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Ms Chen Gong of Beijing Geihua holds the Olympic torch high and proud.
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The exhibition itself brings together a fascinating collection of information, memorabilia, and spectacular visual displays covering five aspects of China's involvement with the Olympic Movement, from the germination of the idea that China could be a participant, to the latest action from the Bird's Nest Stadium.
"China's Century-long Dreams Coming True"covers the history of China's relationship with the Olympics. "Seven Years of Preparation"tells the story of the changes to the face and the infrastructure of Beijing as the city prepared to host the Games, and the organizational effort behind it. "The Paralympic Movement and the Undertakings for People with Disabilities in China"presents the story of the Paralympics, and a wider perspective on the place of the disabled in Chinese society. "Time-honored Chinese Sports"is an absorbing and informative historical study of China's ancient sporting tradition, and "Modern Olympics – Grand Sports Event"takes the visitor through the story of the modern Olympics, from the birth of de Coubertin's idea to the present day.
Each of the five sections is full of interest. The first display is an impressive introduction to the exhibition. In a circular section it takes the visitor through a wealth of detail about China's place in the Olympic movement, along with a trivia hunter's treasure chest of memorabilia – China's first-ever medal, the safety helmet worn by Hu Jintao when he visited the construction site that was to become the Bird's Nest, the pen with which the agreement for the Beijing 2008 Olympics was signed…
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Scale model of the Olympic Park
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The centerpiece of the second section is a scale model of the Olympic Park area, complete with all the new infrastructure of the Games. There is also a virtual new metro train, through whose windows you can watch a panorama of the changing face of the city as it has evolved in the new century, and a striking 180° video screen presenting a film full of special effects that would not have disgraced the Opening Ceremony. The roles of the Games Volunteers are also presented here.
Section three makes it clear how the creation of the Paralympics, through the integration of the disabled into Olympic sport, has contributed to a fuller integration of this community into wider society, and also shows the determination of the Chinese to give full value to the worth of these citizens.
