Many questions abound regarding the men’s basketball competition at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Can the United States rebound from disappointing performances at the 2004 Sydney Olympics and the 2006 World Championships? Will China have a healthy roster as they compete in front of their home fans? Can Argentina win another gold medal after their amazing performance in 2004? Soon, these questions will all be answered. Let’s take a look at the 2008 Olympic basketball tournament that will take place in Beijing this summer.
The Argentina squad is one of the main favorites to medal in this year’s Olympic Games. Gold medal winners in 2004, they feature several great players, such as Manu Ginobili, Luis Scola, and Andres Nocioni. They are known for their good team play, outside shooting and passing. While they may not be the favorites after a poor showing in the 2006 World Championships, they will take advantage if the other teams make mistakes.
China’s main questions surround the health of Yao Ming and Wang Zhizhi. Both players were taken out of the NBA season before its conclusion due to injuries they sustained. However, both will likely do whatever it takes to make sure they can compete as their home country hosts the 2008 Olympic Games. If they are able to play, China will boast a very intimidating front line, although their guard play is suspect. If Yao and Wang are able to play, don’t bet against China to finish well.
The United States team is full of question marks. Their talent is never a problem, but in the 2004 Sydney Olympics, they failed to play as a cohesive unit and paid the price. After three losses and a disappointing bronze medal, it was clear that the rest of the world’s talent had begun to catch up with the United States, and that throwing together a “dream team” every four years just wasn’t going to get the job done. Since then, the philosophy behind the roster of the team has evolved, with coaches looking to have players that compliment each other, instead of a team of all stars.
Only time will tell whether the United States will win with their new approach, but it’s hard to think of a team that faces more pressure than they do. The United States fans literally expect their team to win the gold medal, and anything less is absolute failure. Even after a disappointing several years on the international scene, the United States team is the favorite to win the gold medal in Beijing. As you can see, there’s a lot of pressure on the U.S. players.
Other teams that could make a splash include Spain, who has a lot of great talent, including Pau Gasol, Jose Calderon and Juan Carlos Navarro. Spain is a talented team that has an exciting style of play and doesn’t back down to any challenge. If the Spanish players shoot well and play good team defense, the sky is the limit at the Beijing Olympics for them.
An exciting dark horse team is the Lithuanian team, which is famous for a free-wheeling, outside shooting style. They can win games with great outside shooting, or shoot themselves right out of the game, so it’s hard to know what to expect from Lithuania. However, it’s definitely assured that they will be entertaining to watch. They are led by Cleveland Cavaliers star Zydrunas Ilgauskas.
If Canada is able to qualify during July’s 12-team tournament that will determine three more competitors, they could be exciting to watch as well. Canada’s Steve Nash is a multiple-time NBA MVP who usually plays a fast-paced style of basketball that fits well with the international game.
The only way to find out what will really happen will be to watch the men’s basketball tournament at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Make sure to follow the teams so you can stay up to date with one of the most exciting sports in the world!
Sunday, August 3, 2008
Monday, July 28, 2008
The 2008 Beijing Olympics: What to Watch For
The Olympic Games have always been a captivating event for spectators to behold. Each edition of the Summer Olympic Games presents its own storylines, memorable moments, heroes, and inspirational events. This year, there will be many great stories that come seemingly out of nowhere, but there are also great stories that have already been set up, that will keep the attention of viewers worldwide as the 2008 Beijing Olympics join sports history as one of the biggest events ever.
With all the events taking place and athletes competing, it can be hard to even know what to follow. Here’s a beginner’s guide to a few of the stories to watch as the Beijing Olympics draw progressively nearer.
In 2004’s Summer Olympic Games in Athens, one of the biggest surprises was the collapse of the U.S. men’s basketball team. The team started out with a loss to Puerto Rico, and would go on to lost two more games en route to a bronze medal. The three losses in the 2004 Olympic Games surpassed the number of losses that the U.S. team had endured in Olympic history before that point.
After another disappointing third place finish at the 2006 World Championships, the 2008 U.S. men’s basketball team will look to reclaim their former glory. The team is taking a different direction, as coaches and USA Basketball have attempted to form a cohesive team that will play as a unit rather than yet another thrown together roster of NBA All-Stars. Only time will tell if the team will win the gold against an emerging world of basketball superstars that continue to grow in talent.
It will also be fun to watch China’s athletes compete in the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Athletes always compete a little harder in their home country, and the Chinese athletes are certain to be ready when the Olympics commence in Beijing this summer. In 2004’s Olympic Games in Athens, China finished second overall with 32 gold medals, so they have set the stage for Olympic dominance. With strong athletes in nearly every Olympic sport, it will be interesting to see what kind of effort China’s athletes can put together as they host athletes from all over the world in the 2008 Olympic Games.
Track and field events are always among the most anticipated, but this year there may be an unprecedented newcomer to one or more events. Oscar Pistorius, born without fibulas in either of his legs, is a double-amputee athlete who runs with the use of carbon fiber “blades” nicknamed “Cheetahs” that help him run like an able-bodied athlete. After initially being told he couldn’t compete in this year’s Olympics because a German scientist believed that the blades gave Pistorius an unfair advantage, Pistorius successfully appealed the ruling and will be free to qualify for this year’s Olympic Games in Beijing.
If Pistorius can better his time in the 400 meters (which is one second off of Olympic qualifying pace), he will make history when he lines up on the track this summer. Even if he does not meet the required time, he may still be selected to race as part of his native South African relay team. If Pistorius does compete, you won’t want to miss it.
Finally, 41-year old Dara Torres is spicing up the swimming world with her possible participation in the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. Torres would set a number of records, including most Olympic appearances by a swimmer (5) and oldest swimmer to compete in the Olympics, if she is able to successfully qualify. Her road to doing so appears to be pretty certain, as she is actually swimming faster than she did years ago when she was an Olympian! You’ll want to follow this amazing and inspirational athlete in Beijing, whether you’re a fan of swimming or not.
These are just a few of the intriguing stories that have presented themselves already as the Olympics get closer. Make sure to catch the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, China so that you won’t miss out on any of the historic events that are sure to happen.
With all the events taking place and athletes competing, it can be hard to even know what to follow. Here’s a beginner’s guide to a few of the stories to watch as the Beijing Olympics draw progressively nearer.
In 2004’s Summer Olympic Games in Athens, one of the biggest surprises was the collapse of the U.S. men’s basketball team. The team started out with a loss to Puerto Rico, and would go on to lost two more games en route to a bronze medal. The three losses in the 2004 Olympic Games surpassed the number of losses that the U.S. team had endured in Olympic history before that point.
After another disappointing third place finish at the 2006 World Championships, the 2008 U.S. men’s basketball team will look to reclaim their former glory. The team is taking a different direction, as coaches and USA Basketball have attempted to form a cohesive team that will play as a unit rather than yet another thrown together roster of NBA All-Stars. Only time will tell if the team will win the gold against an emerging world of basketball superstars that continue to grow in talent.
It will also be fun to watch China’s athletes compete in the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Athletes always compete a little harder in their home country, and the Chinese athletes are certain to be ready when the Olympics commence in Beijing this summer. In 2004’s Olympic Games in Athens, China finished second overall with 32 gold medals, so they have set the stage for Olympic dominance. With strong athletes in nearly every Olympic sport, it will be interesting to see what kind of effort China’s athletes can put together as they host athletes from all over the world in the 2008 Olympic Games.
Track and field events are always among the most anticipated, but this year there may be an unprecedented newcomer to one or more events. Oscar Pistorius, born without fibulas in either of his legs, is a double-amputee athlete who runs with the use of carbon fiber “blades” nicknamed “Cheetahs” that help him run like an able-bodied athlete. After initially being told he couldn’t compete in this year’s Olympics because a German scientist believed that the blades gave Pistorius an unfair advantage, Pistorius successfully appealed the ruling and will be free to qualify for this year’s Olympic Games in Beijing.
If Pistorius can better his time in the 400 meters (which is one second off of Olympic qualifying pace), he will make history when he lines up on the track this summer. Even if he does not meet the required time, he may still be selected to race as part of his native South African relay team. If Pistorius does compete, you won’t want to miss it.
Finally, 41-year old Dara Torres is spicing up the swimming world with her possible participation in the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. Torres would set a number of records, including most Olympic appearances by a swimmer (5) and oldest swimmer to compete in the Olympics, if she is able to successfully qualify. Her road to doing so appears to be pretty certain, as she is actually swimming faster than she did years ago when she was an Olympian! You’ll want to follow this amazing and inspirational athlete in Beijing, whether you’re a fan of swimming or not.
These are just a few of the intriguing stories that have presented themselves already as the Olympics get closer. Make sure to catch the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, China so that you won’t miss out on any of the historic events that are sure to happen.
Sunday, July 27, 2008
Transportation at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games
Entry and transportFor those of us who aren’t able to compete at an Olympic level, the next best thing is to be able to attend the Olympic Games. For as long as they have existed, the Olympic Games have had an appeal and a tradition that set it apart from similar sporting events, and which somehow manage to capture the collective imaginations of people all over the world, whether or not they are normally sports fans.
If you are among those that are lucky enough to be attending the 2008 Summer Olympic Games in Beijing, China, you are most likely excited, but maybe a bit stressed out as well. After all, there are a lot of things to arrange and prepare before the Olympic Games arrive. You may not have quite as much to think about as say, an Olympic gymnast or sprinter, but it’s understandable if the prospect of getting around during the 2008 Beijing Olympics is a bit daunting!
With a city the size of Beijing, China, combined with the tremendous influx of visitors that only an Olympic competition can bring, getting around town to various events as well as other tourist attractions can be pretty intimidating. It’s vital for an Olympic city to not only provide great public transportation, but also to be easy to get around for those who choose to transport themselves to where they need to go. For those folks, there has to be ample parking, and the roads must be able to occupy a larger than usual amount of drivers without causing chaos, and worse yet, traffic jams!
Luckily, the public transportation system in Beijing appears to be ready for the rather formidable challenge that such a large number of new visitors and athletes will bring. Not only can you get around for a fairly small fee (1 yuan for a bus ride in the city, and 2 yuan if you’re in the suburbs), but Public Transportation Cards are available, even to visitors, so that you can save money. It’s probably a good idea to take advantage of that offer if you’re going to be making lots of trips, which you likely will if you’re attending the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
If buses aren’t your style, you can also get a quick ride from one of the over 60,000 taxi cabs within the city of Beijing. Taxis can be a great way to travel because, although they are more expensive than buses, they can get you where you need to go quickly. Also, with a taxi, you can give the driver a specific destination, without having to tailor your arrival to a pre-set location along a bus route.
If you’re still not pleased, you’ll probably want to go with the subway or city rails that Beijing have to offer. For little more than what you would pay for a bus ride, you can take the subway and possibly get to your destination even faster.
Of course, officials in the city of Beijing, China have been preparing for the influx of visitors for years now, and they have made adjustments within the public transportation system to guarantee convenient and quick travel for all Olympic enthusiasts. The venues that have been built for the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China have been placed in locations that are easily reachable using the public transportation system.
Congratulations to any of you who are attending this summer’s Beijing Olympic Games. You can breathe a sigh of relief knowing that you will be able to get around quickly and efficiently, even if you don’t know your way around Beijing (which you probably don’t). Be sure to explore all the options available to you before choosing your preferred method of getting from place to place, and enjoy your Olympic experience!
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Lodging Options at the Beijing Olympics
If you’re among the many that will be traveling to Beijing, China to be part of the 2008 Summer Olympic Games, you’ll have to consider where you will stay as you make your plans. Luckily, there are many options available in the Beijing area as well as in nearby surrounding cities. Between high class hotels, guest houses, hostels and other accommodations, there is bound to be something that will suit your needs during the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
The Beijing Hotel is among the five star hotels available for those visiting Beijing during the Olympic Games. It’s located conveniently in downtown Beijing, near shopping centers and other places you’ll likely want to visit. In addition, it’s a short walk from the famous Tian’anment Square as well. Rooms are known for being very large and spacious, and a variety of amenities, including laundry service and meeting facilities, are available.
Other five star accommodations include the romantic Grand Hotel Beijing, which is a posh hotel that features fine dining and artistic design and decorating. The Beijing International Hotel provides five star comfort in a more modern setting, and is located in the center of Beijing. There is a shopping area and spa on site to add to the enjoyment of your stay.
If you are a football (that’s “soccer” to you U.S. fans) fan, you may be willing to stay outside of Beijing in a neighboring city, like Tianjin, Shenyang, Shanghai, or Qinhuangdao. These cities are a quick trip from Beijing and offer you convenient access to football matches throughout the Olympic Games. These cities, particularly Shanghai and Tianjin, also provide excellent tourism opportunities and will give your trip to China for the Beijing Olympics a different flavor.
Similarly, sailing enthusiasts may want to stay in a hotel within the beautiful city of Qingdao. Qingdao and its Qingdao Olympic Sailing Center is home to sailing events during the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Qingdao features very favorable weather conditions during the summer months, and also boasts a variety of lodging options for those who are interested.
If equestrian sports are more your style, consider staying outside Beijing in one of the many hotels in Hong Kong. Hong Kong’s two equestrian centers will be hosting all equestrian events during the 2008 Beijing Olympics, so you might as well stay there if those are your biggest interests! Hong Kong is an internationally known city that is a center of culture and commerce in China. You are sure to find a great place to stay there, and you will have much to do aside from attending the actual Olympic Games themselves.
Of course, you’ll have to be willing to do some research if you want to find the most appropriate lodging choice for you or your family during the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Luckily, the internet makes this easier than ever, as you can usually view hotels inside and out and compare prices without leaving your computer desk. You’ll want to hurry up and make reservations quickly if you haven’t already, so make sure to complete your research soon!
China has a lot to offer culturally, and with the 2008 Summer Olympic Games belonging to the city of Beijing, now is the perfect time to explore China and its great cities. With a little effort, you can find the perfect lodging choice for you, and get ready to enjoy your Olympic experience!
The Beijing Hotel is among the five star hotels available for those visiting Beijing during the Olympic Games. It’s located conveniently in downtown Beijing, near shopping centers and other places you’ll likely want to visit. In addition, it’s a short walk from the famous Tian’anment Square as well. Rooms are known for being very large and spacious, and a variety of amenities, including laundry service and meeting facilities, are available.
Other five star accommodations include the romantic Grand Hotel Beijing, which is a posh hotel that features fine dining and artistic design and decorating. The Beijing International Hotel provides five star comfort in a more modern setting, and is located in the center of Beijing. There is a shopping area and spa on site to add to the enjoyment of your stay.
If you are a football (that’s “soccer” to you U.S. fans) fan, you may be willing to stay outside of Beijing in a neighboring city, like Tianjin, Shenyang, Shanghai, or Qinhuangdao. These cities are a quick trip from Beijing and offer you convenient access to football matches throughout the Olympic Games. These cities, particularly Shanghai and Tianjin, also provide excellent tourism opportunities and will give your trip to China for the Beijing Olympics a different flavor.
Similarly, sailing enthusiasts may want to stay in a hotel within the beautiful city of Qingdao. Qingdao and its Qingdao Olympic Sailing Center is home to sailing events during the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Qingdao features very favorable weather conditions during the summer months, and also boasts a variety of lodging options for those who are interested.
If equestrian sports are more your style, consider staying outside Beijing in one of the many hotels in Hong Kong. Hong Kong’s two equestrian centers will be hosting all equestrian events during the 2008 Beijing Olympics, so you might as well stay there if those are your biggest interests! Hong Kong is an internationally known city that is a center of culture and commerce in China. You are sure to find a great place to stay there, and you will have much to do aside from attending the actual Olympic Games themselves.
Of course, you’ll have to be willing to do some research if you want to find the most appropriate lodging choice for you or your family during the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Luckily, the internet makes this easier than ever, as you can usually view hotels inside and out and compare prices without leaving your computer desk. You’ll want to hurry up and make reservations quickly if you haven’t already, so make sure to complete your research soon!
China has a lot to offer culturally, and with the 2008 Summer Olympic Games belonging to the city of Beijing, now is the perfect time to explore China and its great cities. With a little effort, you can find the perfect lodging choice for you, and get ready to enjoy your Olympic experience!
Monday, July 21, 2008
What Makes an Olympic Athlete?
As the 2008 Beijing Olympics draw closer, the spotlight falls on the athletes who will be competing on the sports world’s biggest stage in another edition of the Summer Olympic Games. While we all watch in awe as these athletes ply their trades and do things that most of us can only dream of, it’s important to remember the dedication and determination involved in becoming an Olympic level athlete. You will only be even more impressed by these great individuals when you come to understand what it takes for them to reach the Olympic Games.
One important thing to keep in mind is that no one just becomes an Olympic athlete. You can’t simply make it to the highest level of competition on natural talent alone. Every last athlete competing in each edition of the Olympics is successful based upon not only natural talent and ability, but years of hard work, preparation and planning. Since the Olympics only come every four years, athletes will have to train for several years just to get one opportunity to be the best in the world at their sport of choice.
If you think about it, that’s an incredible amount of sacrifice with no guaranteed reward at the end. An injury, a poor performance that keeps an athlete from qualifying for the Olympics, or any other number of things can happen that will render an athlete’s years of hard work and dedication effectively useless. Imagine dedicating your entire life to one goal, only to know that a single slip-up, mishap, or poor performance could erase all that you have worked for! This is the kind of pressure that Olympic level athletes must live with.
Although some Olympic athletes, such as basketball players, are professionals, most are not. This means that many Olympic athletes are students or must maintain jobs while training full-time to be the best in the world. It would not be possible, especially with the requirements of today’s top athletes, if it weren’t for sponsors. Most athletes rely on sponsors to help pay for strength and conditioning coaches and other needs, as well as to help pay for living expenses so that they can focus solely on their training.
Depending on the sport that the athlete participates in, they may have a very different background in their sport. As mentioned earlier, many Olympic basketball players are professional athletes, while top gymnasts are amateurs who are sometimes barely teenagers! Olympic athletes come in all ages, shapes and sizes, and from all different kinds of backgrounds. Some athletes are college competitors, and others are athletes who sharpened their skills on the college stage and have continued to train for a chance at Olympic greatness, deferring the start of their careers and families in the process.
While the demands and risks that are imposed upon athletes who dream to be in the Olympic Games are great, for these men and women, the potential rewards are well worth it. It takes a special person to dedicate themselves so completely to a singular goal, and even though many of us would love nothing more than to be given an Olympic gold medal, only a select few are willing to truly dedicate themselves to accomplishing the task.
Why is it that some athletes are able to devote themselves to the pursuit of Olympic excellence, while others can not? Perhaps Olympic athletes are simply more competitive, and their drive helps separate them from other top athletes. After all, at the highest levels of sport, the difference between a gold medal winner and a non-Olympic qualifier can be as simple as who wants to win more. One thing is for sure, though: Olympic athletes are a very special breed of individual. Although Olympic athletes are known and revered mostly for what their bodies can do, the best of them know that the work all begins in their minds and hearts.
One important thing to keep in mind is that no one just becomes an Olympic athlete. You can’t simply make it to the highest level of competition on natural talent alone. Every last athlete competing in each edition of the Olympics is successful based upon not only natural talent and ability, but years of hard work, preparation and planning. Since the Olympics only come every four years, athletes will have to train for several years just to get one opportunity to be the best in the world at their sport of choice.
If you think about it, that’s an incredible amount of sacrifice with no guaranteed reward at the end. An injury, a poor performance that keeps an athlete from qualifying for the Olympics, or any other number of things can happen that will render an athlete’s years of hard work and dedication effectively useless. Imagine dedicating your entire life to one goal, only to know that a single slip-up, mishap, or poor performance could erase all that you have worked for! This is the kind of pressure that Olympic level athletes must live with.
Although some Olympic athletes, such as basketball players, are professionals, most are not. This means that many Olympic athletes are students or must maintain jobs while training full-time to be the best in the world. It would not be possible, especially with the requirements of today’s top athletes, if it weren’t for sponsors. Most athletes rely on sponsors to help pay for strength and conditioning coaches and other needs, as well as to help pay for living expenses so that they can focus solely on their training.
Depending on the sport that the athlete participates in, they may have a very different background in their sport. As mentioned earlier, many Olympic basketball players are professional athletes, while top gymnasts are amateurs who are sometimes barely teenagers! Olympic athletes come in all ages, shapes and sizes, and from all different kinds of backgrounds. Some athletes are college competitors, and others are athletes who sharpened their skills on the college stage and have continued to train for a chance at Olympic greatness, deferring the start of their careers and families in the process.
While the demands and risks that are imposed upon athletes who dream to be in the Olympic Games are great, for these men and women, the potential rewards are well worth it. It takes a special person to dedicate themselves so completely to a singular goal, and even though many of us would love nothing more than to be given an Olympic gold medal, only a select few are willing to truly dedicate themselves to accomplishing the task.
Why is it that some athletes are able to devote themselves to the pursuit of Olympic excellence, while others can not? Perhaps Olympic athletes are simply more competitive, and their drive helps separate them from other top athletes. After all, at the highest levels of sport, the difference between a gold medal winner and a non-Olympic qualifier can be as simple as who wants to win more. One thing is for sure, though: Olympic athletes are a very special breed of individual. Although Olympic athletes are known and revered mostly for what their bodies can do, the best of them know that the work all begins in their minds and hearts.
Saturday, July 19, 2008
How to Enjoy the 2008 Beijing Olympics
You may be an Olympic enthusiast already, or perhaps you’re more of a casual sports fan. In fact, you may not be a fan of sports whatsoever, but there’s still likely to be something for you during the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Here are some things to keep in mind to enhance your enjoyment of the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, China.
First of all, it’s important to keep an open mind as you follow the Olympics. Try watching sports that you may not have any immediate interest in, or that you have never seen at all. Often times, Olympic sports that don’t garner much attention, such as synchronized swimming or water polo, may be among the most fascinating to watch. You will never know whether you like a particular sport unless you give it a try!
While you’re giving other sports a chance, give other countries an opportunity to impress you, as well. One of the most unique aspects of the Olympic Games, and the thing that sets them apart from many other competitions, is the international flair that the Games have. It’s fun to root on your own country and the athletes that represent it, but many times you will also find yourself admiring that determination and skill of athletes from other countries as well. There’s nothing wrong with that, after all, that’s what the Olympics are all about!
During the 2008 Beijing Olympics, be sure to catch the dramatic and historic Opening and Closing Ceremonies as well. The Ceremonies are among the most popular events in the Olympic Games, even though no actual competition takes place in them. What the Opening Ceremony (and Closing Ceremony) is all about is providing a showcase for the cultural beauty and individuality of all the countries involved, while also emphasizing the essential unity of the world community.
In addition, the Opening Ceremony provides a joyful celebration of the exciting events to come, and is sure to get you pumped up for the rest of the Olympic Games. Meanwhile, the Closing Ceremony celebrates all that we have seen, while showing respect between athletes and countries alike. No viewing of the Olympic Games is complete without witnessing the dynamic and amazing Opening and Closing Ceremonies.
The Olympic Games aren’t just about scores, finishing times, and medals, and the 2008 Beijing Olympics will be no different. The most enthralling and captivating moments don’t necessarily involve who wins and who loses, but the human stories that emerge throughout the friendly competition between countries. If the 2008 Beijing Olympics are similar to previous editions of the Olympic Games, there will be no shortage of inspirational, touching, and amusing storylines and athletes. Be sure to keep an eye on them, if you want to maximize your enjoyment of the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
Another way to really enjoy the Olympic Games is to watch it with your family and friends. Sports and friendly competition provide a wonderful bonding environment that can help bridge gaps and show you that you have more in common with others than you may have previously thought. Sports transcend age, cultural, and political differences, and thusly are a great platform to use to bond with people that you may normally have very little in common with, or who you may not always agree with.
Finally, if you get a chance, try some of the sports out yourself! Kick a soccer ball around, shoot some baskets outside, or go for a run to experience what the competition is like for yourself. You’ll likely have a newfound respect for the athletes who compete in the 2008 Beijing Olympics when you see for yourself just how much difficulty the different sports and events present to competitors.
No matter how you spend your time watching the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, make sure to enjoy them- after all, they only come every four years! The Olympics are a time like no other, a celebration of sports, competition, and unity…make sure that you are a part of the fun!
First of all, it’s important to keep an open mind as you follow the Olympics. Try watching sports that you may not have any immediate interest in, or that you have never seen at all. Often times, Olympic sports that don’t garner much attention, such as synchronized swimming or water polo, may be among the most fascinating to watch. You will never know whether you like a particular sport unless you give it a try!
While you’re giving other sports a chance, give other countries an opportunity to impress you, as well. One of the most unique aspects of the Olympic Games, and the thing that sets them apart from many other competitions, is the international flair that the Games have. It’s fun to root on your own country and the athletes that represent it, but many times you will also find yourself admiring that determination and skill of athletes from other countries as well. There’s nothing wrong with that, after all, that’s what the Olympics are all about!
During the 2008 Beijing Olympics, be sure to catch the dramatic and historic Opening and Closing Ceremonies as well. The Ceremonies are among the most popular events in the Olympic Games, even though no actual competition takes place in them. What the Opening Ceremony (and Closing Ceremony) is all about is providing a showcase for the cultural beauty and individuality of all the countries involved, while also emphasizing the essential unity of the world community.
In addition, the Opening Ceremony provides a joyful celebration of the exciting events to come, and is sure to get you pumped up for the rest of the Olympic Games. Meanwhile, the Closing Ceremony celebrates all that we have seen, while showing respect between athletes and countries alike. No viewing of the Olympic Games is complete without witnessing the dynamic and amazing Opening and Closing Ceremonies.
The Olympic Games aren’t just about scores, finishing times, and medals, and the 2008 Beijing Olympics will be no different. The most enthralling and captivating moments don’t necessarily involve who wins and who loses, but the human stories that emerge throughout the friendly competition between countries. If the 2008 Beijing Olympics are similar to previous editions of the Olympic Games, there will be no shortage of inspirational, touching, and amusing storylines and athletes. Be sure to keep an eye on them, if you want to maximize your enjoyment of the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
Another way to really enjoy the Olympic Games is to watch it with your family and friends. Sports and friendly competition provide a wonderful bonding environment that can help bridge gaps and show you that you have more in common with others than you may have previously thought. Sports transcend age, cultural, and political differences, and thusly are a great platform to use to bond with people that you may normally have very little in common with, or who you may not always agree with.
Finally, if you get a chance, try some of the sports out yourself! Kick a soccer ball around, shoot some baskets outside, or go for a run to experience what the competition is like for yourself. You’ll likely have a newfound respect for the athletes who compete in the 2008 Beijing Olympics when you see for yourself just how much difficulty the different sports and events present to competitors.
No matter how you spend your time watching the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, make sure to enjoy them- after all, they only come every four years! The Olympics are a time like no other, a celebration of sports, competition, and unity…make sure that you are a part of the fun!
Friday, July 18, 2008
2008 Beijing Olympics song"Welcome to Beijing" ,"北京欢迎你" MV
I would like to share with you on this MV "Welcome To Beijing" because i found it very meaningful. Enjoy!
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