After 50 days of updates of the run-up stretching back to mid-June, this is the final daily Beijing Briefing. Having the Games so close makes this blog as happy as this young boy from Xinjiang province, who got to sample some choice Olympic merchandise that, sadly, is not available online.

Starting tomorrow, news will flow through this blog in a less orderly and greatly increased fashion for the next 16 days. Also please join us in a live Twitter of tomorrow's Opening Ceremony, which will begin at approximately 8 am Eastern U.S. time... as long as this blog's secret secured television feed is not disrupted or otherwise compromised. This blog plans to spoil everything, and do it in real time.

After a long line of doping cases, some good news on that front: no positives in the first round of 650 IOC-sponsored tests. The Olympics' gatekeepers will make a record 4,500 drug tests during these two weeks.

It always seems like the IOC is all together during the Olympics, so it's a perfect time to take care of some business. In votes to determine seats on the powerful executive council, Richard Carrion of Puerto Rico beat out Sir Craig Reedie of Great Britain in a runoff vote. Always good to see European power decentralized, certainly, but here's better news. Both dropped out of the running for the open seat to allow Nawal El Moutawakel from Morocco to take the election. She's the first Muslim woman to serve on the panel.

Action is already underway at the farflung venues of the women's football tournament, but Beijing is still processing incoming traffic in advance of Friday's opening ceremony. Here's the latest.

BASKETBALL: Dirk Nowitzki of Germany's men's team, making his first trip to the Games, is really psyched and he's not afraid to show it. On his head (right). He openly wept when the country secured an Olympic berth in the FIBA qualifier last month, and has drawn duty to carry the red, gold and black into the Opening Ceremony. He's been asked not to wave it around.

FOOTBALL: In a huge blow to the Olympic hopes of several men's players, the Court of Arbitration for Sport ruled that footballers who are under 23 can indeed be held back by their European clubs. Lionel Messi of 2004 Olympic champions Argentina wants to play, and so do Brazilians Diego and Rafinha, and the decision comes one day before men's tournament play begins. Furthermore, some clubs might call players back, such as Liverpool FC. That side previously allowed 21-year-old striker Ryan Babel to play for the Netherlands squad.

Less than 24 hours before the first women's football action, as all 12 teams will play their first matches in the evening of August 6, China Standard Time (UTC +8). We're heading into the home stretch, and there are no more pre-Olympic events from here on out. Now all that's left to do is to jump in your electric shuttle and get to where you need to be, on time.

CYCLING: The United States team caused a stir when they showed up at the Beijing airport wearing large pollution-averting face masks. It's been a sore subject in China, where air quality levels have deteriorated in recent days and such masks are seen as somewhat impolite. The team members did take the masks off to give interviews.

Within the week, the Games of the 29th Olympiad begin. The last few pre-Games events are being wrapped up, and more and more atheltes are moving into the Olympic Village. Here's what's going on as preparations reach their final phase.

ATHLETICS: Great Britain's Paula Radcliffe (above), the world-record holder in the women's marathon, has won marathons around the world but has no Olympic gold. Despite a calf injury in 2004, she led the Athens 2004 event for nearly 22 miles before collapsing. Known for her non-standard running style, Radcliffe sustained another injury earlier this year that has made her Beijing status questionable. But she announced yesterday that she's pretty much going to compete unless her leg falls off.

BASKETBALL: At the women's Diamond Ball tournament in Haining, China, a long-awaited showdown between the United States and Russia took place. Becky Hammon was not named to her national team in the U.S. and opted to take a deal from the Russian Federation to become a naturalized citizen. Hammon put her hand over her heart during the American national anthem, but she scored 10 points and was overwhelmed by Diana Taurasi (21 points) in the backcourt. The United States won handily, 93-58.

Not only are there five days remaining until the Opening Ceremony, there are three before the football tournaments begin on "Day -2." Beijing is ready, as evidenced by a full set of completed venues (like the National Aquatic Center, above) and no last-minute construction to speak of. Here's the latest from the Olympic tune-ups and warm-ups, and also from the host nation of China.

BASEBALL: In what could likely be the final Olympic baseball tournament ever (it's off the docket for 2012), the Netherlands team is making a push for respectability. It's never finished higher than fifth at the Games, but 11 members of the 2008 team were plucked from the Caribbean, where the country has island interests in places like the Netherlands Antilles, Aruba and Curacao.

Less than a week before the Games of the 29th Olympiad, most athletes are on their way to Beijing while others are using this last weekend for final, terminal, last-chance tune-up events. Let's check in on how things are going.

BASKETBALL: It's still odd seeing all-American girl Becky Hammon (right) in Russia's colors, but stranger still to see her listed with the Russian spelling of "Rebekka" on the team roster. She had a rough first game with her new team yesterday, going 0-for-6 from the floor in 23 minutes during a 75-69 loss to Latvia at the Diamond Ball warm-up tournament.

This blog has followed the exploits of Angola's men's team in the past month. The African champions have come a long way since being Dream Team cannon fodder in 1992 at Barcelona. The team overcame Yao Ming and China in the Stankovic Cup last month, and they are impressive in their exhibitions so far. On Wednesday, they came within a buzzer-beating three-pointer of beating Australia. If you don't know what Angolan basketball in 2008 is all about, here's an exhaustive breakdown.

ATHLETICS: Just a day after the United States' track federation began an examination into the country's 1998 national (and world) record in the men's 4x400m relay, the IOC swiped the gold medals away from the 2000 4x4 U.S. team that includes three runners with recently-revealed doping ties. What will likely happen is that the second-place Nigerian team, which finished less than two seconds behind, will receive those medals. That country hasn't heard its anthem played at the Olympics since 1996.

This blog can no longer say "next month" when referring to the Games of the 29th Olympiad, and soon "next week" will be out too. Just seven short days before the festivities commence; even less time before the Olympic football tournament begins next Wednesday. Let's check up on what's going on in China as thousands of people and their suitcases continue to enter the country.

ATHLETICS: The Greeks may not be waiting with bated breath, but sprinter Ekaterina Thanou is still waiting for the IOC disciplinary commission to rule on her status. She was removed from her country's Olympic team in 2004 and slapped with criminal charges for missing drug tests and allegedly staging a motorbike crash as an alibi, but was added to the 2008 Greek squad last month. The decision will come on August 7, one day before the Opening Ceremony, and her lawyer is accusing the IOC of discrimination.

Eight days until an Opening Ceremony date that was specifically chosen for its fortunate eight-ness (08/08/08)... so it must be a lucky day indeed. Except for media members at the International Broadcast Center, who are blocked from many websites (including, as per an e-mail received yesterday, this one). As journalists and athletes continue to stream into Beijing for the Games of the 29th Olympiad, here are the latest developments.

ATHLETICS: With rosters set and most athletes resting up, the majority of track and field news this week concerns doping. Yesterday, the IAAF banned six female competitors from Russia from Beijing, accusing them of submitting urine samples in 2007 that did not match those taken at the world championships. Among the six, who were each expected to contend for gold, are two-time 1500m world champion Tatyana Tomashova and middle-distance expert Yelena Soboleva, formerly a 800-1500 double hope.

And this week is filthy with last-minute court cases as well. German triple jumper Charles Friedek, a former world champion in his sport, had his appeal for inclusion on the country's Olympic team rejected yesterday. The German athletics federation requires its athletes to meet the Olympic qualifying distance twice, but ruled that Friedek had jumped the standard distance twice at the same meet, and had missed the mark in all other competitions.

We're in the single digits now. Nine is the number of days remaining until the Opening Ceremony, and it's also the number of players in a baseball lineup.

Here's what's going on in China and elsewhere as the world's athletes continue to descend on Beijing.

BASKETBALL: The Diamond Ball is the final-final tuneup for six men's teams. In a remarkable and historic upset, Iran held off Serbia on the first day, winning 72-70 on the strength of 20 points each from the inside-outside combo of Hamad Ehadadi and Javad Davari.

China opened with a nine-point win over rapidly improving Angola, which won the Stankovic Cup with a run that featured a 72-71 win over this same team. Last night, 7-6 Yao Ming (right, at the 2006 FIBA championships) got some revenge for that loss, scoring 21 points on 80 percent shooting.

ATHLETICS: The mystery Jamaican athlete who tested positive for drugs may have been exposed -- sprinter Julien Dunkley disappeared suddenly from the country's Olympic roster. Dunkley finished sixth in the 100m final at the Jamaican national trials. The drug in question is anabolic steroid Boldenone, which is intended for equine use only.

Meanwhile, Jamaica's former 100m world record holder Asafa Powell, who has never failed a drug test, swept to a 9.82 second win at the Monaco Grand Prix. It was his best time of the year, and he goes into the Olympics on a three-race win streak.

Ten days left... but not a "perfect 10," as the iconic gymnastics score has been replaced by a more intricate system. While you're familiarizing yourself with that, here's the latest as the international sports world descends on Beijing, China.

GYMNASTICS: American men's all-around champion Paul Hamm, after breaking his hand in May, convinced U.S. gymnastics officials that he was ready to compete in a closed session. Weeks after being added to the team, Hamm has been forced to pull out of next month's Games as his hand is not recovering according to projected schedule. Alternate Raj Bhavsar will take his place.

The countdown to Beijing has reached 11, the same number as a football side. As the Opening Ceremony approaches faster than ever could have been anticipated, here's what's new in China and the sporting world as the two quickly become one.

ATHLETICS: Spain's racewalking king Francisco Javier Fernandez (above, at an April event) kept his feet on the ground and reached for the stars -- and claimed the world record in the 10km race walk with a 37:53.09 performance. That's over six miles an hour, folks. Fernandez was the silver medalist in the 20km event at Athens 2004 with a 1:19:45 finish.

A story that demands to be followed up on, for sure: Jamaica announced that an unspecified athlete tested positive for banned drugs during last month's track and field trials.

The magic number is 12 today, which is also the number of players on an Olympic basketball roster. Here's the latest on preparations in China and elsewhere around the international sporting community.

VOLLEYBALL: The FIVB World League is in its final weekend after its annual six-week globetrotting adventure. And there's a surprise matchup in today's final at Rio. Serbia went just 7-5 during the intercontinental pool round, finishing three games behind world No. 1 team Brazil in Group A, but blew through the United States, Poland and Russia in straight sets to achieve the final. They'll meet up again with the similarly streaking Americans (above), who recovered from their July 23 loss to take out host nation Brazil in three close games, 25-23, 25-22 and 27-25. The U.S. has never finished higher than third at the World League.

Thirteen days to go until the flame is lit at the Opening Ceremony in Beijing. Here are some of the latest developments, with the final tuneups taking place and the athletes filing into China.

ATHLETICS: What gives next month's men's 100 meter final the potential for being the best Olympic sprint showdown ever? The three primary competitors keep beating each other, on the track and in the record book, therefore depriving the oddsmakers of a clear favorite. Yesterday, former world record holder Asafa Powell of Jamaica (above) beat current WFM and countryman Usain Bolt at a London Grand Prix event, running 9.94 into a headwind. Powell has now beaten Bolt twice in a week, while American Tyson Gay rests a hamstring strain.

Only two weeks remain until 08/08/08, the day the Olympic Games are officially declared open once again. For an idea of what Beijing will look like on that day, here's a photo from a recent Opening Ceremony rehearsal. And, as always, the latest on preparations in China and elsewhere around the international sports world.

ATHLETICS: Robert Fazekas, a discus thrower from Hungary, heaved an Olympic record 70.93 meters at Athens 2004, but was found to have a container of urine stashed on his person -- for obvious reasons, that's not allowed. He was disqualified, but he'll likely be back in Beijing after a two-year dope ban. He threw a 64.50 to surpass the Olympic qualifying standard, and his country accepted his request to attend the Games next month.

Meanwhile, Jamaican sprint stars Usain Bolt and Asafa Powell arrived for a London press conference, James Bond-style, on a speedboat. Bolt's message: "I know I am clean. I hope the rest of the field in the Olympic 100m final will be too."

It only feels as if these Beijing Briefing posts are being submitted every six hours; time is speeding up considerably as we approach the Opening Ceremony on 08/08/08. With just 15 days remaining, here's what's going on in China and around the world as preparations heat up.

The International Olympic Committee has been closely monitoring Iraq, provisionally suspending the nation's Olympic committee in June for government meddling. Iraq's leaders had replaced elected NOC members with political operatives, which is strictly against the IOC's rules. Iraq claimed it would launch a full appeal, but never sent a scheduled envoy to Lausanne.

Today, Iraq missed an IOC-imposed deadline to submit a team for next month's Games, and therefore will not attend. It's a long way from the feel-good football success of 2004 (highlighted in U.S. president George W. Bush's winning re-election campaign that year) and last year's transcendent Asian Cup win to chaotic disgrace.

WEIGHTLIFTING: Despite previous reports that claimed otherwise, the "Iranian Hercules," Hossein Rezazadeh (above, winning gold in 2000 at Sydney), will not be in Beijing. His doctors warned him against "heavy and stressful activity," and the Olympics are certainly a heaping helping of both. A car accident last year put a damper on a glorious career that includes two super-heavyweight gold medals in 2000 and 2004, and three annual IWF mentions as the "World's Best Weightlifter."

The countdown has reached 16 days. Here's how China and the rest of the sporting world is getting ready for the Opening Ceremony of the Games of the 29th Olympiad.

ATHLETICS: Greek sprinter Katerina Thanou (above, at a 2003 meet in France), 100m silver medalist at Sydney but an AWOL drug suspect in her home country four years ago, received a boost for her quest for a return to the Games yesterday. Greece placed the 33-year-old Thanou on its official team list, but it's still possible that the IOC will refuse her an athlete pass.

The triple jump gold medalist from Athens 2004, Christian Olsson of Sweden, suffered a thigh muscle injury at yesterday's IAAF Super Grand Prix event in Stockholm and will not be able to defend his Olympic championship. Olsson has fought numerous injuries in past years, and believes that emerging, multi-pierced British leaper Phillips Idowu is best-positioned to replace him at the top of the medal stand next month.

Seventeen days -- just two and a half weeks -- until the Beijing Olympics finally begin. Here's the latest on how the country of China and athletes from around the world are preparing for the Games of the 29th Olympiad.

ATHLETICS: American shot putter Adam Nelson (above, at the U.S. trials) won his event at the "Big Shot" in Sweden yesterday, with a heave of 68 feet, 1 inch. It was notable as the first time at an international meet that the shot put had been contested outside the arena. Organizers set the field up in a downtown Stockholm park with rock music blasting from speakers, and Nelson apparently tossed the winning throw without a shirt on.

BASKETBALL: In a rematch of last year's EuroBasket championship game, the roles were very definitively reversed. Despite 18 points from Andrei Kirilenko, Russia was blown out by Spain 91-56 at the tune-up Torneo Extremadura in Caceres, Spain. Key Russian forward Victor Khryapa, who recently returned to his home country after several years in the NBA, is battling a knee injury and did not play.

Only 18 days remain until the start of the Games of the 29th Olympiad. Will the Chinese government be able to control traffic, emissions, the weather and public perception? Will the athletes of the world make it to Beijing? Here's the daily update on events in the host nation and around the sporting world.

TENNIS: Mary Pierce of France has withdrawn from the Olympics due to continued injury problems, and will be replaced by countrywoman Amelie Mauresmo (above, at Wimbledon in June). Pierce was a surprise choice of the French Tennis Federation to begin with, as she has not played a match in two years. Mauresmo had been passed over for the country's women's singles spot and had been preparing for the U.S. Open instead.

Closer and closer still, from the twenties to the teens we go. Only 19 days remain until the Opening Ceremony of the Beijing Games. Here's the latest on how China, and athletes from around the world, are getting ready.

BASKETBALL: Two countries earned their way to Beijing yesterday: Greece and Croatia. In the semifinals of the FIBA Olympic qualifying tournament, Thodoris Papaloukas (above) and the Greeks destroyed Puerto Rico 88-63, after bursting out to an early 15-4 lead.

Croatia won a tight 76-70 battle against Germany, overcoming Dirk Nowitski and his 30 point, 13 rebound performance. The Croatian national squad, famous for its 1992 runner-up status to the U.S. Dream Team, will return to the Olympics after a 12-year absence.

Germany and Puerto Rico -- which will likely be without star Carlos Arroyo after a calf muscle tear in the semifinal -- will play later today with an Olympic berth on the line.

A mere 20 days remain until the Opening Ceremony of the Beijing Olympics. With just under three weeks left, here's the latest on how China and the sporting world are getting ready.

ATHLETICS: China's star hurdler Liu Xiang, the gold medalist in the 110 meter event in Athens, stands to face a still challenge in Cuba's Dayron Robles (pictured together at a meet in March of this year). At a Golden League meet in Paris Friday, Robles registered a 12.88 second performance, tied for the second-fastest time ever. He owns the world record as well, which he set last month.

The men's 4x100 relay, unlike many of the track events, is not based on time qualification alone. Since 2004, only the top 16 nations with the best average world times can enter, as opposed to the 100 meter dash, which could have -- and has had -- over 100 Olympic aspirants. Squad number 16 in Beijing will be Thailand, which earned the spot with a 38.95 average. The Netherlands came in just behind, with 38.98.

At the Russian championships, 39-year-old Irina Privalova, former women's world champion at the 100 meter distance, failed to make her country's squad. She holds a full set of medals collected at the 1992 and 2000 Games.

Three weeks. Just 21 days remain until the youth of the world answer the call at the Opening Ceremony of the Games of the 29th Olympiad. As we get closer and closer, here's the latest on how China and the sporting world are preparing.

ATHLETICS: Merlene Ottey has run at seven consecutive Olympics -- six times for Jamaica, and once for her new country of Slovenia. Ottey is a three-time silver medalist, including the time she finished second to France's Marie-Jose Perec in 1996 at Atlanta (above, left); she also holds of a record five bronzes. No gold medals, though... yet. Ottey will try to make her eighth Olympic team this weekend in Maribor by qualifying at the 100 meter distance. She's 48 years of age.

Only 22 days remain until the Games of the 29th Olympiad get under way in Beijing. The world is preparing, China is getting ready, are you? Here's the latest.

FOOTBALL: Good news for the United States women's team: another 1-0 friendly victory over the key rivals (and 2004 silver medalists) from Brazil in San Diego. Horrible news: leading scorer Abby Wambach (above) was taken off the field on a stretcher after a collision. X-rays showed a broken leg and she'll miss the Olympics, which will severely impact America's hopes for a successful defense of its Athens gold.

On the men's side, AC Milan has completed its transfer of Ronaldhino from FC Barcelona. One benefit of the move for the Brazilian star is that Milan will allow him to take one of his country's three over-23 roster spots at the Olympics, something Barcelona had forbidden.

Twenty-three short days until the Games of the 29th Olympiad finally arrive. Here's the daily readaround on preparations in China and elsewhere.

BADMINTON: World No. 1 men's singles player Lin Dan (above) throws fits at opposing coaches, wears a t-shirt with a giant image of his own face on it, and dates the No. 1 women's player in the world, fellow Chinese champion Xie Xingfang. NBC's site looks at the man they call "Super Dan" as he attempts to win his first Olympic gold medal.

BASKETBALL: The FIBA qualifying tournament in Athens is just two days old, and the Olympic dreams of several countries are already dashed. After a 104-68 loss to Germany, 0-2 Cape Verde has no chance of surviving to the next round. Cameroon is also eliminated, losing 82-71 to Puerto Rico in its second game. Overmatched Lebanon was a blowout loser to Brazil by a 94-54 count; the Lebanese dropped their first two preliminary games by a combined 57 points.

Just 24 days until the pomp and circumstance that is the Opening Ceremony. Are you ready? China and the rest of the sporting world hopes to be, and here's how those preparations are going.

BASKETBALL: Twelve men's teams are in Athens hoping for one of three remaining passes to Beijing. Yesterday was the opening day of the FIBA qualifying tourney, and a quartet of preliminary games were contested. Croatia beat Cameroon by 14 points, and Slovenia overcame South Korea by a dozen.

Wheat and chaff are being quickly separated. The New Zealand "Tall Blacks" (above) destroyed Cape Verde 77-50, and Greece had the biggest blowout of the day, a 119-62 win over Lebanon. Before the game, Lebanon's Fadi El Khatib was quoted as saying, "We know that against the Greek National Team we really don’t have the slightest possibility of winning." He was right.

The countdown is now at 25 days! As the Opening Ceremony approaches, here's the latest on how China and the sporting world is preparing for the Games of the 29th Olympiad.

VOLLEYBALL: The indomitable American beach duo of Kerri Walsh and Misty May-Treanor (above, l. to r.) won their 90th straight match yesterday at an AVP event in Chicago. Not even Walsh's recent shoulder surgery can stop them.

ATHLETICS: At the 200 meter race at the Athens Grand Prix, Jamaican sprint star Usain Bolt registered a 19.67-second thundercrack, increasing speculation that he may not only double in the two Olympic sprints, but that he might also soon break Michael Johnson's 19.32 record in the 200. Dayron Robles of Cuba put in a 13.05 in the 110 meter hurdles at the same meet, the third-fastest time of the year.

Twenty-six days -- that's all the remaining time we have in order to prepare for the 2008 Olympics. As the Opening Ceremony of the Games of the 29th Olympiad keeps getting closer and closer, here's what's going on around the world and in China.

ATHLETICS: Dwain Chambers of Great Britain (above, center) ended up winning the 100 meter event at his nation's Olympic Trials, but he'll need court intervention to attend next month's Games -- he's been banned for life by the British Olympic Association because of a prior, expired drug offense. Some feel strongly that he should run. The real problem, however, lies in the fact that there were four digits in his time (10.00) during a racing age that deals in high nines. Great Britain really hasn't been able to keep its men's sprinting tradition intact this century. The Union Jack has been held high by a stunning line of legends: Linford Christie, Darren Campbell, Allan Wells, and onward into the past.

The champion of the first Olympic marathon, Spiridon Louis of Greece, won an antique vase for his efforts. The victor in the 2008 edition, in addition to a gold medal, will receive an olive branch wreath from a 2,500-year-old tree in Crete.

The countdown clock reads 27 days, as we sweep through the final month before the Beijing Games. Here's the latest from China and around the world as the Opening Ceremony approaches.

ATHLETICS: The Golden Gala meet in Rome has produced some big news. First of all, South Africa's Oscar Pistorius, the double-amputee runner attempting to reach the 400 meters world "A" qualifying time (45.55 seconds), failed in his second attempt. However, his time of 46.62 was a full second off his time of 47.78 in Milan on July 2.

Athens 2004 women's pole vault gold medalist Yelena Isinbayeva of Russia (above) cleared 16 1/2 feet (5.03 meters) to set a new world record at the same meet. Her WR had been 5.01 meters, and she'd tried for three years to break it at 5.02, but the 5.03 attempt was the self-inflicted psych-out she needed. Meanwhile, Asafa Powell of Jamaica pulled out of the 100m with a sore groin. He'll be okay, but the winner of the event was Portugal's Francis Obikwelu in 10.04 seconds. With all the Powell-Usain Bolt-Tyson Gay hype, don't forget that Obikwelu won the Olympic silver medal four years ago.

Four weeks -- just 28 short days -- until the Games of the 29th Olympiad begin. What's going on in China and around the world as the Opening Ceremony approaches? Glad you asked.

FOOTBALL: FIFA, the sport's world governing organization, announced that players under 23 years old must be released by their domestic clubs so they can compete in the 2008 Olympics. Considering that FIFA itself is responsible for the rules that have made the Olympic tournament a U-23 event instead of an open competition featuring the best of the best (and therefore, not a competitor to its own World Cup), this seems two parts reiteration and one part conciliatory gesture.

Indeed, FIFA stated that release of overage players -- of which each side can have but three -- is "not compulsory." So Brazilian superstar Kaká, 26, has little chance of release from AC Milan, which yesterday made clear its refusal to allow him to play for his home country. On the other hand, Ryan Babel from Liverpool FC (above), a 21-year-old, will likely be playing for the Netherlands in Beijing despite dire warnings from his manager. And as mentioned Wednesday, the fight between Brazil's Olympic dreamer Ronaldinho, 28, and Barcelona F.C. continues.

The countdown to the Opening Ceremony has reached 29. Let's check in on preparations in China and around the sporting world as the Games of the 29th Olympiad draw ever closer.

SWIMMING: With all the Michael Phelps this and Michael Phelps that, it's easy to forget that Kosuke Kitajima of Japan (above) is going into Beijing attempting to recreate the breaststroke 100m-200m double he pulled off in Athens, and recently cut down his own world record in the 200. Phelps is nowhere near world-class in the breaststroke, but American Brendan Hansen -- Kitajima's primary rival -- is. That Hansen didn't make the squad in the 200 at the recent U.S. trials was an overshadowed and underreported story, rife with portent.

ARCHERY: The United States owns 31 archery medals all-time, but that number is likely to be eclipsed this year by hard-charging, straight-shooting South Korea, which has 25 and is already tied in the gold column at 14. South Korea has only been competing at the Olympics since 1948, but its archers -- most notably, its female ones -- are a dynasty in progress.

Thirty days to go (the same number as the contents of the sports docket) until the Games of the 29th Olympiad begin. And there are 30 reasons to watch, says China Daily. Let's check in on how things are coming along in China and elsewhere as the world gets ready for the Opening Ceremony.

FOOTBALL: One of the most fascinating undercurrents in the history of the modern Olympics has been the ongoing clash between the Olympics and FIFA, the sport's governing body -- stoked, in part, by the growing relevance of the World Cup in the past century-or-so. You can expect a good-sized overview of that history in this space sometime in the coming weeks. For now, the Olympic tournament is an ersatz Under-23 championship, with three "over-age" professionals allowed per side. Brazilian Ronaldinho (pictured, above) has long sought to compete at the Games, and was granted one of those three spots when the the country recently announced its squad.

It's 07.08.08 (in America, at least), exactly one month away from the all-eights date of the Opening Ceremony. Preparations in China (for both good and bad) and around the world are ongoing; let's see what's going on today.

DIVING: The United States didn't earn a single medal in diving at Athens -- the first time in 92 years it was completely shut out in this discipline. The team for Beijing was revealed yesterday, and will include 15-year-old synchro divers Haley Ishimatsu and Mary Beth Dunnichay (pictured above, at the 2007 Pan Am Games).

BADMINTON: The U.S. television network NBC requested that athletics, gymnastics and basketball events be held early in the morning in Beijing, so they can be broadcast live during American prime time. TV outlets in Asia have other priorities. They successfully lobbied the Badminton World Federation to push the date of the badminton draw ceremony up eight days so that they can better schedule their Olympic coverage. "The recent news was received with much joy," according to the press release.

Denmark, the only non-Asian nation to win an Olympic gold medal in badminton (Poul-Erik Hoyer-Larsen, men's singles in 1996), announced its team. Kenneth Jonassen, the 2008 European champion and world No. 5, will try to repeat Hoyer-Larsen's feat.

Just 32 days remain until the Olympic flame is lit once again. Here are some of the recent developments as China and the sporting world make their preparations.

ATHLETICS: A busy 11-final day (results) as the U.S. track trials concluded. Allyson Felix won the 200 meters for women in 21.82 seconds after barely missing the team in the 100 (pictured, above). Lolo Jones, who missed the 2004 Games, was the most excited winner all day with a 12.29-second win in the women's 100-meter hurdles. Stacy Dragila, a pioneer in women's pole vault, didn't make the team this year, and neither did three-time Olympian hurdler Allen Johnson, who pulled up lame in a qualifying round for the 110 meter event. Tyson Gay, who didn't make it out of the 200 meter quarters with a sudden injury, said that he'll be 100 percent ready to run the 100 in Beijing.

Other track and field trials were going on as well this weekend. Kenya announced its Olympic roster of middle-to-long distance runners, and Canada's trials were highlighted by Tabia Charles' qualification in the women's long jump... while wearing a fishnet stocking!

Meanwhile, Russia's premier female hurdler, world 400m record holder Yulia Pechyonkina, pulled out of the Beijing Games with a heart problem.

The countdown continues toward the Opening Ceremony of the Games of the 29th Olympiad in Beijing. Here's what's going on around the world and in China this weekend, with just 33 days to go.

SWIMMING: It was Day 7 of the U.S. swim trials. Garrett Weber-Gale will be a 100 meter butterfly and 50 meter freestyle Olympian, setting an American record in the 50 free, then flashing a "Hook 'Em Horns" gesture to honor the University of Texas.

Remember that exciting 50 meter freestyle race in Sydney eight years ago? An improbable tie between Anthony Ervin and Gary Hall (right). Hall, the self-proclaimed "Godfather of American Swimming," won't be in Beijing, finishing fourth in the 50. The rival Australians, whom Hall said the U.S. relay team would "smash like guitars" in 2000, are happy about the development.

In what seems to be daily news around here, Michael Phelps won another event -- this time, the 100 meter butterfly in 51.62 seconds. In the women's events, Margaret Hoelzer set a WR in the 200 meter backstroke with a 2:06.09 time. Katie Hoff, who's really made a name for herself this week, won the 800m free in a meet record 8:25:38.

ATHLETICS: In a shocking development at the U.S. trials, Tyson Gay crashed out of the 200 meter quarterfinals with a severe cramp that he described as "sort of a pull 40 meters in." Gay was attempting to run the 100-200 double in Beijing, but failed in a scene that recalled Michael Johnson's collapse in the 200 meter trials eight years ago. So, expect at least a small dose of the classic "trials versus selection" debate. Other winners (and Olympians-in-waiting) included Jessica Cosby in the women's hammer throw, Jesse Williams in the men's high jump, Anthony Famiglietti in the men's steeplechase and Michelle Carter in the women's shot put with a personal best.

We're now just 34 days -- under five weeks -- from 08.08.08, the date of the Opening Ceremony. Let's see what's happening around the world and in China as the countdown continues.

ATHLETICS: Kenya stands to clean up again in the distance events, but there's some controversy over defending Olympic steeplechase champion Ezekiel Kemboi (above, center, at Athens 2004). Or rather, his jumping style. "We can't risk such an athlete at the Olympics. If he does not improve, we shall take [Paul Kipsiele] Koech (2004 bronze, above right) and drop him," said NOC chairman Kip Keino, who knows a little something about steeplechase... he won the event at Munich in 1972.

It was announced that Jamaican 100 meter medal contenders Usain Bolt, the world record holder, and Asafa Powell, the former WR holder, won't have to wait until Beijing -- they'll meet up in Stockholm on July 22.

Meanwhile, the U.S trials continued in Oregon on the national Independence Day holiday (results here). A.G. Kruger was the only hammer throw participant to hit the world "A" standard, and Abdi Abdirahman took a grueling 10000m race. Kara Goucher has qualified for the women's 5000 and 10000 meter combo, but her husband, Adam, couldn't make the team in the 10000 men's event.

Here's the daily update on how China and the rest of the world is preparing for the Games of the 29th Olympiad. The countdown is now at 35, and you can buy a badge to commemorate that.

ATHLETICS: The U.S. track and field trials continue in Eugene, Oregon after a couple of rest days. LaShawn Merritt is emerging as a 400 meter threat, winning the U.S. Olympic trial in that event with a 44-second finish. Meanwhile, Anna Willard set an American record of 9:27.59 in the 3000 meter steeplechase.

SWIMMING: Three finals at the U.S. swimming trials yesterday: Scott Spann won the 200 meter breaststroke for men in a "shocker," as 2004 bronze medalist Brendan Hansen failed to make the team. Elaine Breeden took the women's 200m butterfly, and Garrett Weber-Gale eked out a win in the 100m freestyle.

Another day closer to the Opening Ceremony in Beijing. Here's what's going on around the world and in China as the countdown reaches 36.

SWIMMING: Katie Hoff (pictured, above) is emerging as the breakthrough star of the U.S. swimming trials in Omaha, Nebraska this week -- everyone already know who that Michael Phelps character was already and what he's capable of (he won the 200 meter butterfly yesterday). The 19-year-old Hoff will be competing at her first Olympics, and registered herself for three events so far, including the 200 meter freestyle in American-record time (1:55.88).

But don't overlook the double pulled off by Kim Vandenberg, who will compete in both the 200 meter butterfly and freestyle events. Even Phelps was impressed.

The Opening Ceremony draws ever closer, with only 37 days remaining until the Games of the 29th Olympiad begin. Here's what's happening in China and around the world in preparation.

SWIMMING: Day three of the U.S. Olympic trials in Omaha, and there were two more world records to bring the meet's total to six. The 100 meter backstroke marks for both genders have been re-written, as Natalie Coughlin (again) and Aaron Piersol swam to historic glory in making the American teams in that event. Both were wearing those Speedo LZR suits that have been all the rage lately.

Malaysian swimmers have to get up extra-early to train these days, as the Australians who have rented out the country's entire National Aquatic Center to acclimate to Beijing-level humidity won't let the host country train after 8 am. Not even two lanes!

BASKETBALL: The FIBA wildcard tournament starts in two weeks in Athens, with 12 countries chasing the last three Beijing spots. As is custom, there won't be a final (both teams will have qualified), but the third-place game between the semifinal losers will be an exciting Olympic eliminator. Four of the teams are from Europe (Greece, Germany, Croatia and Slovenia), separated across the four groups, and the Germans seem to have the easiest (B) with Cape Verde and New Zealand. Germany, with Dallas Mavericks star Dirk Nowitski (pictured, above), routed Poland yesterday 92-70 in a friendly match. Nowitski is chasing a lifelong Olympic dream, to his NBA owner's chagrin.

Only 38 days left to go until the Opening Ceremony of the Beijing Games. Here's the latest on preparations in China and elsewhere.

SWIMMING: Whether it's the sweet Omaha water or those controversial Speedo swimsuits, world records are dropping like threshed wheat at the U.S. Olympic Trials. Hayley McGregory registered a WR-setting 59.15 in the semifinals of the 100 meter backstroke, but Natalie Coughlin (pictured, above, at a 2007 meet) set a new mark at 59.03. Other winners, and Olympians-in-waiting, included Katie Hoff (400m freestyle), who set the world record in the 400 IM on Sunday, and Christine Magnuson (100m butterfly).

It's the last day of June, and tomorrow we all can start using "next month" when referring to the Games of the 29th Olympiad. Here's the daily recap of what's going on in the world of the Games.

SWIMMING: At the U.S. Swimming trials in Nebraska, seven-gold hopeful Michael Phelps (pictured, above) broke the world record in the 400 meter individual medley with a 4:05.25 performance -- nearly a second beyond his own previous WR mark. Ryan Lochte, who doesn't figure to simply sit back and watch his national rival grab all the glory this summer, submitted a 4:06.08, which now stands as the second-fastest time ever. But that's not all from Omaha: in the women's 400 IM, Katie Hoff slid under Australian Stephanie Rice's world record in that event an hour later, notching a 4:31.12.

ATHLETICS: It won't stand as a world record, but spectators at the U.S. Track and Field trials were treated to the fastest 100 meter dash in history -- Tyson Gay scorched the track to a 9.68 tune. But the wind was measured at 4.1 meters per second, twice the allowable. With current world record holder Jamaican Usain Bolt (9.72) winning in that country's trials over the weekend, we may have the most exciting Olympic showdown ever in an event that's seen its share of them. Bolt, by the way, registered a 19.97 in the 200m to verify his campaign towards a 100-200 double.

The countdown reaches another round number: only 40 days until the Opening Ceremony. Here's what's going on in China and around the world on this busy Olympic preparation weekend.

ATHLETICS: There's a new American record in the 100 meters, as Tyson Gay bested the nine-year old mark of 9.79 (eventual Sydney gold medalist Maurice Greene) with a 9.77 at the U.S. trials in Oregon. On the same day, current world's fastest man Usain Bolt topped former WFM Asafa Powell at the Jamaican trials in Kingston with a 9.85 performance. Powell's second-place 9.97 assured him of a spot on the Jamaican team. "I think that Asafa stopped running from about 80m out," Bolt said afterwards.

Even Michael Johnson himself recognizes Bolt as a 100-200 threat and a contender to smash his record in the 200.

Lots of qualifying and tuning up during this last weekend in June. Let's take a look at goings-on in China and around the world as our Olympic countdown reaches 41 days.

ATHLETICS: The hyper-competitive United States trials are underway in Eugene, Oregon, which hasn't hosted the event since 1980. The first U.S. track Olympians were named last night in the women's 10000m, won by Massachusetts native Shalene Flanagan. In the women's 100m heats, Marshevet Hooker ran a wind-aided 10.76, the fastest time in the event since 2000.

The Jamaican trials are going on simultaneously. The 100m clash will feature the two fastest men in the world right now, Usain Bolt and Asafa Powell, who have never met in competition. Bolt, who nipped Powell's 100m world record at the Reebok Grand Prix on May 31 with a 9.72 second performance (pictured above), may be a Beijing threat in the 200m as well.

Six weeks remain until the start of the Beijing Games. Here's our daily update on what's happening around the Olympic world in the past 24 hours. Unfortunately, most of today's news involves drugs.

ATHLETICS: The U.S. trials begin today in lovely Eugene, Oregon, with runners and field athletes competing for spots on the team that has dominated throughout Olympic history. The single final held today will be the women's 10000m, and you can see the full schedule here. One person who won't be in Eugene is defending 100m Olympic champion Justin Gatlin (pictured, above, at the 2006 U.S. championships), who ran into a legal brick wall during his doping ban appeals process. He will not compete this weekend, nor in Beijing.

In non-U.S. track news, India's 4x400m women's relay squad qualified for Beijing's 16-team field. Look out for Cuba's Yeimar Lopez in the 800m -- he dropped a 1:43.07 this week, a time which would have won either of the last two Olympic finals.

Our Beijing countdown has reached 43 days. Here's the rundown on what's happening around the world and in China as the Games of the 29th Olympiad approach.

BASKETBALL: Host China's hopes for a strong showing are heavily reliant on the size 18 feet of Yao Ming (pictured, right, at a torchbearer selection ceremony last July), and he declared himself 80 percent recovered from recent foot surgery yesterday and will