2007 Nov 09 Quickie Links: No Ban on Cars, Hatching the Bird's Nest, The "Happiest" City in China and more
The Guardian: Beijing's "bird's nest" stadium to open in April
Test events at the Olympic stadium will start next spring in the run-up the Games in August.
AFP: Beijing rules out car restrictions during Olympics
City officials are hoping that “encouraging people to use public transportation” next August will be sufficient enough to keep road traffic down during the Olympics.
China Daily: Beijing completes track construction of airport rail
Officials announced that this crucial first phase of construction for the 28-km light rail linking Dongzhimen in eastern Beijing to the airport has been completed in the run-up of its anticipated 2008 opening.
Xinhua: Beijing starts construction of world's largest Ferris wheel
After a series of delays, construction has finally started on the massive 208-meter tall ferris wheel in Chaoyang Park that will cost almost USD 100 million.
chinaview.cn: Hangzhou ranked China's "happiest city"
The scenic Zhejiang city comes out on top of a magazine poll of 3 million citizens. Beijing placed ninth, right behind Shanghai in the eighth spot.
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Talking Balls: Scandals, Spaniards, Schoolkids and Swamp Soccer

AC Milan beat their city rivals Inter 2-1 to win the Supercoppa Italiana at the Bird's Nest. Second-half goals from Zlatan and Kevin Prince Boateng sealed a comeback from Wesley Sneijder's first-half free kick. The rossoneri were deserved winners but the game may ultimately be overshadowed by the actions of Alexandre Pato. The Brazilian's gesture (shown above) was beamed live on CCTV. The Internet has already started calling for his blood. Whether it's racist or not, it is another addition to a long list of foreign sportsmen behaving inappropriately in China.
Talking Balls: Begging, Choosing & Not Losing

The saddest story of the week – and one that raises questions of the Chinese sports system – is that of former-gymnast Zhang Shangwu. A double gold medal winner at the Universiade, he suffered a career-ending injury and eventually ended up on the street. From Olympic hopeful to beggar by the age of 28, Zhang’s life is a far cry from Yao retiring from basketball.
Stats Beijing #10: Olympic Alchemy
Here’s a breakdown of the events that China’s won Olympic medals in. Over the years, the country’s gotten better at everything else too. Oh, except winter. Funny, given there's so much of it around.
Fine Dining Comes to the Bird’s Nest?

The latest installment in the ongoing quest to cover the exorbitant costs of the Bird’s Nest’s upkeep will see a new 4,500-sqm restaurant open this month on the third floor of the stadium, according to China Daily. It is still unclear whether diners will need to pay the RMB 50 stadium admission to get into the new establishment.
Gleaming the Cube: Beijing's Newest Waterpark

The Olympic Games may be long gone but a nagging uncertainty over what to do with the iconic Birds Nest, which has gone from waidi (外地) tourist attraction, to would-be football stadium, possible shopping mall and a temporary "Snow and Ice World," has lingered ever since.




