The Beijing 2008 Olympic Games
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 - 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.
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.
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.
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.
Pour aller plus loin
- 17/08/2008 : Olympics emphasise Beijing pride
- 14/08/2008 : Beijing's Olympic mutations
- 01/08/2008 : All eyes on Yao Ming
- 05/08/2008 : Beijing assures safe Olympics
- 04/08/2008 : Hundreds bought fake Olympics tickets
- 04/08/2008 : At least 16 policemen reportedly killed in bomb attack
- 02/08/2008 : IOC's Rogge denies Beijing censorship deal
- 29/07/2008 : Olympians worried about Beijing's smog
- 29/07/2008 : French judo wrestler Riner goes for gold
- 31/07/2008 : China won't back down on Internet censorship
- 30/07/2008 : FIFA asks to restrict young players from Games
- 29/07/2008 : Russia's Isinbayeva breaks pole vault record
- 29/07/2008 : Kayak team leads the way in Beijing for French athletes
- 29/04/2008 : BMX enters the Olympics
- 21/07/2008 : State employees drafted in for Olympic work
- 17/07/2008 : Ceremony rehearsal catches Beijing by surprise
- 12/06/2008 : Cuba's Robles breaks 110m hurdles world record
- 22/04/2008 : Manaudou withdraws from 200m freestyle at Olympics
- 15/04/2008 : French athletes denied controversial badges
- 23/03/2008 : Olympics can bring change to China, Rogge says
- 17/03/2008 : EU rejects calls to boycott China Olympics
- 29/02/2008 : Beijing opens new airport terminal for Olympics
- 13/02/2008 : 'Dope-free' pigs for the Olympics
- 13/02/2008 : Volunteer translators advised to be prudent
- 12/02/2008 : Spielberg bows out of Olympics
- 13/02/2008 : China: Olympic crisis?
- 13/02/2008 : Beijing Games security reinforced
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FRANCE'S CHANCES
"France is vying for a better score than the 33 medals it had gathered in Athens"
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IRAQI ATHLETES
They finally arrive in Beijing (Story: K. Spencer)
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politics in the Games
04/05 Jacques Rogge, IOC president
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Olympics: a boycott history
Story by Gulliver Cragg
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Report
Olympic teams tainted by doping practices. Story by George Harris, 06/08
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