China to mark 1st anniversary of Beijing Olympics

BEIJING, Aug. 4 -- China will commemorate the first anniversary of the Beijing Olympics on August 8, which has been ruled by the State Council as the country's "National Fitness Day", a top sports official said here on Tuesday.

Liu Peng, director of the State General Administration of Sports, said at a press conference that a series of activities will be held across the country.

Beijing has announced to open the Olympic Sports Center free to public on August 8. The center is situated south to the Bird's Nest stadium and was the venue for football, water polo and handball competitions during the Olympic Games.

The Italian Super Cup between Inter Milan and Lazio will also part of the activities to celebrate the first anniversary. It will be held at the Bird's Nest.

The pre-season curtain raiser between Serie A champions Inter and Italian Cup winners Lazio will kick off at 8 p.m. local time on Aug. 8 -- a year after the Olympic opening ceremony at the same venue.