The Games-time version of the official website of the Beijing Olympic Games went live on Tuesday, July 15, 2008. [Photo: beijing2008.cn]

The Games-time version of the official website of the Beijing Olympic Games went live on Tuesday, giving shape to the information release platform for the Games and marking the official website's entry into Games-time status.

Releasing information in five languages -- Chinese, English, French, Spanish and Arabic -- the official website serves as a major channel for netizens worldwide to obtain information on the competitions of the Beijing Olympics and an important window for countries and people around the world to understand Beijing and China.

The website will issue immediate official information on the Beijing Olympics from authoritative sources and offer live coverage of all press conferences held by BOCOG and important press conferences by the IOC and national and regional Olympic committees through photos and transcripts.

In terms of Olympic competition coverage, the website will immediately publish detailed Olympic competition schedules, real-time competition progress for all sports, results, technical statistics and medal standings, in addition to detailed previews and post-competition analyses, flash reports, post-competition interviews, daily roundups and athlete features, with references to file and background information for all participating athletes, as soon as relevant data and information becomes available.

The website will offer full coverage of the highly anticipated Olympic opening and closing ceremonies and selected coverage of Olympic cultural activities, updates on co-host cities, events outside the venues, volunteers, venue operations and sponsorship activities. The "Olympic Spirit" page will follow the progress of the Olympic Cultural Festival, Olympic Youth Camp and Olympic Education Program with an aim at enhancing awareness among youth,enabling them to learn more about and participate in the Olympic Games.

To support BOCOG's services for spectators and media members, the website will provide comprehensive information on ticketing, guidelines for spectators, guides to the host city, venues and facilities, accessible services, transport, hotels, entertainment, Olympic licensed products. An advanced E-map will link netizens to any destination they seek.

Before and after the Olympic competitions, the website will hold online interviews with guests that include social celebrities, sports stars, Olympic officials, representatives of sponsors and ordinary volunteers, to allow netizens to see and understand all aspects of the Games.

(BOCOG July 16, 2008)