Olympic Fever Heating Up In Beijing

The 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing don't start until 8 p.m. Aug. 8 but it doesn't look or feel that way.

I noted the traffic ordinance before but those not traveling in vehicles are experiencing changes too. Olympic volunteers, most of which are Beijing natives, are manning the subways and streets with local knowledge and maps. Even traffic wardens have appeared at crosswalks to manage the busy streets.

At venues, volunteers and security personnel have been added. During my first trip to the Laoshan Bicycle Complex, where most of the cycling events takes place, I was greeted by more than a dozen eager volunteers amped for the Games to begin.

Later that night, a conversation with a local yielded information about another ordinance Chinese officials have recently put in place. He said restaurants and bars weren't as full in the late evenings because of the ordinance. The language barrier prevented the communication of additional information but the results were evident. He was the only non-Westerner present.

All of this comes after seven years of preparation for what many are calling China's chance to shine. The anticipation to do so is clear by the extensive effort already showing up in Beijing with 15 days before China gets its chance to impress the world.