"The 2008 Summer Olympic Games, officially known as the Games of the XXIX Olympiad, is a major international multi-sport event which is being celebrated in Beijing, People's Republic of China from August 8 to August 24, 2008 and followed by the 2008 Summer Paralympics from September 6 to September 17. Ten thousand, five hundred athletes are expected to compete in 302 events in 28 sports, just one event more than was on the schedule of the 2004 games. The 2008 Beijing Olympics will also mark the third time that Olympic events will have been held in the territories of two different National Olympic CommitteesHong Kong, which competes separately from mainland China. (NOC): at the 2008 Olympics, equestrian events will be held in Hong Kong, which competes separately from mainland China."[1]
BEIJING, China (CNN) -- "China opened the 29th Olympic Games on Friday with stunning fireworks as the Asian nation kicked off the biggest and most scrutinized Games in history. Fireworks shot off across the Chinese capital as thousands of drummers, acrobats, martial artists and dancers performed under a light display at the National Stadium, drawing applause from the estimated 90,000 in attendance.
Children representing each of the 56 ethnic groups in China marched out into the stadium, also called the "Bird's Nest" because of its unique appearance. The ceremony was an artistic mix of performance and light that was depicting China's 5,000 years of history. It was a stunning beginning from the nation of 1.3 billion people. Some media observers have said they believe the Opening Ceremony would be the single most watched television event in history.
Billions of dollars in the making, the 2008 Summer Games have been seen as carrying the ambitions of a nation closing the door to world isolation, and seeking its place as a global superpower."[2]
Homepage: http://www.olympic.org/
[1] Source: 2008 Summer Olympics @ Wikipedia
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