The Road to Beijing - MSNBC.com

Meet Iran’s basketball team

July 22: NBC’s George Lewis takes a special look at Iran’s Olympic basketball team and their stop in the U.S. before competing in Beijing. Watch video

Latest features

Don't ask tourists age or wage, China warns
Long considered idle chit-chat, topics become latest area of censure

Swimmer’s agent: ‘Jessica is innocent. Period.’
21-year-old swimmer reportedly tested positive for banned substance

One family, three shots at Olympic gold
Siblings make history as they head to Beijing on the U.S. Taekwondo Team

MORE NEWS AND OTHER FEATURES

Baby daughter inspires Olympic boxer

41-year-old mom ready for 5th Olympics

Beijing polishes up image, welcomes visitors

Culinary adventures in Beijing

Olympics prompt a new slew of travel guides

‘Rome 1960': Politics at play in Olympic Games

Michael Phelps: Greatest Olympian ever?

Quiz: What's Phelps' 'hidden talent'?

Gallery: Your inspirational athletes

Can Wariner top Johnson?

Gymnasts flip for the gold

Ann Curry fences with Olympian

Army Olympians prepare for different kind of combat

'Kung pao chicken' on menus for Olympics

Olympic hopeful’s mission: Teach minorities to swim

How Nike is lacing up the athletes for Beijing

Overcoming the Olympic hurdles of visiting Beijing

At 45, former swimmer aims for Olympics

3 winning recipes fit for an Olympic champion

Meet chef who fuels U.S. Olympic dreams

Gold-medal moms prepare to storm Beijing

Gold-medal advice, from Olympian to child

BMX makes Olympic debut! Is the world ready?

BMX bikes invade the plaza

Slideshow: Blast off for Beijing

Slideshow: Building the Beijing venues

Slide show: Women train for medal ceremony

Want to cheer on a U.S. Olympic athlete?

WEB EXTRA VIDEO: TODAY in Beijing

	Meredith tries on hats with tourists Aug 7: While in the Forbidden City, TODAY's Meredith Vieira poses for photos, visits a gift shop, and finds out her Chinese name.
	Web extra video: China's rising athletes Aug. 7: Watch them in action and TODAY host Meredith Vieira play with the volleyball team, who nicknamed her "Little Potato."
	Web extra: Meredith at the Forbidden City Aug 6: TODAY host Meredith Vieira with composer Tan Dun and Jiang Xiao-Yu, vice chairman of the Beijing Olympic Committee.
	Behind the scenes with Tan Dun Aug 6: The TODAY team got to see the Oscar-winning composer, who is writing the 2008 opening ceremony, recording in Beijing.

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Image: USA Olympic atheletes

Olympic portraits
From swimmer Michael Phelps to softball’s Jennie Finch, watch for these sports stars at the Beijing Games.

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Get to know your Olympians

Misty sings karaoke!
July 16: Find out some of the Olympic athletes' favorite karaoke songs and listen to Misty May-Treanor sing her favorite.

Meet the Lopez gang

Katie Hoff: Olympian. Dancer.

Olympians’ hidden talents

8 things you didn't know about a fencer

Bela Karolyi impersonations

Who's your Olympic crush?

What’s your favorite Chinese food?

Your turn!

Inspirational athletes
In honor of the 2008 Olympics, we're celebrating the athletes in your own life who inspire greatness.

Slideshows

AP	Blast off for Beijing Images of the celebrations, and tensions, leading up to the Summer Olympics.
AFP - Getty Images	Ladies in training Chinese women train to take part in medal ceremony for 2008 Olympics
Getty Images	Building for Beijing A look at the brand new and very expensive venues for the 2008 Summer Olympic Games.

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Image: David Beckham

Amazing athletes
From Beckham to Bryant, see powerful portraits from Sports Illustrated photographer Walter Iooss.

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