Beijing Olympics 2008 - Let the games begin
- 7th August 2008
The National Stadium, nicknamed the Bird's Nest in Beijing, China.
Beijing 2008 Olympic Games - August 8 - 24
For sixteen days the eyes of the world will be turned towards Beijing to witness the greatest sporting spectacle on the planet, the Olympic Games.
The Games will bring the best athletes from across the globe together in one place, with personal glory and national pride both on the line.For some its about triumph, for others its just about competing.
Australia once again has a strong team and we'll be looking to bring home a big haul of medals. So lets cheer our athletes on and help get them across the line!
Local atheltes
Australia's Olympic talent is spread right across this great nation, from the city to the country, from the mountains to the surf, the golden spark of competition can be found everywhere.
Coffs Harbour Northern Rivers Sunshine Coast Toowoomba
Stacy Roiall Nathan Crosswell Clint Robinson Justin Anlezark
Emma Moffatt Jacqui Lawrence Melanie Schlanger Nikki Hudson
Alexandra Croak Adam Pine Samantha Hamill Jared Graves
David Johnson Naazmi Johnston Paul Fleming Peter Terry
Glen Price Todd Kidd Keil Brown
Alana Boyd Kylie Cronk
Sonia Mills
Olympic News
Rower has golden chance
Beijing dream begins
Olympic swimmer denied access to her coach
Coast's Olympic kayaker battles illness
Justin Anlezark throws big
Alana flies high in Beijing warm-up
Lismore gymnast lives Olympic dream
Families fight for tickets to Olympics
Softballer smashes Beijing home-run
Local students to join Olympics bandwagon
Olympic Kooka call has Kiel laughing
Mel wins bronze
Caboolture boxer eliminated from Olympics
'Grand' result for medal winner Jess
Hamill through to butterfly semis
Nikki scores yet another top goal
Disappointing result for Hamill
D'Arcy left to rue missed chance
Anlezark geared to give best shot at Olympic gold
Family support key to success
Silver lining for Brenton Rickard
Melanie cheers on our goldern girls
Disappointment of D'Arcy compounded
Ask yourself, Clint, do you feel lucky?
Snowsill wins Olympic triathlon gold
Emma gives Coast locals medal thrill
Beijing Olympics 2008 - Let the games begin
Silver rush hits Old Bonalbo
Hot events
Australia is expected to compete strongly in a number of sports at these Games, with many athletes looking at gold medal prospects.
Swimming
Watch for our female swimmers to set the pool alight at these games. The girls have been smashing world records left, right and centre and are looking good for Beijing. Keep an eye on Stephanie Rice in the 200m and 400m individual medley.
Hockey
Both the men's and women's hockey teams are in form leading into the Games, with both teams easily winning their practice matches. The Kookaburra's will be looking to defend their inaguaral Olympic title win at these games, while the girls will be determined to get back on the podium after missing out on a medal in 2004.
Basketball
Our women's team will be out for gold at Beijing after losing to the United States in both Athens and Sydney. Our men will be hoping to reach the podium after just missing out on medals in the last two Games.
Softball
2008 may be the last year Softball is included as an Olympic sport, so our girls will be keen to go an extra step on Athens and take the gold medal. Australia's captain Natalie Ward will be looking to go out on a high in her fourth and final games.
Cycling
Australia has a strong tradition in Olympic cycling and will be keen to beat their sensational effort in Athens when our athletes took a record six gold home. In the velodrome, Ryan Bailey and Anna Meares will be looking to defend their Olympic titles from 2004, while Toowoomba's own Jared Graves will compete in the first BMX races to be held at the Games.
The arenas
China has spent hundreds of milllions of dollars constructing several new sports venues specifically for these games, however none are more visually striking or awe-inspiring than the National Aquatics Centre (the water cube) and the National Stadium (the bird's nest).
These two arenas are marvels of contemporary archictual design and are sure to become iconic symbols of the Beijing Games.
The National Stadium (Bird's Nest)
The National Aquatics Centre (Water Cube)
Links
Official Beijing Olympic Site
Australian Olympic Team
Sunshine Coast Daily Olympic Page
- APN
