Beijing 2008

This year at the Beijing Olympics 205 countries have attended. This means there was alot of countries to get through in the Opening ceremony but it was an excellent one. The ceremony featured the four Ancient Chinese inventions which are paper making, movable type printing, compass and gunpowder.

There are five Olympic mascots for the Olympics this year and they are called the Fuwa.

The Fuwa represent the 5 colours of the Olympic rings and 4 of them are Chinas most loved animals. First of all is Beibei, she is a fish and in China fish and water designs are symbols of prosperity and harvest. Beibei is known to be pure and gentle and represents the blue Olympic ring. Next is Jingjing the panda, he takes the blessing of happiness wherever he goes. The lotus leaves on Jingjing's head represent the lush forest and the harmonious relationship between man and nature. Jingjing represents the Earths concern for the environment and he also represents the black Olympic ring. Now for Yingying who is a Tibetan Antelope, he symbolises of the vastness of China's landscape. He also carries the blessing of health, the strength of body that comes from harmony with nature. Yingying represents the yellow Olympic ring. Nini is a Swallow, and the bird wings on her head symbolise the infinite sky and spread good-luck as a blessing wherever she flies. Se represents the green Olympic ring. Now last but not least Huanhuan who is the Olympic flame, who is said to be the big brother amongst the Fuwa. He stands in the middle of the Fuwa as the Olympic spirit and inspires them to jump higher, run faster and be stronger. He is the red Olympic ring.

The metal tally at the moment for Australia is 14 Gold, 15 Silver and 17 Bronze as at the 24.8.08.

How the Olympics have Changed....

The Olympic games is held every four years in different countries' cities with athletes from different countries competing in the sporting events while representing their country. The symbol of the Olympic flag symbolizes the unity of the continents (North and South America considered as one continent) and the colors green, red, blue, yellow and black were chosen because at least one color was shown in a country's own flag.

However, back to the time of the Ancient Olympics, the games were only made to honor the Greek god, Zeus. Religion was the important part in the events where sacrifices and prayers were made to the gods. In Ancient History, people that weren't from Greece were restricted to participate in the games and women were not allowed to partake in the events as well; the penalty for being caught participating or watching the events could even lead to death!

Nowadays, athletes that won an event were given medals as a prize for their achievement. There were also medals for second place and third place which would be the silver and bronze medals. The three flags of the three finalists would be raised with the winner's flag being in the center and his or her national anthem would be sung so that the winner's country would be given recognition.

Back in the Ancient Olympics the recognition was only give to the winner; there would be no recognition give to the third or second place. The winner of an event would be crowned with an olive branch wreath that was taken from sacred olive trees of Zeus. Some athletes cheated in the events and people who were caught were fined and would be considered a disgrace to everyone. Winning in the events of the Ancient Olympic Games could also make an athlete extremely famous and could even make them become leaders in their community.

Overtime the Olympics have changed from being held in one place to hosting it in different countries; From having one recognition for winner only to acknowledging the second and third finalists of an event and many more changes have occurred since the beginning of the Olympics.