The 2008 Olympics begin in Beijing today with more than 200 countries taking part in the opening ceremony at the Bird's Nest stadium starting at midnight.

The build-up to the Games has featured concerns over pollution and protests over China's human rights record.

Organising Committee's spokesman Sun Weide said they are hoping that these will be great Games, even the greatest.

Seventeen of the 28 sports feature tomorrow, with the games running until 24th August.

Seven gold medals are available tomorrow. In all nearly 11,000 athletes from around the world will compete for around 1,000 medals in 302 events.