Beijing Gets Ready for Olympics

Get ready to meet Huanhuan, one of the cute, cuddly symbols of the 2008 Olympics in Beijing.  University of Illinois journalism students reporting in China Thursday visited the headquarters of the Beijing Olympics Organizing Committee to learn about the games to be held here next summer.  We met with Zhang Yong, a member of the staff at the Beijing Olympics.  Among other things, we learned that air quality is a big concern for olympic organizers.  Olympic organizers say air pollution in Beijing has been improving but they say it is unrealistic to believe that it will be gone.  They’re urging greater use of public transportation to reduce pollution.  Some polluted plants in downtown have also been moved out of the city.  Organizers are also concerned about traffic in this capital city.  They’ve started a campaign for better, safer, more civilized driving, especially by the city’s notorious taxi drivers.  Beijing is holding test events this summer to try out how the Olympic games will fare at some of the 31 venues in Beijing.  They also believe the Games of the XXIX Olympiad will project a freer, more open and prosperous China. 

Huanhuan, the child of fire, symbolizing the Olympic Flame