英语新闻视频：当艺术遇见体育（在线收听）

With thirteen days to go to the London Olympics, Olympic fever has returned once again to China. And a special art exhibition in Beijing is highlighting the passion of Chinese artists for all things sporting.

It’s called "The Thames River, the Great Wall, Embrace the World".

This special Olympic themed exhibition opened at the National Museum of Fine Art on Friday.

As the precursor of a bigger event in London in early August, it’s a tribute from China’s art community to mankind’s greatest "Games".

Over 130 works are showing - all by established and respected Chinese painters.

While some of the pieces focus directly on sports, others capture the Olympic spirit in landscapes, still objects and everyday lives.

The main exhibition will be in London’s Barbican Center, opening on August 1st.

It will feature 500 art works from 74 countries, with 200 of those coming from China.

Featured artist Li Dacheng says the exhibition is a good combination of art and sports.

Li Dacheng, Painter, said, I think this exhibition is very meaningful. On one hand, it promotes the Olympic spirit. On the other side, it pushes forward the progress of China’s fine arts.

Zhao Zhunwang is the creator of the center piece of the London exhibition -- a ten meter long scroll, joining Beijing and London with cloud and sea.

Zhao has been a painting with ink for 40 years. His album depicting Beijing with colored ink was a gift by the city to the many guests of the 2008 Olympic Games.

And now, he’s extending his theme, by linking the two cities.

Zhao Zhunwang, Painter, said, I depict the main sites of the two cities, including the Olympic stadiums of each city. I try to visualize a link between the two cultures.

The first Olympic Fine Arts Exhibition was held for the 2008 games.

With its integration of artistic flair and sporting passion, its now set to become an artistic gesture - passing the flame from the eastern capital Beijing to the western metropolis of London.