By Cathy Liu (China)
The Olympic Games and the Paralymic Games are held every four years, including Summer Olympic Games, Winter Olympic Games, Summer Paralympic Games and Winter Paralympic Games. Most of the time, the Paralympic Games are hosted after the Olympic Games.
The original Olympic Games were first recorded in 776 BC in Olympia, Greece, which is the reason we call them the "Olympics." The first modern Olympic Games were the 1896 Summer Olympics, held in Athens, Greece.
Olympic SymbolsOlympic RingsThe five Olympic rings were designed in 1913. The Olympic symbol expresses the activity of the Olympic Movement and the five continents of the globe, and the athletes from all over the world who take part in the Olympic Games.
Olympic Torch
The Olympic Torch is also called the Olympic Flame. Commemorating the theft of fire from the Greek god Zeus by Prometheus, it was kept burning throughout the ancient Olympics. The fire was reintroduced at the 1928 Summer Olympics in Amsterdam, and it has been part of the modern Olympic Games since that time. The Olympic Torch relay goes from the last host city to the next host city.
Olympic MottoThe Olympic motto is made up of three Latin words:"Citius, Altius, Fortius," which means "Faster, Higher, Stronger."
This motto encourages the athletes to give their best during the competition, and thinks that the effort is a victory of himself or herself.
Beijing 2008 Olympics
The Opening Ceremony will be hosted on August 8th, 2008, at 8 o'clock in the evening. The competitions will start on the next day. It will take place from August 8 to 24, 2008. The Games will include the 28 summer sports currently on the Olympic program. About 10,500 athletes will participate in the Games.
The Emblem and the SloganThe Beijing 2008 Olympic Games emblem, "Chinese Seal, Dancing Beijing," is filled with Beijing's hospitality and hopes, and carries the city's commitment to the world.
"One World One Dream" expresses the common wishes of people all over the world, inspired by the Olympic ideals, to strive for a bright future of mankind. 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.
The Mascots
Fuwa (how Chinese call mascots in their language) express the natural characteristics of four of China's most popular animals -- the Fish, the Panda, the Tibetan Antelope, the Swallow -- and the Olympic Flame.
The Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games
The Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games will take place from September 6, 2008 to September 17, 2008, 12 days after the Olympic Games end on August 24. There are 20 sports in the Paralympic Games.
Those people with disabilities also have the right to attend their "Olympic Games." It expresses everybody is treated fairly in the Olympics.
Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics and Winter Paralympic GamesAfter the Beijing Summer Olympic Games, the Winter Olympic Games will be hosted in Vancouver. The Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympic Games will take place from February 12-28, 2010. The Vancouver 2010 Winter Paralympic Games will start after the Winter Olympic games, from March 12-21, 2010. Twenty sports will be played in the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games.
We went to the airport after school on the 11th. But I'm afraid of planes. I didn't want to get on the airplane. We arrived in Vancouver. After we went to the hotel, we looked for the restaurants. The next day, we rode to the Big bus. It is very big and confortable. We went around the downtown. The bus passed near English Bay, so we could watch it. The Bay is very beautiful. Many people spend wonderful time there. The view made us happy. 
We got off at Gastown. It has many Canadian shops. I bought a lot of souvenirs for my friends and my family. For example, maple syrup, maple cookies, maple coffee, maple tea, and so on. It has many things of maple. I hope they will like it! And we went Robson St. It has a lot of shpos too. Yuka and I chose good ones and bought the same clothes. I want to wear them this summer! Shopping made us so happy and fun! 
Besides buying the clothes, I also purchased earrings. We were very tired because we walked a long time, but we had the same feelings that were so happy. When we stayed at the hotel, we talked all the time. I love my friends. I was really happy to go to Vancouver with may friends. We had trouble the second day, but it was even fun! 
