Despite much controversy sur-rounding the hosting nation, the People’s Republic of China is ready for its capital city, Beijing, to host the 2008 Summer Olympics. Beginning Aug. 8, athletes from around the world will be flooding into China to compete for Olympic gold.
The 2008 summer Olympics will give way on Aug. 8 and will continue until the closing ceremony on Aug. 24, according to the official website of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. The games will be telecast around the globe from hundreds of news outlets. The summer games include a much more diverse agenda of sporting events than the winter competitions.
According to the official website of the Olympic Organization, some of the summer sports in which athletes will compete for Olympic gold are swimming, diving, tennis, basketball, track and field, rowing, gymnastics and even table tennis.
Currently taking place, as the opening day gets closer and closer, is the traditional Olympic torch relay, that allows athletes and people around the world to carry on the Olympic flame all the way to Beijing for the ceremonial lighting.
This year’s relay, however, has been filled with delays, as Tibetan protestors gathered to speak out against China in several parts of the international relay, according to Reuters.com. China has recently received much international condemnation for its violation of human rights against Tibetans, who now seek independence from the communist nation.
Reuters.com also reported that the ascent of Mount Everest, who shares a border in Tibet, and is part of the torch relay, saw its fair share of problems, as weather warnings delayed proceedings.
Now the area that has been affected by the earthquake in China has postponed its leg of the relay, in order to allow continued relief efforts.
There are several American athletes who are back this year and ready to win.Champion swimmer Michael Phelps is most likely ready for another record-breaking show at the Olympics, and USA Today reported that star players like Kobe Bryant and Jason Kidd will join this year’s U.S. Olympic Basketball team.
WNBA champion Lisa Leslie is among the many American athletes who will return this summer to the 2008 summer Olympics in Beijing. Leslie is attempting to earn her fourth consecutive gold medal for the U.S. women’s basketball team, according to Aolsports.com. With hundreds of athletes ready and training, the stage is being set and the world’s sports enthusiasts await the 8th of August.
Regardless of the ongoing controversy accompanying the 2008 Beijing summer Olympics, sponsors and sports enthusiasts say this year’s cornucopia of incredible athletes is sure to be an intense and entertaining display of sports bravado, showmanship, and competition to see who takes home the gold!
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