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Beijing rolls out the red carpet [ 2007-08-09 11:40 ] Download In a lavish show of pageantry at Tian'anmen Square, the world was formally invited to the 2008 Beijing Olympics. All members of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) were invited by IOC President Jacques Rogge to come to China as the country started the one-year countdown to the opening of the Games. Last night's ceremony started at 8 pm, exactly one year before the opening ceremony of the Games on 2008/08/08. The number eight is considered auspicious in China. "The Olympic Games are the celebration of the values of Olympics and of sporting ideals by the youth of the world. They engender dreams and inspiration in the hearts of young people everywhere. I therefore call upon you all to enjoy the Games one year from now," said Rogge. The presidents of the Greek, Canadian, British, Russian and Chinese National Olympic Committees accepted the invitation letters from Rogge as representatives of national and regional Olympic committees. It is the first time the traditional IOC ceremony has been held in the host city of the Games rather than the IOC headquarters in Lausanne, Switzerland. Rogge sounded upbeat about the preparations of the Beijing Organizing Committee for the Games of the XXIX Olympiad (BOCOG) for six years. "Since July 2001, the Organising Committee, led by President Liu Qi, has worked extremely hard to give Beijing an Olympic shape. Venues are almost finished and look fantastic," Rogge said. | 
