As Beijing on July 8 marks the one-month countdown to the start of the Olympics, here are 30 reasons which make the Games special:

1. Volunteers

The 100,000-strong army of Beijing Olympic volunteers is the largest in Olympic history.

Each of the 70,000 Olympic and 30,000 Paralympic volunteers has undergone months of training.

The good Samaritans from Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan, Europe, the US and Australia will join 400,000 city volunteers who will help visitors on Beijing's streets.

Volunteers were honored with the song, I Am a Star.

2. Double the responsibility

2008 is the first time one organizing team will oversee both the Olympics and Paralympics.

The Beijing Organizing Committee for the Games of the XXIX Olympiad (BOCOG) is the first organization to shoulder such a formidable responsibility and BOCOG has promised the two events will be of equal splendor.

3. First digital broadcast

High-definition technology will be used for all TV broadcast operations, with all events and ceremonies enjoying 5.1 surround sound, a first for the Olympics.

Clearer screen pictures and scenery will be a feature of the Beijing Games.

4. Biggest TV audience ever

A record 4 billion people are set to watch the Beijing Games.

Beijing Olympic Broadcasting (BOB), the official broadcaster of the Games, will produce about 5,400 hours of programs during the 17-day gala, 2,000 more than in Athens four years ago.