OUR GUIDE TO THE BEIJING OLYMPICS

When exactly is it?
8-24 August

Beijing is quite a long way away. What is the time difference?
Beijing are 7 hours ahead. So tv coverage which starts in the uk at 2am will catch the action which starts for 9am local time.

Where can I see it?
The bbc will be lunching a massive coverage operation. They will bring over 300 hours of coverage to our televisions. From 2am to 6pm each day, bbc 1 and 2 will broadcast continuous coverage of the live events, with an evening catch up show for those of us who work! Additional coverage will also be available on the red button. If you are at work, and can sneak the radio on, 5 live will bring exhaustive daily coverage also.

What sports can I see?
Aquatics (swimming, synchronised swimming, diving, water polo), Archery, Athletics, Badminton, Baseball, Basketball, Boxing, Canoe/Kayak (Flatwater, , Slalom), Cycling (track cycling, road cycling, mountain bike, BMX), Equestrian (jumping, dressage, eventing), Fencing, Football, Gymnastics (artistic, trampoline, rhythmic) , Handball, Hockey, Judo, Modern Pentathlon, Rowing, Sailing (and windsurf), Shooting, Softball, Swimming, Table Tennis, Taekwondo, Tennis, Triathlon, Volleyball (and beach volleyball), Weightlifting, Wrestling (Greco-Roman, Freestyle).

Some of these events sound unfamiliar?
Handball is one that we had not seen before, but a quick search on youtube will reveal its actually a pretty exciting ‘body on the line’ kinda sport. It has been an Olympic sport since 1936, and in Sydney was voted ‘best sport’. In some countries its popularity rivals that of football, and top player salaries even rival their ‘toe talented’ counterparts. The game is played over 2 30 minute periods in a court 40x20 metres with a goal at each end. Slightly smaller than a football, the ball may be held for 3 seconds before bouncing or passing it. Only three steps may be taken with ball in hand. We couldn’t find a local team to join, but if there is one we would be interested in finding out more at ExeterList, in our quest to get more involved in this really cool looking team sport! Rhythmic Gymnastics – according to Wikipedia is ‘a sport in which single competitors or pairs, trios or even more (generally five) manipulate one or two apparatuses: Rope, Hoop, Ball, Clubs and Ribbon. Rhythmic Gymnastics is a sport that combines elements of ballet, gymnastics, theatrical dance, and apparatus manipulation.’ If you would like information about any of the other sports check out http://www.olympics.org.uk/summergames.aspx online.

Wo, BMX is an Olympic sport?
Yes! For the first time, BMX will appear as an Olympic sport in the Beijing games. It promises to be a great addition with riders cutting in and leaping through the air as they race around a circuit of around 350 metres, including jumps, banked corners and other obstacles. There are eight riders per heat with the top four progressing.

Whats happening where?
There are 37 venues playing host to the Olympic events. The athletes will be staying in the first green athletes village, featuring all mod cons from high speed internet, to solar power.

I can't wait…
If you have a games console or PC, scheduled for the end of June is the official Beijing 2008 game, featuring 38 official events. Here at ExeterList we would like to also encourage ging out and taking part in some real sport to get into the spirit, but should be be unfortunate enough to get a rainy day, this seems like a pretty harmless way to spend it!
For a list of local sport clubs check out the page on the Exeter City Council website