BEIJING - The host city of the 29th Summer Olympic Games is going through every details of its seven-year-long preparation amid 10-day's countdown hastens the venues, staffs and even weather controllers.
Olympic Village mayor Chen Zhili (R) and Beijing Organizing Committee for the 2008 Olympic Games (BOCOG) President Liu Qi attend the launching ceremony of Olympic Village July 27, 2008. [Xinhua] |
Despite suffering overseas torch-relay disruptions, deadly earthquake and soaring inflation, China never stops marching steadily toward the nation's century Olympic dream as the President Hu Jintao has ordered to desperately secure the success of the Games.
Hoping to embrace the world with more involvements by the sports feast, China is honoring its commitment with last-minute checks by the Beijing Organizing Committee of the 29th Olympic Games (BOCOG).
Athletes: Advance teams test venue, more to pour in
The Olympic Village for the Games welcomed its first delegation of Chinese athletes on Sunday, marking the start of official arrival of the athletes who diversely spent their time before competition.
Enjoying Chinese cultural folk arts demonstrated in the village, athletes from Indonesia, Israel, Canada and the United States have experienced Chinese language learning.
"The food here tastes very good and there are many entertaining facilities including Internet bars," 20-year-old Hector Fuentes said. The Cuban triple jumper on his first Olympic trip said the village had gone beyond his expectation.
Swimmers from about 10 countries came to the National Aquatic Center, known as Water Cube, on Monday morning to test the pool and adapt themselves for the finals to be held in the morning.
More than 20 Japanese swimmers became the biggest group who jumped into the pool and trained for nearly four hours.
Kosuke Kitajima, the 200 meters breaststroke world record keeper, said he was satisfied with the accommodation in the Olympic Village and has fit himself well in Beijing.
Polish delegation became the first guest who arrived on Sunday at the Terminal 3 of Beijing Capital International Airport which was built specially for the August 8-24 Games.
Beginning its rush hours, the terminal received more than 1,000 passengers from around the world on Monday. "It will be the busiest time for the airport from now to the initiation of the Games," Li Hongbo, an Olympic volunteer serves at the terminal said. "300 to 500 volunteers will provide eight-language services."
According to the staffs of the airport, it will witness the biggest volume of arrival on August 7 when an estimated 6,000 passengers of athletes, journalists and officials will land.
