On April 23, the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games ticket design was released at the Beijing Olympic Media Centre. During the release conference, Mr Zhu Yan, Director of Beijing Olympic Ticketing Centre, was quoted as saying "the tickets of the Beijing Games are marked by a distinct theme and a harmonious color design and (are therefore) ideal collectibles of the highest aesthetic values". Taking the "Cloud of Promise" as the core image, the Beijing Olympic ticket is designed to be a perfect combination of the traditional Chinese culture and the Olympic Spirit.

It is knowed that the design of the sample ticket was initiated as early as 2006. The design has been carried out, in stylistic terms, in accordance with relevant Beijing Olympic Games image requirements and embodies a consistent adherence to the main themes of the Beijing Olympic Games – "Hi-Tech Olympics, People's Olympics, Green Olympics". Technical details of the Olympic ticket, including the format and the information shown, are configured in strict conformity with relevant regulations set out by the IOC. In addition, information shown on the ticket of the Beijing Olympic Games is more comprehensive and easier to identify in comparison with that of previous Olympic Games, owing to a series of innovations where due emphasis has been placed on the actual conditions of China. With reference to the selection of the ticket design and printing materials, a host of experts in related fields were invited by BOCOG and a large number of dedicated debates and considerable creative endeavors have been undertaken in this regard. As a result, the Olympic ticket design showcases stylistic brevity and is emblematic of the Olympic image. Such a ticket design integrates successfully relevant aesthetic and functional considerations.

The sample ticket of the opening ceremony was also presented at the press conference. Drawing on the "Bird's Nest" and the Cloud of Promise as the main visual elements, the yellow-red ticket exudes an air of power and splendor, a sign of the solemn and festival nature of the Olympic opening ceremony.

According to a source from BOCOG in charge of the Olympic ticketing program, the ticket of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games integrates various anti-counterfeiting technologies, of electronic or physical nature or otherwise, including microfiche text processing, dynamic holographic safety line and holographic dealuminzation, etc., resulting in a significantly shortened Games-time ticket verification process. Moreover, the application of these technologies is also an effective measure taken against large-scale ticket touting activities.

(China.org.cn April 23, 2008)