This summer, the XXIX Olympiad will be held in Beijing from Aug. 8 to 24.

Inspired by the Olympic ideals, the Beijing Games represent the Olympic spirit in the slogan “One World One Dream,” meant to evoke unity, friendship, progress, harmony, participation, and dream.

The Beijing organizers claim: “In spite of the differences in colors, languages, and races, we share the charm and joy of the Olympic Games, and together we seek for the ideal of Mankind for peace. We belong to the same world and we share the same aspirations and dreams.”

The whole country has been preparing since 2001. It has been a long and exciting process getting ready for the Beijing Games, which will feature 37 sports and 302 events. Nine of those events are new to the Olympics, such as the bicycle motocross (BMX) cycling discipline. These events will be held in newly constructed and architecturally impressive stadiums. One of these stadiums is called the “Bird’s Nest,” which looks like what the name implies and will be the site of field events.

On Monday in Tiananmen Square, President Hu Jintao lit a cauldron with the Olympic torch, signaling the start of the Olympic flame's global relay. Huge celebrations occurred in China. Acrobats, dancers, and children were dressed in red costumes to symbolize luck. Yesterday was a happy day for everyone.

However, the Chinese authorities face challenges in dealing with issues such as a polluted atmosphere, class discrimination, ice storms, terrorist plots, and especially recent protests from pro-Tibetan independence groups. President Bush even talked to President Hu to demand an explanation for the unstable situations in Tibet. So far, it seems that Tibet has calmed down, but only because of close police surveillance.

The Olympics have often been controversial and subject to criticism, and Beijing 2008 is no exception. The whole world is watching how Beijing handles the uncertainties in its effort to run the Olympic Games safely and punctually.

This is China’s first time hosting the Olympics, and it is the country's biggest chance to be a world leader by holding such an important event.

The XXIX Olympiad seems like it will be one of the finest Olympics ever held, and I'll be looking forward to it. In August, the whole world will be looking for that perfect opening day. Go China! Go Olympics!