Frequently Asked Questions

1. How do I look up news and information?
Our totally revamped website is easier to use than ever before!

For official 2008 Beijing Olympic Games news as well as progress on the Games, just go to Official Release. Here you will find the latest announcements from the Beijing Organizing Committee for the Games of the XXIX Olympiad (BOCOG); the Beijing Municipal Committee of the CPC and varied departments of the Beijing Municipal Government.

This section also includes official news announcements from and about the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

Olympic Dynamics highlights the contributions from every part of Chinese society in preparation for the 2008 Olympic Games.

Want to know more about Beijing and other Chinese cities hosting Olympic competition? Olympic Cities which will have all of the economic, social and cultural information you could possibly need!

Sports News gives you the very latest results and happenings from key national and international news events from the world of sport … as well as scores related to competitions leading up to the 2008 Olympic Games.

Fancy a little history? Try out the all-new Historical Page or just enter your keyword in the Search tab.

2. Why should I become a registered user?
By registering on our official website, you will receive regular issues of our e-magazine delivered to your registered e-mail address, with the very latest information on the preparations for the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.

And as a registered user, you may also participate in various online surveys, submit ideas for designs through solicitation campaigns, and join in on a Q&A session and other fun activities … as well as registering for a chance to win free Olympic souvenirs! Our website staff will contact you – so make sure your contact information has been updated.

3. How can I apply on-line to be a volunteer for the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games?
We have a special Volunteers section. The Volunteer Application Guide, recruitment policy and other related information are all at your fingertips. Volunteers also have links to the volunteer application websites for specific recruitment data. For example, volunteer applicants from the Beijing area can click on the Recruitment from Beijing link, sending you to the application websites for each of the 18 counties in the Beijing area.

4. How can I find information on previous Olympic Games?
Information about previous Olympic Games is found at Olympic Spirit, which can be accessed using the navigation bar on the left side of the homepage. Visitors will find information on previous Olympic Games; medalists; Olympic records; notable figures in Olympic history; International Sports Federations (IFs), as well as the latest information on the emblem, mascots, and more about the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.

5. Can I make hotel reservations?
Sorry, no, the official website of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games does not make hotel reservations. However, registered members may find detailed information about Olympic venues; member hotels; business facilities; tourist attractions and much more.

6. If I see something wrong on your site who can I contact?
On every article and column page there is a Found a Mistake link that you can use to report typos; problems with website content and any other errors you may have come across while visiting our site. Just click Found a Mistake and tell us what you've found. Our website staff will get right on it!

7. Do you have any Olympic videos?
The new Videos section has just that. Here you can watch videos about the official Beijing Olympic Games emblem; mascots; medals; Torch Relay promotions and history of the Olympic Games.

Visitors can watch spectacular video recordings of significant moments of the Beijing Olympic Games, such as the removal of the steel structural trusses of the National Stadium (The Bird's Nest); the announcement of the theme of the Games – One World One Dream … along with videos of interview programs with personalities as well as a virtual tour of member hotels of the Beijing Olympic Games.

8. Can I purchase tickets?
Visitors can use the Ticketing section to look up relevant Olympic Games ticketing policies. But to order tickets, visitors must register at the official ticketing website of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.

The official ticketing website is operated by Beijing Gehua Ticketmaster Ticketing Co., Ltd, the exclusive supplier appointed by BOCOG. It can be accessed from the Ticketing section.

9. Where can I find a list of the official licensed products for the Beijing Olympic Games and can I order these products on-line?
You will find information about official licensed products under Licensed Products section. BOCOG does not plan to sell officially licensed merchandise at this time. Remember, you may only purchase officially licensed products by visiting licensed retail stores authorized by BOCOG. Be wary of individuals or enterprises claiming to sell licensed products online, as they have not been authorized by BOCOG to do so.

10. Where can I find information regarding the Beijing Olympic Torch?
The Official Website of the Beijing 2008 Torch Relay is a sister site of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games and was launched on April 26, 2007. Visitors can access this area through the Torch Relay link. The Torch Relay site is available in Chinese, English and French … and provides visitors with information relevant to the Olympic Torch design as well as the planned route for the Olympic Torch Relay, including a, downloadable Olympic Torch Relay route map. Be sure to bookmark this page and follow the worldwide trek of the torch as it travels to all five continents!

11. How can I learn more about Olympic venues?
Competition and Venues will take you to each of the more than 20 Olympic sports. There visitors will find the latest information regarding the construction of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games venues. Venue information can also be obtained from the e-map, which highlights the location of each venue. Competition and Venues feature also includes information about the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games competitions.

12. How do I use the Olympic Games e-map?
The e-map literally puts the Olympic Games in your control. You will find a plethora of information ranging from Olympic Games Competition Venues; Olympic Games Licensed Products Stores; Olympic Mascot Sales Points; Beijing Tourist Attractions and much more. Visitors can use the Olympic Games Map section (http://www.beijing2008.cn/emap/) to access the e-map system. Within the Olympic Games Map column, you can directly enter keywords for the places that interest you the most or browse for information using the category links. For example, if you click onto Olympic Games Competition Venues, the e-map will instantly display all competition venue information.

13. How can I tap into the latest happening on the site?
We've got a cool new Fun Page section where you will not only find information on the changes to our site but also download previous and current copies of our e-magazines, Beijing Olympic Games publications, flash games and hot new screensavers.

14. How can I contact your staff?
Go to the Contact Us link at the bottom of every page. You'll be directed to contact information for the various departments of BOCOG as well as the editorial department of the official website. Or just drop us a note webmaster@beijing2008.cn with your comments and suggestions!

15. If I don't live in Beijing, how can I participate in the volunteer training program?
Go again to the Volunteers section where you can download volunteer training materials for self-administered training. The volunteer training material you'll find on-line is exactly the same material given to volunteers for training purposes.

16. How do I become better educated about the Olympic Games?
Our official website has a section dedicated to education. Select the "course resources" section on the Education Channel to download reading material. The curriculum column not only offers downloadable, informative reading material about the Olympic Games but also offers an array of educational video resources and stylish, education-themed Olympic wallpaper.

17. Do you have any photos posted on-line?
Our photo collection can be found at http://photo.beijing2008.cn/en. Take your time and browse through all of our best photos. Seven categories are available, including Beijing Olympic Game Preparations, Past Olympic Games, Arenas, Olympic Stars, Olympic Cities, Olympic Dynamics, and IOC Photos, encompassing a full range of brilliant photographs featured in past news columns on the official website as well as those capturing unforgettable moments in Olympic history. These photos offer an instantaneous glimpse at the majestic history of Olympic sports.

18. How do I subscribe to news content that interests me?
The official website offers visitors RSS subscription services. Simply download and install the RSS feed reader and then subscribe to the news content that interests you from the available RSS feeds. Once you subscribe to the RSS feeds, you can receive the latest news content from the news channels of interest to you.

19. How can I look up information on the Paralympic Games of 2008?
We've got a section dedicated just to the Paralympic Games of 2008. Here visitors can gain a full understanding of the preparations behind the Paralympic Games of 2008, sports for athletes with a disability and much more.