No sports event comes near the Olympics in terms of drama, scale and controversy. This year's games are certain to maintain that tradition as the Olympics go east for their first ever staging in China.
Readers of The Irish Timesand irishtimes.comwill capture all the excitement of Beijing with comprehensive round-the-clock coverage.
Tom Humphries, Keith Duggan and Ian O'Riordanwill report daily from Beijing. Clifford Coonan, China Correspondentwill be reporting from Beijing itself and Mary Hanniganwill be casting her beady eye over the wall-to-wall battle for the TV viewers.
irishtimes.comwill keep readers up-to-date with the latest news, views and results from China as the 54 Irish athletes bid for Olympic glory.
Rower Gearóid Towey, gearing up for his third Olympic experience, will be writing exclusively from the Games while Seán Kennywill be burning the midnight oil to give the website his unique take on events.
The action starts on Friday with the opening ceremony and continues until Sunday, August 24th.