TOMORROW'S OLYMPIC GAMES

Planning is always under way for future Olympic Games. Beijing, China is preparing to host the 2008 Summer Olympic Games. Vancouver, Canada is host for the 2010 Olympic Winter Games and London, England is preparing to host the 2012 Summer Games. In 2008, the Olympic Games will go to China for the first time. China first participated in the Olympic Games of 1932 in Los Angeles, and competed in each Games until 1956. In 1960, for political reasons, China chose not to participate, and stayed away from the Games until 1984. China is experienced in putting on large sports festivals, holding National Games every four years. Beijing held the 2001 World University Games, the Asian Games in 1990, and the city of Harbin held the Asian Winter Games in 1996. Beijing was awarded the Olympic Games on July 13, 2001. Official Beijing 2008 Web Site Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada narrowly won the bid for the 2010 Olympic Winter Games, having bid for the Olympic Winter Games on one previous occasion, in 1976. Vancouver hosted the Empire Games (now Commonwealth Games) in 1954. Vancouver and Whistler plan to begin the construction of venues for the games in 2005, with completion expected between 2007 to 2009. Test events will be held in every sport in 2008 and 2009. A four year long Cultural Olympiad is planned from 2006 to 2010. Official Vancouver 2010 Web Site London was awarded the Games of the XXXth Olympic Games on July 6, 2005. London has held the Games twice before, in 1908 when Rome was originally selected but not able to host the games, and in 1948, the first Games held after WWII. London has plans for an Olympic Park to be built on 500 acres in East London. The site will contain the main Olympic Stadium, Press Center, the Olympic Village, and venues for aquatics, hockey, cycling, basketball, volleyball, handball and fencing. Transportation systems in London will receive a full upgrade for the Games. London will also host the Paralympic Games, which grew out of the Stoke Mandeville Games, which the doctor, Sir Ludwig Guttman, established in 1948 when the Last Olympic Games were held in London. Official London 2012 Web Site For more information on the Olympic Primer, contact the LA84 Foundation library at library@LA84foundation.org.