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• The 2008 Summer Olympics were held in Beijing, China, and Hong Kong from August 8-24. China promoted the 2008 Olympics as an opportunity to unveil itself to the world. The 2008 Olympics marked the first time that the Summer Olympics have been held in a communist country since the Soviet Union hosted in 1980.

• Fast Facts

  1. Opening ceremony began: August 8, 2008 at 8:08 p.m. China Standard Time Wikipedia: Numbers in Chinese Culture: Eight
  2. American television coverage: NBC Sports
  3. 2001: Beijing selected as host city, beating out Toronto, Paris, Istanbul, and Osaka
  4. Nine new events added Wikipedia: 2008 Summer Olympics
  5. Official slogan: One World, One Dream
  6. Also referred to as: Games of the 29th Olympiad

• Protest and Controversy

  Controversy over Beijing air quality, human rights, censorship and the control of Tibet has led to increased protests. Although a some high-profile individuals, like director Steven Spielberg, will boycott, most nations are planning to present their normal compliment of athletes in Beijing.

  In July and August of 2008, the Turkistan Islamic Party, a militant group, released two separate video tapes threating to attack the Olympics in Beijing. The tapes warn Muslims not to send their children to the Olympics and to avoid public transportation. The party reportedly disagrees with China's control over the Xinjiang region.

• Related Pages on Mahalo

  2010 Winter Olympics | Beijing | Beijing Air Quality | China | China Censorship | China Human Rights | Hong Kong | Michael Phelps | Olympic Torch | Spielberg Boycotts Olympics | Summer Olympics | Winter Olympics | Olympic Triathlon | Summer Olympics 1996 | Summer Olympics 2000 | Shawn Johnson Gold | US Olympic Basketball 2008 | Margaret Hoelzer | Leryn Franco Catwalk | Michael Phelps Suspended | Kerri Walsh | How to Ice Skate | Robert O'Ryan

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