BOCOG has unveiled the emblem of the Beijing Olympic Games. On June 26, 2005,
the theme slogan of the Beijing 2008 Olympic and Paralympic Games -- "One World
One Dream" -- was released. The slogan, which was well received by people from
all walks of life, fully expresses Chinese people's love for the Olympic
Movement and their aspirations to progress together with the world people. On
November 11, 2005, on the occasion of the 1000-day countdown to the 2008 Olympic
Games, the mascots "Fu Wa" were unveiled and they are also well received by the
public.
To promote Olympic education among youth and children, 200 schools in Beijing
have been designated as Olympic education model schools. By the end of the year,
500 such schools will be established across China. To date four Olympic Cultural
Festivals have been organized. During the 4th Olympic Cultural Festival that has
recently concluded, the Mass Fitness Week, the Olympic Sculpture Exhibition, the
"Olympic Rhythm" open-air concert, the 2nd Beijing International Sports Film
Week, the Exhibition of Calligraphy & Artworks by People with disabilities
in China and many other events attracted numerous residents.
BOCOG has also developed Olympic Volunteer plan. In late August, the Olympic
Volunteer Recruitment Program will be launched to recruit a large number of
qualified volunteers to work for the Olympic Games. This will also help upgrade
the level of volunteer services in the whole society
The Beijing Olympic Torch Relay will focus on domestic areas and involve
international cities as well. Currently, BOCOG is doing in-depth research on the
international route of the relay. The Olympic flame will, for the first time in
history, ascend the top of Mt. Qomolangma. Through the torch relay, BOCOG will
communicate to the world the messages of peace, cooperation and harmony. The
Torch Relay Program Leading Group has been set up to oversee the work. And BOCOG
has also established the Torch Relay Centre, which is currently conducting an
assessment and a review of the route and scope of the relay.
To ensure the quality of the opening and closing ceremonies, BOCOG invited
famous Chinese and foreign directors, artists and experts in April this year to
form a core team for the creation and production of Beijing Olympic Games
opening and closing ceremonies. The ceremonies will embody the slogan of "One
World One Dream" and the concepts of "Green Olympics, Hi-tech Olympics and
People's Olympics", highlight the subjects of "Civilization" and "Harmony",
through the presentation of the evolution of Chinese civilization and
integration of world civilizations and combining Chinese cultural elements with
Olympic elements. A complete creative plan for the opening and closing
ceremonies and a technical implementation plan are expected to be formulated by
the end of this year.
Wang stressed that Substantial progress has been made in media services.
The Beijing Olympic Media Centre, which is in charge of arranging interviews
for domestic and overseas media, was officially established In November 2004.
The Beijing Olympic Broadcasting Co., Ltd (BOB), responsible for the broadcast
of the 2008 Olympic Games, went into operation last year. BOCOG successfully
held the 2005 World Broadcaster Briefing. BOCOG made new commitment on Olympic
media services at the Briefing and received favorable comments from the world
broadcasters. This year, BOCOG will organize the 2006 World Broadcaster Meeting
and the First World Press Briefing to update the domestic and overseas media on
accommodation, transport and other services to be provided for them.
BOCOG is currently working closely with the relevant government agencies in
China to make policies to facilitate the media coverage of the preparation and
the Games. BOCOG will also develop the Beijing Olympic Games Media Service Guide
for Overseas Media which is aimed to facilitate their work in China.
Talking about preparatory work on transport, security, accommodation,
catering and medical services, Wang said it is in full swing.
