Beijing Olympics 2008

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  Image source (Google)

Before start to writing about Beijing Olympics 2008. Here, I would like to tell you that what is Olympic and how Olympic games were first started and who initiated this great event.

What is Olympic?

Olympics are the biggest international sporting event featuring summer and winter sports competitions in which thousands of athletes from around the world participate in a variety of competitions. The Olympic Games are considered to be the world's foremost sports competition with more than 200 nations participating.

Who started Olympics? 

Olympics were first played at Olympia, Greece from the 8th century BC to the 4th century AD.The biggest sporting events of the world which is played every four years in a single city of a country who is chosen by voting.

What is International Olympic Committee (IOC)*

Baron Pierre de Coubertin founded the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in 1894.

The IOC is the governing body of the Olympic Movement, with the Olympic Charter defining its structure and authority.

It is responsible for adjustments to include/creation of the Winter Olympic Games for ice and winter sports, the Paralympic Games for athletes with a disability, and the Youth Olympic Games for teenage athletes.

Because IOC is the most powerful and final authority for all the regulations regarding games it is responsible for choosing the host city for each Games, and organizes and funds the Games according to the Olympic Charter. The IOC also determines the Olympic program, consisting of the sports to be contested at the Games. There are several Olympic rituals and symbols, such as the Olympic flag and torch, as well as the opening and closing ceremonies. Over 13,000 athletes compete at the Summer and Winter Olympic Games in 33 different sports and nearly 400 events. The first, second, and third-place finishers in each event receive Olympic medals: gold, silver, and bronze, respectively.

* Courtesy of wikipedia to describe clearly for better understanding of readers.

Baron Pierre de Coubertin (source: Wikipedia)

Beijing Olympics 2008:

Beijing Olympics were played at the Beijing the capital city of China from 8th to 24th August 2008. This  was the third time that an Asian country was hosting such a great event after Japan, and South Korea. Almost eleven thousand athletes took part in 28 sports and 302 events in this mega event. China won the biding between 4 competitors in 2001 to host this event. After that China started its struggles to make it a very successful event. The preparations were started and China proved it that first time such an Olympics were organized when more than 4 millions people over the world watched this event.

Logo of Beijing Olympics:

The logo of Beijing Olympics is a calligraphic stylized character indicating a Chinese symbol "jing" which means capital. The red color of the Logo displays the good luck as Chinese people believe that red color is for power and luck and best omens. Also the designed logo shows a man crossing the red ribbon and dancing with open arms to welcome the nations to come and share culture with Chinese.

Motto of Beijing Olympics:

ONE WORLD, ONE DREAM

Official logo of Beijing Olympics : source: wikipedia

Main Venue of  Beijing Olympics:

There were many venues for hosting such great event but the best and main was "National Beijing Stadium" nick name as the Bird's Nest Stadium was the main venue of Beijing Olympics. This stadium was used for holding opening and closing ceremony of the 2008 Olympics. This stadium had the capacity to facilitate almost 90 thousand plus visitors. The design of this stadium was resembled with birds nest that was its nick was Bird's Nest Stadium. Its construction started in 2003 after passing through many designs.

Source : Google.com

Video of Construction of Bird's Nest Stadium

 

Video source: YouTube.com

Opening ceremony of Beijing Olympics:

As the Chinese people think that 8 number is the sign of prosperity and power so they managed everything to make the event successful by their efforts the giant ceremony started on 8th August 2008 at 08:08:08 pm the opening ceremony started with such a wonderful style which not only amazed 90,000 people in the stadium but also all the world. In the opening ceremony Chinese culture was depicted very nicely in both ancient and modern ways. It was organized and choreographed by a Chinese Film maker and directed name Zhang Yimou.

The Opening Ceremony was consisted of two parts. First part was the display of Chinese culture and the second part was a show off new and modern China. All the peoples in the stadium were stunned to see such a wonderful management for organizing this great event. The official song of the 2008 Olympics, titled "You and Me", was performed by Britain's Sarah Brightman and China's Liu Huan, on a large spinning rendition of the globe.[70] The last recipient in the Olympic Torch relay, former Chinese gymnast Li Ning ignited the cauldron, after being suspended into the air by wires and completing a lap of the National Stadium at roof height.

 This spectacular ceremony was applauded by all the world, and the whole media was stunned to see such nice view of the  stadium. Everything was well managed and in time. Mr. Hein Verbruggen chairman of the IOC (International Olympics Committee) applauded the ceremony and said,

a great, unprecedented success.

 Video of Opening Ceremony of Beijing Olympics 2008.

Video source: YouTube.com

2008 Beijing Olympic Theme Song

 

 

Video source: YouTube.com

 

PICTURES OF OPENING CEREMONY 

Flying Logo of Olympics in the Bird's Nest Stadium

The Beijing National Aquatics Center, dubbed "The Water Cube" : Source (Google.com)

GAMES PLAYED AT BEIJING OLYMPICS 2008 

The following were the 302 events in 28 sports that were contested at the Games. The number of events contested in each sport is indicated in parentheses (in sports with more than one discipline, as identified by the IOC. these are also specified). (From wikipedia.com)

WORLD RECORDS AT BEIJING OLYMPICS 2008

IN SWIMMING:

Michael Phelps:

He is an American swimmer who has won 22 gold medals and as participation he made some world records too.

Michael Phelps Summer Beijing Olympics 2008

 

Video Source ; YouTube.com

 
Michael Phelps set a record for number of gold medals at the 2008 Olympics. (source wikipedia.com)
 

IN Athletics: 

Usain Bolt:

Usain Bolt is from Jamaica and the worlds fastest man. He wons gold in the 100m Olympic track final at the Beijing 2008 Olympics. Bolt setnew world records in both the 100m (9.69s) and 200m (19.30s) Olympic Track events.

Usain Bolt Wins 100m/200m Gold - Beijing 2008 Olympics

 

Video Source ; YouTube.com

World Records set in Beijing Olympics 2008

Following are the records set in Beijing Olympics 2008.

english.sina.com/sports/2008/0824/181308.html)">Data Source: click to see

Swimming (25 in total)

Event Person/Team Time Date

Men:

400m Medley Michael Phelps (United States) 4:03.84 Min 10.08.2008

4x100m Freestyle United States (Nathan Adrian,Matt Grevers, Cullen Jones,Ben Wildman-Tobriner) 3:12.23 Min 10.08.2008

100m Breaststroke Kosuke Kitajima (Japan) 58.91 Sec 11.08.2008

100m Freestyle Eamon Sullivan (Australia) 47.24 Sec 11.08.2008

4x100m Freestyle United States(Cullen Jones, Jason Lezak, Michael Phelps, Garrett Weber-Gale) 3:08.24 Min 11.08.2008

200m Freestyle Michael Phelps (United States) 1:42.96 Min 12.08.2008

100m Backstroke Aaron Peirsol (United States) 52.54 Sec 12.08.2008

100m Freestyle Alain Bernard (France) 47.20 Sec 13.08.2008

100m Freestyle Eamon Sullivan (Australia) 47.05 Sec 13.08.2008

200m Butterfly Michael Phelps (United States) 1:52.03 Min 13.08.2008

4x200m Freestyle United States (Ricky Berens, Ryan Lochte, Michael Phelps, Peter Vanderkaay) 6:58.56 Min 13.08.2008

200m Backstroke Ryan Lochte (United States) 1:53.94 Min 15.08.2008

200m Medley Michael Phelps (United States) 1:54.23 Min 15.08.2008

4x100m Medley United States (Brendan Hansen, Jason Lezak, Aaron Peirsol,Michael Phelps) 3:29.34 Min 17.08.2008

Women:

400m Medley Stephanie Rice (Australia) 4:29.45 Min 10.08.2008

100m Backstroke Kirsty Coventry (Zimbabwe) 58.77 Sec 11.08.2008

200m Freestyle Federica Pellegrini (Italy) 1:55.45 Min 11.08.2008

200m Freestyle Federica Pellegrini (Italy) 1:54.82 Min 13.08.2008

200m Medley Stephanie Rice (Australia) 2:08.45 Min 13.08.2008

200m Butterfly Liu Zige (China) 2:04.18 Min 14.08.2008

4x200m Freestyle Australia (Bronte Barratt, Linda Mackenzie, Kylie Palmer, Stephanie Rice) 7:44.31 Min 14.08.2008

200m Breaststroke Rebecca Soni (United States) 2:20.22 Min 15.08.2008

200m Backstroke Kirsty Coventry (Zimbabwe) 2:05.24 Min 16.08.2008

800m Freestyle Rebecca Adlington (Britain) 8:14.10 Min 16.08.2008

4x100m Medley Australia (Leisel Jones, Jessicah Schipper, Emily Seebohm,Lisbeth Trickett) 3:52.69 Min 17.08.2008

Weightlifting (10 in total)

Event Person Weight Date

Men:

85kg Andrei Rybakou (Belarus) 394kg 15.08.2008

105kg Andrei Aramnau (Belarus) 436kg (Snatch 200,Clean & Jerk 236) 18.08.2008

Women:

69kg Liu Chunhong (China) 286kg (Snatch 128, Clean and Jerk 158) 13.08.2008

+75kg Jang Miran (South Korea) 326kg (Snatch 140, Clean and Jerk 186) 16.08.2008

Athletics (5)

Event Person/Team Result Date

Men's 100m Usain Bolt (Jamaica) 9.69 Sec 16.08.2008

Women's 3000m Steeplechase Gulnara Galkina-Samitova(Russia) 8:58.81 Min 17.08.2008

Women's Pole Vault Elena Isinbaeva (Russia) 5.05 Meter 18.08.2008

Men's 200m Usain Bolt (Jamaica) 19.30 Sec 20.08.2008

Men's 4 x 100m Relay Jamaica (Nesta Carter, Michael Frater, Usain Bolt,Asafa Powell) 37.10 Sec 22.08.2008

Cycling (2)

Event Person/Team Result Date

Men's Team Pursuit Britain (Ed Clancy, Geraint Thomas, Paul Manning,Bradley Wiggins) 3:55.202 Min 17.08.2008

Men's Team Pursuit Britain (Ed Clancy, Geraint Thomas, Paul Manning,Bradley Wiggins) 3:53.314 Min 18.08.2008

Archery (1)

Event Person/Team Result Date

Women's 24 Arrows Match South Korea (Park Sung-hyun, Yun Ok-Hee, Joo Hyun-Jung) 231 points 10.08.2008

Torch of Olympic in Beijing 2008

Special Moments on Beijing Olympics 2008

#KobeBryant reclaiming basketball in Olympics 2008

Shawn Johnson (USA) Qualifications BB Beijing Olympic Games 2008

Closing Ceremony - Beijing 2008 Summer Olympic Games:

 

Once again Chinese people showed great commitment to roll over the great event. It was a nice way to end such a great event. On the last day 24th Aug 2008 at 08:00 pm the Closing Ceremony of the Olympics started and at the same time Chinese President and OIC Chairman addressed the attendees. The Ceremony also included the handover of the games from Beijing to London. Guo Jinlong, the Mayor of Beijing, handed over the Olympic flag to the Mayor of London.

Video of Closing Ceremony

Medals of Beijing Olympics 2008

 

Top Ten Nations that won medals in the Beijing Olympics 2008

Rank Nation Gold Silver Bronze Total
1 China 51 21 28 100
2 United States 36 38 36 110
3 Russia 23 21 29 73
4 Great Britain 19 13 15 47
5 Germany 16 10 15 41
6 Australia 14 15 17 46
7 South Korea 13 10 8 31
8 Japan 9 6 10 25
9 Italy 8 9 10 27
10 France 7 16 18 41
Total (86 NOCs) 302 303 353 958

Memorable Movements of Closing Ceremony Beijing Olympics 2008

Athletes Alley

 

Fireworks on Closing Ceremony.

Jacques Rogge, President, International Olympic Committee:-

 

 “That was spectacular.  Tonight, the world was able to join in a magnificent tribute to the athletes and the Olympic spirit.  It was an unforgettable and moving ceremony that celebrated the imagination, originality and energy of the Beijing Games.”

 It was a greatest fascinating event which brought millions of people at one place completing the motto of this event "One World, One Dream".

And Now I am very excited to see the next Olympics that will be organized by China in 2022. There are many questions in mind that what China will do to attract the world's attraction towards their country. Hoping for a great event once again!

 



About the author

Mirfan87

I'm currently working in an Engineering Institute as IT Assitant.
Studying Bachelor of Commerce.

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