OLYMPICS – BEIJING 2008
On the Road to Beijing
The Olympic torch is travelling from its historic home in Olympia, Greece, to the Chinese capital Beijing for the 2008 Olympic Games. Watch its progress in FRANCE 24's weekly programme, "On the Road to Beijing."
"On the Road to Beijing" is a weekly programme that follows the 130-day relay of the Olympic torch as it makes its way from ancient Olympia in Greece to the brand new Olympic Stadium in Beijing - 137,000 km in all. Hosted by Antoine Cormery, the show also follows preparations for the 2008 Olympic Games around the world, as athletes, sponsors, businesses, journalists - and demonstrators angry over China's actions in Tibet - get ready for the big event.
The programme airs as follows (Paris time, GMT+1):
Saturdays at 7:15am, 1:20pm, 7:20pm and 11:20pm.
Sundays at 9:50am, 4:20pm and 10:20pm
Mondays at 5:50am.
Olympic torch lit amid disruptions
The Olympic torch was lit amid tight security in the ancient Greek city of Olympia, despite protesters' attempts to disrupt the ceremony. The five-month journey to Beijing takes in 137,000 km crosses five continents.(Report: B. Harris)
Reporter's notebook
Antoine Cormery is following the Olympic torch on its way from Greece to Beijing. Follow him across five continents during his weekly show "On the Road to Beijing". Read his notebook and send him your questions on this page.
Angela Qiu, Olympic torch designer
Head of the Lenovo design department, Angela Qiu explains how she designed the Olympic torch. Dubbed "cloud of promise," the flame evokes the Chinese symbol of harmony, while its colour, red, is meant to bring good luck.
Boycotts in History
Since the birth of modern Olympics in 1896, boycotts have been a frequent event. Led by the US, some 60 countries opted out of the Moscow Games in 1980, only for the USSR to take its revenge four years in Los Angeles.
Pour aller plus loin
- 08/05/2008 : Olympic torch lit at Mount Everest summit
- 03/05/2008 : Chinese cheer torch's return in Macao
- 02/05/2008 : Torch bearers to take up final leg of Everest ascent
- 02/05/2008 : Thousands cheer Olympic torch relay in Hong Kong
- 28/04/2008 : Olympic torch paraded through Pyongyang
- 26/04/2008 : Olympic torch arrives in South Korea
- 26/04/2008 : Scuffles break out in Japan torch relay
- 19/04/2008 : Tense Bangkok torch relay ends
- 19/04/2008 : Torch-bearer boycotts Bangkok Olympic relay
- 18/04/2008 : Japan Buddhist temple boycotts torch relay
- 17/04/2008 : Olympic torch in India, Tibetan refuge country
- 16/04/2008 : Olympic torch reaches Islamabad amid tight security
- 14/04/2008 : Olympic torch enjoys trouble-free relay in Oman
- 08/04/2008 : IOC rules out ending the torch relay
- 08/04/2008 : China condemns Olympic torch disruptions
- 07/04/2008 : Protests cut short Paris leg of Olympic torch relay
- 06/04/2008 : Scuffles disrupt Olympic torch relay in London
- 05/04/2008 : Romain Mesnil, President of the French Athletes Union
- 01/04/2008 : India's football star pulls out of Olympic torch relay
- 31/03/2008 : Olympic torch relay celebrated amid high security
- 30/03/2008 : China gets Olympic torch amid protests
- 25/03/2008 : Olympic torch lit amid disruptions
- 13/02/2008 : The Beijing 2008 Olympic Games
-
ON THE ROAD TO BEIJING 28/06
The challenges of transporting equestrian teams
-
ON THE ROAD TO BEIJING 21/06
Olympic torch route: Xinjiang
-
ROAD TO BEIJING 14/06
Construction on the main stadiums is wrapping up
-
ROAD TO BEIJING 07/06
Even in rural provinces, enthousiasm is strong
-
ROAD TO BEIJING 31/05
Chinese helpers for earthquake victims are taking part in the torch relay
-
Road to Beijing 24/05
China suspended the relay of the Olympic torch
-
Road to Beijing 17/05
In spite of the tragedy, training continues in China
-
Road to Beijing 10/05
Broacast rights: the big deal
-
ROAD TO BEIJING 03/05
Olympic torch relay comes to China
-
ROAD TO BEIJING 26/04
Inauguration of the Olympic Stadium
-
Road to Beijing 19/04
Merchandising and tickets
-
ROAD TO BEIJING 12/04
Torch fiasco in Paris
-
ROAD TO BEIJING 05/04
Antoine Cormery is in Beijing to welcome the Olympic flame.
-
ROAD TO BEIJING 29/03
Antoine Cormery talks with the designer of the torch.
-
THE SHOW
Antoine Cormery introduces the programme.
-
TORCH TO STOP IN PARIS
Route of flame announced in Paris.
-
THE FLAME ARRIVES IN CHINA
The Olympic flame arrives in Beijing.
-
TORCH RELAY ROUTE 29/03
First leg of Olympic torch route.
