Beijing 2008 Olympic Games: Current Olympic Records: Athletics (Women)

Like the Five Olympic Rings from which they draw their color and inspiration, Fuwa will serve as the Official Mascots of Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, carrying a message of friendship and peace -- and good wishes from China -- to children all over the world.

Designed to express the playful qualities of five little children who form an intimate circle of friends, Fuwa also embody the natural characteristics of four of China's most popular animals -- the Fish, the Panda, the Tibetan Antelope, the Swallow -- and the Olympic Flame.

Each of Fuwa has a rhyming two-syllable name -- a traditional way of expressing affection for children in China. Beibei is the Fish, Jingjing is the Panda, Huanhuan is the Olympic Flame, Yingying is the Tibetan Antelope and Nini is the Swallow.

When you put their names together -- Bei Jing Huan Ying Ni -- they say "Welcome to Beijing," offering a warm invitation that reflects the mission of Fuwa as young ambassadors for the Olympic Games.

Fuwa also embody both the landscape and the dreams and aspirations of people from every part of the vast country of China. In their origins and their headpieces, you can see the five elements of nature -- the sea, forest, fire, earth and sky -- all stylistically rendered in ways that represent the deep traditional influences of Chinese folk art and ornamentation.

In the ancient culture of China, there is a grand tradition of spreading good wishes through signs and symbols. Each of Fuwa symbolizes a different blessing -- and will honor this tradition by carrying their good wishes to the children of the world. Prosperity, happiness, passion, health and good luck will be spread to every continent as Fuwa carry their invitation to Beijing 2008 to every part of the globe.

At the heart of their mission -- and through all of their work -- Fuwa will seek to unite the world in peace and friendship through the Olympic spirit. Dedicated to helping Beijing 2008 spread its theme of One World, One Dream to every continent, Fuwa reflect the deep desire of the Chinese people to reach out to the world in friendship through the Games -- and to invite every man, woman and child to take part in the great celebration of human solidarity that China will host in the light of the flame in 2008.

In China's traditional culture and art, the fish and water designs are symbols of prosperity and harvest. And so Beibei carries the blessing of prosperity. A fish is also a symbol of surplus in Chinese culture, another measure of a good year and a good life.

The ornamental lines of the water-wave designs are taken from well-known Chinese paintings of the past. Among Fuwa, Beibei is known to be gentle and pure. Strong in water sports, she reflects the blue Olympic ring.

Jingjing makes children smile -- and that's why he brings the blessing of happiness wherever he goes. You can see his joy in the charming naivety of his dancing pose and the lovely wave of his black and white fur. As a national treasure and a protected species, pandas are adored by people everywhere. The lotus designs in Jingjing's headdress, which are inspired by the porcelain paintings of the Song Dynasty (A.D.960-1234), symbolize the lush forest and the harmonious relationship between man and nature. Jingjing was chosen to represent our desire to protect nature's gifts -- and to preserve the beauty of nature for all generations. Jingjing is charmingly naïve and optimistic. He is an athlete noted for strength who represents the black Olympic ring.

In the intimate circle of Fuwa, Huanhuan is the big brother. He is a child of fire, symbolizing the Olympic Flame and the passion of sport -- and passion is the blessing he bestows. Huanhuan stands in the center of Fuwa as the core embodiment of the Olympic spirit. And while he inspires all with the passion to run faster, jump higher and be stronger, he is also open and inviting. Wherever the light of Huanhuan shines, the inviting warmth of Beijing 2008 -- and the wishful blessings of the Chinese people -- can be felt. The fiery designs of his head ornament are drawn from the famed Dunhuang murals -- with just a touch of China's traditional lucky designs. Huanhuan is outgoing and enthusiastic. He excels at all the ball games and represents the red Olympic ring.

Saturday, August 9, 2008

Current Olympic Records: Athletics (Women)

Event	Name	NOC	Result	Date	Location
100m	Florence GRIFFITH JOYNER	USA	10.62	24 Sep 1988	Seoul, KOR
200m	Florence GRIFFITH JOYNER	USA	21.34	29 Sep 1988	Seoul, KOR
400m	Marie-José PÉREC	FRA	48.25	29 Jul 1996	Atlanta, GA, USA
800m	Nadezhda OLIZARENKO	URS	1:53.43	27 Jul 1980	Moscow, URS
1500m	Paula IVAN	ROM	3:53.96	26 Sep 1988	Seoul, KOR
5000m	Gabriela SZABO	ROM	14:40.79	25 Sep 2000	Sydney, AUS
10000m	Derartu TULU	ETH	30:17.49	30 Sep 2000	Sydney, AUS
Marathon	Naoko TAKAHASHI	JPN	2:23:14	24 Sep 2000	Sydney, AUS
100m Hurdles	Joanna HAYES	USA	12.37	24 Aug 2004	Athens, GRE
400m Hurdles	Faní HALKIÁ	GRE	52.77	22 Aug 2004	Athens, GRE
4 x 100m Relay	Romy MÜLLER	GDR	41.60	01 Aug 1980	Moscow, URS
	Bärbel WÖCKEL
	Ingrid AUERSWALD
	Marlies GÖHR
4 x 400m Relay	Tatyana LEDOVSKAYA	URS	3:15.17	01 Oct 1988	Seoul, KOR
	Olga NAZAROVA
	Mariya PINIGINA
	Olga BRYZGINA
20km Walk	Liping WANG	CHN	1:29:05	28 Sep 2000	Sydney, AUS
High Jump	Yelena SLESARENKO	RUS	2.06	28 Aug 2004	Athens, GRE
Long Jump	Jackie JOYNER-KERSEE	USA	7.40	29 Sep 1988	Seoul, KOR
Pole Vault	Yelena ISINBAYEVA	RUS	4.91	24 Aug 2004	Athens, GRE
Triple Jump	Inessa KRAVETS	UKR	15.33	04 Aug 1996	Atlanta, GA, USA
Shot Put	Ilona SLUPIANEK	GDR	22.41	24 Jul 1980	Moscow, URS
Discus Throw	Martina HELLMANN	GDR	72.30	29 Sep 1988	Seoul, KOR
Hammer Throw	Olga KUZENKOVA	RUS	75.02	25 Aug 2004	Athens, GRE
Javelin Throw	Osleidys MENÉNDEZ	CUB	71.53	27 Aug 2004	Athens, GRE
Heptathlon	Jackie JOYNER-KERSEE	USA	7291	24 Sep 1988	Seoul, KOR

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