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Trip 2008 - News

News Last Updated: August 25, 2008

8/25/2008 -- Successful End to Beijing Games: Flag passed to London

With nations around the world praising the success of the Beijing Games, the five-ring flag has been passed on to London for the 2012 Games. After a Games session that had athletes from 204 countries setting new records and displaying jaw-dropping performances, the spectacular closing ceremonies highlighted the successful ending of the Games in Beijing.

Even Mr. Jacques Rogge, the IOC President, admitted that it might be unlikely we would ever see a Games as extravagant as the one hosted by China. However, people from Great Britain might not agree. From the moment when London’s mayor Boris Johnson took over the flag at the Bird-Nest stadium in Beijing, the Legacy of the Games was moving on. London is looking forward to their turn at hosting the next Games, but with a different set of ideas to energize the world’s Games spectators.

8/8/2008 -- Opening Ceremony Amazes World

With fireworks and a parade of athletes from around the world, Beijing opened the 2008 Games with the most spectacular and elaborate ceremony in the history of the Games. The pageantry began at the auspicious time of: 8:08 p.m., on the eighth day of the eighth month of 2008, and included a cast of a cast of 14,000 performers. There was a 2008-member Fou band, beating traditional drums along with a 224-member chorus and a 201-member military band. Shows linking the past of China to the present displayed the sayings of Confucius, Chinese legends and the invention of gunpowder, up to music by Chinese pianist Lang Lang, pop star Liu Huan, and the singer Sarah Brightman.

The climax to the event came with the stadium cauldron lit by Chinese gymnastics legend Li Ning, the winner of three gold medals at the Los Angeles 1984 Games. He ran along the rim of the stadium suspended from wires, with a spotlight highlighting him and the flame against the wall. Spectators agreed it was the most spectacular lighting in the Games' history.

7/28/2008 -- Chinese have positive views of Games

In a poll conducted in May, 96% of the Chinese population said they felt the Beijing Games would be overwhelmingly successful, and 93% said they felt the Games would help their image overseas. The survey, conducted by the nonpartisan Pew Research Center, found this optimism was shared equally by men and women, and people of all ages and income levels. In addition, eight out of ten respondents felt the Games were personally important to them. Analysts say this reflects an overall level of optimism felt by the Chinese public.

7/17/2008 -- Games in Beijing Gathers Many World Leaders

The US President, George Bush, will be among the many world leaders that are going to attend the Opening Ceremonies for the Beijing Games. Other world leaders attending will include Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda, Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, and French President Nicolas Sarkozy. As a result of the large number of dignitaries present, the security around the events is extensive, with about 100,000 anti-terrorism police deployed around the city. Traffic has also been affected, with 286 km. of roadways open only to traffic for the Beijing Games.

7/14/2008 -- Military to ensure safety at Beijing Games.

Final preparations are under way in Beijing and surrounding areas to deal with any possible threats, including terrorism. According to officials, these will be the most security conscious and safe games ever. This is following Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping’s directive that security should be the top priority when providing service for guests coming to the Games

As part of the preparations, a no-fly zone over the city has been enacted, and troops are in position to ensure the safety of the Beijing Games, according to a security official. During the Games, the army, navy and air force will be coordinated with four military commands, and special forces units such as chemical defense troops will also join the mission. Security drills have included simulated boat attacks and divers going through exercises to identify potential underwater hazards at the Olympic Rowing and Canoeing Park.

7/1/2008 -- National Stadium Opens to Cheers.

The National Stadium for the Beijing Games, called the “Birds Nest”, was unveiled this Saturday the 28thin a special completion ceremony attended by numerous dignitaries. Construction was begun on the National Stadium in 2003.

The "Bird's Nest," will be the main venue of the 2008 Beijing Games, which covers an area of 258,000 square meters, and holds 91,000 seats. The opening and closing ceremonies of the Games, Athletics and some Football events will be held in it.

6/24/2008 -- A traffic ban system based on even-odd license plate numbers

In order to reduce traffic congestion and improve air quality for the Games, the Beijing Municipal Government has instituted several policies regarding use of cars. Chief among these is a traffic ban system based on even-odd license plate numbers, that will keep vehicles off the road on alternate days between July 20 and September 20. In addition, only 30% of the 22,800 government vehicles will be allowed on the road during this period. As 1/3 of the air pollution in Beijing is from car exhaust these policies are important part of the city’s drive to have a “Green” Games, and a major improvement in air quality is anticipated.

5/27/2008 -- Beijing Games not halted by earthquake tragedy

Despite the tragedy in Sichuan province, the Beijing Games will be held as scheduled. All our travel packages to the Games will operate as normal except some add-on tours that will be entering parts of that region may be affected, and in that case our staff are making all efforts to reroute your trip.

All of us at the Service Desk of 2008 Trip would like to extend our most sincere condolences and sympathy to all people harmed by the earthquake.

5/5/2008 -- Remaining sports ticket went on sale

The remaining sports tickets have gone on sale today (Monday, May 5) in Beijing. Unlike the previous two sale phases, this time buyers can actually have physical tickets on their hands immediately after their purchases. The picture on your right is a copy of an actual ticket among many tickets that our staff bought on behalf of our 2008 travelers.

Tickets from the previous sales are not available yet, and may take 1-2 months to reach our travelers (Note: With regards to games tickets, we only provide our assistance to our paid travelers. If you are only interested in sports tickets, please do not contact us).

(click for an enlarged view)

4/30/2008 -- Celebrations mark the 100-day countdown to the Beijing games

To celebrate the 100-day mark of the countdown to the Games on April 30, Jackie Chan, Liu Huan, Andy Lau, , Stephanie Sun, and others will be among the singers performing "Beijing Huan Ying Ni" (“Beijing Welcomes You”) at Tai Miao. This song was written especially for the 100-day countdown celebration. An awards ceremony will be held to give recognition to individuals and organizations who made outstanding contributions to the Beijing Games song search. The celebrations will also include an international long-distance race to be held near the National Stadium (the "Bird's Nest") and the National Aquatics Center (the "Water Cube"). About 10,000 people are expected to participate in the race.

4/11/2008 -- Homestay program launched for the Games

Beijing officials have announced the launch of their homestay program for the 2008 Games. The program will let visitors experience the life of Beijingers and have friendly exchanges with them on culture and customs. Citizens in Beijing can apply to the program if their housing conditions meet the set standard, which requires homestay families to have special bedrooms for foreign guests, washing, bathing and cooking accommodations with at least one person in the family able to communicate with the guests.

In connection to the above, we simultaneously put up our most affortable travel package for those who are interested in homestay during the Games (Visit Homestay section for details).

4/4/2008 -- Worldwide torch relay – the longest relay in history

For the interest of our travelers, the picture on your right is the torch route for the Beijing Games. This is the longest torch relay in the history of mankind. As of today, the torch rely has just completed its journey through Istanbul Turkey, including crossing the Bosporus Bridge, a famous suspension bridge spanning Asia and Europe. It is now moving to St. Petersburg Russia, where the next leg of the torch relay will be held.

click for an enlarged view

3/24/2008 -- “Splendid” opening ceremony promised for Beijing Games

The famous director Zhang Yimou promised to present a splendid opening ceremony and a surprise to the world. Zhang revealed that 10,000 actors and actresses have started mass rehearsals at different places in the suburbs of Beijing. He said he admired the opening for the Athens Games but was planning a better one for the Beijing Games. "That's our common wish” he said, “which relies on the joint efforts of our team,". When asked whether he will use his favorite color of red in the opening, he said "certainly." “However”, he continued, “a monotonous color can not speak for an opening ceremony, it should be colorful and splendid.”

3/10/2008 -- Musicians submit songs for Beijing Games Songfest

With the deadline for the 4th round of submissions approaching on Monday, the offices of the Campaign to Solicit songs for the Beijing Games has been deluged with submissions from artists who wish to see their works used in the Games. The submissions include pieces from famous musicians such as Jay Chow and Vincent Lee, but the response has been so overwhelming, that the Campaign has stated that it will accept submissions even after the deadline has passed.

3/3/2008 -- 2008 Games Medals to Incorporate Jade

3,030 jade pieces for the Beijing Games medals have been produced. and are on their way to the Shanghai Mint. The Beijing Games medals are different from past medals as they incorporate a traditional Chinese decoration: jade. The jade pieces will be set into the reverse side of the medals; gold will have white jade, silver green-white jade, and bronze green jade. The Shanghai Mint will have completed the manufacture of the medals by June.

3/1/2008 -- Chinese Torch Runner to Make History

On March 24 at noon, the torch will be lit in front of the temple of Hera, and given to a Greek runner. The torchbearer will carry it to the temple gateway, and then pass it on to the Chinese runner. This will be the first time in the history of the Games that a runner from the host country will run the second leg of the relay.

2/20/2008 -- Quinman Street Resuming Old Appearance

Beijing's Qianmen Street, a flourishing commercial area today and the "Heaven's Passage" in the imperial times, will regain its traditional appearance for the Beijing Games. Some 100 buildings, including time-honored shops and hutongs (alleyways) along the street will be protected, while western-styled modern buildings will be renovated for a classical look. On the street road lamps will be redesigned to have the shapes of birdcages, sticks with sugarcoated haws, or rattle drums, all classic folk favorites. Even the garbage cans will look like stone hitching posts from a century ago.

2/19/2008 -- Officials Reveal Progress in Sports Organization

The organization of sports competitions for the Beijing Games has made great progress, The competition schedule has been finished and the competition directors for all 28 sports of the Games have been named, department director Zhang Jilong told the press. The directors play a key role in ensuring that the competitions meet the requirements as well as acting to link the operation teams of the venues with the international sports federations.

2/6/2008 -- "China in London" season begins

To launch the 2008 "China in London" season on Wednesday, British and Chinese athletes switched on Chinese lanterns above Oxford Circus. Meanwhile, a stunt rider performed extreme bicycle and motocross (BMX) stunts. The performance celebrates both the beginning of the Chinese New Year, and the new sport of BMX riding, which will appear for the first time as part of the 2008 Games in Beijing.

1/2/2008 -- Grand Gala Welcomes in Year 2008

On New Year's Eve, a grand gala show was held at the China Millennium Monument to welcome in Year 2008. Approximately 4,000 guests were in attendance for the festivities. Well renowned actor, Jackie Chan, gave a supreme performance as one of the singers. This event inspired the hopes of the Chinese people for the Games and allowed the televised audience to view this wonderful occasion.

12/24/2007 -- 70,000 food samples registered in Beijing

The test results of a total of over 70,000 food samples in Beijing have been included into the data bank of the Games food safety monitoring system. Beijing has set safety standards for 10 categories and 345 varieties of food to be used in the Games. Safety measures have been presented to food suppliers, sponsors, designated enterprises and logistics centers to pass through monitoring of food production, processing, transportation and distribution.

12/10/2007 -- Public Notification on China Domestic General Public Phase 2 Sales

Domestic general public ticket sales Phase 2 will begin on the 10th December 2007. The policy has been modified from "first come, first serve" to "application, lottery and confirmation". No priority will be given to any application. Every applicant can submit one application only with a valid personal ID. The official ticketing website of the Games will start to take applications on 12/10/2007 and close on 12/30/2007. The lottery results will be announced sometime in 2008.

11/26/2007 -- National Indoor Stadium scheduled to open Wednesday 11/28/07

The National Indoor Stadium will be an indoor stadium and will have the most advanced facilities and most seats in the capital. Organization of all kinds of national and international professional sporting events and hosting of large sports competitions and/or artistic, cultural and entertaining performances will be the main function. The stadium will also serve as a multi-functional exercise center for local residents.

11/19/2007 -- Stronger anti-doping measures initiated and consequences

Game officials are implementing “zero-tolerance” policy on doping for all athletes. There will be a notable increase of drug tests in the upcoming year. Some of the consequences include: fines, suspension and denial of participation in future game events.

11/5/2007 -- Lottery system to go in effect for Phase 2 tickets

The second phase ticket sales has been delayed by almost two months. Its distribution format has also been altered due to overwhelming demands. The Game Organizer has started a new policy for the Phase 2 tickets. Submission of ticket applications to the general public will begin December 10 through December 30. A one-time unified ticket lottery system will be in effect. The date of the lottery drawing and the ticket purchase limit will be announced at a later date.

10/31/2007-- Phase 2 tickets suspended due to overwhelming demand

Games organizers stated that demand was so great that the computer system crashed and ticket sales have now been suspended. The computer system capacity is one million hits on the website and processing 150,000 ticket sales in one hour. Within one hour after ticket sales started yesterday, 8 million hits were received on the website and over 3.8 million calls flooded the system. Experts are currently working on upgrading the booking system and more information will be available on November 5th.

10/29/2007-- Phase 2 tickets on sale begins on October 30, 2007 in Beijing

Tickets for Phase 2 on sale starting tomorrow, 10/30/07. The Phase 2 tickets are “first come, first served” until tickets are sold out. Reservations for tickets are held for two days. Valid payment must made within two days, otherwise, reservations for tickets will expire and the tickets will become available in the ticket pool. Individuals who successfully pay for their tickets will be notified to pick up paper tickets in June 2008.

10/22/2007-- Beijing is renovating more handicapped accessible facilities

The City of Beijing is renovating more handicapped accessible facilities in an effort to improve public transport. A new terminal building at the Capital International Airport and a more comprehensive subway network is in process and will open in time for the Games. All new routes include wheelchair accessible cars.

10/16/2007-- Fuwa, the mascots for the Games

The mascots for the Beijing Games have been chosen! Fuwa with their color and inspiration, extends the message of friendship, peace and good wishes to all the children in the World from China. In Ancient China, the grand tradition of signs and symbols are used to spread good wishes. This dedication and desire helps promote the theme of One world, One dream and invites everyone to be a part of the celebration of great human solidarity.

9/26/2007-- Over 100,000 volunteers being trained for Games

Being a volunteer is a direct way for ordinary people to participate in the Olympic Games. Now with only just over 300 days to go, over 100,000 volunteers are receiving all kinds of training to get ready for the Game according to China Center TV Stations (CCTV).

9/24/2007-- Phase II of the Games Tickets Begins In October

The Phase II sale of the Games tickets is expected to start in the second half of October.

9/21/2007-- The Drive to make Beijing Taxis Smoke Free

Beijing municipal authorities will ban both cab drivers as well as passengers from smoking in taxis next month in a drive to promote a tobacco-free Game. To raise public awareness of the smokeless cab rule, the Beijing Health Bureau, Beijing transport administration and Beijing transportation law enforcement general team will jointly launch the "Green Taxi, Smokeless Cab, Health for All" campaign this weekend. Zhang Junru, the director of the Bloomberg Smoke-Free Initiative Project under the Beijing center for disease control and prevention, said that the smokeless taxi campaign would promote the concept of a tobacco-free Games. The reaction has been positive so far.

9/20/2007-- Grand Music Party for the Games Venue Constructors

Up to 10,000 workers of the Games venues were treated to a grand music party at the Games’ Sports Center Stadium on Wednesday night, ahead of China’s traditional Mid-Autumn Festival and National Day. The workers enjoyed dances and songs performed by many artists.

9/14/2007-- Seven Cities Apply for the 2016 Games!

Baku (Azerbaijan), Chicago (USA), Doha (Qatar), Madrid (Spain), Prague (Czech Republic), Rio de Janeiro (Brazil), and Tokyo (Japan) have applied for the right to host the 2016 Games. Candidate Cities are due to participate in an Observer Program during the Games in Beijing, August next year.

9/6/2007-- Bush Accepts Invitation to 2008 Beijing Games

US President George W. Bush announced that he had accepted an invitation from President Hu Jintao of China to attend the 2008 summer Beijing Games. Hu extended the invitation during a 90 minute private session with Bush in Sydney, Australia, on the eve of an economic summit meeting of Asian nations. Their talk touched on a range of topics, from climate change to the recall of Chinese-made toys. Bush had told aides privately that he would like to attend the 2008 Games, but Thursday was the first time he said so publicly.

9/4/2007-- Jackie Chan is Ready for the Games!

The world famous movie star Jackie Chan is now in Beijing recording "We Are Ready!", the theme song of the one-year countdown to the 2008 Games. Chan said, "Speaking loud of this sentence (We Are Ready) on behalf of the Chinese people holds many great meanings. Being part of it (the Games) in and of itself is a great pleasure and honor. For the 2008 Games, I am fully prepared. I am ready to serve as long as I am called up." Jackie Chan's version of "We Are Ready" will be available for download via the wireless music billboard of China Mobile.

8/27/2007-- Ticket Lottery Winners

Recently, the Beijing officials released the outcomes of the first phase of the games’ ticket sales. Over 300,000 people across the Chinese mainland managed to successfully reserve 1,593,345 tickets to the Games, including 26,000 tickets for the opening ceremony. The youngest winner is a one-year old and the eldest is 88 years old! The second phase of the ticket sales will begin in October and will follow a first come/first serve policy!

8/16/2007-- Single Largest Airport Terminal in the World!

The brand new Terminal Number 3 at Beijing Capital International Airport is slated to manage 65 million passengers a year after its inauguration in March 2008. The new Terminal 3 will be the single largest airport terminal in the world with an advanced, computerized, management system! This is a major gateway for international visitors to take part in the 2008 Games!

8/17/2007-- The Games and Education for Young People in China

Educating young people through sport is one of the primary goals of the Games’ Movement. This goal is currently being achieved in China by China providing about 400 million young people in more than 400,000 schools across the country with Game education in the run-up to the 2008 Games. The influence of the Games on education has never been more pronounced than at present in China, the most populous country in the world with more than 1.3 billion people. During dedicated training sessions, the teachers are educated on the Games’ values of excellence, friendship, and respect, and shown how to incorporate it into the classroom setting. There have also been a series of textbooks created introducing students to the history of the Games and the various sports and rules of play.

8/9/2007-- McDonalds and the Beijing Games

McDonalds launched its newest program for the games called McDonald’s Champion Kids in Beijing. This program will enable up to 300 kids from around the world to travel to the 2008 Beijing Games to share their stories and experiences with their local communities and hometown news outlets. The children will have the chance to see the Games, meet the athletes, visit cultural sights, and interact with kids from across the globe.

8/8/2007 -- The Party!

About 10,000 people were present at this evening’s ceremony at Tianan’men Square, where the world was invited to come and join the Beijing party in 2008! The ceremony was a magnificent extravaganza of colors, light, and sound with musicians, acrobats, dancers, and singers all combining to create a beautiful mosaic of sound and movement as a celebration of the one-year-to-go mark. A few famous faces joined the show including film star Jackie Chan and basketball player Yao Ming. The celebration concluded with a magnificent fireworks display starting the final countdown to next year’s Games in a truly magnificent manner.

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11/15/2006- Games Preparations in Beijing are on track

Everything from cultural and educational events planning, to venue construction, to road building is on schedule. Plans for the opening ceremonies are also underway.