43 Positive Things About the 2008 Beijing Olympics

— August 8, 2008 — Social Good
The 2008 Beijing Olympic Games kick off today, spiking global anticipation for the events and intrigue into China even further. With all the controversy surrounding the Olympics, particularly the protests in and around China, some are left wondering why the games are worth giving any attention to. Activists are suggesting people who want to support Tibet should boycott the Olympics entirely.

But don't make any rash decisions.

There is plenty of interesting content that isn't negative or controversial. Below some of the most fascinating elements, including fashion and high-tech performance clothes as well as live arts, architecture and design, have been highlighted.

In addition, the Beijing Olympics have been good for the people. When the games were announced in 2001, 6.3 million people were employed. As of 2007, that number rose to 9.4 million, pointing out an increase of 448,000 new jobs each year.

A city of 17 million people is trying to put its best face forward.

I was in Beijing last year, I know it's a beautiful place. The streets are lined with roses -- the people take pride in maintaining beauty for the public -- the people are hardworking, Beijing parks are filled with people of all ages doing Tai Chi in the mornings. Art is everywhere, and the Olympics are giving the people of Beijing an opportunity to show their talent to the world. As seen in the gallery below, they have done so through performing arts like dance, through incredibly detailed topiaries and world class architecture.
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Olympic Mascots
Olympic Mascots
China's Panda Idol
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Olympic Inspired Gadget Design
Olympic Inspired Gadget Design
Bird's Nest MP3/4 Speakers
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Beijing Olympic Art
Beijing Olympic Art
Song of Sand 2008
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Olympic Fever Sparks Creativity
Olympic Fever Sparks Creativity
Chinese Cyclist Promotes Games
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Bejing Olympic Dancers
Bejing Olympic Dancers
Tiananmen Square Performance
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Shoes Made of Rice
Shoes Made of Rice
The Secret to Olympic Gold?
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Olympic Basins
Olympic Basins
Roca & Mariscal Beijing 2008 Limited Edition Collection
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Olympic Cakes
Olympic Cakes
Sweet Treat for Birds Nest Construction
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Foliage Canvas
Foliage Canvas
Art Craft On Leaf
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Samsung P310
Samsung P310
Official Phone of the 2008 Olympics
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Mega Terminals
Mega Terminals
Beijing Terminal 3 is World's Largest Building
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Jackie Chan Sings Olympics Jingle
Jackie Chan Sings Olympics Jingle
We Are Ready
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Bejing Olympics Architecture
Bejing Olympics Architecture
Herzog & de Meuron's National Stadium
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Olympic Coloured Dumbbells
Olympic Coloured Dumbbells
The Weider Weight Set
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Beijing National Aquatics Center
Beijing National Aquatics Center
Water Cube
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Air-Conditioned Sports Equipment
Air-Conditioned Sports Equipment
Control Freek Tennis Racquet
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2008 Olympic Mascots
2008 Olympic Mascots
The Fuwa
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China Fashion to Hype Beijing Olympics
China Fashion to Hype Beijing Olympics
China International Fashion Week
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7 Olympic Shoe Innovations
7 Olympic Shoe Innovations
Tech Shoes Help Athletes Going for Gold
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Million Dollar Olympic Bicycles
Million Dollar Olympic Bicycles
Theo Bos Bids on Gold with Koga Miyata
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Olympic Footwear
Olympic Footwear
Nike Unveils New Designs for Beijing
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Luxury Olympic Fashion
Luxury Olympic Fashion
8-8-2008 GUCCI Limited edition
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Fashion Shows in Olympic Stadiums
Fashion Shows in Olympic Stadiums
Flojo Tribute Fashion Show
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Giant Eco-Friendly LED Displays
Giant Eco-Friendly LED Displays
Beijing Greenpix Zero Energy Wall
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Ten Olympic Torches
Ten Olympic Torches
Iconic Symbol for Sports Games
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Performance-Enhancing Olympic Gear II
Performance-Enhancing Olympic Gear II
Nike PreCool Vest
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Grass Concrete
Grass Concrete
The 2008 Beijing Olympic Games Alternative Footpath Paving System
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Unisex Swim Suits
Unisex Swim Suits
Australia's Swim Gear For Olympics
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Olympic Fashion
Olympic Fashion
The Original Games Collection by Adidas
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Olympic Topiaries
Olympic Topiaries
Beijing Garden Sculptures
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Celebrity Endorsed Olympic Branding
Celebrity Endorsed Olympic Branding
Nike Hyperdunk-Kobe PE
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Olympic Lifestyle Gold Shoes
Olympic Lifestyle Gold Shoes
Nike Limited Edition Metal
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2008 Olympic Architecture
2008 Olympic Architecture
China's Stadium Designs
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Designer Swimwear Fashion
Designer Swimwear Fashion
Olympic Boy in Esquire
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Miniature China Monuments
Miniature China Monuments
Beijing Lego Sports City
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Team America Olympic Uniforms
Team America Olympic Uniforms
Nike Swift Suits
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Olympic Fashion Spreads
Olympic Fashion Spreads
China Vogue
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China Olympics Influence Fashion
China Olympics Influence Fashion
Lucy Liu in Harper's Bazaar
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Architecture of Olympic Proportions
Architecture of Olympic Proportions
China's Top 10 Remarkable New Buildings (GALLERY)
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Olympic Editorials
Olympic Editorials
"A Strong Look" for Arena Magazine
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Beijing Street Style
Beijing Street Style
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