On January 16 the Torch Relay Center of the Beijing Organizing Committee for the Games of the XXIX Olympiad (BOCOG) will publish the image and look of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Torch Relay.

Based on the torch, theme slogan, core graphics and colors of the torch relay, the look of the relay was created with the elements of a phoenix pattern and lucky clouds, in conformity with the image and look system of the Beijing Olympic Games. The design has a unique visual effect, notably different from past Olympic Games. Rich with the characteristics of the times, it reflects traditional Chinese culture to the fullest.

The design of the image and look of the torch relay includes five components, namely the design of the torch and collaterals; the torch relay uniforms; the convoy and chartered aircraft; the backdrop; and the city look.

January 21 marks the 200-day countdown to the Beijing Olympics. On that occasion, Beijing, Qingdao and other co-host cities will hold a series of celebrations, as the day marks the beginning of the last battle for the success of the Olympic preparations.

In January, four Good Luck Beijing sport events will be staged. They are: the International Handball Tournament (January 5-12) at the Olympic Sports Center Gymnasium and the National Indoor Stadium; the Wheelchair Basketball International Invitational Tournament (January 20-25) at the National Indoor Stadium; the Weightlifting International Invitational Tournament (January 22-23) at the Beijing University of Aeronautics & Astronautics Gymnasium; the Swimming China Open (January 31-February 5) at the National Aquatics Center, dubbed the "Water Cube."

The landmark venue of the "Water Cube" will be unveiled on January 31. The project is the only Olympic venue to be built with donations from compatriots.

The aquatics center will host the swimming, diving and synchronized swimming events to produce 42 gold medals during the Olympic Game. With a construction area of 80,000 sq meters, the center contains 17,000 seats, of which 11,000 are temporary. The cubic 177m x 177m x 31m project houses a competition hall, a warm-up hall and a water sports hall, divided by bubble-like walls. Comprising spectator seats and swimming and diving pools, the competition hall is a major Games-time facility. The walls and roof of the "Water Cube" are supported by multi-faceted steel structures covered by inflatable cushions of ETFE membrane measuring 100,000 sq meters. It is the first of its kind in China and the largest and most complicated membrane structure in the world.

The project has attracted wide attention because of the application of new technologies. As such, it won the 2006 Best of What's New Award of the renowned "Popular Science" Magazine. After the Olympics, the project will become a large-scale and multi-functional water sports center to hold domestic and international sporting events. It will be a precious Olympic legacy and a part of the new landscape in Beijing.

At the end of January, the BOCOG Ticketing Center will publish the lottery results of the phase two domestic ticket sales. Buyers will be notified of the results through the official website of the BOCOG Ticketing Center, a personal e-mail message or a mailed letter.

To ensure security, eradicate fake tickets, control speculative ticket reselling, and safeguard the legitimate interests of the majority of the buyers, a real-name entry system will be applied for the opening and closing ceremonies of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.

Under these circumstances, ticket purchasers are required to submit their personal photograph and identification to facilitate the examination of their tickets' authenticity and effectiveness.

The submission time frame is from January 15 to January 31, 2008.