A martial arts ceremony in Beijing marks the countdown to the 2008 Games reaching exactly two years

The building work continues in Beijing but officials say progress is smooth and on schedule

With the building work on track, the marketing campaign kicks off - here, models showcase a range of Olympic pins

And Beijing's shops and markets are already filling up with Olympic-related merchandise

The Games may still be 24 months away, but it is difficult to avoid reminders of the coming party

The most obvious sign that the Games are on the horizon is the rise of the National Stadium, the so-called "bird's nest"

The Chinese are leaving little to last-minute chance - a worker puts the finishing touches to the Olympic clock

At this stage in the cycle some recent hosts have still been laying foundations, Beijing's softball venue is open for play