Google Olympic Logo

I am not sure if you did notice that Google had created a series of Olympic Logo during the 16 days of the Olympic season. I downloaded the whole set because I think it's very meaningful and is kind of cute. There are 17 of them, everyday one kind from the opening ceremony day till the closing. The artist used the 12 animals in chinese zodiac to represent the Chinese culture as the Olympic was held in Beijing, China. Just in case you don't know what these 12 animals are, they are rat, cow, tiget, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, goat, monkey, rooster, dog and pig.

Oh ya.. I just found out, the artist is a Korean. His name is Dennis Hwang (Hwang Jung-moak), a 23-year-old computer artist.

Here they are:

This one is on opening ceremony, 08/08/2008
See the 5 cuttie "Fu Wa" Olympic mascots are marching carrying Olympic torch and flag.

This is on the second day, 09/08/2008Wow.. you are cool with sun-glasses Mr Goat! You look professional!

The third day, 10/08/2008
Are you kidding me? A rat doing weightlifting? I would believe if it's an elephant. But elephant is not among the 12 chinese zodiac animals, so just a rat will be fine. Elephants are scared of rats, so we can assume that the rats are stronger than elephants. Maybe that's why rat is chosen for this sports?

The 4th day, 11/08/2008
It's cute, isn't it? A piggy doing platform diving. See how concentrate he is? The somersault is good but I am doubt about the entry...

The 5th day, 12/08/2008
Mr Cow, opss.. sorry, should be Miss Cow because rythmic gymnastics is only for female. Well, Miss Cow did a great job in controling the ribbon. She made an "O" for the word Google. So I guess she can score good points.

The 6th day, 13/08/2008Mr Monkey on rings in artistic gymnastic. That's too easy for you Mr Monkey.

The 7th, 14/08/2008Rat playing basketball with dragon! Dragon is doing slam dunk. I don't think the rat can reach him to block the ball.

The 8th, 15/08/2008Tiger is strong and fast. So I guess he can play badminton well.

The 9th, 16/08/2008
The horse kicks the soccer ball into the goal trying to score and snake is the goalkeeper? I just can't imagine how the snake can catch that ball. So, this must be a goal for the horse team.

The 10th, 17/08/2008
Doggies are doing rowing. Row, row, row your boat, gently down the stream. Merrily, merrily, merrily, chasing olympic dream!

On the 11th day, 18/08/2008
Chinese always dominate PingPong sport. Chinese usually call themselves as "Heirs of Dragon"(龙的传人). I think that's the reason why dragon was chosen to represent this sport.

On the 12th day, 19/08/2008
Snakes are naturally good swimmer. See how far he left his opponent behind?

On the 13th, 20/08/2008
Track and field. Do you think rabbit can run as far as horse? But rabbit is good in jumping. Maybe he can win the long jump or high jump event.

14th day, 21/08/2008
See, I told you, rabbit is good in jumping. Mr rabbit is pole vaulting without using a pole! How amazing!

15th day, 22/08/2008The rooster is playing baseball. He's the pitcher, the person who throws the ball to the catcher.

16th day, 1 days remaining to closing ceremony, 23/08/2008Martial Arts. Mr Tiger fighting with Mr Monkey. It reminds you about Kungfu Panda?

On the closing ceremony day, 24/08/2008
This one is so nice. Every one win a medal. The 12 animals in chinese zodiac are all here. All are smiling, happy and enjoying the game. What a happy ending.

Beijing Olympics Come To An End

Beijing Olympics is come to an end tonight after 16 days of exciting competition. The closing ceremony will be started very soon.

In my personal opinion, China had done a very good job in organizing the 29th Olympic games. Besides that, they had beaten United State of America to become the overall champion by collecting 51 gold, 21 silver and 28 bronze medals. USA is at number 2 with 36 golds, 38 silvers and 36 bronzes followed by The Federation of Russia with 23 golds, 21 silvers and 28 bronzes.

Our country, Malaysia is at 71st position with a single silver medal won by Lee Chong Wei.

Position	Medal Standings	Gold	Silver	Bronze	Total
1	Republic of China	51	21	28	100
2	United State of America	36	38	36	110
3	The Federation of Russia	23	21	28	72
4	Great Britian	19	13	15	47
5	Germany	16	10	15	41
......
71	Malaysia	0	1	0	1

The 30th Olympic games will be held in London, Great Britain.

Let us wait and see how the closing ceremony will be.

Beijing Olympics Theme Song

Who are these people? Did you find some familiar faces there except the 4 "Fu Wa", the Beijing Olympics mascots down there?

Well, they are actually the singers that involved in one of the Beijing Olympics theme song named "北京欢迎你" (Beijing Welcome You). It's a very nice song to listen. The singers are from Republic of China itself, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Mongolia and one from Korea. I guess it is not too hard to find which one is from Korea, the only one. She is a very famous actress from Korea, Jang Na-ra.

Other well-known singers or entertainers are like Jackie Chan and his son, Wang Li Hong, Emil Chow, Richie Ren, Jolin Tsai, Gigi Leong, Eason Chan, Jay Jay, Ah Du, Joey Rong, Stefanie Sun, Karen Mok, 5566 and so on.

Did you know who is the small girl at the most left-top corner of the image above? She is the one that sang the song "茉莉花" (mo li hua), a very well-known chinese song while carrying a chinese lantern in the closing ceremony of 2004 Athens Olympics. Her name is 陈天佳 Chen Tian Jia. At that time she was just 5 years old.


Here are the lyrics of this song - "北京欢迎你", just to share with you.

陈天佳:迎接另一个晨曦 带来全新空气
刘欢:气息改变情味不变 茶香飘满情谊
那英:我家大门常打开 开放怀抱等你
孙燕姿:拥抱过就有了默契 你会爱上这里

孙悦:不管远近都是客人 请不用客气
王力宏:相约好了再一起 我们欢迎你
韩红:我家种着万年青 开放每段传奇
周华健:为传统的土壤播种 为你留下回忆
梁咏琪:陌生熟悉都是客人 请不用拘礼
羽泉:第几次来没关系 有太多话题

成龙:北京欢迎你 为你开天辟地
任贤齐:流动中的魅力充满着朝气
蔡依林:北京欢迎你 在太阳下分享呼吸
孙楠:在黄土地刷新成绩

周笔畅:我家大门常打开 开怀容纳天地
韦唯:岁月绽放青春笑容 迎接这个日期
黄晓明:天大地大都是朋友 请不用客气
韩庚:画意诗情带笑意 只为等待你

汪峰:北京欢迎你 像音乐感动你
莫文蔚:让我们都加油去超越自己
谭晶:北京欢迎你 有梦想谁都了不起
陈奕迅:有勇气就会有奇迹

阎维文:北京欢迎你 为你开天辟地
戴玉强:流动中的魅力充满着朝气
王霞 李双松:北京欢迎你 在太阳下分享呼吸
廖昌永:在黄土地刷新成绩

林依轮:北京欢迎你 像音乐感动你
张娜拉:让我们都加油去超越自己
林俊杰:北京欢迎你 有梦想谁都了不起
阿杜:有勇气就会有奇迹

京剧:北京欢迎你呀
容祖儿:我家大门常打开 开放怀抱等你
李宇春:拥抱过就有了默契 你会爱上这里
黄大炜:不管远近都是客人 请不用客气
陈坤:相约好了再一起 我们欢迎你

谢霆锋:北京欢迎你 为你开天辟地
韩磊:流动中的魅力充满着朝气
徐若瑄:北京欢迎你 在太阳下分享呼吸
费翔:在黄土地刷新成绩

汤灿:我家大门常打开 开怀容纳天地
林志玲 张梓琳:岁月绽放青春笑容 迎接这个日期
张靓颖:天大地大都是朋友 请不用客气
许茹芸 伍思凯:画意诗情带笑意 只为等待你

杨坤 范玮琪:北京欢迎你 像音乐感动你
游鸿明 周晓欧:让我们都加油去超越自己
沙宝亮 满文军:北京欢迎你 有梦想谁都了不起
金海心 何润东:有勇气就会有奇迹

飞儿 庞龙:北京欢迎你 为你开天辟地
吴克群 齐峰:流动中的魅力充满着朝气
5566 胡彦斌:北京欢迎你 在太阳下分享呼吸
郑希怡 刀郎:在黄土地刷新成绩

纪敏佳 屠洪刚 吴彤:北京欢迎你 像音乐感动你
郭容 刘畊宏 腾格尔:让我们都加油去超越自己
金莎 苏醒 韦嘉:北京欢迎你 有梦想谁都了不起
付丽珊 黄征 房祖名:有勇气就会有奇迹

全体:北京欢迎你 有梦想谁都了不起
有勇气就会有奇迹
北京欢迎你 有梦想谁都了不起
有勇气就会有  奇迹

Usain Bolt

Usain Bolt. I think before Beijing Olympic, not much people know about what this term mean. For a scientist, he/she may think maybe it's a new kind of lightning just discovered by some great scientist at the other part of the world?

New kind of lightning bolt found by a scientist named Usain is called Usain Bolt?

Or for an engineer, he/she may feel it might be some newly invented screw bolt?

Is this the bolt called Usain Bolt?

Well, I can tell you the above statements are wrong! In this Beijing Olympic, we witnessed what Usain Bolt is! He's actually the fastest man on earth in this decade.

Usain Bolt, a 21 years old Jamaican sprinter had break the 100m world record with 9.69 seconds in Beijing Olympic without a favourable wind (+0.0 m/s). He's the first person on the earth who can run 100m under 9.70 seconds. Before this, he's actually the 100m world record holder with 9.72 seconds which he made in Reebok Grand Prix earlier this year.


Just now Usain Bolt - the fastest man on earth had proved to the world that why he deserved to be called so. He won his second gold medal in Beijing Olympic by winning 200m with the record breaking result of 19.30 seconds. This is not only the 2nd gold, but also the 2nd world record for him in short distance running. 200m world record is previously hold by Michael Johnson of USA 19.32 seconds in 1996 Atlanta Olympics.

This is Usain Bolt, the 100m and 200m world records holder and currently the fastest man on earth.

He's the 2nd sprinter after Carl Lewis of USA who won the double gold medals in 100m and 200m events in a single Olympics game. Carl Lewis did it in 1984 Los Angeles Olympics.

No Olympic Gold Medal for Malaysia

I think just now the whole focus of Malaysian was on the Beijing Olympic badminton man's single final where our country's best man single player Lee Chong Wei, who is also the world number 2 player currently was playing against current world no.1, Lin Dan from China, the home team.

[Lin Dan]

Most of us are expect for a close fight between the two top badminton players in the world in this decade. However, out of our expectation when we saw Chong Wei was beaten by Lin Dan in straight set, 12-21 and 8-21! Yes, this is the final result of the badminton man's single final Beijing Olympic 2008! Believe your eyes although it's not easy to believe. Still can't believe it? Then just slap yourself on the cheek, either side or both. If you feel the pain, then you are not dreaming.

Can you feel the difference between Chong Wei before and on the final? Before the final, on the group and elimination stage, Chong Wei looked calm and confident. He got no pressure on his face, so he played very well and beat his opponents almost in straight set except in the semi-final, he needed rubber set to beat Lee Hyun-Il from South Korea. Tonight, on the final, I am not sure if you did realize, Chong Wei's face expression was different. He looked nervous, lack of confident and pressure. I know I am not a fortune teller who can see through a person's mind by his look, but trust me I could really see Chong Wei's worry on his face.

[Lee Chong Wei]

I think he's worry because he realized Lin Dan is his strongest opponent who is hard to be beaten. History shows that Lin Dan has better winning record when both met in tournaments. Psychologically, it lower down Chong Wei's confident level when facing Lin Dan. Then, Lin Dan had home court advantage where thousands of China supporters were cheering and shouting for him! In the other hand, Chong Wei was carrying thousands of Malaysian's hope to get the first ever Olympic gold medal for the country. These direct or indirectly had bring a lot of pressure and burden on Chong Wei's shoulder.

Being a world class badminton player, the above are all excuses. A professional player should have stronger mindset. That's why, psychology and mental of our athletes need to be strengthen further to face all kind of situation in big tournaments such as Olympic. They needs to be brain washed that they are the best and on top of the world. I think this is the biggest challenge Malaysia needs to get over before can win the first ever gold medal in Olympic games.

Anyway, we all know that Chong Wei had try his best. We can see his efforts, his spirit and desire to attempt for the gold medal. So, well-done, Chong Wei! We are proud of you! You did a great job. It's not the color of medal but your fighting spirit and dedication that make Malaysian proud!

[From left: Lee Chong Wei, Lin Dan, Chen Jin]

Beijing Olympics Opening Ceremony 1

A friend forwarded these pics to me. They are amazing! You can't see these scenes through television broadcast. Just wish to share with all.

The opening was spectacular and the lining up was so neat and tidy!
The cold look and feel of the lining up.

The hot look - China red!

The roof top showing a chinese proverb "有朋自远方来,不亦乐乎" which means "it has been very please and happy because there are friends coming from far". In short, you can read its meaning by looking at the English wording in the pic.


The amazing giant scroll!

Peach blossom
Ceramics picture

Others

Bei Jing Huan Ying Ni

Welcome to Beijing Olympics! Let me introduce the 5 olympic cutties. From the left Bei Bei - the blue cuttie, Jing Jing - the black cuttie, Huan Huan - the red cuttie, Ying Ying - the yellow cuttie and Ni Ni - the green cuttie. The combination of their names "Bei Jing Huan Ying Ni" means "Beijing welcome you"!