2008 Summer Olympics
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![]() | This article documents a current sporting event. Information may change rapidly as the event progresses. Initial news reports, scores, or statistics may be unreliable. The last updates to this article may not reflect the most current information. |
Template:Contains Chinese text 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.[1] 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 Committees (NOC): at the 2008 Olympics, equestrian events will be held in Hong Kong, which competes separately from mainland China.
The Olympic games were awarded to Beijing after an exhaustive ballot of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) on July 13, 2001. The official logo of the games, titled "Dancing Beijing," features a stylised calligraphic character jīng (京, meaning capital), referencing the host city. The mascots of Beijing 2008 are the five Fuwa, each representing both a colour of the Olympic rings and a symbol of Chinese culture. The Olympic slogan, One World, One Dream, calls upon the world to unite in the Olympic spirit. Several new NOCs have also been recognised by the IOC.
The Chinese government has promoted the games to highlight China's emergence on the world stage and has invested heavily in new facilities and transportation systems.[2][3] A total of 37 venues will be used to host the events including 12 newly constructed venues. Earlier in 2007, former IOC president Juan Antonio Samaranch had said that he believes that the Beijing games will be "the best in Olympic history,"[4] and despite the controversies that have marred the image of the Chinese Olympics, current president Jacques Rogge asserts that the IOC has "absolutely no regrets" in choosing Beijing to host the 2008 games.[5]
Bid
2008 Summer Olympics bidding results | |||
---|---|---|---|
City | NOC | Round 1 | Round 2 |
Beijing | ![]() |
44 | 56 |
Toronto | ![]() |
20 | 22 |
Paris | ![]() |
15 | 18 |
Istanbul | ![]() |
17 | 9 |
Osaka | ![]() |
6 | — |
Beijing was elected the host city on July 13, 2001, during the 112th IOC Session in Moscow, beating Toronto, Paris, Istanbul, and Osaka. Prior to the session, five other cities (Bangkok, Cairo, Havana, Kuala Lumpur, and Seville) submitted bids to the IOC but failed to make the short list in 2000. After the first round of voting, Beijing held a significant lead over the other four candidates. Osaka received only 6 votes and was eliminated. In the second round, Beijing was supported by an absolute majority of voters, eliminating the need for subsequent rounds.[6]
After winning the bid, Li Lanqing, the vice premier of China, declared "The winning of the 2008 Olympic bid is an example of the international recognition of China's social stability, economic progress and the healthy life of the Chinese people." Previously, Beijing had bid to host the 2000 Summer Olympics. It led the voting over the first three rounds, but ultimately lost to Sydney in the final round in 1993.
Development and preparation
Venues
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2008 Summer Olympics |
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By May 2007, construction of all 31 Beijing-based Olympic Games venues had begun.[7] The Chinese government is also investing in the renovation and construction of 6 venues outside Beijing as well as 59 training centres. Its largest architectural pieces will be the Beijing National Stadium, Beijing National Indoor Stadium, Beijing National Aquatics Centre, Olympic Green Convention Centre, Olympic Green, and Beijing Wukesong Culture & Sports Center. Almost 85% of the construction budget for the six main venues is being funded by US$2.1 billion (RMB¥17.4 billion) in corporate bids and tenders. Investments are expected from corporations seeking ownership rights after the 2008 Summer Olympics. Some venues will be owned and governed by the State General Administration of Sports, which will use them after the Olympics as facilities for all future national sports teams and events.
Some events will be held outside Beijing, namely football (in Qinhuangdao, Shanghai, Shenyang, and Tianjin), sailing (in Qingdao), and equestrian (in Hong Kong, because of "uncertainties of equine diseases and major difficulties in establishing a disease-free zone").[8]
Beijing National Stadium
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/df/Bird%27s_Nest_stadium%2C_May_2008.jpg/350px-Bird%27s_Nest_stadium%2C_May_2008.jpg)
The centrepiece of the 2008 Summer Olympics will be the Beijing National Stadium, nicknamed the "Bird nest" because of its nest-like skeletal structure.[9] Construction of the venue began on December 24, 2003. The Guangdong Olympic Stadium was originally planned, constructed, and completed in 2001 for the Games, but a decision was made to construct a new stadium in Beijing.[clarification needed][10] Government officials engaged architects worldwide in a design competition. A Swiss firm, Herzog & de Meuron Architekten AG, collaborated with China Architecture Design & Research Group to win the competition. The stadium features a lattice-like concrete skeleton forming the stadium bowl and will have a seating capacity of over 90,000 people during the Olympics. Architects originally described the overall design as resembling a bird nest with an immense ocular—an opening with a retractable roof over the stadium. However, in 2004, the idea of retractable roof was abandoned for economic and safety reasons. The Beijing National Stadium will be the site of the opening and closing ceremonies, as well as the athletics events and soccer finals. The stadium's designer Ai Weiwei has since withdrawn his support for China's Olympic games, saying "he wants nothing to do with them anymore".[11][12]
Most recently, the Beijing Olympic Village opened on July 16, 2008 and to the public on July 26, 2008.
Transport
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/dd/Beijing_2008_olympic_venues.png/250px-Beijing_2008_olympic_venues.png)
In preparation for the huge rush during the games, Beijing's subway system underwent a major expansion which increased its capacity to more than twice its previous size. The previous system was composed of 4 lines and 64 stations. An additional 7 lines and more than 80 new stations were constructed, including a direct link to Beijing Capital International Airport. In the airport itself, 11 unmanned trains, each transporting a maximum of 83 passengers, will expedite the movement of people throughout the new terminal building.[13] Most of them are scheduled to operate from June 30, 2008, one month before the start of the games. In January 2007, the BOCOG announced that the Metro cars will be fitted with video screens showing the latest news and events during the games. Additionally, cellphone signals would be made available, so that people can use their communication devices in the metro stations or underground.[14] On August 1, Beijing South Railway Station was reopened after two years of construction. The 120-km long Beijing–Tianjin Intercity Rail opened on the same day that connects the new railway station with Olympic co-host city Tianjin with world's fastest scheduled train service at 350 km/h.[15]
According to the General Administration of Civil Aviation of China, a new five-level emergency alert system for extreme weather and security threats will be implemented in the airport. This system is designed to ensure smooth and safe transportation for the estimated 3 million domestic and overseas visitors who will flock to Beijing for the games in August 2008.[16]
On the ground, Beijing is set to designate 38 official public transit routes that will link the Olympic venues. During the games, 2,500 large-size buses and 4,500 minibuses will be operated by a total of 8,000 drivers to transport people across various venues. Prior to the games, public transport will be optimised in order to reduce the existing 110 overlapping routes.[17]
Athletes, Olympic guests and media will be moved around the city in a fleet of 5,000 Volkswagen "low-emission, low-consumption" vehicles.[18] Volkswagen Group China will also have a dedicated pavilion to showcase their brands to the public throughout the event.
Beijing will be implementing a temporary road space rationing based on plate numbers during the Games in order to significantly improve air quality in the city.[19] Under the traffic plan made public on June 20, 2008, the rationing will be enforced for two months, between July 20 to September 20, as the Olympics will begin on August 8, and then will be followed by the 2008 Paralympics, from September 6 until 17.[20][dead link] The restrictions will be in placed on alternate days depending on the plates ending in odd or even numbers. This measure is expected to take 45% of the 3.3 million car fleet off the streets. In addition, 300,000 heavy polluting vehicles will be banned from July 1, and the plan also prohibits access to most vehicles coming from outside Beijing. The boosted public transport network is expected to absorb this additional demand, estimated in more than 4 million extra passengers per day.[21][20]
Marketing
The 2008 Summer Olympics emblem is known as Dancing Beijing (Chinese: 舞动的北京). The emblem combines a traditional Chinese red seal and a representation of the calligraphic character jīng (京, "national capital", also the second character of Beijing's Chinese name) with athletic features. The open arms of the calligraphic word symbolises the invitation of China to the world to share in its culture. IOC president Jacques Rogge was very happy with the emblem, saying, "Your new emblem immediately conveys the awesome beauty and power of China which are embodied in your heritage and your people."[22]
The slogan for the 2008 Olympics is "One World, One Dream" (simplified Chinese: 同一个世界 同一个梦想; traditional Chinese: 同一個世界 同一個夢想; pinyin: Tóng Yíge Shìjiè Tóng Yíge Mèngxiǎng.)[23] The slogan calls upon the whole world to join in the Olympic spirit and build a better future for humanity. It was chosen from over 210,000 entries submitted from around the world.[9]
The 2008 Olympic Mascots are the five Fuwa (Chinese: 福娃, literally "good luck dolls" initially known as Friendlies in English). The Fuwa consist of five members that incorporate fish, giant panda, fire, Tibetan antelope, and swallow designs. The Fuwa each have as their primary colour, one of the colours of the five Olympic Rings that stand for the five continents. The five Fuwa are named Beibei, Jingjing, Huanhuan, Yingying, and Nini. When the first syllable of each of the five names are said together, the result is the phrase 北京欢迎你 (Běijīng huānyíng nĭ) which means "Beijing welcomes you".[24]
Broadcasting
![]() | It has been suggested that this section be split out into another article titled List of broadcasting rights at the 2008 Summer Olympics. (Discuss) |
These games will be the first to be produced and broadcast entirely in high definition television, and will likely garner upwards of 4 billion viewers.[25] In their bid for the Olympic games in 2001, Beijing confirmed to the Olympic Evaluation Commission "that there will be no restrictions on media reporting and movement of journalists up to and including the Olympic Games,"[26] but according to a report in the New York Times, "these promises have been contradicted by strict visa rules, lengthy application processes and worries about censorship."[27]
Torch relay
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/bd/Official_2008_Summer_Olympics_Torch_in_Vilnius.jpg/220px-Official_2008_Summer_Olympics_Torch_in_Vilnius.jpg)
The design of the Olympic Torch is based on traditional scrolls and uses a traditional Chinese design known as the "Propitious Clouds" (祥云). The torch is designed to remain lit in 65 kilometer per hour winds, and in rain of up to 50 millimeters per hour.
The relay, with the theme Journey of Harmony, is expected to last 130 days and carry the torch 137,000 km (85,000 mi)—the longest distance of any Olympic torch relay since the tradition began at the 1936 Berlin Games.[81][82] So far, the torch relay has been called a "public relations disaster" by The Times[83] for China, with protests of China's human rights record, particularly about Tibet.
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/0d/Beijing_2008_Torch_Relay_Route.png/250px-Beijing_2008_Torch_Relay_Route.png)
The relay began March 24, 2008, in Olympia, Greece. From there, it traveled across Greece to Panathinaiko Stadium in Athens, and then to Beijing, arriving on March 31. From Beijing, the torch followed a route passing through every continent except Antarctica. The torch visited cities on the Silk Road, symbolizing ancient links between China and the rest of the world. A total of 21,880 torchbearers have been selected from around the world by various organizations and entities.[84]
The international portion of the relay was a problematic, month-long world tour that has seen wide-scale protests to China's human rights abuses and recent crackdown in Tibet. After trouble in London saw several attempts to put out the flame, the following day, the flame was extinguished in Paris .[85] The American leg in San Francisco on 9 April was altered without prior warning to avoid such scenes, although there were still demonstrations along the original route.[86] The relay was further delayed and simplified after the 2008 Sichuan earthquake affecting western China.
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/c1/Tibet_Protests.jpg/220px-Tibet_Protests.jpg)
The flame was carried to the top of Mount Everest[84] on a 108 km (67 mi) long "highway" scaling the Tibetan side of the mountain especially built for the relay. The $19.7 million blacktop project spanned from Tingri County of Xigazê Prefecture to the Everest Base Camp.[87] In March 2008, China banned mountaineers from climbing its side of Mount Everest and later persuaded the Nepalese government to close their side as well, officially citing environmental concerns.[88] It also reflected concerns by the Chinese government that Tibet activists may try to disrupt its plans to carry the Olympic torch up the world's tallest peak.[89]
The originally proposed route would have seen the torch carried through Taipei after leaving Vietnam and before heading for Hong Kong. Taiwan authorities, however, objected to this proposal, claiming that this route would make the portion of the relay in Taiwan appear to be part the torch's domestic journey through China, rather than a leg on the international route.[90] This dispute as well as demands that the flag of the Republic of China and the National Anthem of the Republic of China be banned along the route[91] led the Taiwan authorities to reject the proposal that it be part of the relay route, and the two sides of the Taiwan Strait subsequently blamed each other for injecting politics into the event.[92]
The Games
Opening ceremony
The opening ceremony of the Olympics in Beijing will be held in the Beijing National Stadium, and begin at 8:00pm CST (UTC+8) on 8 August 2008.[93] The choice of date and time (2008-08-08 8:00) reflects the fact that the number 8 is considered lucky in China.[a]
It has been announced that Canada's Celine Dion,[94] Taiwan's Jay Chou,[95] Britain's Sarah Brightman and China's Liu Huan[96] would perform during the opening ceremony.
On July 21, NBC announced the Opening Ceremony would include performances by a cast of 15,000 and declared it would be the most spectacular Olympics Opening Ceremony ever produced.[97]
Participating NOCs
![]() | It has been suggested that this section be split out into another article titled List of participating NOCs at the 2008 Summer Olympics. (Discuss) |
Though the qualifying competitions for various sports have been completed, it cannot be certain until the August 8th Opening Ceremony which of the current 205 National Olympic Committees (NOCs)[98] will participate. Most NOCs participate regularly, although various circumstances could cause a nation to be absent from the games, as was the case for six NOCs at the 2006 Winter Olympics. Nevertheless, placements in various qualifying events can help predict which nations and how many athletes will be at the games. Steven Roush, chief of sport performance for the United States Olympic Committee, expects that the United States will bring about 600 competitors to the games, their largest Olympic team thus far.[99] An ever larger delegation is expected for the host country. However, other delegations will be much smaller; Afghanistan, for example, will be represented by just four competitors. [100]
South African swimmer Natalie du Toit, five time gold medalist at the Athens Paralympics in 2004, has qualified to compete at the Beijing Olympics, thus making history by becoming the first amputee to qualify for the Olympic Games since Olivér Halassy in 1936.[101][102] Natalia Partyka (who was born without a right forearm) will compete in Table Tennis for Poland.[103]
Below is a list of the all the participating NOCs (where available, the number of competitors per delegation is indicated in parentheses):
Participation changes
The Marshall Islands and Tuvalu gained National Olympic Committee status in 2006 and 2007 respectively, and are expected to participate in the Games.[105][dead link][106][107]
The states of Serbia and Montenegro, which participated at the 2004 Games jointly as Serbia and Montenegro, will now compete separately. The Montenegrin Olympic Committee was accepted as a new National Olympic Committee in 2007.[107] IOC has promised to recognise the newly independent Republic of Kosovo, but not in time for the nation to compete in the Olympics.[108]
North Korea and South Korea held meetings to discuss the possibility of sending a united team to the 2008 Olympics,[109][110] but the proposal failed, due to disagreements between the two NOCs on the proportion of athletes from the two countries within the team.[111]
On July 24, 2008, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) banned Iraq from competing in the 2008 Olympic Summer Games due to "political interference by the government in sports."[112][113] On July 29, the IOC reversed its decision and will allow the nation to compete after a pledge by Iraq to ensure "the independence of its national Olympics panel" by instituting fair elections before the end of November. Until then, Iraq's Olympic Organisation will be run by "an interim committee proposed by its national sports federations and approved by the IOC."[114]
Sports
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/7/73/Athletics_2008.png)
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/d/d9/Beijingolympicsmedals.jpg/220px-Beijingolympicsmedals.jpg)
The program for the Beijing 2008 Games is quite similar to that of the Athens Games held in 2004. The 2008 Olympics will see the return of 28 sports, and will hold 302 events (165 men’s events, 127 women’s events, and 10 mixed events), one event more in total than in Athens.
Overall 9 new events will be held, which include 2 from the new cycling discipline of BMX. Women will compete in the 3000 m steeplechase for the first time. In addition, marathon swimming events for men and women, over the distance of 10 kilometres, will be added to the swimming discipline. Team events (men and women) in table tennis will replace the doubles events. In fencing, women's team foil and women's team sabre will replace men's team foil and women's team epee.[b][115][116]
The Beijing Organizing Committee have released pictograms of the 35 Olympic disciplines. This set of sport icons is named the beauty of seal characters, due to each pictogram's likeness to Chinese seal script.[117]
The following are the sports to be contested at these Games. The number of events to be contested in each sport is indicated in parentheses.
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Calendar
![]() | It has been suggested that this section be split out into another article titled Calendar of the 2008 Summer Olympics. (Discuss) |
In the following calendar for the 2008 Olympic Games, each blue box represents an event competition, such as a qualification round, on that day. The yellow boxes represent days during which medal-awarding finals for a sport are held. Each bullet in these boxes is an event final, the number of bullets per box representing the number of finals that will be contested on that day.[118]
● | Opening ceremony | Event competitions | ● | Event finals | Exhibition gala | ● | Closing ceremony |
August | 6th W |
7th T |
8th F |
9th S |
10th S |
11th M |
12th T |
13th W |
14th T |
15th F |
16th S |
17th S |
18th M |
19th T |
20th W |
21st T |
22nd F |
23rd S |
24th S |
Gold medals |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Archery | ● | ● | ● | ● | 4 | |||||||||||||||
Athletics | ● ● | ● ● ● ● |
●●● ●●● |
●●● ●●● |
●●● ● ● |
●●● | ●●● ●●● |
●●● ● ● ● ● |
●●● ● ● ● ● |
● | 47 | |||||||||
Badminton | ● | ● ● | ● ● | 5 | ||||||||||||||||
Baseball | ● | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||
Basketball | ● | ● | 2 | |||||||||||||||||
Boxing | ●●● ● ● |
●●● ●●● |
11 | |||||||||||||||||
Canoeing | ● ● | ● ● | ●●● ●●● |
●●● ●●● |
16 | |||||||||||||||
Cycling | ● | ● | ● ● | ● | ●●● | ● | ● ● | ●●● | ● ● | ● | ● | 18 | ||||||||
Diving | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | 8 | |||||||||||
Equestrian | ● ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | 6 | ||||||||||||||
Fencing | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | 10 | ||||||||||
Field hockey | ● | ● | 2 | |||||||||||||||||
Football (soccer) | ● | ● | 2 | |||||||||||||||||
Gymnastics | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● ● ● ● |
● ● ● ● |
● ● ● ● |
● | ● | 18 | ||||||||||
Handball | ● | ● | 2 | |||||||||||||||||
Judo | ● ● | ● ● | ● ● | ● ● | ● ● | ● ● | ● ● | 14 | ||||||||||||
Modern pentathlon | ● | ● | 2 | |||||||||||||||||
Rowing | ●●● ● ● ● ● |
●●● ● ● ● ● |
14 | |||||||||||||||||
Sailing | ● ● | ● | ● ● | ● ● | ● ● | ● ● | 11 | |||||||||||||
Shooting | ● ● | ● ● | ● ● | ● ● | ● | ● ● | ● | ● ● | ● | 15 | ||||||||||
Softball | ● | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||
Swimming | ● ● ● ● |
● ● ● ● |
● ● ● ● |
● ● ● ● |
● ● ● ● |
● ● ● ● |
● ● ● ● |
● ● ● ● |
● | ● | 34 | |||||||||
Synchronized swimming | ● | ● | 2 | |||||||||||||||||
Table tennis | ● | ● | ● | ● | 4 | |||||||||||||||
Taekwondo | ● ● | ● ● | ● ● | ● ● | 8 | |||||||||||||||
Tennis | ● ● | ● ● | 4 | |||||||||||||||||
Triathlon | ● | ● | 2 | |||||||||||||||||
Volleyball | ● | ● | ● | ● | 4 | |||||||||||||||
Water polo | ● | ● | 2 | |||||||||||||||||
Weightlifting | ● | ● ● | ● ● | ● ● | ● ● | ● ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | 15 | |||||||||
Wrestling | ● ● | ● ● | ●●● | ● ● | ● ● | ● ● | ● ● | ●●● | 18 | |||||||||||
Total gold medals | 7 | 14 | 13 | 19 | 17 | 17 | 16 | 30 | 34 | 18 | 20 | 11 | 23 | 20 | 31 | 12 | 302 | |||
Ceremonies | ● | ● | ||||||||||||||||||
August | 6th W |
7th T |
8th F |
9th S |
10th S |
11th M |
12th T |
13th W |
14th T |
15th F |
16th S |
17th S |
18th M |
19th T |
20th W |
21st T |
22nd F |
23rd S |
24th S |
Concerns and controversies
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/60/Human_Rights_Abuse_Cannot_Co-exist_with_Beijing_Olympics.jpg/220px-Human_Rights_Abuse_Cannot_Co-exist_with_Beijing_Olympics.jpg)
Concerns over the games include the potential for boycotts from pro-Tibetan organizations such as Students for a Free Tibet as well as from organizations such as Amnesty International upset with China's involvement in the crisis in Darfur.[119] Additionally, China had pledged that it would allow open media access during the games, but Human Rights Watch alleges that it has failed to do so[120], and one IOC committee member commented anonymously that "Had the I.O.C....known seven years ago that there would be severe restrictions...then I seriously doubt whether Beijing would have been awarded the Olympics".[121] While some estimated 20,000 journalists had been assured unfettered Internet access by the IOC's Jacques Rogge, Sun Weide (孙伟德) of the Beijing Organizing Committee announced in late July that China would allow only "convenient" access —still blocking sites which reference controversial content.[122] Also in late July, U.S. senator Sam Brownback announced that he had received evidence (in the form of an official memo from China's Public Security Bureau) that foreign-owned hotels in China had been ordered by the Chinese government to comply with electronic surveillance of guests by installing special equipment (called the Security Management System for Internet Access from Public Places), or face "severe retaliation."[123][124][125]
China has also been battling problems with air pollution both in the city of Beijing and in neighboring areas, which the Beijing Organizing Committee (BOCOG) says it hopes to remedy before the games. The head of Interpol warned China on April 25, 2008 that there is a "real possibility" that the Beijing Olympics will be targeted by terrorist groups,[126] as well as potentially violent disruption from pro-Tibet protestors.[127] Ethnic Tibetans have been banned from working in Beijing during the duration of the Games, for fear that they may participate in anti-government protests.[128]
Notes
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/4/4a/Commons-logo.svg/30px-Commons-logo.svg.png)
- ^ The number 8 is associated with prosperity and confidence in Chinese culture.[129]
- ^ The fencing programme will again include all six individual events and four team events, though the team events will be a different set than were held in 2004. The International Fencing Federation's rules call for events not held in the previous Games to receive automatic selection and for at least one team event in each weapon to be held. Voting is conducted to determine the fourth event. In 2004, the three men's team events and the women's épée were held. Thus, in 2008, the women's foil and sabre events and men's épée were automatically selected. Men's sabre was chosen over foil by a 45–20 vote.[130]
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(help) - ^ "The Official Mascots of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games". BOCOG. Retrieved 2006-12-19.
- ^ "Seeing clearly: Panasonic ushers in first HDTV Game". China Daily. 2007-07-06. Retrieved 2008-03-24.
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(help) - ^ Report of the IOC Evaluation Commission for the Games of the XXIX Olympiad in 2008, pg.73
- ^ a b Stelter, Brian (2008-07-21). "Networks Fight Shorter Olympic Leash". The New York Times. Retrieved 2008-07-21.
- ^ Seven Network 2008 - Olympics
- ^ ORF: Gesamtes Olympia-Programm in HDTV – digitalfernsehen.de, 7. July 2008
- ^ Belteleradiocompany
- ^ Briel, Robert (2008-04-16). "Belgian pubcaster VRT to launch HD channel". BroadbandTVNews.com. Retrieved 2008-06-16.
- ^ "Beijing 2008" (in Bosnian). Retrieved 2008-08-06.
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- ^ "CBC Olympics - Schedule". CBC. Retrieved 2008-06-22.
- ^ "Statement Regarding the IOC's Awarding of the Broadcast Rights for the 2010 and 2012 Olympic Games" (Press release). CBC/Radio-Canada. 2005-02-07.
The release states that both CBC and Radio-Canada "still own the broadcast rights for...the Beijing Games in 2008."
- ^ "Olympics - TV Schedule". TSN. Retrieved 2008-06-22.
As of access date, TSN has stated: "Details of TSN's coverage from the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, China will be announced at a later date".
- ^ Ensha, Azadeh (2008-06-17). "Chinese Company Gains Olympic Webcast Rights". The New York Times. Retrieved 2008-06-17.
- ^ "Olímpicos se verán en 'Señal Colombia'". Semana.com. Retrieved 2008-07-29.
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- ^ "Pekingin olympialaiset hd-lähetyksinä – vasta harvoille". Tietokone-lehti. Retrieved 2008-08-07.
- ^ "Η τηλεοπτική μετάδοση των Ολυμπιακών Αγώνων (TV broadcast of the Olympic Games".
- ^ "IOC Awards Broadcast Rights in Hong Kong to i-CABLE" (Press release). International Olympic Committee. 2007-08-06. Retrieved 2008-04-04.
Please note: Over the air broadcast rights for the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games were acquired by Asia Television Limited and Television Broadcasts Limited through the Asian Broadcasting Union.
- ^ Verma, Meenakshi (2007-11-06). "Doordarshan bags Olympics rights for $3mn". The Economic Times. Retrieved 2008-06-16.
- ^ "TVRI to air Beijing Olympics live, free".
- ^ "China to mark its territory with Olympics 2008". RTÉ News. 2007-11-12. Retrieved 2008-03-17.
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(help) - ^ "Channel 1 to air the Olympics in weekends, too" (in Hebrew). Ynet. 2008-07-16.
- ^ "For the first time: The Olympics - not only on channel 1" (in Hebrew). Ynet. 2008-02-20.
- ^ "Olympics in the third generation" (in Hebrew). Walla!. 2008-08-03.
- ^ "The sports channel will broadcast the Olympics in the net" (in Hebrew). nrg. 2008-07-08.
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- ^ "Malaysia's TV operator to add more channels for Beijing Olympics". Xinhuanet. 2008-04-01. Retrieved 2008-04-03.
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(help) - ^ "RTM official broadcaster of Beijing Olympics". The Star. 2008-05-01. Retrieved 2008-08-08.
- ^ Template:Es iconCerón, César (2008-06-12). "China, un nuevo reto para Alberto Lati". Televisa Deportes. Retrieved 2008-06-16.
- ^ "Jocurile Olimpice 2008 la TRM" (in Romanian). TRM. Retrieved 2008-07-30.
- ^ "NOS brengt Olympische Spelen en EK Voetbal in HDTV". Broadcast Magazine. Broadcast Press. Retrieved 2008-03-17.
- ^ "TVNZ announces High Definition plans" (Press release). TVNZ. 2007-09-28.
- ^ "NRK setter olympisk rekord" (in Norwegian). Verdens Gang. 2008-04-24. Retrieved 2008-08-08.
- ^ "Solar Sports, The Olympic Channel". Retrieved 2008-04-07.
- ^ "Pekin 2008 w TVP". 2007-12-19. Retrieved 2008-06-11.
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(help) - ^ "RTP vai transmitir 500 horas de Jogos Olímpicos". Media & Publicidade (in Portuguese). Diário Económico. 2008-05-05. Retrieved 2008-06-20.
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(help) - ^ "The Russian satellite operator RSCC and the Chinese company CNC signed a cooperation agreement for international satellite TV transmissions from 2008 Olympic Games". News. Russian Satellite Communications Company. Retrieved 2008-03-26.
- ^ "Олимпиада 2008" (in Russian). NTV Plus. Retrieved 2008-08-05.
- ^ "StarHub Offers Unprecedented Coverage Of The Olympic Games". Retrieved 2008-07-17.
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- ^ "Prenos Olimpijskih iger na RTV Slovenija". Računalniške novice (in Slovene). Nevtron&Company. 2008-08-05. Retrieved 2008-08-06.
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{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: unrecognized language (link) - ^ "IOC Awards TV Rights for North and South Korea". Retrieved 2008-06-16.
- ^ "The TVE will cover the Olympics" (in Spanish).
- ^ "Rupavahini's Channel Eye will cover the Olympics" (in Sinhala).
- ^ official web site
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- ^ "Medios se alistan para Beijing". News. Lavinotinto.com. Retrieved 2008-02-19.
- ^ "National TV station said to have Euro 2008 broadcasting rights". VietNamNet. 2007-09-08. Retrieved 2008-06-16.
- ^ "Beijing 2008: BOCOG Announces Olympic Torch Relay Route". International Olympic Committee. 2007-04-26. Retrieved 2007-04-26.
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(help) - ^ "Officials Expect Olympic Torch to Continue on Route".
- ^ "Britain sends mandarins to China on subtle mission". The Times. 2008-04-25. Retrieved 2007-04-27.
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(help) - ^ a b "Beijing 2008 Olympic Torch Relay Planned Route and Torch Design unveiled". BOCOG. 2007-04-26. Retrieved 2007-04-26.
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(help) - ^ Bremner, Charles (2008-04-07). "Tibet protests force organisers to snuff out Olympic flame in Paris". The Times.
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(help) - ^ "Confusion strikes US torch relay". BBC News. 2008-04-09.
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(help) - ^ "China to build highway on Mt Everest for 2008 Olympics". The Hindu. 2007-06-20. Retrieved 2007-06-25.
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(help) - ^ "Climbers banned from Everest as China seeks to stop protests on summit". The Independent. 2008-03-17. Retrieved 2008-03-23.
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(help) - ^ "China closes its side of Everest to climbers". CNN. 2008-03-12. Retrieved 2008-03-13.
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(help) - ^ "Taiwan rejects 'domestic' Olympic torch route". Taiwan Journal. 2007-05-04. Retrieved 2007-08-15.
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(help) - ^ BBC NEWS | Asia-Pacific | Olympic torch will bypass Taiwan
- ^ "China blames Taiwan for scuttling Olympic torch relay through Taipei, labels 'vile precedent'". Yahoo! Canada Sports. 2007-09-21. Retrieved 2007-09-24.
{{cite news}}
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(help) - ^ Opening ceremony sample ticket of Beijing 2008 Olympic Games
- ^ Celine Dion to sing for 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing - The Official Website of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games
- ^ Jay Chou to treat fans to debut performance of Olympic song - The Official Website of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games
- ^ FACTBOX: Fears, foul-ups and triumphs at past Olympic openings
- ^ Olympics opening ceremony to have 15,000 performers -- The Live Feed
- ^ "National Olympic Committees". International Olympic Committee. Retrieved 2008-03-11.
- ^ "About 600 athletes to compete for the U.S. at 2008 Olympic Games". BOCOG. 2007-08-03. Retrieved 2007-08-03.
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(help) - ^ "Afghan Athletes Train for Beijing Olympic ", Afghan embassy to the United States, April 29, 2008
- ^ "Dreams carry Natalie Du Toit to Beijing", The Telegraph, May 4, 2008
- ^ "Du Toit, who lost leg in scooter accident, will swim in Beijing Games", Reuters, May 3, 2008
- ^ "Natalia: Paralympic AND Olympic athlete". Retrieved 2008-07-15.
- ^ "Ukraine to send its largest-ever Olympic delegation to Beijing". Xinhua. 2008-07-17. Retrieved 2008-08-05.
- ^ "Marshall Islands joins Olympic Family". ONOC. 2006-02-10. Retrieved 2006-12-17.
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(help) - ^ "Robert Meets IOC President". ONOC. 2005-04-02. Retrieved 2006-12-17.
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(help) - ^ a b "Two new National Olympic Committees on board!". International Olympic Committee. 2007-07-06. Retrieved 2007-07-08.
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(help) - ^ "IOC to recognise Kosovo". News24. 2008-02-17. Retrieved 2008-02-17.
- ^ "Koreas 'to unify Olympics teams'". BBC. 2006-05-14. Retrieved 2006-12-17.
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(help) - ^ "Two Koreas Make Progress in Creation of Unified Team". International Olympic Committee. 2006-09-05. Retrieved 2006-09-10.
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(help) - ^ "Koreas fail to agree on fielding joint team for Beijing Olympics". AP. 2007-02-13. Retrieved 2007-02-28.
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(help) - ^ "Iraq banned from Summer Olympics". CNN. 2008-07-24. Retrieved 2008-07-24.
- ^ "Iraq banned from Beijing Olympics". BBC Sport. 2008-07-24. Retrieved 2008-07-24.
- ^ IOC lifts Iraq's Olympic suspension
- ^ "Beijing 2008: Games Programme Finalised". International Olympic Committee. 2006-04-27. Retrieved 2006-05-10.
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(help) - ^ Programme of the Games of the XXIX Olympiad, Beijing 2008, International Olympic Committee. Retrieved on May 15, 2006.
- ^ "Pictograms of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games unveiled". BOCOG. 2006-08-07. Retrieved 2006-08-09.
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(help) - ^ "Olympic Games Competition Schedule". BOCOG. Retrieved 2007-07-05.
- ^ "China 'is fuelling war in Darfur'". BBC News. Retrieved 2008-07-12.
- ^ Two Concerns for Olympics - Air and Access - NYTimes.com
- ^ Networks Fight Shorter Olympic Leash - NYTimes.com
- ^ FT.com / Asia-Pacific / China - China limits Olympics journalists’ web access
- ^ AFP: China plans to spy on Olympic hotel guests: US senator
- ^ Sen. Brownback says China monitoring Internet access in hotels - Los Angeles Times
- ^ The Associated Press: Senator: China spying on Internet use in hotels
- ^ Interpol says Olympic terror attack 'real possibility. The Globe and Mail. Accessed: April 25, 2008
- ^ Interpol chief warns of Olympic terror threat. Yahoo! News. Accessed: April 25, 2008]
- ^ Seattle Times article
- ^ "The Number Eight And The Chinese". Retrieved 2007-04-22.
- ^ "List of decisions of the 2006 General Assembly" (PDF) (pdf). Federation Internationale d'Escrime. 2006-04-08. Retrieved 2007-04-22.
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