Almost everything is in place for Beijing’s hosting of the 2008 Olympics slated Aug. 8 to 24.

Chen Yongshan, Cultural Counselor of the Chinese Embassy in the Philippines, yesterday disclosed that all 37 venues for the Games have already been completed in time for the three-week sports extravaganza.

“The Chinese government has promoted the Games to highlight China’s emergence on the world stage. We have 12 newly-built venues, 11 others were renovated and eight were temporarily constructed to host the events,” Chen said in the weekly SCOOP sa Kamayan Forum in Padre Faura.

Chen added the construction of the Beijing National Stadium, the Games’ centerpiece venue nicknamed as the “Bird Nest” with its nest-like skeletal structure, has been finished ahead of schedule since the government started building it five years ago.

The National Stadium, which has a seating capacity of 80,000, will host the opening and closing ceremonies set to start on Aug. 8 at 8:08 p.m. in connection with the Games’ lucky number, 8-8-8.

Cultural attache Gao Jingyi, who accompanied Chen in the forum, said 302 events in 28 sports will be competed in the Games — the same number in the last edition held in Athens, Greece in 2004.

Some events, such as the women’s 3,000-meter steeplechase, BMX racing in cycling and 10-kilometer marathon swimming are also added to their respective disciplines.

“Of those 302 events, 165 will be disputed in the men’s division, 127 in the women’s and 10 for mixed,” Gao said.

Other events will be played in Quinhuangdao, Shanghai, Shenyang, Tianjin, Hong Kong and Qingdao.

The Organizing Committee, according to Gao, is expecting 8,000 to 10,000 delegates and sports officials and almost one million visitors throughout the world.

The Beijing’s subway system also underwent a major expansion to increase its capacity and accommodate visitors.

An additional of seven lines and more than 80 stations were constructed, including a direct link to the Beijing Capital International Airport, apart from the original four lines and 64 stations.

“The Chinese government is leaving no stone unturned in making the Games the most successful ever,” Chen said.

The Olympic slogan of the Games, “One World, One Dream,” calls for unity of the whole world under the Olympic spirit.