really?

i believe this is real but i am quite quite surprised....and who and what would this be for? professional swimmers?

medal designs

architecture design of national stadium

I loved finding these images and researching the progress and decisions made for the national stadium. The competition reminds me of such entries for the "Freedom Tower" here in New York. I was amazed to learn how much has changed from the original winner for New York's World Trade Center because of regulations and disagreements from various city officials, the people and the designers and I am curious to see what was actually built for the national stadium.

Muscat and Islamabad

In London, Paris and San Francisco there were many protests for China's recent crackdown on Tibet during the Olympic torch relay. After these conflicts and the turmoil over the torch relay, the arrival of the torch in certain cities such as Muscat and Islamabad were high secured and planned. Protesters before these cities tried to take out the flame using extinguishers. However, due to planned preparation and the friendship of these counties, the relay continued without a hitch.

After traveling through Tanzanaia, the relay started in the eastern part of the coastal city of Al Bustan and a ceremony was held at an ancient wooden ship called Omani. Omani sailed to China over a thousand years ago and duplicated ship called "Sohar" sailed to China in the 1980's to symbolize the close ties of the two countries. A specially designed flame was carried by Liu Jingman. Liu Jingman is the vice chairman of the Olympic Games. This ceremony entailed a celebration of folk dances and lights as well as thousands of supporting citizens.

The torch relay in total will cover a distance of 137000 kilometers and the Olympic flame arrived in Muscat on April 14th, the 9th stop. The torch traveled through Muscat over 20 kilometers and traveled through 80 different torch bearers.

After Muscat, the torch traveled through Islamabad, Pakistan on April 16th. Because of protects in prior cities, the security was very strict but the "Royal Oman Police [were] ready to handle any such situation." Schoolchildren wore shirts that read "Beijing 2008" and supported the Olympics in Beijing by waving small Chinese flags, as well as Omani flags. Habib Macki, the vice chairman of the Oman Olympic Committee said the the relay went smoothly because of the "excellent relationship that goes back a long way between Oman and China and the strong economic ties that bind us."

Not only through Muscat, but also Islamabad, the traditional torch relay and success of the passing reiterated the close friendship of these countries with China.

the torch

After reading so many articles regarding the torch it was great to be able to see these detailed photographs of what is being traveled around the world. It has a playful design and even reminds me of a fruit-roll up but the torch reminds me also of chop sticks and the blood red color has an Asian influence.