Beijing opts for 'lucky' Olympic date

Beijing Olympic authorities have chosen the luckiest time and date possible to kick off the city's Olympic extravaganza in four years time 8pm on the eighth day of the eighth month, 2008. The opening had previously been scheduled for late August to avoid the capital's searing summer heat, but officials said they wanted to avoid clashes with important US sporting events, including the tennis open and major league baseball. Many Chinese consider eight the luckiest number because it sounds like the word for make "make money".