catherine

I collected much information on the net about the torch.Now I will introduce the torch.

First, there are three names, one is “Auspicious Clous”, this name comes from the meaning of the torch “祥云”；The second name is “Shine Rain”, this name comes from the Chinese pinyin pronunciation of the torch; the third name is Chinese pinyin “Xiang Yun”. All these three names have not been decided as the official name, the last deciding right was belong to the Chinese organization of the Olympic Game.

 In my opinion, Chinese pinyin will be chosen at last because “FuWa”is also using their name in form of pinyin. That will stand for Chinese culture better.

The torch is 72 centimeters high, weighs 985 grams and is made of aluminum. The torch is of a curved surface form, with etching and anodizing being used during its production.A torch can usually keep burningfor approximately 15 minutes in conditions where the flame is 25 to 30 centimeters high in a windless environment.

The torch has been produced to withstand winds of up to 65 kilometer per hour and to stay alight in rain up to 50mm an hour. The flame canbe identified and photographed in sunshine and areas of extreme brightness. The fuel is propane which is in accordance with environmentalguidelines. The material of its form is recyclable.

The “auspicious clouds” pattern from” origin symbiosis, harmonize to melt totally” of the Olympic game lighted torch creativity inspiration in Peking. The auspicious clouds cultural concept had to crossed a degree last thousand years in China, is the Chinese cultural sign which has a representative.

The design inspiration of lighted torch shape comes from Chinese traditional paper roller for scrolls. The paper is one of four greatest inventions in China, spreading to west through the Silk Road. The mankind civilization can spread along with the emergence of the paper.

The usage which comes from the paint red of Han Dynasty on the lighted torch makes it discriminate between toward Olympic game lighted torch a design obviously; the red silver contrasts of the color produce a refreshing visual effect, being advantageous to a multiform medium dissemination.

The auspicious design appears not only on the torch, itappears on many things about Olympic Games, and we can see the pictures bellow:

 http://image.baidu.com/i?tn=baiduimage&ct=201326592&cl=2&lm=-1&pv=&word=%B0%C2%D4%CB%D6%C6%B7%FE&z=0

The closes provided for volunteers officers and international technical officers use this design, so we can see that auspicious design is famous not only in the ancient times but also during modern times. It stands for Chinese centuries-old culture and history.

As you know, nowadays, there appears security problem during the passing process of the torch passing; the unstable factors mainly come from the cities in border area, especially Tibet.

There are also some problems arose by different religions. That is social problems, that are also economic problems. But in all, the torch is being passed safely, which shows that our governments attach importance to Olympic Games. We have the confidence to hold the Olympic Games successfully.

Now we can see the passing course: 

Chinese President Hu Jintao lit a cauldron at Beijing’s Tiananmen Square with the Olympic torch Monday morning, marking the official start of the round-the-world relay.

 The ceremony kicked off on the square at the heart of Beijing two hours after a specially chartered Air China plane carrying the flame from Greece touched down at about 9 a.m. 

The flame is scheduled to depart from Beijing on Tuesday for the Kazakh city of Almaty, the first stop in its global tour of 135 cities. The relay will cover 137,000 kilometers in 130 days before the flame finally arrives at the National Stadium in Beijing on Aug 8, 2008 for the opening ceremony. 

http://www.en8848.com.cn/EnglishSquare/zt/ww/shuangyu3/Index.html

       The first time I heard of London was a sporting capital is the 2000 year when they were applying for holding the Olympic Games. What gave me the deepest expression was the propagandistic program. The beautiful picture in the TV astonished me, so from then on I pay much attention to this sporting city, and I love this city very much. 

       London loves sport, Play it, Watch it, Support it. There are few cities where sport is so much a part of the culture, spirit and lifestyle. Sport in the city can mean many things, from a prestigious World Cup final to a kick-around in a park. That’s because sport isn’t just something we watch, it’s something we do. 

       Take the London Marathon, for example. Around half-a-million people lining the city streets to watch, 40,000 actually running the race (although 80,000 apply to compete) and 7,000 more volunteering to help and support. It’s one of the biggest days in London’s calendar. Sport has a long and rich history in London. Several of the world’s oldest events began here. Some of the world’s most famous venues are here, and some of the newest - with Wembley falling into both categories. And some of the world’s most fanatical, knowledgeable and generous supporters are here too. 

        One thing links all these sports and venues: enthusiasm. Whether as competitors or spectators, officials or volunteers, amateurs or professionals, Londoners’ passion for sport is clear.

 http://www.yyxw8.cn/Html/physical/0210550992059.html

Athletes enter the stadium during the closing ceremony at the end of the 15th Asian Games in Doha. The Games, which have been the biggest ever staged, officially end tonight at a closing ceremony themed on the famous Middle Eastern tale “A Thousand and One Nights”.   Dec. 16 - It was bigger and better than ever before and ended up being all about China, which demolished its regional opposition once again as it prepares for the Beijing Olympics.

The Doha Asian Games were the most ambitious in the event’s 55-year history with more athletes from more countries competing than before over 15 days of competition.

Five world records were smashed and one was equalled, while 24 Asian marks fell.

But the regional showpiece was also blackened by positive doping tests and the death of South Korean equestrian rider Kim Hyung-Chil, crushed by his horse after being thrown. The event also struggled throughsome of the worst rain in 40 years in the usually dry desert state. China topped the medal table with165 gold, 15 more than the 150 it won at the last Games in Busan four years ago, setting it up nicely forits assault on America’s stranglehold on the Olympics. In 2008, we can see that China will hold a unprecedented Olympic Games, we will improve the development of sports.

http://www.the1.com.cn/infosort_the1/386_5.htm

England, Scotland and Wales were all in action on Saturday in crucial qualifying games for the 2008 European Championship. While England cruised to an easy 3-0 victory against Estonia at Wembley, and Wales lost to Cyprus, the real action was north of the border at Scotland’s Hampden Park where the Scots demolished Ukraine 3-1.

Scottish fans were delighted as their team went two up in the first 10 minutes of the game with goals from Kenny Miller and Lee McCulloch.

Ukrainian striker, Andrei Shevchenko, who has failed to impress with his club side Chelsea, managed to pull one back halfway through the first half but it was not enough to dampen the spirits of the Scots.James McFadden put the game to bed with a goal ten minutes from the end that saw Scotland go to the top of their qualifying group.

Scotland have had an impressive run in their qualifying campaign, with few people expecting them to progress through the so-called “Group of Death” that includes World Cup winners Italy and former world champions France. Even Scotland’s manager, Alex McLeish, admitted that his team faced a daunting prospect.

http://edu.sina.com.cn/

Houston Rockets center YaoMing of China grabs the elite big man instead of big shark O’Neal.

As I know, YaoMing is just 26 years old, but O’Neal has been already 34 years old. During the last tournament, YaoMing got average 26.4 points each match. He is 11th in the league, the best among centers. Yao finally is entering the stratosphere of elite big men. In his fifth season, Yao is blowing people away more than ever.

Bill Walton first saw Yao Ming six years ago, at the Sydney Olympics. Like everyone else gaping at the 7-foot-5 prodigy, Walton said, “I was blown away by the potential.”

At a time when the center position is in serious decline in a sport that has given us Bill Russell, Wilt Chamberlain, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Hakeem Olajuwon, Yao’s only peer, big shark O’Neal, will be sidelined for 4-6 weeks after knee surgery Sunday.

O’Neal’s slow start in defending the Miami Heat’s championship, coupled with the inevitable breakdown of his 34-year-old, 315-pound body, have some projecting that Yao, 26, could overtake O’Neal as the only dominant center.

I will say Yao’s time is now.

 http://www.hxen.com/englishnews/sports/ 

    Kings GM Geoff Petrie recently traded defensive ace Doug Christie to the Magic for Cuttino Mobley at least in part, he said, to add more scoring punch. Considering his team already averaged 101.8 points per game, fourth in the league, it would seem to indicate that Petrie believes you can’t have enough firepower these days.

    It’s no secret the NBA has been trying to increase scoring and bring back more flow in recent years. From cutting down on the hand-check to allowing zone defenses, the league has been seeking ways to get it what it calls more”freedom ofmovement” on the court. This year, Jackson says, the emphasis was on a package of “clarifications” that included, among other things, perimeter contact, and the block/charge and defensive three-seconds.                                                        

    During the preseason the NBA sent out a DVD to all 30 teams going over the various infractions. The league also dispatched refs to visit with teams. Still, some players say, they don’t know what to expect night to night. “The rules suck,” Nuggets guard Andre Miller says. “All of ‘em. All of the rules suck. NBA is supposed to be physical. But you can’t pick and choose which games to allow (contact). I try not to get caught up in it, but it’s a big part of the game. It’s just not consistent.” Hinrich agrees. “Early on they were calling a lot of those touch fouls, but it’s inconsistent. They let some guys get away with more than others. And it changes from game to game.”

http://www.hxen.com/englishnews/sports/

February 1, 2008

Houston Rockets’ centre Yao Ming was named in the western conference play of the first month of this year.

Yao led the Rockets to a 10-4 month, averaging 22.4 points, 10.9 rebounds and 2.4 assits. In a 117-107 win over the Warriors last Tuesday, he got 36 points, and tied his season high score created in a 101-92 win over the Knicks. It is the second time in his NBA career for the Chinese Giant to get this honor. It looks like that Yao has gotten into his best time with five consecutive double-doubles from January 9^th to 29^th, and he is also the only player in western conference to be averaging at least 20 points, 10 rebounds and 2 blocks this season.

The Rockets have find their pace and rhythm, since their No.1 Tracy McGrady has been out from December 29^th due to a bone bruise. The whole team is surrounded in unprecedented solidaric atmosphere, and advancing towards the post-season games. Now the problem seemed to be left to McGrady, because some critics worry that it may be hard for the freelancer to integrate into the squad and maintain their present winning streak. In my opinion, the most important thing for the recovering T-Mac is to show his positive attitude of cooperating with his teammates as soon as possible.

http://www.nba.com/news/playersofmonth_080201.html

January 20, 2008.

After 90 minutes’ attack, Juventus was finally imposed a 0-0 draw by Sampdoria at home on Sunday afternoon, which is the second consecutive draw since the last one at Catania.

The New Year seemed not to provide good lucks for Juventus, since their matches were all about draws. Nevertheless, the result did not reflect what really happened during the game, with the most time dominated by the Bianconeri. They would surely regret for the loss of so many opportunities, when Marchionni missed a shot right in front of the goal, and Trezeguet was involved in more chances including a shot that hit the crossbar. Though Juve had generously piled on forward in the second half, with both Iaquinta and Palladino coming on, it was not enough for the additional two points. “They (Sampdoria) were very defensive and cunning,” the goalkeeper Buffon said pityingly, who had just spent a free match with the ball almost constantly in the other half of the pitch.

With a twelve points distance from the leading Inter at the league table, Juventus has nearly lost their hope for the championship. Moreover, the gap to the tagging Fiorentina was reduced to only three points. Coach Ranieri should have felt the obviously increased pressure from the board and fans, and a lot of works should be done in tactics and transfers to make sure the team’s qualification for Champions League next season. The managements also need more efficient works to deal with the troubles caused by the dispute of some penalty awards, and to avoid the former giants turning from victors to victims.

http://www.juventus.com/site/eng/NEWS_newsseriea_51DA8350B753446A8A7E1F5F82BFDE11.asp

January 18, 2008.

Boston Celtics have come back to their triumphal track, after the 116-89 win over Philadelphia 76ers on Friday night.

The Big Three contributed a lot as usual, while Paul Pierce scored 14 of his 22 points in the third quarter to help the Celtics take the lead, and Ray Allen scored 10 of his 23 in the fourth helped to pull the Sixers away and win the game. The other triumvir, Kevin Garnett, got 11 points, 8 assists and 6 rebounds in Boston’s second consecutive victory since their only losing streak of the season.

Suffering from three losses in four games, many people doubted whether the Celtics had lost their motivation of going forward. The Big Three answered this question with their action. Just two days ago, Boston rebounded from their first consecutive losses by beating Portland with 100-90. The most valuable player of that match was certainly Ray Allen, who gave a splendid performance and shot a season-high 35 points, while KG scored 26 points and PP had 12.

No doubt, the eruption of Boston Celtics this season should be attributed to the Big Three, i.e. Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Ray Allen. It is indescribable that three super stars are standing together and fighting for the champions. Since nobody can deny the experience and ability of these ten-years veterans, and furthermore they have found their passions back now, what else on earth could stop them from staying at the peak?

Let’s wait and see.

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/recap?gid=2008011802&prov=ap