Olympics 2008
Beijing China
The Olympic Games are held every four years. In August 2008 the Olympics were held in
Beijing, China. I watched a lot of TV coverage of the Games throughout the 17 days of
competition, and researched on the Internet. The following is what I learnt:
The Games of 2008 were held mainly in Beijing, the first picture below shows the Birds Nest
stadium where the Athletics were held. The second picture shows the Water Cube, where the
Swimming and Diving was held. The third picture shows the Rowing facility and the fourth
the location for the Velodrome (Cycling).
1 2
3 4
Olympics
symbols
Olympic Rings: “In 1913, Baron Pierre de Coubertin came up with the idea for the symbol
most closely associated with the Olympics, the Olympic Rings. Every ring stands for one of
the five continents. Although there are seven continents, Antarctica is excluded and North
America and South America are considered one”.
“The connection of the rings symbolizes the connection of the continents during the Games
and the ideal of peace and brotherhood of the whole planet. The flag was first flown at the
1920 Olympic Games in Belgium. After each Olympics the flag is passed on to the new host
city, where it is kept safe until it is flown, during the Olympics.”
Olympic Torch: “Beginning in 1934, the IOC (International Olympic Committee)
introduced the Olympic flame with the idea that it would enrich the games. The torch-relay,
starting with the flame lighting at ancient Olympia and arriving at the hosting city, would be
a strong link between the ancient Olympic sites and the modern Olympic cities. The flame
symbolizes the purity which embodies the eternal youth of the Olympic philosophy. The
universal symbol of the flame would lead all competitors to understand that it is necessary to
work towards the lasting unity of mankind”.
My favourite two athletes of the Olympics (not counting Team GB) were Michael Phelps and
Usain Bolt.
Michael Phelps
The American swimmer Michael Phelps is now very famous because he has 14 GOLD
medals over the last 2 Olympics (more than any other Athlete ever) and 8 individual GOLD
medals alone in Beijing, which has beaten the previous record held by Mark Spitz. He also
broke a number of world records in the process. Fact: He eats 12,000 calories a day!
Usain Bolt
The Jamaican runner smashed three world records and won three GOLD medals to go with
them. He won the 100 metres sprint followed by the 200 metres and finally won the 4x100m
relay which he ran at number three. Fact: He’s the fastest runner in the world!
Team GB were very successful winning 19 Gold medals, 13 Silver medals, and 15 Bronze
medals. The most successful Olympic Games for team GB for over a century. I have listed
all the Team GB medal winners on the attached Spreadsheet. The most successful Athletes
for Team GB were Chris Hoy, Rebecca Adlington and Ben Ainslie.
Chris Hoy
The British cyclist won three GOLD medals and several world records to go with them. He’s
the first British Olympian to win three GOLD medals at one OLYMPICS. He has 4 Olympic
Gold medals in total, which is now only one less than the record for Team GB held by Sir
Steve Redgrave, who won Rowing Gold at 5 Olympics in a row. Fact: He carried the British
flag at the closing ceremony and is going to carry the Olympic flag in 2012!
Rebecca Adlington
The best swimmer that Britain has ever had, we waited 48 years for a British Gold medallist
in the pool and she won two GOLD medals. Rebecca got a world record in winning the 800
metre freestyle, knocking off 4 seconds. She also won the 400 metre freestyle event. Fact:
She’s getting an Olympic tattoo!
Ben Ainslie
Ben won a GOLD medal in the fin class sailing. He’s the best sailor Britain has ever had, he’s
won 3 GOLDS at the last three Olympics (two in fin class and one in the laser class), and he’s
also won silver in the laser class. Fact: he’s the fastest sailor in the world!
Conclusion
The 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing was probably the best ever, and I really enjoyed
watching it. I can’t remember much about the games in 2004. I really enjoyed all the sports,
particularly the water sports of rowing and canoeing, but my favourite was the indoor
cycling, and the achievements of people like Chris Hoy.
I am now looking forward to the next Olympic Games, to be held in London, England in
2012, and I would really like to go and see some of the events.