Estimated read time: 1-2 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
Starting at about 10:00 or 11:00 this morning, the sidewalks started getting jam packed with people, many of them waving flags and wearing stickers.
Along every sidewalk surrounding "The Bird's Nest" there were crowds and crowds of Olympic fans. People were out selling Chinese flags, Olympic flags, and stickers. Everyone was buying them.
With all the people who gathered outside, you could tell the Chinese are very anxious for the games to begin, especially the opening ceremonies.
A couple nights ago there was a full dress rehearsal for the opening ceremonies. We talked to some people on their way to that.
One woman we talked to, Beibei, expressed the one thing all these people have in common.
"I'm very excited. I want to see the venue. I've never been there, and I hear the show is great. I've never been there," Beibei said.
It was crowded overhead too, with three helicopters hovering above. Security was also tight. Members from China's military were everywhere.
Here is what we do know about the opening ceremonies: The program was three years in the making, arraigned by one of China's most famous directors. The show lasts just under an hour, cramming in 5,000 years of Chinese history.
Among those on the guest list for the big event, President Bush, French President Nicolas Sarkozy and former Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Thousands will be watching it live, millions more on TV, and the Chinese can't wait.
Beibei again expressed her excitement for the games saying, "I think it's a great opportunity everyone works so hard, and to show Chinese culture, and to know spirit of Olympics and showcase China to the world."
E-mail: abutterfield@ksl.com
