The slogan for the 2008 Summer Olympics is clearly
visible from the Great Wall.
|
Mary spends the day weaving through a sea of visitors on
the steep stones of the Great Wall. |
The official Olympic countdown clock is in the center of
Beijing, at Tiananmen Square. |
July 1st Elementary School celebrates the 500 day mark
before the Olympics begin with a performance by the
children.
|
These two kids help "huanhuan"
--one of the five friendlies, or mascots--
navigate through her fans. |
Mary interviews swimmer Qian Hong, a gold medalist from
the1992 Barcelona Olympics. |
Mary sees the progress on the Water Cube, one of the
most popular projects under construction. |
Birds Nest Construction is coming along, and workers are now also focusing
on building massive underground parking lots. |
A few apartments in the Olympic Village have been
unveiled, but the rooftop gardens are still
in-the-making.
|
A visit to Aptos Origin's office reveals how this top
sponsor acts as the nerve center during the Olympics.
Media rely on them to quickly relay scores and athlete
information. |
Qian
Zhen Hua's not only a fencer -- he completes in the
Pentathlon. That means he fences, shoots, rides horses,
runs, and swims.
|
Swimming is Qian's best sport, but he still trains
daily. |
Mary interviews gymnast Teng Haibin, who won a gold
medal in Athens 2004.
|
A visit to Teng Haibin's home not only reveals his gold
medal, but also his parents deep pride. |
Teng Haibin, age 22, has been training since he was five. He practices six
days a week with the Chinese National Team. |
These athletes deal with both physical stress and
the psychological pressure that comes with Chinas high
expectations for gymnasts in 2008.
|
Zhang Nan hopes to top her gold medal from the World
Championship Competition, but
first she has to make the 2008 Olympic Team.
|
Zhang Nan's parents share their hopes and worries for their
daughter. |
Dr. Chen teaches physical therapy at Hong Kong Polytech University. He moved to Beijing to help the
athletes prepare for the 2008 Olympics.
|
Dr.
Chen
and his apprentice work on an athlete's shoulder injury. |
Mary
interviews martial artist Zhao Qing Jian. He will
complete the Wushu competition held at the same time as the
2008 Olympics.
|
Liu
Xiao Lei performs Wushu at Beijing's Shi Chai Hai Sports
School. She's hoping that Wushu will be accepted as an
Olympic sport in the future. |
This
soccer player awaits surgery at Peking University 3rd
Hospital, where all
Olympic athletes are treated for injuries from doctors
that utilize western
and eastern techniques. |
Mary
gets her own taste of eastern remedies with a foot
massage at Oriental TaiPan Massage & Spa, where she
learns the importance of pressure points. |
Mary
interviews Chen Weiya, president of the National Song
and Dance Ensemble, and advisor for the Ceremonies.
|
Member
of the National Song and Dance Ensemble are working hard
in hopes of participating in the opening and closing
ceremonies of the 2008 Olympics.
|
Yves
Pepin compares the Olympic ceremonies with his Eiffel
Tower Millennium Celebration. He shares what it's like
being part of an expert team which includes Zhang Yimou
and Steven Spielberg.
|
Mary
meets pop singer Yeah!! and his producer, Sota Kawasaki,
on their way to submit an Olympic theme song. |
Over
100 volunteer drivers for the 2008 Olympics gather at
this award ceremony to pledge their commitment. |
These taxi
drivers attend mandatory Saturday morning English
class in preparation for the Olympics.
|
New subway lines and stations are popping up around the
city in preparation for the 2008 Olympics. |
Mary
rides a rental bike through some remaining
Hutongs -- for a glimpse of
old Beijing |
.
Mary
gets more than a scarf at this store, she gets a lesson
on how silk is madefrom removing the silk worm from its
cocoon to stretching and hanging the silk to dry.
|
From the Ming dynasty
through today, Liu Li Chang street is the place to buy
the four treasures: paper, ink, ink stone and paint
brushes.
|
Old Pipe Street no longer sells tobacco, but shoppers
won't be disappointed with the list of souvenirs
available.
|
With water on-hand, Mary fishes for chicken in this bowl
of chilies. |
The 12 main spices in Sichuan cooking are on display at
Baoguobuyi restaurant. |
Mary tries joining these bakers at Haolito make a pastry
with sweet beans.
|
Executive Chef Vivi's Brazilian restaurant has become
famous in BEijing after only 4 years -- using its
romantic setting and fusion food to attract both Chinese
and foreign customers.
|
Chef Yang learned to make Baklava for the only Greek
restaurant in Beijing -- Athena. |
Public toilets like these are new to the streets of
Beijing and more are being added in preparation for
the Olympics.
|
Largely inspired by the upcoming Olympics,
mass tree planting projects are underway throughout
Beijing. |
Beijing
continues to expand in rings around the Forbidden City
-- it is currently in the very center of six rings. |
The high walls of the Forbidden City kept emperors
isolated from the world outside for 500 years. |
