“http://english.people.com.cn/mediafile/200808/19/P200808191846202398712347.jpg” />

Li Xiaopeng of China competes during men’s parallel bars final of Beijing 2008 Olympic Games at National Indoor Stadium in Beijing, China, Aug. 19, 2008. Li Xiaopeng claimed the title of the event with a score of 16.450.

Li Xiaopeng of China won the gold medal of parallel bars with a winning result of 16.450 points at Beijing Olympic Games on Tuesday.

The silver medal was taken by Yoo Won-chul of South Korea at16.250, followed by Anton Fokin of Uzbekistan in the third place at16.200.



Li Xiaopeng of China competes during men’s parallel bars final of Beijing 2008 Olympic Games at National Indoor Stadium in Beijing, China, Aug. 19, 2008. Li Xiaopeng claimed the title of the event with a score of 16.450.

Li Xiaopeng of China competes during men’s parallel bars final of Beijing 2008 Olympic Games at National Indoor Stadium in Beijing, China, Aug. 19, 2008. Li Xiaopeng claimed the title of the event with a score of 16.450.

Li Xiaopeng of China won the gold medal of parallel bars with a winning result of 16.450 points at Beijing Olympic Games on Tuesday.

The silver medal was taken by Yoo Won-chul of South Korea at16.250, followed by Anton Fokin of Uzbekistan in the third place at16.200.



Li Xiaopeng of China competes during men’s parallel bars final of Beijing 2008 Olympic Games at National Indoor Stadium in Beijing, China, Aug. 19, 2008. Li Xiaopeng claimed the title of the event with a score of 16.450.

Li Xiaopeng of China competes during men’s parallel bars final of Beijing 2008 Olympic Games at National Indoor Stadium in Beijing, China, Aug. 19, 2008. Li Xiaopeng claimed the title of the event with a score of 16.450.

Li Xiaopeng of China won the gold medal of parallel bars with a winning result of 16.450 points at Beijing Olympic Games on Tuesday.

The silver medal was taken by Yoo Won-chul of South Korea at16.250, followed by Anton Fokin of Uzbekistan in the third place at16.200.



Li Xiaopeng of China competes during men’s parallel bars final of Beijing 2008 Olympic Games at National Indoor Stadium in Beijing, China, Aug. 19, 2008. Li Xiaopeng claimed the title of the event with a score of 16.450.

for more informationhttp://www.ishoesclub.com/olympic/show.php?itemid=235



By: alexda

About the Author:

Local Firm Cleaning the Air for Beijing Olympics

Posted: 03/10/2004 at 12:00:00 AM PST

by Larry M. Edwards

SAN DIEGO — Four years from now, when athletes from around the world descend on Beijing, China, for the 2008 Olympics, the air quality will be noticeably better due to reduced emissions from the city’s buses and other vehicles. The same will be true in Shanghai for soccer’s World Cup in 2010.

The cleaner air will be due in large part to a local manufacturer of a fuel additive that reduces exhaust emissions 30 to 40 percent or more.

The additive is an ester-based product dubbed Ethos Fuel Re-formulator and is produced by Ethos Environmental Inc. in South San Diego.

“The air quality regulations there are comparative to the 1950s here, so we are a solution for them,” said Ethos President Enrique De Vilmorin. “If you take 15 percent off the emission rolls in any city, you’re going to make a difference.”

And with the price of gas at record levels in this country, Americans can also benefit from using the product, its proponents say.

In some cars, the addition of Ethos FR has improved gas mileage 50 percent or more, but the company’s official line calls for a 7 to 19 percent improvement, depending on a number of factors, De Vilmorin said.

He stresses that a person’s driving habits have a huge effect on gas mileage, so someone who drives with a lead foot on the accelerator is not going to see the improvement that someone driving more conservatively will.

But it’s the reduced emissions he really wants to talk about, not improved mileage.

“That’s really the only fair way to do a test, because there are a lot of variables that affect gas mileage,” he said. However, because reduced emissions means that more of the fuel is converted into energy rather than going out the exhaust pipe, that also translates to reduced fuel consumption and improved gas mileage.

It pays for itself not only in lower fuel costs, he said, but because it will extend the life of the engine, and it will increase the likelihood of a vehicle passing the state-mandated smog test.

The product works because it is a super lubricator, explains Jerry Schnitzius, the general manager of Pacific Waste Services, the San Diego division of Allied Waste Industries, the second-largest trash collection company in the nation.

For three years, Allied has been adding Ethos FR to its truck fuel, reducing exhaust emissions, fuel consumption and maintenance costs. The product is also added to the power steering and transmission fluids.

“We’re absolutely sold on it,” Schnitzius said. “It reduced emissions from our trucks by 65 percent.

“It saves us money,” he added. “It’s also the right thing to do.”

Two years ago, Allied received the Earth Day Corporate Award for making a difference to the environment and saving valuable resources, including money, crediting Ethos FR.

The company’s cars have benefited from about a 10 percent improvement in gas mileage, Schnitzius said.

The ester-based Ethos FR removes carbon deposits and cleans and lubricates an engine’s internal parts without using petroleum-derived solvents.

An ester is a tiny molecule that is smaller than a hydrocarbon, so it penetrates hydrocarbon residue and breaks it up, sending it out the exhaust pipe.

“It’s a cleaning process; it gets between the carbon and the metal and the carbon falls away,” De Vilmorin, adding that it’s good for environment because 99.999 percent of the product is consumed during engine combustion.

Esters occur in nature, and the primary one used by Ethos Environmental originated in palm oil, although the company develops its esters synthetically.

“Otherwise, we’d have to cut down all the palm production in Central and South America,” he chuckled.

However, even being in an environmentally conscious country and state that have mandated clear-air policies, most of Ethos Environmental’s business is with foreign customers.

“Our sales are 10 times greater outside the United States,” De Vilmorin said. “We have huge sales in China, Taiwan, South America and Europe.”

The company has strategic partnerships with Thai and Chinese governments, as well as deals with the national oil companies in Peru, Ecuador and Mexico. It has production plants in Malaga, Spain, and Bangkok, Thailand.

That’s not to say Ethos is not gaining recognition in the United States. The U.S. Marine Corps at Camp Pendleton is using the additive in the jet fuel that powers the huge LCAC air-cushion landing craft that transport equipment from ship to shore.

The Air Force is also initiating a product evaluation later this year.

De Vilmorin would not disclose the company’s annual sales, citing the “quiet period” preceding the company’s initial public offering, slated for sometime in the next few months.

However, the company is “fine financially,” he said. “We’re not in search for monies. We just need to take care of the private investors. It’s time they see some of the rewards.”

Ethos is also developing new engine technology, power sources that will significantly change the century-old internal combustion engine. “It’s very futuristic, and we probably won’t be around to make them, but the basis for the technology is already here,” he said.

The company, which has 40 employees, settled in San Diego in 1997 and began commercial production of the fuel re-formulator after being snubbed by the Environmental Protection Agency.

The product was patented in 1992, and De Vilmorin approached the EPA with the notion that the fuel re-formulator could be used as an oxygenate added to fuels to reduce emissions. It would have replaced MTBE, which is now being phased out and replaced by ethanol.

But he got the cold shoulder in the nation’s capital. “We spent time chasing politicians down, but we found out they don’t spend much money. All they want is your money,” he said, pointing out that Archer Daniels Midland Co. spent more than $50 million getting bio-diesel approved for use.

AMD also just happens to be the largest producer of ethanol, a product whose value as a fuel additive is being scrutinized and has been described by some researchers as a “hoax.”

In July, Senator Dianne Feinstein asked the state and federal EPAs to investigate the use of ethanol-blended gasoline after smog levels in Los Angeles increased following the switch from MTBE-blended gasoline.

“Ethos does the same thing, and it’s better for the environment,” De Vilmorin said. “Technologies from 1980s were included in Clear Air Act of 1990, but today we’re 20 years down the road, and there other ways of making things more efficient.”

So why hasn’t this miracle product taken California by storm, especially in light of the record gas prices?

Ethos FR is offered sale to the public on the Ethos website for $19.95 a pint, but the company is not actively promoting it. The ratio is 1 to 1280, or one ounce per 10 gallons of fuel.

“It is packaged for consumer use, but marketing is too expensive. Sometime in the future I would suspect it’s going to be readily available to everybody, especially with the price of gas going up,” he said.

“We’re a quiet company,” he added. “We have a slogan, we’re an ethical company that has ethical customers, and we sell ethical products.”



By: Art Ledezma

About the Author:

Everyone knows that we need 4 Years of waiting to get involve Olympic Games. But now the games are quickly approaching, taking the host by China – one of the powerful countries in the world. Putting the controversy over the host aside, the Beijing Games 2008 is shaping up to be great. The facilities are simply astonishing. The Beijing National Stadium, nick-named the bird-nest, is certainly a unique piece of architecture. Herzog & de Meuron Architekten AG, a Swiss firm, won the bid to begin construction way back in 2003. Their other notable works include the Allianz Arena in Munich and the Tate Modern in London. The venue will have a seating capacity of 80,000.

 

With a newly designed, high-speed metro train service to help transport tourists to events and main attractions, visitors coming to the ancient metropolis are also presented with a series of user-friendly, innovative travel itineraries on the Beijing event website. 

 

On testing the new train system from the airport terminal, Chinese President Hu Jintao told a group of foreigners that the country was ready to “open its arms and welcome all of the friends of the world to come.” Certainly, the city has not looked more attractive.

 

Among the must-see attractions, such as the famous Forbidden City – where visitors can stroll through the residences of China’s former emperors – and the monolithic Great Wall of China, the Beijing tourism authority has suggested a number of culinary and nightlife hotspots too.

 

On the list, include the happening Houhai Bar Street and famous restaurants Kaorou Ji and Dasanyuan. But tourists looking for a taste off the beaten track, should aim for restaurants recommended or populated by locals

 

Other recommendations include visiting the Drum Tower, Beijing’s ‘Big Ben’ and original time-keeper. Around the tower is an antique market worth exploring and the bustling Hutong fruit market. Other interesting parts of Beijing include the Underground City near Tiananmen Square, a subterranean network built when the country feared Soviet invasion in the 1960s and the Ancient Observatory, an incredibly preserved Tibetan temple.

 

Despite the full of joys you’ll certainly receive from friendly sport competitions atmosphere, if you have a chance to visit China during Olympic 2008, it might also be decent chance to get to know more about this giant country as every people in China see this world’s major sport event as an opportunity to dazzle the world. Traveling around, Shanghai is one of the China’s top destinations as such.



By: Worldstepper

About the Author:

Often called the greatest sporting show on earth, the world is turning its collective eyes towards the Central Kingdom – Beijing, China for the Games of the XXIX Olympiad.

The Beijing 2008 Summer Games has not been without controversy since the International Olympic Committee awarded Beijing its host city status on July 13, 2001. It beat out other city contenders such as Toronto Canada, Paris France, Istanbul Turkey and Osaka Japan, despite numerous concerns for the city’s environmental pollution levels, and China’s history of human rights violations.

Still, despite the criticisms, China is committed to throwing a spectacular event to emphasize it’s status as a new economic power on the world stage. The Games will serve as its coming out party if you will.

It had been rumored that the spare no expense for the 2008 Summer Olympic Games would reach a total of $37 billion US, three times that of the 2004 Athens Summer Olympic Games. But with mounting criticism of social inequality, the extravagance was scaled back to be the games for the people.

Officially, the slogan for the Beijing Olympics is “One World, One Dream” where 205 nations will compete in 28 sports encompassing 302 events. The logo for the XXIX Olympiad is a stamp seal of the Chinese character “Jing” for Beijing. The stylized calligraphy character has been anointed the name of “Dancing Beijing”.

The official Olympic mascots are a set of five beings known as FUWA. Their names are Beibei, Jingjing, Huanhuan, Yingying, and Nini. Not only does each mascot represent a distinct Olympic ring, they also each respresent a tradtional Chinese element of Water, Wood, Fire, Earth and Sky. Beibei is Blue and she represents Water. Her character is a Fish. Jingjing black and represents Wood. He is a Giant Panda. Huanhuan is red and he represents Fire. He is the Olympic Flame. Yinggying is yellow and he represents the Earth. He is an antelope. Nini is green and she represents the sky. She is a swallow.

The 2008 Beijing Summer Olympic Games will officially commence on August 8, 2008 and end on August 24, 2008. The Opening Ceremony will begin at 08:08:08 pm CST. The number 8 has special significance in the Chinese culture as it is said to be a lucky number.

I’m sure that the rest of the world wishes good luck to Beijing as well. Here’s to hoping to a safe and secure Games where the athletes astonishes us with great feats of strength, speed, and endurance. Let the greatest sporting show begin!



By: Mariam Ma

About the Author:

If you watched the opening ceremony of the 2008 Olympics in China, then you’ll be fully aware of the story of Yang Peivi, the seven year old due to sing the opening ceremony anthem “Ode to the Motherland”. An international scandal ensued when, at the last minute, Yang Peivi had her place taken by Lin Miaoke because Peivi’s teeth failed to meet the high cosmetic dentistry standards of the Beijing organising committee. They had decided that “the child on camera should be flawless in image, internal feelings and expression,” a standard of which they felt Peivi did not meet.

What could she do about her teeth, you may ask. Well, if you found yourself in a position where you felt you were being overlooked because of your teeth then the answer may well be cosmetic dentistry, which is an area of ever-growing interest to consumers and observers alike. There has been steady growth in the field ever since the realisation that dentistry need no longer concern itself with only the practical; that it can do more for people than simply filling teeth and extracting them.

Cosmetic dentistry is commonly seen as a practice that improves upon the aesthetics of one’s teeth and, by extension, one’s mouth and face. The aesthetic aspect alone causes an increasing amount of customers to go for a procedure that they believe will improve their chances in various facets of life, from love and relationships to the professional side of life, particularly in making a better impression when meeting clients.

For the majority of consumers who opt for cosmetic dentistry, however, it is about much more than the aesthetic changes to their features. Many people choose to receive such treatment in order to boost their confidence and their self-esteem, which generally happens when they don’t feel the need to worry about their appearance. This extra confidence and self-esteem has a positive effect on people, which, as any confident person will tell you, does just as much if not more when it comes to relationships or employment.

There are several procedures now available to consumers who wish to have cosmetic dentistry. Teeth Whitening (or tooth bleaching) is perhaps the most commonly available and widely used. It is a non-invasive treatment, which produces a visibly noticeable difference. In many cases teeth appear to have been ‘brightened up’.

Dental Implants are another popular treatment. When a tooth is lost dental implants replace the missing tooth and support a crown without the need to damage or compromise adjacent teeth. Furthermore where a number of teeth have been lost they can act as bridge retainers and support several teeth thereby removing the need to wear removable dentures.

Other procedures include White Fillings (which are mercury free and routinely used addition to the fast moving world of adhesive) and Metal Free Crowns. Metal Free Crowns generally allow the natural colour of the tooth to show, by utilising a natural looking finish that includes the shade variances that occur in natural teeth. This removes any possibility of the unsightly black line that can show through in crowns containing metal and porcelain.

Veneers are another option that somebody interested in receiving cosmetic dentistry might opt for. These effectively reface the front of teeth taking approximately 0.5 mm depth of the natural tooth structure. The porcelain veneers are then adhesively bonded to the natural tooth structure. They are an effective and relatively conservative method of dealing with spaces between teeth, unsightly staining or discolouration, rotated teeth and chipped teeth.

Importantly, all these treatments are designed to enhance both the self-esteem and confidence of a patient and, beyond all else, this is the main reason for the continued growth and interest in the field of cosmetic dentistry.

This article is free to republish provided the authors resource box below remains intact.



By: Dr John Mantel

About the Author:

The anticipation of the Beijing Olympics was palpable -and the spectacular opening ceremonies, at the impressive Bird’s Nest, proved it was well worth the wait. Yet the ideals of the summer games are also well represented behind the scenes:

1. Lopez Lomong was elected by his teammates to be the United States flag bearer. One of the Lost Boys of Sudan rescued from a Kenyan refugee camp by a United Nations program, he qualified for the U.S. team in the 1,500 meter race. What a story – personified in the host country, China, which has been strongly criticized for its record on human rights. One of the key concerns has been the war torn Darfur region of Lomong’s home, Sudan. Lomong joined Team Darfur, a group formed to raise awareness of perceived abuses. As an ambassador of the U.S. and an athlete from Sudan, he’s showing his character as well as sending a message: “I am worried about the kids who are dying in Darfur, kids who don’t have the dream they could be good athletes or Olympians or doctors, because they will be running away from their villages separated from their families.” Lomong’s greatest hope is to inspire young kids around the world.

2. It has been three months since the 7.8 earthquake that devastated the Sichuan province of China, killing 70,000 people, injuring 375,000 and leaving more than 5 million homeless. Over 7,000 classrooms were destroyed and close to 10,000 children died in the tragedy. With the one child rule in China, there was an outpouring of grief as many families lost their only child. In the opening ceremony 9-year old Lin Hao, a student in a primary school at the epicenter, accompanied flag bearer Yao Ming – and represented hope for the Chinese people. After surviving the earthquake and getting out of his classroom, Lin Hao went back to pull two classmates to safety. During his rescue efforts he was hit by falling rubble and suffered a head injury. While waiting for help he encouraged his classmates to sing, keeping their spirits up. When asked why he risked his life, he said that he was the hall monitor and it was his job to look after his classmates. Although Lin Hao is not an Olympian – at least not yet – his heroism makes a grieving country proud and, while still mourning, allows all of China to enjoy the celebration.

3. The power of emotional support is exemplified by the families at the Olympics, watching their emerging adult children spread their wings as they compete. With world records and more gold medals than any other Olympian in history under his belt, everyone is talking about Michael Phelps. His mother and sisters have described the emotional roller coaster ride – the ups and downs, the pressure, the racing hearts, and then the ultimate excitement. His mother sees the aquatic center as Michael’s office and knows that he’s working to perform at his highest level. Just after his most dramatic win, Phelps said: “I don’t know what to feel right now. It’s so emotional. All I want to do is go see my mom.” The Phelps family epitomizes the good in families, as well as their dreams and heroes.

4. Elisabeth McCutcheon, married to the U.S. men’s volleyball coach, Hugh McCutcheon, was a member of the women’s volleyball team in Athens, Her parents, Todd and Barbara Bachman, were great supporters of the sport. The first day of the games, Todd died of a stabbing and Barbara was seriously injured by an attacker who committed ******* by jumping from the ancient Drum Tower. Hugh’s first thought, when hearing the news of his in-laws, was how to get to his wife. As a coach, as well as a son-in-law, there was no question about what to do in the face of such a tragedy. His response was what others expected of him: “Volleyball is my job, my family is my life.” He left to support and comfort his wife. McCutcheon phoned his team before the first game, providing leadership from a distance. The volleyball community that loved the Bachman family rallied. The men took the floor for that first match with the victims’ initials written on the backs of their shoes and said a silent prayer in memory of Todd Bachman. In a match that was much tougher than it should have been, the U.S. men’s volleyball team won what turned out to be a bitter-sweet victory.

5. The first time ever, two U.S. women won gold and silver medals in the all-around individual gymnastics competition. For Nastia Liukin and Shawn Johnson – teammates, competitors and friends – it’s been a long journey to a dream that has finally come true. The pair anchored the U.S. team that took silver behind China’s gold earlier in the week. Liukin said she was not disappointed, but she and Johnson wanted more. They made a calendar, counting the days until they got their next chance for gold. They wanted to go all out and have fun. And the two pals managed to do both. “I couldn’t be any prouder of Nastia,” Johnson said. “She deserved that gold medal. She’s one of my best friends and we just want the best for each other.” The silver seemed to whet Johnson’s appetite. She’d like to try again at the Olympics in London. “After experiencing the Olympics, I’d give anything to feel that again. If I can in 2012, I’ll be there.”

Competing and winning is important. But don’t forget about character strength, moral values and the emotional support of those who care about you. What words of wisdom do the athletes share from their personal experiences? Follow your heart, love what you do, work hard and have fun. It’s definitely an excellent exercise for all of us – so stretch into that one.

(C) Her Mentor Center, 2008



By: Phyllis Goldberg

About the Author:

The date August 8, 2008 for this year’s Summer Olympics was chosen for a reason – this is an extremely significant day for the Chinese. If you’re one of the lucky people traveling to China to watch the XXIX Olympiad, study Chinese and follow these tips for acceptable actions in China.

Know the Rules

Olympic tourists in China are given a list of dos and don’ts. Keep in mind that both the Chinese and foreigners alike need to comply with China’s extremely rigid laws, even if camaraderie and freedom is promoted by the Olympics. To prevent inconveniences, you should abide by these laws.

Studying Chinese quickly can greatly help you since this list is in Chinese. With conversational Chinese, you can make yourself understood when you are asked questions, in need of help, or lost.

Military bases and other areas are declared by the government as off-limits. Visitors with mental handicaps, STDs, and anti-China opinions will not be tolerated. Hence, your ability to study Chinese quickly might spell the difference between having your visa granted and getting you deported most quickly.

Areas such as military installations have been declared by the Chinese government as off-limits. Sexually transmitted diseases, mental handicaps, and anti-China opinions are also prohibited. If you learn Chinese, you have a better chance of securing a Chinese visa.

The Culture

Studying the Chinese culture will take more than a lifetime because it is thousands of years old. But you have to study Chinese culture, even if it only means how to deal with the man on the street in China.

Business relationships typically grow into personal relationships. You have more opportunities of sealing deals on your own terms if you build a warmer personal relationship. Try to engage in banter and show interest in a store keeper when haggling. You are sweetening the sugar, so to speak. Hence, study Chinese in order to bargain and banter.

Personal relationships often stem from business relationships. You have more opportunities of closing deals on your own terms if you build a closer personal relationship. Attempt to engage in banter and show interest in a store owner when haggling. You are sweetening the sugar, in a manner of speaking. In order to converse and bargain, learn Chinese.

If giving out a business card, your name has to be facing the recipient and both arms have to be outstretched. Also, designation and seniority is extremely essential to the Chinese. You’ll earn brownie points by addressing a Chinese national with his proper designation, instead of the common Mister or Miss.

You should give more respect to important people with seniority and rank. Offer gifts, and don’t say no to one that’s offered to you. Most of all, “face” is extremely important, so never embarrass a Chinese person in the presence of others.

Other very essential things to bear in mind involve not mentioning pro-Tibet and pro-Taiwan sentiments, not complimenting the Japanese in any way, not putting down exalted Chinese leaders like Mao Tse Tung, and not plastering a permafrown on your face.

You will do very well to do as the Chinese do when in China. For fluent communication, study Chinese online.



By: Dinah Leabeau

About the Author:

Every Olympics emblem conveys a unique message relevant to the host country’s culture and aspirations, and China’s Olympics seal is certainly no exception. Let’s face it, throughout China’s long and rich history, the Chinese have held an enduring affinity towards symbolic connotations; it’s reflected in their spoken language, specifically Mandarin, within their written characters, their calligraphy, and even their food. Not surprisingly, their Olympics seal, “Dancing Beijing” is filled with symbolic significance, drawing upon shapes and colors that are now standard archetypes in every Chinese psyche.

The form of the running figure is a stylized modification of the Chinese character “Jing” (the latter part of the host city’s name), and represents the beauty and significance of life. The curves of the body draw upon the image of the dragon, the ancient benefactor of China. The figure’s open arms are an invitation and welcome to the rest of the world, signifying friendship and trust, the underlying role of every host country during this important event.

The artist who created the seal, Zhang Wu, has told world press, “In my designs, humanity is a must. Many foreign friends of mine were shocked when they saw the ‘Dancing Beijing,’ because they said they had never expected that China would place a single human being in such a high place. I hope the world learns more about China and its people through the emblems and symbols.”

The figure is encased within an asymmetric, oval-like shape in the image of an ancient seal, the official stamp, or mark of ownership and identity throughout China. It’s a stamp of authority and authenticity. And of course, the Olympics stamp is in red, the color prominently used from ancient days to present to represent the nation.

The color red is seeped within Chinese history and culture, it’s considered life-giving and auspicious. It can be found covering the 999 rooms of the historic Imperial Palace and upon the national flag. It represents beauty and life, and was chosen during the Chinese Revolution to represent the proletariat cause of an oppressed people. During modern Spring Festival celebrations, the color red still dominates the scrolls and couplets pasted over doorways for good luck; even small red beans are given as tokens of love, and brides have traditionally worn red silk veils (gaitou) to cover their faces. Red is the essential color rooted within Chinese aesthetics.

“Dancing Beijing” is now engraved as the symbol of China’s hopes and aspirations to a country that has over 56 ethnic groups and a population of over 1.3 billion. It is an image that reflects eastern thought and the pride of one the greatest nations on Earth. The emblem proclaims a new beginning that’s securely tied to the Middle Kingdom’s splendid past.



By: Timothy Green

About the Author:

It’s easy to see how incredibly important the number 8 is to the Chinese – they’ve chosen 08 / 08 / 2008 at 8.08pm as the date for the beginning of the 2008 Olympic Games.

The number Eight is similar to the Mandarin and Cantonese terms for prosperity. Therefore, eight is regarded as a highly auspicious number by the Chinese embodying increased luck and good fortune.

According to the Tong Shu, a calendar outlining and enabling the selection of auspicious days for various events, the 8th of August is particularly good for an opening ceremony.

From the perspective of the Chinese astrology system called the Four Pillars of Destiny the Beijing Olympics begin on the day of the Golden Dragon – a Yang Metal day. The month of August is also a period of metal making the two weeks allocated to these games a time of very powerful metal providing the strength to conquer.

The Chinese time system is made up of twelve hours and so each two hour section is represented by one of the twelve animals. The chosen time of 8pm for the opening of these games is the hour of the Dog and it is strong between 7 and 9pm. Interestingly, the hour of the Dog and the chosen day of the Dragon bring with it a clash. This could bring some challenges during the first hour of the ceremony but not necessarily transparent or lasting.

The Olympic Flag, first flown during the 1920 Olympic Games contains, on a white background five interconnected rings representing the five significant continents. These rings also symbolize the potential friendships gained from these international sporting competitions. The colours of these rings; red, green, black, yellow and blue were chosen because at least one of them appeared on the flag of every country of the world. From the Chinese metaphysical perspective these colours represent four of the all important five elements namely; water, wood, fire and earth with the white background signifying the fifth element of metal.

The founder of the modern Olympic Games, Pierre de Coubertin designed the universally recognizable Olympic Flag. He also wrote an oath (recited at each game by one of the athletes) and an Olympic motto. The latter being borrowed from a Latin phrase: Citius, Altius, Fortius meaning….Swifter, Higher, Stronger.

Pierre de Coubertin’s athlete’s oath and creed are something that can be held within all our hearts as we walk our path in life.

The Olympic Oath: “In the name of all competitors, I promise that we shall take part in these Olympic Games, respecting and abiding by the rules that govern them, in the true spirit of sportsmanship, for the glory of sport and the honour of our teams.”

The Olympic Creed: “The most important thing in the Olympic Games is not to win but to take part, just as the most important thing in life is not the triumph but the struggle. The essential thing is not to have conquered but to have fought well.”

In 1936 the chairman of the organizing committee suggested a torch relay. So, in accordance with tradition (the same reason why the opening procession is always led by the Greek team), the Olympic flame is lit using a curved mirror and sunlight on the ancient site of Olympia, Greece. It then travels a specified route to the host city remaining alight until the games have come to an end. The flame represents purity and the endeavour of perfection.

In the preceding months of the Beijing Games the transport of the flame from Mount Olympia in Greece, around the world to the host city of Beijing, has been subject to considerable political protest and controversy.

Over the coming two weeks each country throws their support behind their athletes in the hope that they will bring home a fair share of bronze, silver and gold medals (although the last medal made entirely of gold was awarded in 1912). However, it could be worthwhile to remember that; ‘the important thing is to participate with good sportsmanship and have fought well’.  Go Australia!! Swifter, Higher, Stronger.

copyright Juliana Abram; www.fenghsuicentre.com.au



By: Juliana Abram

About the Author:

Last Friday, when the whole world was glued to TV( don’t call it an idiot box please, at least for this time) to watch the Olympics opening ceremony live, the people had to go through some strange “fashionable” experiences.

Their mind’s inquisitive nature always demanded some explanations in response to what they had been seeing on the screen. Actually, the problem was not with their mind.

Rather, the fashionable dresses representing a plethora of color combination which mirrored the cultural amalgam and versatility of the planet had created an illusion in their minds.

They couldn’t make out what they were witnessing in fact. Were they watching a fashion catwalk on the premises of Bird’s Nest? Yes…it was of that sort. It was a fresh manifestation of how fashion is overpowering the exotic fields.

That evening, the opening ceremony of the biggest sports gala in the human history so far had provided a gateway to a “sporty” fashion. The real purpose, the games, had been pushed behind the curtains. And the colorful fashion apparel had taken center stage.

However, this marriage of fashion and sports is not a unique ceremony that we would feel like dancing. Because, we have seen a number of sports stars being the promotional campaigners of various famous fashion brands.

What amused most of the people that how the very fashion statement of sports persons had transferred directly from the huge billboards to the playground itself. And, perhaps, they looked better in those fancy dresses than their doctored photos on any fashion magazine’s cover. Of course, we love reality.

Though grabbing the maximum number of gold medals always on the mind, most of the countries seemed to have sent their players only as fashion showpieces in order to show their growing prosperity. Probably, they might be thinking that “ fashion makes a nation great.” Here, you may laugh.

Finally, this sporting event will definitely see many records getting broken and made, but for me the record it has made on “fashion” tracks is set to survive for long. Undoubtedly, a record worth a gold medal.



By: Dexter James

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