August 4- The Olympic Green

Xin Qi Yi, Ba Yue 4

Monday, August 4

Today I got to go out to the Olympic Green. The Olympic Green is where all the main stadiums and attractions are, including the hospitality tents. I went with the food and beverage team to have a look at all the hospitality tents and a tour of the showcasing centers for all of the Top Sponsors. It was crazy to see how a tent can be converted into a couple-million dollar project and turn out to look like a high quality, peaceful yet elegant lounge. It was really cool just to be there.

This was one of the last opportunities to see the Olympic Green when there will not be thousands of people strolling through the numerous attractions in the green. While we were there, we saw a parade of people rehearsing for opening ceremonies, and let me say, it was amazing! It just proved how excited and ready the whole country was.

This was also apparent when we went to the showcasing areas. We stopped by the coke one to get a private tour. This was called the Shuang Center. Practically everything in this center was made from recycled materials, since Coke’s theme this year is “Live Positively”. As you walked through it, you got this sense of encouragement… everywhere you walked, there was the Coke theme song which is like upbeat, inspiring music. It was just crazy the ideas that they all came up with…. They all had their own special meaning; most of the them portraying to strive for a better world…Like the tree that had recycled flat bottle that the athletes signed. There was also a display of all the old coolers they had from way back when. My favorite part, though, was the second to last room or so. Here, there were like four-foot tall bottles that were all decorated in a different way. Each province in China got one bottle and got to decide how they wanted to decorate it. There were ones that had temples painted on them and scenery all the way this one that was all covered with small white balls. I just found it so interesting to see how every province portrayed their landscape and unique culture to the rest of the world… and, of course, what Coke decided to add in their showcasing center.

While walking around, we could also see the Bird’s Nest. This is where Opening Ceremonies is going to be held and throughout the games, the Track and Field events. Although the pictures of this structure are just fabulous, in person, it is just so entrancing. It’s interesting to think about how they actually got it all built and planned it out to look the way it does! Still, with four days till opening, you can see people working along the roof to make the stadium in the best shape it possible can be.

After walking through the Olympic Green, there is no doubt that this Olympics is going to be absolutely amazing! From the hospitality tents to the showcasing and the Birds Nest… and of course, Opening Ceremonies!