Four students pose for a photo in front of the Olympic countdown clock displaying 500 days to the Olympic Games in Beijing, capital of China, March 26, 2007. A series of events are happening in Beijing to mark the 500-day countdown to the Beijing Olympic Games. (Xinhua Photo/Luo Xiaoguang(Xinhua Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

    BEIJING, March 27 -- "...Three, Two, One, Zero!" Hundreds of people witnessed with emotion the 500-day countdown to the opening of the Beijing Olympic Games in front of the National Museum at Tian'anmen Square in Beijing, as the countdown clock to the Games clicked to the exact time of eight o'clock on March 26, 2007.

    In an effort to involve as many people as possible in the preparations for the forthcoming Olympics, from this Tuesday, a variety of celebrations will be staged in the city and the rest of the country to commemorate the 500-day countdown to the Beijng Olympic Games.

    The Games is scheduled to open in Beijing on August 8, 2008.

    (Source: China Daily)