Countdown to Olympic opening ceremony

Countdown to Olympic opening ceremony

A combo photo taken in Beijing, capital of China, on Aug. 8, 2008 shows the countdown board reading 11 hours countdown to the opening ceremony of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games in front of the National Museum near the Tian'anmen Square (L) and reporters entering Beijing Olympics Main Press Center (MPC) at 9 a.m. (R). The Beijing Olympic Games will open in Beijing at 8:08 p.m. on Friday. (Xinhua Photo)


A combo photo taken in Beijing, capital of China, on Aug. 8, 2008 shows the countdown board reading 12 hours countdown to the opening ceremony of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games in front of the National Museum near the Tian'anmen Square (L) and the torchbearer Feng Gong, a star of comic dialogue, holding up the torch at the start of the last day of Beijing Olympic Games torch relay in Zhoukoudian of Beijing on Friday morning (R). The Beijing Olympic Games will open in Beijing at 8:08 p.m. on Friday. (Xinhua Photo)


A combo photo taken in Beijing, capital of China, on Aug. 8, 2008 shows the countdown board reading 13 hours countdown to the opening ceremony of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games in front of the National Museum near the Tian'anmen Square (L) and commuters waiting at a subway station at 7 a.m.(R). The Beijing Olympic Games will open in Beijing at 80:08 p.m. on Friday. (Xinhua Photo)


A combo photo taken in Beijing, capital of China, on Aug. 8, 2008 shows the countdown board reading 14 hours countdown to the opening ceremony of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games in front of the National Museum near the Tian'anmen Square (L) and the clock of Beijing Railway Station reading 6 a.m.(R). The Beijing Olympic Games will open in Beijing at 8:08 p.m. on Friday


A combo photo taken in Beijing, capital of China, on Aug. 8, 2008 shows the countdown board reading 15 hours countdown to the opening ceremony of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games in front of the National Museum near the Tian'anmen Square (L) and the flag-raising ceremony held at Tian'anmen Square at around 5 a.m. (R). The Beijing Olympic Games will open in Beijing at 8:08 p. m. on Friday.(Xinhua Photo)


A combo photo taken in Beijing, capital of China, on Aug. 8, 2008 shows the countdown board reading 16 hours countdown to the opening ceremony of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games in front of the National Museum near the Tian'anmen Square (L) and people waiting in line to watch the flag-raising ceremony at Tian'anmen Square at around 4 a.m. (R). The Beijing Olympic Games will open in Beijing at 8:08 p. m. on Friday.(Xinhua Photo)


A combo photo taken in Beijing, capital of China, on Aug. 8, 2008 shows the countdown board reading 17 hours countdown to the opening ceremony of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games in front of the National Museum near the Tian'anmen Square (L) and a taxi running past the countdown board at around 3 a.m.(R). The Beijing Olympic Games will open in Beijing at 8:08 p. m. on Friday.(Xinhua Photo)



Photo taken on 12:00 a.m. on Aug. 8, 2008 shows the National Stadium, 8-hour countdown to the opening ceremony of the Olympics. The opening ceremony of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games will be held in the National Stadium at 8:00 p.m. on Aug. 8. (Xinhua Photo/Li Yong)


Photo taken on 12:00 a.m. on Aug. 8, 2008 shows the National Stadium, 8-hour countdown to the opening ceremony of the Olympics. The opening ceremony of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games will be held in the National Stadium at 8:00 p.m. on Aug. 8. (Xinhua Photo/Li Yong)


Taxi drivers wait outside the Main Press Center (MPC) in the Olympic Green in Beijing, China, at about 10:00 a.m. on Aug. 8, 2008, 10-hour countdown to the opening ceremony of the Olympics. The opening ceremony of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games will be held in the National Stadium at 8:00 p.m. on Aug. 8.(Xinhua Photo/Li Ziheng)


Journalists start their work at the Main Press Center (MPC) in the Olympic Green in Beijing, China, at about 10:00 a.m. on Aug. 8, 2008, 10-hour countdown to the opening ceremony of the Olympics. The opening ceremony of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games will be held in the National Stadium at 8:00 p.m. on Aug. 8.(Xinhua Photo/Xu Yu)


Journalists start their work at the Main Press Center (MPC) in the Olympic Green in Beijing, China, at about 9 a.m. on Aug. 8, 2008, 11-hour countdown to the opening ceremony of the Olympics. The opening ceremony of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games will be held in the National Stadium at 8 p.m. on Aug. 8. (Xinhua Photo/Yang Lei)


Wang Wei (2nd L), executive vice president of the Beijing Olympics Organizing Committee (BOCOG), visits the office of China's Xinhua News Agency at the Main Press Center (MPC) in the Olympic Green in Beijing, China, at about 9 a.m. on Aug. 8, 2008, 11-hour countdown to the opening ceremony of the Olympics. The opening ceremony of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games will be held in the National Stadium at 8 p.m. on Aug. 8.(Xinhua PhotoZhang Ling)


A photographer takes photos in front of National Stadium, nicknamed Bird's Nest, in Beijing, China, at about 8 a.m. on Aug. 8, 2008, 12-hour countdown to the opening ceremony of the Olympics. The opening ceremony of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games will be held in the National Stadium at 8 p.m. on Aug. 8. (Xinhua Photo)


People wait in line to buy the first day cover (FDC) at the post office of the Main Press Center (MPC) in the Olympic Green in Beijing, China, at about 8 a.m. on Aug. 8, 2008, 12-hour countdown to the opening ceremony of the Olympics. The opening ceremony of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games will be held in the National Stadium at 8 p.m. on Aug. 8.(Xinhua Photo)


Photo taken at around 05:00 on Aug. 8, 2008 shows the National Stadium, namely the Bird's Nest, in Beijing, China, 15-hour countdown to the opening ceremony of the Olympics. The opening ceremony of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games will be held in the National Stadium at 8 p.m. on Aug. 8. (Xinhua Photo/Zhang Ling)


Photo taken at about 05:00 on Aug. 8, 2008 shows a sculpture depicting the torch relay in Beijing, China, 15-hour countdown to the opening ceremony of the Olympics. The opening ceremony of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games will be held in the National Stadium, namely the Bird's Nest, at 8 p.m. on Aug. 8.(Xinhua Photo/Yiu Jie)


Photo taken at around 04:00 on Aug. 8, 2008 shows the National Stadium, namely the Bird's Nest, in Beijing, China, 16-hour countdown to the opening ceremony of the Olympics. The opening ceremony of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games will be held in the National Stadium at 8 p.m. on Aug. 8.(Xinhua Photo/Zhang Ling)


Photo taken at around 04:00 on Aug. 8, 2008 shows the National Stadium, namely the Bird's Nest, being illuminated in Beijing, China, 16-hour countdown to the opening ceremony of the Olympics. The opening ceremony of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games will be held in the National Stadium at 8 p.m. on Aug. 8. (Xinhua Photo/Hou Deqiang)


The Olympic flags and the Chinese national flag flutter near the National Stadium, namely the Bird's Nest, in Beijing, China, at 03:00 on Aug. 8, 2008, 17-hour countdown to the opening ceremony of the Olympics. The opening ceremony of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games will be held in the Bird's Nest at 8 p.m. on Aug. 8.(Xinhua Photo/Li Ziheng)


Hu Mengyue (L) and other volunteers have photos taken near the National Stadium, namely the Bird's Nest, in Beijing, China, at 02:41 on Aug. 8, 2008. The opening ceremony of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games will be held in the National Stadium at 8 p.m. on Aug. 8.(Xinhua Photo/Li Ziheng)


A volunteer rides past the National Stadium, namely the Bird's Nest, in Beijing, China, at 02:30 on Aug. 8, 2008. The opening ceremony of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games will be held in the National Stadium at 8 p.m. on Aug. 8. (Xinhua Photo/Li Ziheng)


Security guards shift their duty near the National Stadium, namely the Bird's Nest, at about 02:00 on Aug. 8, 2008 in Beijing, China, 18-hour countdown to the opening ceremony of the Olympics. The opening ceremony of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games will be held in the Bird's Nest at 8 p.m. on Aug. 8.(Xinhua Photo/Luo Xiaoguang)


A combo photo taken in Beijing, capital of China, on Aug. 8, 2008 shows the countdown board reading 18 hours countdown to the opening ceremony of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games in front of the National Museum near the Tian'anmen Square (L) and the clock on the Beijing Telegram Building reading 2 a.m. along the Chang'an Avenue (R). The Beijing Olympic Games will open in Beijing at 8:08 p.m. on Friday. (Xinhua Photo)


Working members walk into the National Stadium, namely the Bird's Nest, at about 01:00 on Aug. 8, 2008 in Beijing, China, 19-hour countdown to the opening ceremony of the Olympics. The opening ceremony of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games will be held in the Bird's Nest at 8 p.m. on Aug. 8.(Xinhua Photo/Xu Jiajun)


A combo photo taken in Beijing, capital of China, on Aug. 8, 2008 shows the countdown board reading 19 hours countdown to the opening ceremony of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games in front of the National Museum near the Tian'anmen Square (L) and students from the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) singing the song "Beijing Welcomes You" together with their mainland peers at 1 a.m. (R). The Beijing Olympic Games will open in Beijing at 8:08 p.m. on Friday. (Xinhua Photo)


Journalists work in the Main Press Center at 00:06 on Aug. 8, 2008 in Beijing, China, 20-hour countdown to the opening ceremony of the Olympics. The opening ceremony of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games will be held in the Bird's Nest at 8 p.m. on Aug. 8.(Xinhua Photo/Zhao Peng)


Photo taken at the midnight on Aug. 8, 2008 shows the National Stadium, namely the Bird's Nest, in Beijing, China, 20-hour countdown to the opening ceremony of the Olympics. The opening ceremony of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games will be held in the Bird's Nest at 8 p.m. on Aug. 8.(Xinhua Photo/Xu Jiajun)


Photo taken at the midnight on Aug. 8, 2008 shows the National Stadium, namely the Bird's Nest, in Beijing, China, 20-hour countdown to the opening ceremony of the Olympics. The opening ceremony of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games will be held in the Bird's Nest at 8 p.m. on Aug. 8. (Xinhua Photo)

A combo photo taken in Beijing, capital of China, on Aug. 8, 2008 shows the countdown board reading 20 hours countdown to the opening ceremony of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games in front of the National Museum near the Tian'anmen Square (L) and Hu Baohong (front) gave birth to a baby in Beijing University Hospital at 0:01 a.m. (R). The Beijing Olympic Games will open in Beijing at 8:08 p.m. on Friday. (Xinhua Photo)

A combo photo taken in Beijing, capital of China, on Aug. 7, 2008 shows the countdown board reading 21 hours countdown to the opening ceremony of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games in front of the National Museum near the Tian'anmen Square (L) and two foreigners dancing in Shichahai Park at 11 p.m. (R). The Beijing Olympic Games will open in Beijing at 8:08 p.m. on Friday. (Xinhua Photo)


A combo photo taken in Beijing, capital of China, on Aug. 7, 2008 shows the countdown board reading 21 hours 59 minutes and 57 seconds countdown to the opening ceremony of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games in front of the National Museum near the Tian'anmen Square (L) and the Qianmen Street (R), one of the oldest commercial areas in Beijing which was reopened on Thursday after its renovation. The Beijing Olympic Games will open in Beijing at 8:08 p.m. on Friday. (Xinhua Photo)


A combo photo taken in Beijing, capital of China, on Aug. 7, 2008 shows the countdown board reading 23 hours countdown to the opening ceremony of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games in front of the National Museum near the Tian'anmen Square (L) and people expressing best wishes to the forthcoming Olympics near National Grand Theatre at 9 p.m. (R). The Beijing Olympic Games will open in Beijing at 8:08 p.m. on Friday.(Xinhua Photo/Ji Chunpeng)


A combo photo taken in Beijing, capital of China, on Aug. 7, 2008 shows the countdown board reading one day countdown to the opening ceremony of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games in front of the National Museum near the Tian'anmen Square (L) and the busy traffic on Chang'an Avenue at 8 p.m.(R). The Beijing Olympic Games will open in Beijing at 8:08 p.m. on Friday.(Xinhua Photo)


A girl walks past a countdown billboard for the 29th Olympic Games, in Guangzhou, capital of south China's Guangdong Province, Aug. 7, 2008. The 29th Olympic Games will be opened in Beijing, capital of China, on Aug. 8.(Xinhua Photo/Zhuang Jin)


The National Stadium, nicknamed Bird's Nest, is seen in the dewdrop in this photo rotated 180 degrees in Beijing, China, Aug. 8, 2008. The opening ceremony of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games will be held in the National Stadium at 8 p.m. on Aug. 8. (Xinhua/Fei Maohua Photo)


The National Stadium, nicknamed Bird's Nest, is seen in the dewdrops in this photo rotated 180 degrees in Beijing, China, Aug. 8, 2008. The opening ceremony of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games will be held in the National Stadium at 8:00 p.m. on Aug. 8. (Xinhua/Fei Maohua)


The National Stadium, nicknamed Bird's Nest, is seen in the dewdrop in this photo rotated 180 degrees in Beijing, China, Aug. 8, 2008. The opening ceremony of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games will be held in the National Stadium at 8 p.m. on Aug. 8. (Xinhua/Fei Maohua Photo)


The National Stadium, nicknamed Bird's Nest, is seen in the dewdrop in this photo rotated 180 degrees in Beijing, China, Aug. 8, 2008. The opening ceremony of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games will be held in the National Stadium at 8:00 p.m. on Aug. 8. (Xinhua/Fei Maohua)


The National Stadium, nicknamed Bird's Nest, is seen in the dewdrop in this photo rotated 180 degrees in Beijing, China, Aug. 8, 2008. The opening ceremony of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games will be held in the National Stadium at 8:00 p.m. on Aug. 8. (Xinhua/Fei Maohua)