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Learning English - Words in the News 08 August, 2008 - Published 11:08 GMT China's Olympic expectations | ||||||||||||
The Olympic Games officially open in Beijing today. It's been described as the most politicised Olympics since the boycott era of the early 1980s. But after a series of controversial issues in the build up, the focus will now shift to the Games proper. This report from Alex Capstick: It's taken seven years of planning at a cost of 40 billion dollars. Nothing has been left to chance in China's bid to show the world what it can do. The organisers will be hoping issues, such as air pollution, internet access, and political demonstrations against China, can be put to one side once the Olympics begin. Tiu Mingte, a senior official with the Beijing Olympic organisers, says the Chinese people are proud and excited about the Games: TIU MINGTE: Since you've been here, you can see, you can feel the atmosphere, the enthusiasm as expressed by the general public. And you switch on the TV, you will see - so much we are talking about the preparation of the Olympics, and people like it, are looking forward to it. The President of the IOC [International Olympic Committee], Jacques Rogge, has repeatedly defended the decision to let China host the Olympics. He said he hoped the Games would help the world to understand China, and for China to understand the world. His organisation will be watching closely to see whether the most expensive Games in history pays off. Alex Capstick, BBC News, Beijing planning Nothing has been left to chance bid issues put to one side the atmosphere looking forward to defended the decision watching closely pays off |
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