Image via WikipediaOnly one day to go until the opening the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing (or 8 hours and 57 minutes to be exact). And despite pre-games injuries, US athletes causing offense and activists launching pre-game protests, I am incredibly excited to see the games kick off.

No matter what happens in the Olympics they are guaranteed to produce drama. Drama always produces great news stories and event better markets. That is why I am excited to announce the new Hubdub Olympic Prediction Center. In the Prediction Center we have pulled together over 250 Olympic markets for you to trade predictions on.

It is tough to pull out one market in particular but I am going to go with a contentious choice and predict that China is going to top the US in the medal tally (cue more hand wringing books on how the US has lost its competitive edge).

Which country will win the most gold medals at the 2008 Beijing Olympics?

Popularity: 9% [?]

By Diana

Upheaval and protest have followed the Olympic torch since it began its worldwide journey on April 1, 2008. Reports of violence, numerous arrests, and coverage of the torch being extinguished is widespread. Pro-Tibet and human rights protesters have confronted torchbearers and security guards alike and with many days to go until the August 8, 2008 opening ceremony, there appears to be little sign of the demonstration’s slowing worldwide.

London’s April 6, 2008 portion of the relay was met with heavy resistance when protesters, voicing against China’s position on Tibet and Darfur, attempted to grab the torch and hinder the procession. It was also reported that one protester tried to extinguish the torch’s flame with what appeared to be a fire extinguisher.

Crowds along the torch route shouted “Free Tibet!” and “China, talk to Dalai Lama!”, wielding posters displaying anti-Chinese foreign policy slogans. 37 people were arrested for assorted offenses.

The following day, the Olympic torch faced more disquiet in San Francisco have already begun to experience protest prior to the torch’s arrival, which occurred this morning.
Two days ago, a pair of extremely large banners reading “One World One Dream. Free Tibet” and “Free Tibet 08″ were on display after three activists climbed a suspension cable of the Golden Gate Bridge. Rumor of a larger high-tech insurgency planned in association with The San Francisco Bay Area Darfur Coalition is said to unveil a “viral video,” or a video clip, designed to raise awareness about China’s ties to Sudan and the Darfur conflict just in time for Wednesday’s parade in the Bay Area. Tensions are high for this afternoon’s two-and-a-half-hour relay along the San Francisco waterfront.

With over a hundred days to go until the torch’s arrival in Beijing, the emblem for the Olympic spirit, now a highly politicized symbol of international disunity, is threatened at every turn. Security agents and local police forces will struggle against waves of demonstrators and protesters hoping to extinguish and confiscate the symbolic Olympic vestige are expected. Whether the torch shall remain in torchbearer hands today or if the entire torch relay will be abandoned, has yet to be determined.

Popularity: 10% [?]