Beijing Games End With Closing Cermonies

The 2008 Summer Games came to a close with the Closing Ceremonies. The event featured more spectacular images from director Zhang Yimou.

The event ushered in the transition of the games from Beijing to London who will host the games in 2012.

With interest in China at an all-time high, many are thinking of visiting the nation for the first time. To learn about the many dynamic cities in this country, be sure to check out the Beyond Beijing: Exploring China's Cities DVD.

Men's U.S. Teams Win Medals in Final Day

Several U.S. Men's teams won medals in the final day of competition at the games. The Men's Basketball team reclaimed the gold medal after defeating Spain in a close game 118-107. Kobe Bryant scored an amazing four-point play late in the fourth quarter to keep the U.S. on top.

In other action, the U.S. Men's Water Polo team won their first Olympic in twenty years picking up the silver medal after losing to water-polo titans Hungary 14-10.

Finally, the Men's U.S. Volleyball won the Gold Medal defeating Brazil 4 sets to 1.

British Sailors Strike Gold in Sailing

The British sailing team had a very successful Olympic games in Sailing, capturing 6 of 11 medals possible, including four golds.

Sailing events were held in Qingdao, China which probably best known for the famous Tisng-Tao beer that had been made there since the turn of the 20th century.

To learn more about this fascinating city, be sure to check out the "Beyond Beijing: Exploring China's Cities" DVD. Click here to view a trailer.

Afghanistan Wins Country's First Gold Medal

In the men's taekwondo event, the bronze medal went to Afghanistan's Rohullah Nikpai who took down the world champion Juan Antonio Ramos of Spain in the men's under 58-kilogram division.

After winning the medal Nikpai responded, "After more than 30 years of war in Afghanistan, I think this medal is a very great message for peace and the future of Afghanistan."

Jamaica has the fastest man and women in the world.

Over the weekend, the Men's and Women's 100m dash was held with Jamaica ending up the big winner in both events. In the men's event, Usain Bolt broke away with a new world record of 9.69, easily winning his race. Walter Dix of the U.S. won the bronze, while early favorite Jason Gay failed to qualify for the finals.

On the women's side, it was a clean sweep for Jamaica as the top finisher was Shelly Ann-Fraser while her teammates Sherone Simpson and Kerron Stewart finished in a dead heat for the silver.

Phelps Wins Gold - Ties Spitz's Record

In dramatic fashion, Michael Phelps won the 100m Men's Butterfly last night by 1/100th of a second over Serbia's Milorad Cavic who led for most of the race. Phelps was in second until he made a "superman" like lunge at the end to touch the wall first.

Phelps now ties Mark Spitz's long standing record of winning seven gold medals in an single games. Phelps will try to break the record by racing in the medley relay later tonight.

U.S. Women Go 1-2 In Gymnastics All- Around

Although it may have been a mild surprise to causal observers of the sport, the fact that Nastia Liukin won gold in the Women's Gymnastics All-Around should not be to anyone. With very difficult routines throughout the night added with grace and subtle lines, Liukin edged out fellow American and current World Champion Shawn Johnson for the top spot.

Both Americans needed flawless floor exercise routines to claim a spot on the podium and overtake China's dynamo Yang Yilin who took Bronze.

Liukin now joins American Mary Lou Retton and Carly Patterson as the only U.S. Women to win the overall event.

Germany Wins Equestrian Team Gold

Olympic Equestrian events got underway in Hong Kong at the Shatin venue last night. Germany rode off with the team eventing gold after a tight race with Australia, who took the silver and Great Britain who took bronze.

German rider Hinrich Romeike, riding Marius, won the individual eventing medial edging out the U.S. rider Gina Miles who took silver.

The Hong Kong venue has long be the site of equestrian events in the city. Visitors can take in many races in addition to the many other sights and sounds the vibrant city has to offer.

Check out the Beyond Beijing DVD and clip to learn more about this dynamic city. Click here.

U.S. Men's Basketball Wins Big

The U.S. Men's Basketball team won a decisive victory over Greece by a score of 92-69. LeBron James had 13 points. The team now plays Spain, also unbeaten so far, for a shot to enter the Quarterfinals.

Olympic Tennis Enters The Quarterfinal Round

Roger Federer continued his quest for an Olympic Gold medal by defeating Tomas Berdych in the 4th round of the Olympic Tennis tournament by a score of 6-3, 7-6. Federer will now face James Blake of the U.S. in the Quarters.

Other winners on the men's side included Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Gael Monfils of France who upset seventh seed David Nalbandian.

On the Women's Side, Serena Williams needed three sets to defeat France's Alize Corzet 3-6, 6-3, 6-4. Venus Wiliams also won over Victoria Azarenka 6-3, 6-2.

In doubles, the U.S. #1 team of the Bryan Brothers also easily advanced.

The medal rounds take place this weekend.

Eventful Tuesday - Phelps Wins More Gold

Michael Phelps became the most decorated athlete in Olympic history by winning two more Gold medals yesterday. He won the 200m Butterfly then an hour helped the American relay team win the 4X200m freestyle relay in world record time of under seven minutes.

Phelps is still trying to beat Mark Spitz's long time standing record of seven Olympic golds in a single games. Phelps has three more events of which he is favored in all of them.

U.S. Men's Gymnasts Win Surprise Bronze Medal

The U.S. Men's Gymnastic Team won a surprise Bronze medal in last night's final of the team competition. Despite losing the veteran Hamm brothers before the games started, the young team displayed courage and grit in posting high scores, especially in pommel horse routine.

The favored China team easily won the Gold while the 2004 champions, Japan, faltered but held on to claim the Silver.

Americans Win 4x100 relay in Dramatic Fashion

The U.S. Men's 4x100 Swim Team won the Gold in the Relay Finals yesterday in dramatic fashion. Despite being behind the favored French team the entire race, team captain Jason Lezak swam the race of his life and the fastest 100 relay split in history to clinch the win by a mere eight tenths of a second over French world-record holder Alain Bernard.

The win helps keep Michael Phelps goal of winning eight Olympics gold medals alive. He swims in the upcoming 200m Butterfly later this week.

Michael Phelps Wins First Gold

Michael Phelps got off to a great start by winning his first gold medal of the 2008 Games by winning the 400 Individual Medley. He took the medal with a World Record time of 4:03.84.

Laslo Cseh of Hungary took Silver while Ryan Lochte of the US took Bronze.

Phelps is trying to tie or beat Mark Spitz's long standing record of seven gold medals in a single games.

Opening Ceremonies Begin the Games

The Opening Ceremonies of the 2008 Summer Olympics began today in Beijing with a spectacular show and fireworks display.

Preliminary soccer matches continue in Tianjin and Shenyang while Archery, Cycling and Fencing events kick off tommorrow.

U,S, Soccer wins 1-0 in Tianjin

The U.S Soccer Team won it's first match in Soccer last night. Playing in Tianjin, the U.S. team defeated Japan 1-0. Stephen Holden of the U.S. scored the second half goal to end the team's three game scoring drought. The U.S. will still have tough competition ahead if they hope to get out of Group B and into the next round of action.

Learn more about the city of Tianjin and what it has to offer visitors in the new DVD "Beyond Beijing: Exploring China's Cities".

Beyond Beijing Trailer

Just wanted to post the trailer for the Beyond Beijing DVD. It gives a good primer on the many Olympic cities hosting events for the next two weeks.

Olympic Soccer Kicks Off The Games

Even though the 2008 Olympics Games don't officially get started until this coming Friday, preliminary soccer matches have already begun. The U.S. Women's Soccer team lost a close match to Norway yesterday by the score of 0-2. To learn more about the upcoming soccer matches, click here.

Qinghuangdao, Shenyang and Tianjin are all hosting these preliminary games. Each city is profiled in the Beyond Beijing DVD available now from Choices.

To learn more about each city and the DVD, click here.

Beyond Beijing DVD

With Beijing the focus of the 2008 Summer Olympics, one must not forget the other sites hosting events during the games and what they have to offer visitors. In Beyond Beijing: Exploring China's Cities, viewers can sample the many delights these dynamic destinations have to offer.

* Shanghai – Explore this fast-paced city quickly becoming a global capital of fashion and culture.
* Qingdao – Known for its sailing and coastal activities, find out how German immigrants gave the city its best known product.
* Qinhuangdao – Discover this small city’s mythical links to the Great Wall of China.
* Tianjin - Follow the conservation efforts underway to preserve the city’s past as a center of European life in China.
* Shenyang – Journey into the first “Forbidden City” and its architectural marvels.
* Hong Kong – Engage in this global city and its growing mix of Western and Asian lifestyles.

With stunning photography and interviews with the many businesspeople, scholars, and artists who call the country home, Beyond Beijing: Exploring China’s Cities will serve as a valuable guide for all travelers.

To view a clip of the film, click here.

Welcome to the Beyond Beijing Blog!

Welcome to the Beyond Beijing Blog! With the Summer Olympics happening just around the corner, the world's attention will turn to Beijing. But don't forget that there are several other cities in China that will host events during the games.

Choices has just released a new DVD "Beyond Beijing: Exploring China's Cities" that will help viewers learn more about these great cities before, during and after the games.

This blog will also keep track of the games as they happen with the latest, news, scores and happenings.

Stay Tuned!