TEN DAYS TO PERFECTION

A grand show was held at 8 p.m. on Tuesday by the China Central Television to mark the 10-day countdown to the Beijing Games.

Dancers perform at a CCTV grand show to mark the 10-day countdown to the Olympics. [Xinhua]

While the content of the Olympics' opening ceremony remains a guarded secret, organizers are planning to stage three dress rehearsals over the next 10 days to ensure a grand show for a live audience of 91,000.

The first full dress rehearsal of the opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympic Games was held, in secret, at the National Stadium on July 16.

Wang Chaoge, a director of the ceremony, disclosed the elements of "Sichuan" and "Wenchuan" will be embodied in tribute to the Chinese spirit manifested after the devastating May 12 earthquake that hit the southwest Sichuan Province.

He said the biggest headache for the organizers of the ceremonies was the weather, for "rain would cause delays in the progress of the event, as it would dampen performers' costumes and props."

But Beijing's meteorological departments said earlier that should there be any unfavorable weather, experts might artificially change it.

Chen Zhenlin, China Meteorological Administration (CMA) vice director, said on July 15 that meteorologists have made preparations for artificial weather modification since 2003, especially on reducing rainfall, but admitted the technology had limitations.

"Artificial weather modification could be useful when a drizzle occurs," he said. "But in case of a heavy rainfall, no one can help."

Weather statistics from 1951 to 2007 show there was a 47 percent chance of drizzle on August 8. But the possibility of heavy rain was slim, he said, adding the analysis of historical data was by no means an official weather forecast.

According to meteorologist Guo Hu, the Games opening on August 8 is one day after the first day of autumn on the Chinese lunar calendar. It is expected to be less humid.

"The temperature and humidity will gradually drop and we will have better air quality and more comfortable weather in August."