers. For China, the world's third largest economy, the Olympic Games are a way to stand out on the international stage, both economically and athletically. But the situation in the Chinese capital is far from rosy: high pollution levels and human rights violations have sparked concern and protests around the world and in the international media. Beijing defends itself on both issues.

WARNING, to follow the Olympic Games, you are invited to visit our special Observers website, as the present special report will no longer be updated.

 

 

 

 

 

To follow the progress of the Olympic torch as it makes it way toward Beijing, watch our weekly broadcast "On the Road to Beijing."

 

 

  • CHINA - SURVEY
    China - friend, foe or neither?
    A FRANCE 24 / International Herald Tribune survey reveals that residents of five major European countries and the USA consider China an economic threat. But opinion differs on the political stance to be adopted at the Olympic Games in August.
  • MOUTAIN BIKE - BEIJING - OLYMPICS 2008
    Julien Absalon biking in Beijing
    Crowned world champion in Quebec, Julien Absalon has one goal: repeat what he did in Athens and bring back a gold medals from Beijing.
  • BEIJING OLYMPICS - LABOUR
    State employees drafted in for Olympic work
    These are confusing times for the thousands of Chinese state employees recquisitionned to help stage the Olympic Games. While national pride is felt throughout the country, some still found the change of occupation quite surprising.
  • OLYMPIC GAMES - BEIJING 2008
    Doping: Beijing 2008 challenge
    The spectre of doping scandals haunts any sports competition. However much Chinese authorities hope to organise a clean event, they won't be able to avoid cheating.

Related links

  • CHINA - SPECIAL REPORTS
    Olympics emphasise Beijing pride
    This Week in Asia explores the feelings of pride most of Beijing’s inhabitants express since the Olympics began, what sporting events are favourites among locals, and how the authorities are using the media to polish their international image.
  • CHINA - SPECIAL REPORTS
    Beijing's Olympic mutations
    FRANCE 24's magazine Week in Asia explores how the Olympic Games have affected everyday life in Beijing, from the destruction of old, traditional neighbourhoods, to the ways in which the Muslim community is integrated.
  • BASKETBALL - BEIJING - OLYMPICS 2008
    All eyes on Yao Ming
    Houston Rockets star Yao Ming will represent the host nation at the Beijing Olympics, although he has been injuried this season. Meet a Chinese giant.
  • CHINA - OLYMPICS
    Beijing assures safe Olympics
    Following Monday's attack in China's Xinjiang region, Chinese authorities are determined to reassure the international community. Beijing also announced the capture of 18 'foreign terrorists' in the northwest of the country.
  • SCAM - BEIJING 2008
    Hundreds bought fake Olympics tickets
    Several Web sites selling bogus tickets to the Beijing Olympics have left hundreds of customers waiting for orders that will never arrive, mainly in Australia. Some victims claim they have lost dozens of thousands of euros.
  • CHINA
    At least 16 policemen reportedly killed in bomb attack
    According to China’s state press service, a border station was attacked Monday in Xinjiang, a Muslim region in northwestern China. The attackers drove a lorry up to the station and attacked with bombs, killing at least 16 policemen.
  • BEIJING 2008
    IOC's Rogge denies Beijing censorship deal
    International Olympic Committee president Jacques Rogge has said there was never any deal with the organisers of the Beijing Olympics to censor internet sites for the legions of foreign reporters.
  • POLLUTION - BEIJING 2008
    Olympians worried about Beijing's smog
    Despite Chinese efforts to curb Beijing's thick air pollution, more and more international athletes are considering wearing face masks during the Olympic Games.
  • FRANCE - BEIJING 2008
    French judo wrestler Riner goes for gold
    France's Teddy Riner is one the country's best hopes for a gold medal at the Beijing Olympic Games and the youngest world champion ever. His main competition for the gold will be the Japanese national champion, Satoshi Ishii.
  • 2008 OLYMPICS
    China won't back down on Internet censorship
    China said it would not back down on Internet censorship during the Olympic Games, insisting that the banned sites are in violation of Chinese law. The international community has sharply criticised the move.
  • FOOTBALL - BEIJING 2008
    FIFA asks to restrict young players from Games
    The Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) stated that clubs must release players who are under 23 years old from the Olympics. Clubs have said that they are not obligated, as the Olympics are not part of FIFA.
  • ATHLETICS - POLE VAULT
    Russia's Isinbayeva breaks pole vault record
    The reigning Olympic and world champion Russian pole vaulter Yelena Isinbayeva broke her previous world record at the Monaco grand prix on Tuesday when she cleared 5.04 meters
  • FRANCE - BEIJING 2008
    Kayak team leads the way in Beijing for French athletes
    France's kayak team have arrived in the Beijing Olympic village - the first French athletes to arrive for the games. Here are their first impressions of the brand new complex.
  • OLYMPIC GAMES - BEIJING 2008
    BMX enters the Olympics
    A new sport will make its first appearance at the Olympics: BMX. Young and fresh, it is nonetheless a very physical and competitive sport.
  • BEIJING OLYMPICS - LABOUR
    State employees drafted in for Olympic work
    These are confusing times for the thousands of Chinese state employees recquisitionned to help stage the Olympic Games. While national pride is felt throughout the country, some still found the change of occupation quite surprising.
  • CHINA - OLYMPICS
    Ceremony rehearsal catches Beijing by surprise
    A full dress-rehearsal for the Olympics' opening ceremony took place in Beijing, featuring a fireworks display that lit up the skyline. But with tight security around the event, much of the show is still under wraps.
  • RUNNING
    Cuba's Robles breaks 110m hurdles world record
    Dayron Robles beat the previous 110m hurdles record of Chinese runner Liu Xiang at the Ostrava grand prix, in the Czech Republic. The 21-year old Cuban has set seven of the eight fastest indoor times this year.
  • SWIMMING - FRANCE
    Manaudou withdraws from 200m freestyle at Olympics
    France's Laure Manaudou pulled out of the 200m freestyle at the National Championships, but claimed the 100m backstroke title only hours later. Once an asset, consecutive races now seem to be taking their toll. (Story: C.Casali, C.Moore)
  • FRANCE - 2008 OLYMPIC GAMES
    French athletes denied controversial badges
    The French Olympic Committee (CNOSF) has asked French athletes not to wear badges reading "For a better world," in a move designed to "respect the Olympic charter," according to the CNOSF president. (Report: R.Ranucci)
  • BEIJING OLYMPICS 2008
    Olympics can bring change to China, Rogge says
    The Olympic Games can prove to be a factor for change in China, International Olympic Committee (IOC) chief Jacques Rogge said in a press release issued Sunday.
  • CHINA - EU
    EU rejects calls to boycott China Olympics
    The European Union has refused calls to boycott this summer's Olympic games in China after violent protests in Tibet. (Report: O.Fairclough)
  • CHINA - OLYMPICS
    Beijing opens new airport terminal for Olympics
    Beijing is opening a huge new 3.6-billion dollar airport terminal in order to manage the expected influx of visitors for this summer's Olympics. The extension will boost capacity at the airport to 76 millions visitors.
  • OLYMPIC GAMES
    'Dope-free' pigs for the Olympics
    To avoid accidental false positives in doping tests for the next Olympic Games, China is breeding special all-natural pigs in secret, under video surveillance.
  • OLYMPIC GAMES
    Volunteer translators advised to be prudent
    Translators for the Beijing Olympic Games undergoing training. And some areas of life need to be approached with caution. (Report J.Calderon, H.Araujo, D.Jing, J.Pak)
  • CHINA - OLYMPICS
    Spielberg bows out of Olympics
    American film director Steven Spielberg has abandoned his role as artistic advisor for the Beijing Olympics, saying China is not doing enough to pressure Sudan to end the violence in Darfur.
  • FACE-OFF
    China: Olympic crisis?
    A year from now Beijing will be a showcase for the new China. What will be revealed? Will it be sporting glory? Or will it be a case of China's past and its practices catching up with it?
  • OLYMPIC GAMES
    Beijing Games security reinforced
    According to the Chinese Olympic organising committee, terrorist attacks are a major threat for the 2008 Beijing Games. Chinese authorities have reinforced security measures.

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