China’s boom-town capital, seat of the Forbidden City and home to more than 14 million people, opens its gates to the world as host of the XXIX Olympiad in 2008. Book your tickets for the August 8th – 24th, 2008 spectacular, at which more than 200 countries – the most for any games in history – are set to compete. Some wonder whether Beijing will, like Athens, struggle to finish building all the new stadiums and transport systems on time. These people have never seen the Chinese work. Bank on it being ready a year early. It’s too soon to know which athletes and events to look out for, but American swim-star Michael Phelps, the Romanian girls gymnastic team and the African distance runners are sure to put on a show. Don’t be surprised to find the Chinese have mastered basketball, baseball, soccer and rowing in the interim too.