Fabrice Vettoretti, France's BMX coach, describes what is to be the newest trend in Beijing. He will in China from 11th August to follow his protégés.

BMX [Bicycle Motocross] was first introduced in the late 80s in France. It became part of the French bicross association (AFB) in 1984 [the preseent rule were instored in this year] and joined the National Cycling Federation by 1989. In 1994, it is a professional sport and by 2003 it offically becomes an Olympic sport.

The race [maximum eights bikers] is run mainly on dirt with about 15 to 20 obstacles. The circuit is 400 metres long and is tensely run in around 35 seconds.

Countries to follow at the Olympics are the US, Australia, Latvia and France, of course!

I hope the sport's Olympic status will garner it better recognition amidst the wider sports community. Rather than fearing a large-scale commercialisation of BMX, I believes the introduction of BMX in the Olympic Games is a recognition of changing trends in sport and society.

French Table Tennis press officer Hubert Gueriau explains why the introduction of team tennis table just goes to show that the sport has always promoted a team spirit.

This is the first time that a team table tennis event will take place in an Olympic competition. It will be very exciting for the players and the public.

The decision was made in 2003 to replace doubles with teams at the Beijing Olympics. This is hardly surprising given that table tennis has a team effort ethos.

Ma Long vs. Ma lin 2008 Korean Open Final posted by dolcen on You Tube

The concept is the same as individual table tennis except that three players need to win the greatest number of games to get through to the next stage.

It will be very exciting for the players and will give small nations the opportunity to play more. Only on rare occasions an African or South American delegation played as many as three table tennis games at the Olympics.

Furthermore, it will no longer be possible to have two teams from the same country in the final. This will mean more thrills for the public. Indeed, a final between China and South Korea will definitely prove more eventful than an all-Chinese one, as was possible in doubles.

Although China is the leading nation in table tennis, the system is not perceived to be discriminatory by Chinese fans who are eager to see their team take on other nations.

Jean-Yves Abgrall, member of the French Swimming Marathon Federal Commission, explains why the first ever Marathon won't be as tactical as it usually is.

It's thanks to European federations that marathon swimming was included at the Olympics. But there will be a limited number of swimmers and only one distance will be run instead of the three [5km, 10km and 25km].

This discipline marks a comeback to basics. Before entering pools, swimming was practiced outdoor, a bit like athletics used to be outside stadiums.

A lot of marathon swimmers are pool swimmers who fail to find their place as professionals. We can't say marathon swimmers are only outdoor swimmers, except perhaps in the French Carribbean! Most of them train or swim indoors as well.

Marathon Swimming: French Cup in Brittany posted by jeromevikings on You Tube

The first ever marathon race will take place around Beijing [Shunyi Olympic Rowing-Canoeing Park]. It won't be in a natural environment [in river or sea] but in an artificial basin.

It's a shame as it will lose the tactical side of the sport. Gilles Rondy, who will represent France in Beijing [he is from Brittany as J.Y Abgrall], is particularly good at mastering currents and tides, which makes him one of the best marathon swimmers in Europe. His skills, however, won't be of any use there."