Olympics thrusts Beijing front and center

August 07, 2008 The efforts of a state-run and medal-hungry sports machine -- combined with the hospitality of 70,000 volunteers standing ready at the gates of the National Stadium (better known as the "Bird's Nest") and at the "Water Cube" swimming center -- could earn Beijing and China glowing reviews as a producer of world-class events. Director Zhang Yimou, whose most recent film "Curse of the Golden Flower" stands as China's biggest homemade hit, must feel the pressure to deliver an equally memorable opening ceremonies. Waiting in the control room at the gleaming annex of CCTV's new Rem Koolhaas-designed headquarters among hundreds of producers and technicians is Jiang Heping, general manager of the Olympic Channel, also known as CCTV-5.

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