The Official Website of the Beijing 2008 Olympic GamesAugust 8-24 2008
(BEIJING, August 10) -- For volunteer Guan Jian, the night of August 8, 2008 is most memorable, not only because it was her wedding night, but also because it was a night of volunteer service for the Beijing Olympic Games.
Guan and her partner had been in love for ten years and decided to join hundreds of others to wed on August 8, an auspicious date in the eyes of Chinese, who believe that the number eight is lucky. Not only is August 8, 2008 full of eights, it was also the kick off date of the first China-hosted Olympic Games.
On August 8, Guan led a dozen volunteers in performing a 24-hour service to assist a security and evacuation team near the Olympic Village and the National Stadium, or "Bird's Nest." They sacrificed the opportunity of attending the Olympic Opening Ceremony, staying on the job until the early morning hours of August 9 to see the last of 100,000 spectators off.
"I had a meaningful night despite missing being with my husband," Guan told the press.
