Ready, Set, Go.docVIP

Ready, Set, Go 　　The Chinese people’s passion to run for fun and better health was taken to a new height by the Beijing Olympics. Situated among fascinating architectural structures， Beijing’s Olympic Forest Park is a special place. The 2008 Beijing Olympics organizers was made a wise decision to turn a huge nature reserve in a northern section of the city into a beautiful park open to all. Even on a very hot and humid day in late June， with temperatures reaching 32 degrees Celsius， this place was packed with Beijingers， all doing what they like most―stretching， running or just relaxing on the green grass. 　　“Ready， Set， Go.” Momentarily， I found myself surrounded by other 5K-runners during a recent running event. A special synthetic rubberized track made by Italian world-leading manufacturer Mondo felt good under my sneakers. Athletes claim that new technology-tracks give a more consistent and powerful bounce， and I certainly felt it. Around me， I saw all kinds of folk： from professional athletes to slowly walking amateurs taking selfies， singing or playing with kids while following the course. Runners with different talents， speeds and hobbies merged into one peaceful crowd. Nobody complained， and diversity coexisted with harmony. 　　Taking part in the event was also a joy because the track was designed and built as an integral part of the park’s ecological environment. Landscaped by world-class garden designers headed by Hu Jie， an associate professor of urban planning with the prestigious Tsinghua University， the park features peach trees and colorful， aromatic Chinese roses and chrysanthemums， while cypress trees add a touch of thoughtful ornamentation. Everything looked soothing and piaoliang （beautiful）！ Trees， bushes and flowers appeared as grateful spectators， easing the runners’ task by creating a pleasant， multi-layered， multi-herbal atmosphere. The park is justifiably proud of its free aromatherapy， which any beauty salon would eagerly borrow. 　　A