TIMELINE - China's long march to host the Olympics

(Reuters) - The Beijing Games open on Aug 8, almost eight decades after China's first teams competed at the modern Olympics.

Here is a timeline of China's involvement with the Games:

1896 - First modern Games in Athens. China not represented.

1908 - Tianjin YMCA magazine poses three questions as the fourth Olympics is held in London:

* When will China be able to send a winning athlete to the Olympic contests?

* When will China be able to send a winning team to the Olympic contests?

* When will China be able to invite the world to Peking (Beijing) for an International Olympic contest, alternating with those in Athens?

1922 - Diplomat Wang Zhengting elected to the International Olympic Committee (IOC)

1928 - Amsterdam Games. Observer Song Ruhai; and one overseas Chinese cyclist, He Haohua, attend. He Haohua injured before he can compete.