The opening ceremonyTen thousand smiles from children all over the world – the image the opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympic Games will leave its audience with and a symbol of humankind’s bright future – will be the most touching moment that renowned Chinese film director Zhang Yimou intends to display in a 50-minute long performance. Zhang is in charge of designing the opening and closing ceremonies for the Olympics.
"We are going to tell a human-interest story, in a simple way, during the 50-minute performance, about who we are and why we are one family," Zhang said.
He choose a few elements that could be appreciated by people worldwide – particularly children – since he thought it would be impossible to present all of 5,000 years of Chinese culture and history in the short time allowed by the ceremony.
Based on this concept, the organizers of the Beijing Games started collecting photographs of smiling children on September 4 of last year.
Zhang said his team has finished the creative of the opening ceremony; and mass rehearsals with more than 10,000 actors and actresses have started at several locations in the capital’s suburbs.
But the only remaining headache for the director will be the weather during the opening ceremony. Based on the capital’s meteorological records for the past 50 years, conditions such as high temperatures and mugginess, heavy rain and thunderstorms frequently occur in August.
"What worries me most now is heavy rain on August 8. If it really happens, some aerial performances will have to be canceled, as well as some hi-tech machinery operations," Zhang said.
Gold medalsChina does not expect to win the most gold medals at the Beijing Olympics this summer, said Cui Dalin, deputy director of the State General Administration of Sport. He added that in several sporting events, China lags behind countries such as the United States and Russia.
"It is the responsibility of Chinese athletes and coaches to strive for medals at the Games. But we had never thought of winning the most gold medals," he said.
Expectations among the Chinese for Team China will include toppling the sports superpower—the United States—this summer, as the Olympics is to be held for the first time on home soil. Pressed for a number of gold medals to be anticipated by reporters surrounding him, Cui grinned: "If you insist on asking how many gold medals we will get, I’ll tell you the exact number on August 24 when the Games conclude."
"Carrying out the Olympic spirit in the world’s most populous country is significant. We aim to promote friendship with people from other countries and improve the development of sports in China," he said.
Beijing Olympic Games VillageLocated northwest of the National Stadium – the Bird’s Nest – the Beijing Olympic Games Village will accommodate 16,000 athletes and officials during the Games.
Covering an area of 66 hectares, the village has 42 apartment buildings containing 9,993 units. The village will be the largest non-competition site during the Games.
Chinese elements have been integrated into its decoration; and Chinese characteristics have been highlighted.
In addition, the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) has praised the village as a people-oriented, healthy, comfortable and energy-saving residential area.
The village is also considered the most convenient of all Olympic Villages, as it is no more than a 5-minute drive to the Bird’s Nest.
The village will officially open on July 27 for the Olympics; and close on September 20, after the Paralympics, once all the sports competitions have ended.
Security during the Games"China is one of the safest places in the world," said Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi at a press conference on Wednesday, on the sidelines of the annual parliamentary session.
He gave reassurance that China is safe, and people who want to watch the Olympic Games in Beijing should feel carefree.
As for security concerns, Qin Gang, Foreign Ministry Spokesman, noted that China has already formulated a strategic plan to ensure safety during the Games in accordance with International Olympic Committee (IOC) requirements.
"A security command system based on the experience of previous Games has also been put in place," Qin said.
China will continue to keep a close eye on and continue efforts to improve security conditions during the Olympics. The country has the determination, confidence and competence to ensure the safe and successful hosting of an Olympic Games, according to Qin.
Peak challengeThe Olympic Torch, to be lit in Greece on March 24, will begin making its way to Beijing; and head for the peak challenge towards the world’s highest peak, Mount Qomolangma, or Mt. Everest.
To date, a series of tests have confirmed that the Olympic relay torch will remain lit in freezing temperatures and strong winds when it ascends the peak.
Wind speeds atop the mountain are expected to reach 17m per second; and temperatures often dip below -30 C.
Lab tests on torch burning capacity, based on extreme conditions of a maximum wind speed of 30m per second and a temperature of -45 C, turned out to be successful, according to Ma Lin, director of the Beijing municipal science and technology commission.
Other major concerns include: whether the flame can be broadcast clearly on TV; handling possible pollution from the burning of the torch and safety issues concerning its ascent. So far, path and road surfaces have been upgraded to make ascending the peak easier for the Olympic torchbearers.
Thanks to all the scientific institutions commissioned to help with solutions, we are confident that the Olympic Games torch will be alight on Mount Qomolangma; and everyone will see its bright flame, said Zhang Jingan, an official in charge of the website for the Olympic Commission of Science and Technology.
The torch relay is scheduled to scale the peak in May, at a time to be decided on by the weather.
By People's Daily OnlineAuthor：China Others Time：2008-05-24 From：china daily
