Topic: 2008 Summer Olympics

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Who are China's next leaders?

On Nov. 15, the new Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Chinese Communist Party – the group that rules China presented itself to the world. Here are the bios of the seven men who take the reins of China.
Olympics gymnastics: 5 athletes to watch

Some of the best Olympic drama can be found on the high beams or mats. This is the stage where Kerri Strug and Nadia Comaneci became global stars. Any slight wobble or misstep can undo a performance, making gymnastics competitions far from predictable. Butt here are five gymnasts who should find themselves in the medals hunt in London.
Five tough truths about US-China relations

The more American and Chinese officials proclaim their innocent intentions toward each other, the deeper the level of mistrust they generate. Official candor on five key truths about US-China relations will likely contribute to a more mature bilateral relationship and could help halt a potential slide to conflict.
15 biggest moments for women in the Olympics

Since 1900, when women first began competing in the Olympic Games, there have been many unforgettable moments.
China's leadership shakeup: Bo Xilai and 4 other names to watch

Five names to keep an eye on as China prepares for a once-in-a-decade leadership change.

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Opinion: An Olympic lift to U.S.-China relations

May the Games help break down walls of fear.
An Olympic lift to U.S.-China relations

May the Games help break down walls of fear.
16 Chinese police killed in suspected Uighur attack

The attack highlights security threats posed by China's extremist groups in the run-up to the Olympics.
Reporters on the job
For Chinese, it's the teflon Olympics

The Beijing Games have been dogged with global criticism on everything from censorship to pollution. But Chinese people still see them as their government does: a great coming-out party.
Letters to the Editor

Readers write about earth-friendly diets, home births, Olympic boycotts, and alternative energy.
Six Picks: Recommendations from the Monitor staff

U2 revisits past successes, Blair and Brown battle it out in 'The Deal' DVD, dogster.com wins barks of approval, and more.
Why security is tighter in Beijing

Measures include checkpoints around the city and missiles by the Olympic stadium.
Opinion: Help the people of Darfur: reclaim Sudan's stolen oil

Oil theft fuels the genocide. The US can stop it by creating a Clean Hands Trust.
Iraqis more secure, but few are finding jobs

Most jobs are in the military, police, and intelligence forces. But Iraqis say those jobs are only attained through family ties or bribes.
Chinese snatch up Olympics tickets
China's biggest pop star debuts her exotic talents in the West

Sa Dingding's music melds traditional harmonies with offbeat electronica to create a layered hypnotic sound.
Japan’s Olympic hopes ride on women

Four women wrestlers, who share 20 Olympic and World Championship gold medals among them, are changing gender perceptions in a traditionally male-dominated society.
An Olympics to get excited about
China's Olympic muddle

This coming-out party is already tarnished by a worsening human rights record.
The Monitor's View: China's Olympic muddle

This coming-out party is already tarnished by a worsening human rights record.
For Beijing's Olympic volunteers, the rules are many

It has carefully vetted and trained 1.7 million people who will do everything from answering questions to presenting medals
For Beijing's Olympic volunteers, the rules are many

It has carefully vetted and trained 1.7 million people who will do everything from answering questions to presenting medals
Indonesia, a badminton powerhouse, looks to snatch back its glory in Beijing

Beyond shuttlecocks and makeshift courts, an archipelago nation’s craze – and glory – raises hopes, pressure, and the intensity of neighborhood games.
One woman leads a crusade to cleanup cycling in Germany

Sylvia Schenk, a lawyer and former Olympic runner, is trying to rid sports of drugs by getting sponsors to force athletes to submit to testing.
One woman leads a crusade to cleanup cycling in Germany

Sylvia Schenk, a lawyer and former Olympic runner, is trying to rid sports of drugs by getting sponsors to force athletes to submit to testing.
India's latest engineering goal: create Olympians

Steel magnate Lakshmi Mittal is underwriting an ambitious push to put India on the map after decades of Olympic underachievement.
A month before the Olympics, Beijing still failing air-quality test

A month before athletes from around the world will gather in Beijing for the 2008 Olympics, the BBC has found that the city still fails to meet international air-quality standards set by the World Health Organization.
New film aims to remind South Koreans of suffering to their north

Ahead of Beijing Olympics, the international group Justice for North Korea hopes to press China to accept North Korean refugees as defectors, not migrants.
China trains 200,000 cheerleaders – for other Olympic teams

The Beijing Organizing Committee has enlisted cheerleaders from the New England Patriots football team to hone the Chinese elite squad's skills.