The Toronto Star has launched a website at TheStar.com dedicated to the 2008 Beijing Summer Games. The Star has built the site to include various Web 2.0 tools (specifically, using the TOPS 2.0 platform, or Torstar Open Publishing System).

Users of the site can comment on content at the site. They can also export coverage to personal webpages using Olympic photo and story widgets or RSS feeds.

The site (www.thestar.com/olympics) will feature editorial coverage, photos, video and a searchable database of Canadian athletes. It will also include live streaming results, an Olympics blog, the complete schedule of events and medal standings, as well as coverage of qualifying events preceding the games and general interest stories about life in China.

Eleven Toronto Star staff will be reporting from Beijing, including veteran Olympic correspondents Randy Starkman, Doug Smith and Dave Feschuk, as well as columnist Rosie Dimanno.

Advertisers on the site (served by Torstar Digital’s Olive Canada Network) include HBC’s Zellers and The Bay, Chevrolet and American Express.

Star Media Group reports the Star attracts 2.9 million readers in print and online every week.