A Tryst with Destiny: Bhindra Burns through Beijing!

Phelps all the way (Source: CBS News)

Bhindra Burns through Beijing (Source: LA Times)

Even though this post is largely out of schedule, I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate Abhinav Bhindra on his stunning performance at the Olympics. I also hope that our three boxers Akhil, Jitendar and Vijender Kumar do well and make India proud in Boxing (as they are our medal hopes).

----------------------------------------------------------------------

UPDATE: I also congratulate Michael Phelps (USA) on his world record for securing the most number of medals (8) in a single olympics (16 in all), beating the earlier Spitz who has 7 medals to his name.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

C.R. Aditya

The Elite Window

One World, One Dream.

Colour Fest at Bird's Nest

That is the slogan or theme of the Beijing Olympics which had a spectacular opening on 08/08/08 at 8:08 pm at the National Stadium or Bird's Nest which was splashed with a million colourful hues amidst crackling fireworks. The theme of the opening ceremony was China's 5000 year history which was potrayed with a touch of Chinese technology on a an electronic paper scroll. Then a huge ball symbolising the earth on top of which Chinese popstar Liu Huan and British popstar Sarah Birhtman sang the Official Olympic song. Then it was the turn of all 205 nations which are taking part to walk the ramp into the centre of the stadium. The President of the IOA then gave his speech after which the Chinese president Hu Jintao declared the games open in Chinese. The Olympic torch was finally lit by veteren Olympian who won the first Chinese gold medal, Li Ning by flying around the whole stadium with pictures of Olympic torch lighting displayed as he flew around the stadium. All in all it was one spectacular show with approximately 4.5 billion viewers all over the world. The event was truly superb and can really be summed as- "when the heaven and earth looked at Beijing Olympics- the best Olympics yet."

When the world watched Beijing

Aditya C.R

The Elite Window

Beijing Beckons: Olympics Draws Nearer!

Beijing Beckons

The Olympics are drawing nearer to its grand inaugral opening on 08/08/08, Friday in Beijing's National Stadium (Bird's Nest) amonst pomp and glory. It is said that Beijing spent more than 40 billion dollars on the Olympics (translates into 1680 billion Rupees roughly) which is a pretty tedious amount. Although it is expected that Beijing will recover all that and more with ticket sales and Infrastructural sales (Metro, Airport). Beijing has built the world's largest dragon shaped Terminal 3 (A, B, C) in addition to the first two terminals at Beijing's new Capital International Airport. It is connected to the newly built railway lines which go into the terminal for quick transport to the Olympic venues. The structure is gigantic just like the National Olympic Stadium or the Bird's Nest which is a framework of criss-crossing steel bars which can host around 90000 seating with a floating capacity of around 30000 people. Even the National Aquatics Centre or the Water Cube is quite large, situated next to the National Stadium and can house 3000 people with 6000 floating capacity. Also the CCTV towers, National Theatre (The Egg) have all been built to create a sense of what Beijing really can do to prove its International standards. Around 3.6 billion people will watch it on TV from all over the world and 1.2 billion people will visit Beijing during the Olympics itself. India will bid for the Olympics in 2020 when its capital New Delhi will be a world class city with the other metros Chennai, Mumbai, Kolkata and Bangalore following in its wake. With only four days to spare, all eyes will be on Beijing to witness one of the grandest and costliest Olympics of Olympic History.

Aditya C.R

The Elite Window

National Stadium (Bird's Nest)

National Aquatics Centre (Water Cube)

Beijing Capital International Airport

CCTV Towers, Beijing Central