Olympic Soccer

Put your headbands on and get ready! Everyone was decked out for the Soccer game I went to in Tian Jin.

No matter how young or old lots of people were carrying flags.

This is my Chinese friend and I holding the flag outside the stadium before the game.

Here is one of the many, MANY, volunteers helping make all this possible.

Everyone was excited on the way in to the stadium.

All kinds of people, all willing to have their picture taken.

These guys are holding their flag and getting some photos taken before the game starts.


We were there for women's soccer preliminaries.

Me and the soccer field.

I was super excited to be there!

I had my very own flag to wave as well.

But was also sure to be supporting my birth place!

Quite the fashion statement! In case you are wondering my shirt says 'jia you zhong guo' which means Go China!

Flag stickers were very popular.

I got to be at the China Olympics, watch team China play, and share the experience with my Chinese friend! Hard to beat that.

My ticket and flag (there was some time to kill before the game started!)

Oh excuse me, we weren't watching soccer we were watching football!

I loved all the different fans! Most of them may have never even been to a sporting event before. People of all kinds and types were there that day.

We saw two games. The first was Sweden and Argentina, the second was China and Canada.

It was hard to forget what country you were in.

Sweden and Argentina playing.

A young fan watching the game.

My neighbors in the stands.

China was there in full force!

The Sweden - Argentina match ended 1:0.

More faces in the crowd.

These girls were sitting behind me.

This little guy is watching the action.

I was comforted for the first time because I was not the only one walking around with the really huge camera taking a million pictures!

And now for the REAL game!

Here are teams China and Canada- we got to hear the national anthems played. You should have heard the 56,000+ Chinese all singing their anthem, it was intense!

Lots of families were enjoying the moment.

Here we are on the field. China in red, Canada in white.

More father and son pictures.

Almost had a goal, it was a very close game.

Lots of action down on the field.

The goalie grabs the ball out of the air!

A chest hit.

The final score! A tie!

Not bad at all for my first ever soccer game.

2008 Beijing Olympics!

The Games are here! The city is ready and decorated for the occasion.

Friendlies or Fuwa (as they are called in Chinese) are every where.

In case you are not familiar with the 5 mascots they each represent one of the five rings along with each standing for one of five Chinese blessings and imitating 4 animals special to China the 5th imitating the flame. Their names spell in Chinese Welcome to Beijing (bei jing huan ying ni). The blue one is a fish, the black one is a panda, the red one is the flame, the yellow one is an antelope, and the green one is a bird.

Olympic gardens can be found all around the city.

These are found at Tiananmen.

People of all ages are out sharing in the Olympic spirit.

The Olympic rings are found through out the city.

Crowds were out all taking pictures.

Tiananmen is one of the few free places in the city so this was one place where it really felt like the People's Olympics.

One World One Dream- I practically see that slogan in my sleep! It is plastered all over the city.

A mini Bird's Nest ...

... and bush sport players. They are nothing if not creative, and perhaps a little over the top!

This is the real nest.

The water cube.
Count down clocks have been placed around the country and have been counting down for over two years! This one shows 7 days to go.

Bird's Nest hidden in the trees ironically enough!

A view near the Olympic Green that shows another stadium that will be used during the Games.

Both of these buildings are phenomenal in design and have become an icon of the Beijing Games.

The water cube is even more impressive at night when it lights up with different colors.

Not only does this building resemble a bird's nest but it also looks similar to China's dynasty window designs seen at places like the Summer Palace, and to the crackle finished pottery found in China.

This is another new building now dotting the Beijing skyline. It is right next to the Olympic Green and is an office building (or set of buildings) that was designed to look like a dragon.

But so far- the best thing about the Olympics being here are the tickets I have to events!

I am excited to get to be apart of the sports, the hype, and the buildings.

Lotus