Special report: 2008 Olympic Games
    

People celebrate the success of the Beijing's 2008 Olympic Games bid at the China Millenium Monument in Beijing on July 13, 2001. (Xinhua File Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

By sportswriter Wang Jimin

    BEIJING, July 13 (Xinhua) -- When He Zhenliang, a then member of the International Olympic Committee's Executive Board, presented the last statement of the Beijing's 2008 bid on behalf of China in Moscow on July 13, 2001, he and the Chinese people were already determined to live up to their words.

    "Choosing Beijing as the host city for the Olympics, you will bring the first ever Games in Olympic history to a nation containing one-fifth of the world's population, and 1.3 billion Chinese people will dedicate their efforts to the Olympic Movement," said He.

    "If you award the chance of hosting the Olympics to Beijing, I can assure you that seven years later you will be proud of the decision you make today."

    Seven years after He made the promise, the Beijing organizers have turned the bid into reality.

    Unlike that of previous Olympics, Beijing's prep work has kept to plan and some stadiums and infrastructure have even been finished ahead of schedule.

Photo taken on May 16, 2008 shows a light in the shape of the National Stadium. The National Stadium, also known as the bird's nest will be the main track and field stadium for the 2008 Summer Olympic Games and serves as venue to the Opening and Closing ceremonies of the games.(Xinhua Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

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