2008 Beijing Olympic Games

* updated


The spectacular Beijing Olympics is coming to its end this Saturday and I can still recall the awesome opening ceremony on 8.8.08 @ 8.08 p.m. in the Bird’s Nest (Beijing National Stadium).


Somehow before the final lighting of the Olympic Flame, I had a feeling they will lift Li Ning up to the air for the stunt. The ceremony was co-directed by Zhang Yimou after all. If you are a fan of Chinese movies, actors suspended by wires and hang mid-air for kung fu fighting is a norm. Are you looking forward to the closing ceremony this Sunday (24.8.08)? I know I am.

I'm sure each of us have our favorite events at the Olympic game and these are some which I enjoyed watching ...

Athletics - “I Believe I Can Fly”

Currently, the world record holder in both the 100 metres (9.69 seconds) and 200 metres (19.30 seconds), no wonder Usain Bolt is nicknamed ‘Lightning Bolt’. The 22 year-old Jamaican can literally sprint to the finishing line leaving the closest competitor chasing after the dust he left behind.


Another Jamaican, Melaine Walker in her Olympic debut, set an Olympic record by crossing the line in 52.64 seconds to win the Womens’ 400m Hurdles.

Now have you been wondering how do the Jamaicans train themselves to be world top sprinters? I think they were probably chase by cheetahs since young, no?


Two-time world champion, Elena Isinbaeva from Russia has successfully defended her Olympic title in the Women's Pole Vault when she cleared the 5.05 on her third and final attempt. See how fit her body is.

Basketball – “Dream Team”

The USA has long been the international benchmark for men's Olympic basketball. The American team, which since 1992 has included players from the NBA has taken gold in 12 of their 15 Olympic games participations. The “Dream Team” has earned an overall win-loss record in Olympic play of 114-5 but the team's most recent Olympic result, a bronze in Athens, was the team's worst ever performance. The semi-final will see a battle between the “Dream Team” and Argentina. My bet will be on the former.

Diving – “China Dominates”

One of my favorite. The host nation has won all six diving competitions contested in Beijing. Defending Olympic champion Guo Jingjing broke Fu Mingxia’s record and won her fourth Olympic gold and her sixth Olympic medal. Her score of 415.35 is the highest score ever in the event and the 27 year-old diver has previously stated that she will retire after competing in Beijing.


She also won the gold medal with Wu Minxia in the Women's Synchronized Diving 3m Springboard with a score of 343.50 points.


He Chong won the Men's 3m Springboard with 572.90 points. I must praise the Chinese divers for their attitude. They are the only ones who will bow to the audience after each dive. That's why they deserve our applause for an outstanding performance in and out of the pool.

Swimming – “The Pool Shark”

Michael Phelps owned the pool this time. With an astonishing 8 gold medal, he is also a 14-time Olympic gold medalist (the most by any Olympian), who currently holds seven world records in swimming. Perhaps wearing a Speedo LZR® Razer suit really helps? The suit reportedly can lower racing times for a competitor by 1.9 to 2.2%.


There are a few events I missed i.e. gymnastic and synchronized swimming :(
What's your pick for the game?


10,000 athletes from 204 countries, more than 40 world records were set, 16 days of action, the closing ceremony on 24.8.08 ends with a bang! I especially amazed by the fireworks display throughout the Bird's Nest.


Host nation, China scored a perfect 100 marks with the 51 gold, 21 silver and 28 bronze. To those who are so afraid that the 'sleeping dragon' will wake up one day ... well, you are the one who needs to wake up now because the Dragon is very much awake!


By the way, the 8 minutes presentation by the Brits were not very impressive to me. I thought they can do a better job than merely transform the double-decker bus to a mini stage for David Beckham to showcase his ball kicking skill. Anyway, we will have to wait 4 years from now to see if London 2012 will be as good as China, who has now set a very high standard for future Olympic hosting countries.

Let us keep the Olympic spirit alive :)


"One World One Dream" [同一個世界 同一個夢想] fully reflects the essence and the universal values of the Olympic spirit -- Unity, Friendship, Progress, Harmony, Participation and Dream. It expresses the common wishes of people all over the world, inspired by the Olympic ideals, to strive for a bright future of Mankind. In spite of the differences in colors, languages and races, we share the charm and joy of the Olympic Games, and together we seek for the ideal of Mankind for peace. We belong to the same world and we share the same aspirations and dreams.