Visitors have a photo taken inside the National Stadium in Beijing on August 8, 2023 to mark the 15th anniversary of the Beijing 2008 Olympics. Photos: VCG

Tuesday marked the 15th anniversary of a milestone in history as China celebrated the successful hosting of the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing. This occasion not only commemorated the shining moments of the Games but also highlighted the enduring legacy of the Olympic spirit that has continued to flourish over the years.

Back in 2008, Beijing proudly hosted the 29th Summer Olympic Games, marking the pivotal moment when China debuted as an Olympic host. 

During this globally acclaimed sports event, the world's eyes were fixated on Beijing, witnessing an extraordinary display of sportsmanship and camaraderie, and most importantly, the resounding echo of Olympic values.

Various activities across the country were organized to commemorate the day. 

Under the theme of "Chasing Dreams for Fifteen Years," a commemorative exhibition opened at the National Stadium, also known as the "Bird's Nest." The exhibition, based on a public selection process, showcases the growth stories of 15 representative figures from the Beijing Olympics, including Yao Ming, Wang Yongfeng, and Zhang Juanjuan, all famous and successful athletes in China.

Through a combination of images, text, audiovisuals, and physical objects, the exhibition vividly narrates their journey over the past 15 years and showcases the changes that China and the city of Beijing have undergone since the successful Olympics.

The exhibition has attracted a lively crowd, with many visitors donning commemorative T-shirts from the 2008 Beijing Olympics and posing with signs that read "One World, One Dream."

To celebrate the 15th anniversary of the Beijing 2008 Olympics, the National Stadium also extended an invitation to people who have served the Olympics in Beijing for a free panoramic tour.

Many people brought their children, who were born after 2008, to take a look of the grand event.

Returning to the Bird's Nest once again, Hou Bin, the main torchbearer for the Beijing 2008 Paralympics and a former track and field athlete, expressed his deep feelings for the event. 

"15 years ago, China successfully hosted the Beijing Olympics and Paralympics, and last year we hosted the Beijing Winter Olympics. In these 15 years, I have felt the rapid development of China's sports industry and increased attention to and change in the lives of more disabled individuals," he said.

"I used to be a worker, but through the grand stage of sports, I showed the world who I am. Over the years, more and more disabled individuals have achieved better personal development, reflecting the city's care for its people," he said.

On Tuesday, students from the 2023 Overseas Chinese Youth Summer Study Camp took a night tour of the Olympic Park with table tennis Olympic champion Li Xiaoxia, who shared the stories behind her championship victories.

Sun Weijia, former director of the International Exchange and Cooperation Department of the State Council's Counselor's Office, told media that throughout history, there have been significant events that, due to their profound impact, have recorded the nation's development path. 

The Beijing 2008 Olympics and Paralympics are two of these events as their rich historical legacy continues to inspire the country. 

"The Olympics deeply changed China and its relations with the world, promoted the development of international Olympic sports, and initiated a new era of China's reform and development," Sun noted.