The Olympic Opening Ceremony is underway

and will last for six months. Meanwhile, Hugh has been to a registry office in Beijing, and he's also sent some words and photos to illustrate last night's report from the velodrome in Lanzhou. "Auspicious day for getting married. It's the day the Olympics start.. .and it's the 8th of the 8th, 2008. 8 is a magic number in China. 16.400 couples registered to collect their marriage certificates today.. ...including 3,000 couples just at this Beijing register office. And back at the track...the velodrome in Lanzhou. Ma Yan Ping, champion cyclist who was in the Chinese Olympic teams in Athens and Sydney. She is expecting her 'Olympic' baby on August 13th. 16 to 18 year old mountain bikers with their eye on London 2012. I asked if they wouldmake it to London. There was a chorus of... [read full story]