Wushu is on the Asian Games program. (Getty Images)Unique Status for Wushu
Wushu will have a special spot in August 2008, at the "2008 Beijing Olympic Games Wushu Competition," says Chinese Olympic Committee vice president Zhang Faqiang. The wushu event will not be a medal sport.
The IOC has recognized the International Wushu Federation since 1999, but the sport is not on the Olympic program.
A campaign begun by the IWUF in 2001 to join the Beijing Games has faltered. In 2005, IOC president Jacques Rogge said wushu would be included in the Games without specifying in what way.
Before 1992, recognized federations could join the Games as demonstration sports, but the IOC discontinued the program.
This accommodation for wushu is "the first step in a long march of 10,000 li" toward the Olympics, Zhang is quoted by Chinese media.
Wushu is one of four martial arts recognized by the IOC. Judo and taekwondo are on the Games schedule while karate is not.
Blue September
Last month was the clearest September in seven years, according to Beijing municipal authorities.
There were 25 days of fairly good air quality – blue sky days – in the 30 days of September. Beijing will also lower public transport fares in an effort to get people out of their cars. (Getty Images)
The city's goal is 245 blue sky days this year. The official count stood at 186 at the end of September.
In the drive to clean up before the Games, Beijing vice mayor Zhao Fengtong says the results of the August experiment in taking cars off the road paid off.
"During the four days of experimentation, the entire city saw a decrease of 1.31 to 1.36 million vehicles on the road. This produced immediate results in air-quality improvement. The scientific information obtained from this is very important; it has provided a scientific basis on which to improve and perfect measures to guarantee Beijing's air quality for the 29th Olympics, while at the same time acting as a great reference source for establishing a long-term system for managing and protecting the city's environment," he tells Chinese media.
In the last week of September, Beijing also ordered all unlicensed coal mines in the city shut down. More 1,000 mines are expected to close under the new regulation.
Volunteers Mark Holiday with Work
During the National Day holidays this week, Games volunteer applicants are practicing in Beijing streets.
As a rehearsal for 2008, 10,000 volunteers are providing traveler assistance at 150 spots throughout Beijing.
More than 550,000 people have applied to be Olympic and Paralympic volunteers, but BOCOG will need less than one-fifth that number.
Taxis Targeted in Smoking Ban
Beijing taxi drivers can no longer light up on the job under a city smoking ban that went into effect Oct 1. Drivers caught smoking face fines in the range of $13 -16.
Passengers are also barred from smoking, but rather than a fine, they risk having their names "exposed through the media," Chinese media quote a Beijing transportation official as saying.
In the run-up to the Games, Beijing has limited smoking in hospitals, schools and businesses. All Olympic venues and vehicles are also expected to come under a smoking ban drafted by the city.
Beijing Plans Pre-Ceremony Galas
Beijing 2008 will hold performance galas just before the opening of both the Olympics and Paralympics, says BOCOG vice president Liu Jingmin.
The galas will last about 60 to 90 minutes and feature music, dance and art from various Chinese regions.
No details on the gala venue are available. The main court at the Olympic Green Tennis Center seats 10,000. (BOCOG)
Tennis Center Dedication
The Olympic Green Tennis Center was officially dedicated on Oct. 1, National Day.
The Good Luck Beijing ITF Pro Circuit matches open in the venue on Oct. 6.
Beijing World Press Briefing
The second Beijing World Press Briefing opens on Oct. 10. Accredited media will receive an update on BOCOG's press preparations during the three day seminar.
Venue tours and an opportunity to schedule one-to-one meetings with Games officials are also on the schedule.
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