Check out the Adidas Olympic Fans Zone

Bummed that you don't have a ticket to that nail-biter final you've been looking forward to? Well if you're still looking for a way to watch the match surrounded by throngs of excited Chinese fans--and you're a little sick of the bar circuit--you might want to head over to the Adidas Olympic Fans Zone in The Village at Sanlitun.

The first thing you'll notice is the massive projection screen, which alone makes the Adidas complex worth the visit. Depending on the weather and the time of day, upwards of 100 Chinese and foreign fans congregate regularly in the outdoor courtyard to watch all sorts of live Olympic programming. Be warned, though--the wizards behind the screen seem to give preference to sports in which at least one Chinese athlete is competing. So while they very well may be showing that awesome USA vs. Country X basketball game, it's not a lock.

And for those who find themselves watching Olympic athletes and thinking "Hey, I could do that!", Adidas offers you a chance to show your stuff. To the right of the main outdoor screen is a soccer simulation that measures how fast you can kick a regulation soccer ball into a tiny little goal. Sometimes, they even award soccer tickets as prizes for the night's fastest feet.

If the weather isn't cooperating or you're tired of standing, just head inside to watch on another gigantic screen. There are plenty of chairs to accommodate you, your friends, and dozens of Chinese passersby. And when the sports start boring you, there are plenty of opportunities to watch Adidas participate in the Olympics' highest-profile event of all: advertising. Not only will you learn more than you ever wanted to know about all the different kinds of Adidas shoes worn by Olympic athletes, but you'll also have the chance to insert your own body and face into the creepiest Olympic advertisement of all time. You know the one: thousands and thousands of faceless, black-and-white Chinese people propping up the chosen few, a group of Olympic athletes in full color.

Anyway, if all this sounds appealing, you'd better hurry: the Fans Zone closes down when the Olympics do. Enjoy!