What to watch during Olympics

By Megan K. Scott
Associated Press
Published: Thursday, Aug. 7, 2008 12:10 a.m. MDT
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What is the "Bird's Nest"? Who are those Hello Kitty-like dolls? And why do we keep hearing the name Michael Phelps?

While the Olympics may have been overshadowed by high gas prices and the presidential election, the countdown to the Games is almost over and China is ready, having built or renovated 37 venues to host events.

The Games, which run from Friday to Aug. 24, offer new sports, such as BMX racing, influential designs like the bubble wrap Water Cube and compelling stories — a trio of siblings are competing in Taekwondo.

If you haven't been following the Olympics, don't worry.

Here's a guide to catch you up.

Main venues

• Olympic Green: The primary site for the Olympic Games, covering 2,800 acres.

• National Stadium (Bird's Nest): The site of the opening and closing ceremonies, along with soccer and athletics (track and field) events. Called the "Bird's Nest" because of its bowl shape and steel lattice design, the 91,000-seat stadium is the centerpiece for the Games.

• National Aquatics Center (Water Cube): The bubble wrap-like swimming venue for the Games. The venue spans 7.8 acres, houses three pools underground and seats 17,000. Swimming, diving and synchronized swimming competitions will be held here.

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• National Indoor Stadium: The site of artistic gymnastics, trampolining and handball events. Noted for its "unfurled traditional Chinese folding fan" design, the stadium holds 18,000 spectators. The stadium consists of a main building, warm-up gym and other outdoor facilities.

• Athletes Village: The apartment housing for 16,000 to 17,000 athletes and officials. The 163-acre village is about a 25-minute walk northwest of the Bird's Nest and Water Cube and contains a restaurant, library, clinic, swimming pools, tennis and basketball courts, jogging tracks, shopping areas and coffee shops. There is also a fire station.

Other notable buildings

CCTV Tower: The new China Central Television headquarters building that will broadcast the Olympic Games. The design has been described as a 'Z' criss-cross, with two leaning towers connected at the top and the bottom to form a continuous loop.

Slogan

"One World One Dream" — a message of harmony. The slogan was chosen from more than 210,000 submissions and represents Chinese cultural evolution and China's wishes for greater global peace.

Emblem

A stylization of the character "Jing," (for Beijing), forming a dancing human being with open arms. China's color red represents good luck and happiness. The emblem is called "Chinese Seal, Dancing Beijing."

Olympic motto

"Citius, Altius, Fortius" in Latin. The translation is Swifter, Higher, Stronger. The three words were proposed as the Olympic motto in 1894, the date of the International Olympic Committee creation. The motto was officially introduced at the Paris Olympics in 1924.

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I know I will.

OH, one more thing

All us conservatives...

Enjoy the Game's tomorrow | Aug. 7, 2008 at 5:26 p.m.

So, in the team swordfight, are they all going to be in there at...

too many events | Aug. 7, 2008 at 12:29 p.m.

One can't tell liberal's nothing, they only THINK they know...

Re: Atlman - 7:56 a.m. | Aug. 7, 2008 at 11:46 a.m.

+ Click to enlarge
The National Stadium, known as the Bird's Nest, is seen on May 25 in Beijing. The 91,000-seat stadium is called the Bird's Nest because of its bowl shape and steel lattice design. (Robert F. Bukaty, Associated Press)
Robert F. Bukaty, Associated Press
The National Stadium, known as the Bird's Nest, is seen on May 25 in Beijing. The 91,000-seat stadium is called the Bird's Nest because of its bowl shape and steel lattice design.
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