The Greatest Show on Earth

37 venues, 302 events, 10,708 athletes, 4 billion viewers worldwide, $40 billion worth of infrastructure and hospitality (including an incredible 1,500 different types of flowers!) When it comes to worldwide events for this year – or any other – they really don’t come bigger than this, folks.

The Olympic Games – the greatest sporting event in the world – travels to Beijing for 2008. And what a month it promises! The city has been preparing for its big moment since 2001, and it looks set to be the biggest, boldest Games to date.

Everything kicks off on the 8th August with a suitably extravagant Opening Ceremony held in the newly built National Stadium. Nicknamed the ‘Bird’s Nest’, this stunning, 90,000 all-seater arena has already achieved iconic status across the globe.

Then, for three weeks after the opening night, Beijing will become a whirlwind of athletic achievement, high drama and (hopefully!) sporting goodwill. Ten days of track and field events get things bubbling over nicely, before the action moves to the ‘Water Cube’ pool and other purpose-built venues.

Beijing itself is undergoing a remarkable makeover in preparation for the Games, and the improvement can be felt across the city already. Along with some peerless new buildings, its transport system has almost doubled in capacity ready for the coming hoards.

Want to be amongst the three million spectators for the greatest show on earth? Make sure that you book your hostel in Beijing now!