Olympics: the best pictures from the build-up in Beijing

Thousands of volunteers take part in the Olympic torch ceremony Photograph: Olivier Morin/AFP

An Australian athlete prepares for a training session at the Shunyi Olympic rowing-canoeing park Photograph: Fred Dufour/AFP

Rowers warm up Photograph: Gregory Bell/AP

US 49er class competitors Tim Wadlow and Chris Rast practice at the Quingdao Olympic Sailing Centre in Quingdao Photograph: David Jones/PA

The hands of German athlete Fabian Hambuechen during a practice session Photograph: Michael Kappeler/AFP

A Chinese gymnast during a practice session for the artistic gymnastics event Photograph: Franck Fife/AFP

A Japanese gymnast performs on the beam Photograph: Franck Fife/AFP

Armed police officers line up on the Olympic Green in Beijing Photograph: Robert F Bukaty/AP

Australia's Lisbeth Trickett swims with hand paddles during a practice session at the National Aquatics Centre Photograph: Julian Abram Wainwright/EPA

A tattoo on the chest of a swimmer Photograph: Jason Reed/Reuters

US swimmer Michael Phelps talks to reporters during a press event at the Jintai Art museum Photograph: Kevin Frayer/AP

Milagros Crespo of Cuba jumps during beach volleyball training Photograph: Carlos Barria/Reuters

A fencing training session Photograph: Philippe Desmazes/AFP

US sprinter Wallace Spearmon practices relay with his team-mate Rodney Martin Photograph: Andy Wong/AP

United Arab Emirates Shaikh Ahmed Almaktoum shoots during a Men's Double Trap training session at Clay Target Field Photograph: Sergey Ponomarev/AP

Puerto Rico's boxers Mcwilliams Acevedo Arroyo, left, and his twin brother McJoe Acevedo Arroyo Photograph: Murad Sezer/AP

A stadium worker takes a nap as a cyclist warms up at the Laoshan Velodrome Photograph: Christophe Ena/AP

Track cyclist Wendy Houvenagel of Britain sweats during training at the Laoshan Velodrome Photograph: Martin Bernetti/AFP

A security official takes a breather at the Olympic Green Photograph: Indranil Mukherjee/AFP