Heavy construction industry
The Chinese national flag is raised during the opening ceremony of the 2022 Winter Olympics, Friday, Feb. 4, 2022, in Beijing. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)
In Beijing, Olympic ideals coexist with authoritarian rule

By Tim Sullivan Feb. 04, 2022 11:26 PM EST

File-Jamaica's Usain Bolt poses next to a scoreboard after winning the gold and setting a new world record in the men's 200-meter final during the athletics competitions in the National Stadium at the Beijing 2008 Olympics in Beijing, Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2008. The Olympics are remembered for the stars. That was true in Beijing in 2008, and the stars were Michael Phelps and Bolt. But Beijing is also storied for its signature venues like the “Bird's Nest” stadium, and the “Water Cube” swimming venue. No Olympics before — or since — have impacted a city the way the Olympics did Beijing. (AP Photo/Thomas Kienzle, File)
Bird's Nest and Water Cube: Beijing venues were stars, too

By Stephen Wade Aug. 16, 2020 03:39 PM EDT

FILE - In this Oct. 10, 1964 file photo, Japanese runner Yoshinori Sakai lights the Olympic cauldron during the opening ceremony of the 1964 Summer Olympics in Tokyo. Sakai was born in Hiroshima on Aug. 6, 1945, the day the nuclear weapon destroyed that city. He symbolized the rebirth of Japan after the Second World War as he opened the 1964 Tokyo Games. Sakai was born in Hiroshima on Aug. 6, 1945, the day the United States dropped an atomic bomb on the city. Just over 19 years later, he ran with the Olympic flame into the national stadium, left the cinder track, and jogged up a long flight of flower-lined stairs to reach the top. (AP Photo/File)
Man born in Hiroshima lights 1964 Tokyo Olympic cauldron

By Stephen Wade Aug. 05, 2020 03:15 PM EDT