With just days to go before the 2008 Olympics kick off in Beijing, royalty, athletes and sports fans alike have been descending on the Chinese capital. Among them is International Olympic committee member Prince Albert, who jetted in by private plane on Monday.
He was greeted by China's assistant foreign minister Wu Hongbo as he touched down at the international airport ready to get his busy Olympics schedule underway. As well as taking in the action in the capital the sporty Monegasque ruler, who's competed five times in the Winter Games' bobsleigh event, will travel to Hong Kong to watch the equestrian events and keep up with the sailing at Qingdao, too.
Also now in Beijing is Spanish Wimbledon tennis champ Rafael Nadal who's aiming for glory in the men's singles event. "I'm going to really enjoy the Olympic atmosphere," he says.
He's not the only one already settling into the Olympic village. Brazilian ace Ronaldinho - one of football's biggest stars - arrived over the weekend. "We all know that if we win this medal we will make history," he says. "It's an unprecedented title… It's a very important competition. Just as important to us as the World Cup and other big tournaments."
Photo: © Alphapress.com
Photo: © Alphapress.com
Photo: © Alphapress.com
