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

A tropical storm hits Hong Kong, forcing organisers to close down the Olympic Equestrian Venue Photograph: Bobby Yip/Reuters

The Olympic Equestrian Venue stands wind-swept and deserted Photograph: David Hecker /AFP

Paramilitary policemen receive their daily briefing on another smog-filled day in Beijing Photograph: Teh Eng Koon/AFP

Despite the tight security, British and American activists mount a protest outside the National Stadium Photograph: PA

A security helicopter patrols above Tiananmen Square - while the sun struggles to make an appearance through the polluted sky Photograph: Fabrice Coffrini/AFP

British cyclist Rebecca Romero begins her preparations Photograph: Ezra Shaw/Getty

Nearly 720km south-east of Beijing, Sweden's 49er crew struggles in the fog Photograph: Herbert Knosowski/AP

Daniel Keatings of Great Britain holds his concentration as he practises on the rings at the National Indoor Stadium Photograph: Clive Brunskill/Getty

Chinese gymnast Yang Wei goes through his pommel horse routine Photograph: Odd Anderson/AP

The Brazil striker Marta battles with Germany's Kerstin Stegemann during their round one Group F match in Shenyang, Liaoning province Photograph: Roberto Candia/AP

Serbia's Ana Ivanovic tries out a bigger ball during a training session at the Olympics Green tennis centre Photograph: Behrouz Mehri/AFP

A young boy in Tiananmen Square sports an Olympic headband Photograph: Olivier Morin/AFP

French swimmer Laure Manaudou listens intently to instructions at the National Aquatics Centre Photograph: David J Phillip/AP

Some ducks wander past the bird's nest Photograph: Harry How/Getty

A member of the Chinese women's hockey team emerges from the changing rooms at the Olympic Green Hockey Stadium Photograph: Quinn Rooney/Getty

Japan's Kohei Uchimura looks bent on success Photograph: Clive Brunskill/Getty

A worker helps to put up an Olympic display at the Shunyi rowing and kayaking venue Photograph: Gregory Bull/AP

Xu Yuan celebrates scoring for China against Sweden in Group E's opening match Photograph: Vincent Yu/AP

A Chinese diver shows marks from acupuncture treatment Photograph: Mark J Terril/AP