(CNN) -- CNN's monthly program, "Countdown Beijng: Chasing the Dream," profiles the athletes who hope to represent their nations in Beijing, and the issues and stories in the build-up to the Games in August.
On the show this month:
This month we chase the dream of Britta Heidemann, Germany's world champion fencer. As if her piercing looks weren't enough to match her weapon, Heidemann is two exams away from a degree in Chinese and Business Administration -- an apt combination given her latest ambition -- a gold medal in Beijing. We'll spend an entire busy day with the 25-year-old, as she manages her university, family and fencing life -- all with a smile. Did we mention she also plays the electric organ and drives a hot red sports car? Also, World Sport's Mark McKay will sit down with one of China's own sporting stars -- NBA Rookie Yi Jianlian of the Milwaukee Bucks. While he shuns all comparisons to bona-fide basketball superstar Yao Ming and simply won't talk about Tibet, Yi shares his thoughts about the Chinese basketball team's Olympic ambitions and adapting to life in the USA, in his ever-improving English. Beijing correspondent John Vause witnessed the opening of China's final Olympic venue to be completed -- the Bird's Nest. As the signature piece in any Olympics, China's national stadium houses the opening and closing ceremonies, and all the athletics events. Watch: Take a peek inside the 'Bird's Nest' 
.Finally -- the protests surrounding the Olympic Torch relay couldn't dampen the spirit of 9/11 fire fighter Richard Doran -- he was given special permission to run 343 steps in San Francisco's leg of the tour in honor of the 343 firefighters lost on that tragic day. THIS MONTH'S TV SCHEDULE ON CNN INTERNATIONALSaturday April 26
1230, 1830 GMT Sunday April 27
0830, 1430, 1930 GMTMonday April 28
1430, 1830 GMT E-mail to a friend 
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