Beijing Olympic Games take off

The Beijing 2008 Olympic Games open today with almost 10,000 athletes from all over the world expected to compete in the biggest sports event.

The opening ceremony is expected to be witnessed by more than four billions people including 70 heads of state who were still arriving in Beijing by yesterday evening.

President George W. Bush Prime Minister Vladimir Putin of Russia and 50 other international guests were expected to arrive yesterday for the Games.

Another 11 leaders including French President Nicolas Sarkozy, Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda and the President of the Republic of Korea, Lee Myung-bak, are expected to arrive today to attend the ceremony of the event billed as `biggest ever on earth`.

A Tanzanian contigent of 10 athletes and several officials arrived here on Tuesday ready for the Games which will end on August 24.

The athletes ni the squad are Musenduki Mohammed Ikoki, Samson Ramadhani Nyoni and Getuli Amnaay Bayo who will compete in marathon.

Others are Zakaria Mrisho (5,000m), Samwel Kwang`w (10,000m), Dickson Marwa (10,000m), Samwel Mwera (800m) and Fabian Joseph (5,000 and 10,000m) respectively.

Khalid Shaka and Magdalena Alex Moshi will represent the country in swimming.

The team is under captain Fabian Joseph who is expected to be a flag bearer.

Charles Nyange, Tanzania Chief of the Mission, said the team were in good condition and will start their campaign of trying to win at least an Olympic Games medal in this Games on August 17.

Tanzania won their last Olympic Games medals in Moscow through Suleiman Nyambui and Filbert Bayi who won silver each.