The Games of the XXIX Olympiad is almost upon us. For the casual observer, this is otherwise known as the Summer Olympics to be held in Beijing, China. The opening ceremonies will begin on August 8, 2008, at 8 minutes past 8 PM, local China time. The number 8 signifies good luck in a culture steep in tradition. And with the world watching, the country will welcome some good fortune as it hosts the biggest sporting show on earth.

Over the years, we have all seen the progression and popularity of the Olympics from one four-year cycle to the next. The Olympic Games are getting bigger, more commercial and more extravagant. There are logistical questions regarding transporation, hotel accomodations and security involved. To get a better understanding of the issues a host country faces in these modern times, here is a look at the numbers.

Some 205 nations will be participating in the Beijing games, with approximately 10,500 athletes competing in 302 events within 28 sports. 37 sporting venues were built to accommodate the Beijing Olympics Games. While most of the events will be held in Beijing, football, equestrian and sailing will be held in other Chinese cities such as Qinhuangdao, Shanghai, Shenyang, Tianjin, Hong Kong and Qingdao.

The anticipated attendance for the Beijing Games is more than half a million. This does not include the 70,000 volunteers, 4000 staff, 18,000 journalists and the 10,500 athletes themselves.

When the Summer Games were awarded to Beijing, one of the concerns was the poor air quality of the city. Moreover, to house so many new visitors, transportation was an issue in an already chaotic traffic system. To combat this problem, local vehicles will only be allowed on the road on alternate days during the Olympic Games. Vehicles from outside Beijing will also be prohibited from entering the city unless they meet air quality standards.

Another issue that Chinese officials had to address was the dangerous time we live in. The Olympics has grown to become the premiere sporting event in the world with a global audience. Unfortunately, this spotlight also attracts political and religious zealots. To keep the Games safe, China has created an anti-terror squad of 100,000 men strong.

It seems as though China is addressing anticipated issues well and will strive for the best Olympic Games ever for its coming out party. Now that the logistics are over, let’s get the show on the road and let the XXIX Olympiad begin!



By: Mariam Ma

About the Author:

arvin_gumato@yahoo.com

LONDON REPORTER, CHRIS CHASE  MORTIFIED CHINA AND THE 2008 BEIJING OLYMPICS  

Earlier this week; Mr. Chris Chase, a  London based reporter who traveled the distant far to reach China in order to witness the 2008 Beijing Olympics  did present his observations.

Finding the notes of Chris Chase on the web maybe annoying to many; not only for  the over 3 billion readers in China; but the whole world who  were stunned what have China done for the Olympics – that is considered by the world as extremely incomparable, beyond  norms, beyond compare, more than a magic, so beautiful. And yes, not even Britain and any nation of the world can handle to match the same – when Chris Chase inked in his article @ Yahoo Sports  that the presentation of China is FAKE.

Reading the article Chris presented to the public causes sour reactions.

In order to help everyone; all of us to properly respond; to properly present a reaction, an article maybe; the following parameters is helpful.

 How to Criticize Effectively

1. Identify the behavior that you want to criticize. Direct your criticism at the action, not the person. The less personal you make your comments, the less likely the person will become defensive and uncooperative.

2. Make criticism specific. Not: “You always miss game reports.” But: “You missed the March 15 game report.” Rash generalizations are counterproductive and tough to prove. The more specific the criticism, the easier it is to justify the criticism.

3. Be sure the behavior you’re criticizing can be changed. Foreign accents, baldness and other similar things cannot always be changed. Pick out specifics the workers can work on and see improvement.

.4. Use “I” and “we” to stress that you want to work out the problem together, rather than making threats. Officiating can be a lonely business. By using “we,” the readers will hopefully feel he/she is not alone in the idea.

5. Make sure the particulars you criticize understand the reason for your criticism is to improve their game style and their ways. Put a positive spin on your comments; they are meant to improve things.

6. Don’t belabor the point. Short and sweet, no lectures. No one likes to be talked down to.

7. Offer incentives for changed of style and systems, therefore producing a better presentations. Offer to help identifying the root to correct the problem. Improved systems can lead to improved opportunities.

8. Don’t set a tone of anger or sarcasm. Both are counterproductive. The more sarcasm used, anger is often true from the readers.

9. Show the public readers that you understand the probable reactions: Assure the readers that things can be changed.

10. If you’re putting your criticism in hard writing, cool off before writing the critical letter or memo. If you write your report shortly after the feeling of denial that you maybe fall from the group of second rated and or of less powerful creation, emotions tend to appear. Take good notes at the situation, then review them before writing a comment and or an article.

11. Start off by saying something good. Assure the readers that what China has and what they have made is one great thing; never in this earth one did have presentations of the same.

12. At the end, reaffirm your support.  Reassure the public that you are there to help China improve should it need be.

 And for the people of China, congratulations; and the world who are into the blaze of the Olympic 2008 Trends; let us all learn the manners of criticizing.

 

 

 



By: Arvin Gumato Pareja

About the Author:

Steroid use rumors and steroid bans are nothing new when it comes to the Olympics and it looks like the Beijing 2008 Olympics will be no different than the past Olympic games. Olympic history is peppered with steroid abuse stories including the very famous stories on Ben Johnson in the 1988 Olympics and more recently Marion Jones.

This years Beijing Olympic games has seen dozens of athletes from around the world being banned for steroid use and doping. The U.S. swimming team has had several of it’s members investigated. Greek track and weighlifting athletes have been under the microscope since the spring with several being banned from the 2008 Olympics. Both the Romanian and Russian track teams have seen members banned from this years Olympic games.

Searches in Google for anything related to steroids and the Beijing 2008 Olympics and you’ll get back tens of thousands of results. Steroid issues are alive and well when it comes to Olympic athletes even though the Olympic committee has vowed to eliminate them from the Games. When it comes to steroids the Olympic games are no different than any other sport or league. Athletes will do whatever they feel is necessary to win, it’s simply a condition of the competitive spirit.

It’s obvious in this day and age that when thousands of world class athletes are brought together that steroids will be in the limelight. Everyone loves to point out those athletes they feel are ‘cheating’ by using steroids, but is it really cheating if everyone is doing it. Athletes are competitive by nature and willing to do anything to win so why would you expect them to forego steroid usage if it will improve their performance.

I imagine that steroid controversies will continue for the duration of the Beijing Olympics. It would be no surprise to see athletes have medals revoked after winning at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games. What do you think? Should steroids be allowed at world level competitions? Is it necessary for athletes to use performance enhancing drugs to put in the best possible performance or is it better to have natural athletes showing what the human body can do on its own?

There’s no doubt that unless we come up with some way to discover all performance enhancing substances that steroid abuse will continue. And you can also bet that new ways to increase and enhance performance will be discovered and used by athletes in the future.



By: Steven Walters

About the Author:

Beijing, Qingdao and Hong kong will be the three cities for the 2008 Olympics. The most Olympic events will be held in Beijing, the sailing Competition will be held in Qingdao and the Equestrian Competition will be in Hong kong. When you come to Olympic Games and visit these cities, you can find so many interesting things beside Olympics.

Beijing is a city of amazing contrasts – an ancient capital with some incredible historical sites, and a bustling modern metropolis getting ready to host the 2008 Olympics. In Beijing, those places you should not miss:

The Tiananmen Square- is the largest public square in the world.

Forbidden City-is the largest and the best preserved Imperial Palace in the world.

Temple of Heaven-was built specifically for worship of heaven and prayers for good harvests during the Ming and Qing dynasties.

Badaling Great Wall-is China most spectacular sight extending more than 3,700 miles across China and most often visited for China tour. It is one of the best preserved sections and the highest point of the Great Wall;

Summer Palace-is the most splendid imperial garden in China built in 1750.

Hutong Trishaw Tour-you can take the rickshaw to drive through the old walking alleys to see the old living residence. You can also visit the local family to talk with them. This is a very good opportunity for you to have a real understanding of the local people life.

In Beijing, clusters of neighboring “Siheyuan”(Quadrangles), low and gray, make into many small alleys, most of which orderly laid out like a chessboard, running either from south to north or east to west. This sort of alleys is called “Hutong” in Peking dialect. All these alleys are the same. When you are in it, you will find and experience that every alley has something special to talk about, as it is full of life and stories.

While in Hong kong, you can relax and enjoy the peaceful environment of the spectacular islands and country parks. Walking the street here, you may know more about the culture of east and west combined. That is the reason why Hong kong is a city with nickname of Gourmets’ Paradise, City with a Passion, the City that Never Sleeps and Land of Limitless delights.

In Hong kong, these places you should not missed:

Victoria Peak- It is one of Hong Kong leading tour destinations, which has breathtaking views of city famous skyline, Victoria Harbour and as well as the romantic South China Sea.

Aberdeen- A harbor area crowded with junks and sampans, where 6,000 people live and work on junks. To get a close-up look at the Aberdeen way of life, you can take a sampan ride.

Repulse Bay- It is the most famous beach of having the highest representative characteristics in Hong Kong by its long and wide beach, clean water, calm tide and gentle wave.

 

When the lights go down, you head for Lan Kwai Fong, you will get a taste of Hong Kong unique nightlife.

Lan Kwai Fong is an L-shaped, cobble-stoned lane with numerous bars, pubs, clubs and restaurants. Visiting on a Friday or Saturday night, you may be overwhelmed by the enormous crowds that fill the streets, with all bars having only standing room. Most language you can hear here is English rather than Cantonese speaking.

The third city to talk about is Qingdao. As a sailing Olympic city, Qingdao is a beautiful seaside city in the southeast of Shandong Province. When you are here, never miss to go those places:

Mt. Laoshan- is different from many famous mountains in China. Lao Mountain rises from the sea level, and has a coast line of 87 kilometers, structuring a wonder on the sea. Take a walk around, with the sea on one side, and lofty stones and precipitous peaks on the other side, both majestic and elegant, you will enjoy those views without feeling to leave.

Taiqing Palace – As the birth place of Laozi, it has more than 140 rooms including Three Gods’ Hall, Three Purities’ Hall and Three Emperors’ Hall. There are five Taiji Palaces as the main buildings, a stone pillar with three cypresses around and many well preserved ancient articles.

The No. 1 Bathing Beach- is located at the Huiquan Beach, it is once the largest bathing beach in Asia. The surrounding mountains and green trees, modern building subtly combined traditional villas form a wonderful scene. The clear water and soft sands contribute to the superior natural conditions of the beach.

What’s more, every summer Qingdao hosts the Beer Festival. If you have an opportunity to attend it, you’ll see the best of Chinese beer drinking culture at the event. The many performances are sometimes hilarious, such as the beer drinking competition. Who is the fastest one to chug a bottle of Qingdao beer? You will be surprised that it’s the ladies who excel at this admirable skill at often times. There are large variety of beer to sample, from all over Asia and Europe, as well as our well known North American brands.



By: huiya

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The Olympics are in Beijing in 2008, how are the teams chosen for the fencing competition?

The mandated levels of athlete participation has led to changes in the selection process for the Games. Each nation is no longer guaranteed an athlete in each sport – now nations and athletes have to compete against not only their countrymen, but against others in their region or continent for an Olympic slot.

In the 2004 Olympic Games all of the men’s events (epee, foil, and saber) were included, but two of the three women’s events did not hold the team competition.

The international fencing federation (FIE) rotates the events which will sit out the team portion of the Olympics, and for the 2008 Olympic Fencing competition, Men’s Foil and Women’s Epee will only hold an individual tournament.

Who gets to go?

Athletes are competing for slots based on their nation’s standing in the world (for team events) and based on individual world rankings (for the individual events.) Here’s a breakdown of what it will take for an aspiring swordsman (or swordswoman) to get a ticket to Beijing:

Weapons with Team Events (Men’s Epee, Men’s Sabre, Women’s Foil, Women’s Sabre):

Team Events are comprised of teams of 3 fencers with 1 alternate. A total of 8 teams can compete in each team event (9 if China fails to qualify a team directly).

The top 4 teams in the world standings will qualify directly to the Olympics. The remaining 4 teams are chosen based on regional qualification. The top team from each region (Americas, Asia, Europe, Africa) that is not already qualified will earn a regional berth.

The individual event is a tournament with a field of 39 fencers. For the individual competition, the 24 fencers that competed in the team event qualify. After the first 24 fencers are chosen, the top 3 in the World standings qualify, with only one fencer from any one country. The next 7 are pulled from the Olympic zones as the top 2 from Europe, 2 from Asia, 2 from the Americas, and 1 from Africa, again with only 1 fencer from a country. The remaining 5 slots are determined by a continental qualifying competition with 2 from Europe and 1 from each of the remaining regions.

What about Men’s Foil and Women’s Epee?

A different set of criteria is used to pick the 24 fencers who will compete in the Men’s Foil and Women’s Epee events. Because there is no team event, each individual will have to qualify on their own merit and not on the ranking of their national team. The following formula is used to pick the 24 individual entries:

The top 8 in the World rankings get their tickets punched (but only 2 can go from the same country from this set.) After the first 8 are chosen, the next 8 in are picked by region based on adjusted world rankings. (There are 3 slots for Europe, 2 for Asia, 2 for the Americas, and 1 for Africa.) The last 8 qualify based on continental competitions where countries that haven’t qualified any fencers on the first 2 rounds. In the last round, the allocation of slots remains at 3 Europe, 2 Asia and Americas, and 1 for Africa.

Outlook for the United States

Will the US earn a medal in 2008?

The United States earned Bronze and Gold medals in Women’s sabre in 2004. Sada Jacobson and Mariel Zagunis are still at the top of the world rankings and are joined by young fencing phenom Becca Ward, who last year won the individual world championship title at the Cadet, Junior, and Senior levels of competition. The US is favored to medal in Women’s Sabre.

In the other weapons, the best hopes are with Men’s Sabre as the individual team members are posting good results for the season.



By: Craig Harkins

About the Author:

Since the inception of the Olympic mascot over 36 years ago with Waldi at the Munich Olympics, the mascot has been given the honorable role of representing the culture and history of the host city. This summer the mascots, also known as the five “Fuwa”, have been designed to express the playful, child-like qualities of five little friends, each with their own names and representation of China’s most popular animals, Beibei is the Fish; Jingjing, the Panda; Huanhuan, the Olympic flame; Yingying, the Tibetan Antelope and Nini, the Swallow. Then when you see the names together: Bei Jing Huan Ying Ni, you read: “Welcome to Beijing.”

As with most recent Olympic Games, our furry little friends are being included in the marketing and communication materials for this summer’s event. The five Fuwa or “good luck dolls” were presented as the mascots of the 2008 Olympic Games by the National Society of Chinese Literature Studies over two years ago, at an event marking the 1000 day countdown to the games.

The Olympic mascots are historically very popular with children, offering a friendly recognizable face for the games. This year, each Fuwa represents a primary color from the Olympic rings, and carries a message of friendship and peace to children all over the world through the Olympic spirit.

With the mascots being licensed to a variety of Olympic merchandise from keychains to plates (300 items in total) there will be something for everyone to buy this summer, and with a captive audience of over a million tourists expected in Beijing for the event, sales are expected to be good! In fact you can even get ahead of the pack and buy merchandise for the 2010 Vancouver Games!

When it comes to China, however, some might argue that although the Fuwa are cute and friendly, having five icons as one mascot might confuse other cultures. The message, “Welcome to Bejing,” does not apply to those who don’t read Chinese, nor does the history behind the animals.

Others might also dispute that the greater the number of icons per mascot, the more they take away from the Games itself. Every nation likes to exert its national pride, but since the 1990’s the number of icons per mascot per Olympic Games has been growing steadily almost every year. In 1996, there was Izzy from the Atlanta Olympic Summer Games, but in 1998 the number jumped to the four Snowlets of Nagano, followed by the Olly, Syd and Millie of Sydney in 2002. Now in 2008, we have the five Fuwa and by 2020 there could be eight to ten different icons—which is almost an Olympic team by itself!

In effect, countries today are not only competing for gold medals, but also for bigger and better merchandising and licensing options. The Fuwa will surely help generate revenue for China, as host cities get to keep between 10 – 15% of the royalties, helping to offset the cost of hosting the games, which is thought to have cost China an estimated $38 billion.

All revenue and royalties aside, China has opened its gates to the future through the 2008 Beijing Olympics. By launching the new Olympic logo and their friendly mascots, the city is reaching out, inviting people around the world to join in with their dance, experience their culture, and share in their joy at hosting the games, which will commence in August.



By: Glazer+Kalayjian

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For the Chinese, August 8, 2008 is an extremely auspicious day; hence, why this date was chosen as the opening of the 2008 Summer Olympics. If you’re going to attend the XXIX Olympiad and heading to China for it, know what behavior is acceptable in China, and learn Chinese.

Understand the Rules

Even if the Olympics is supposed to bring the whole world together in unity, there are still numerous laws that have to be followed. China has very rigid rules for both natives and foreigners, and it’ll do you good to learn them to prevent trouble.

You still have to comply with many rules, even if the Olympics is meant to foster unity to the whole world. You’ll do well to avoid trouble by learning China’s very strict laws for both foreigners and locals alike.

Studying Chinese fast can considerably assist you since this list is in Chinese. With basic Chinese, you can make yourself understood when you are asked questions, in need of help, or lost.

The Chinese government have declared certain areas such as military installations off-limits to foreigners. STDs, mental handicaps, and anti-China sentiments are also banned. You will have a good chance of getting a Chinese visa if you learn Chinese.

Understand the Culture

Chinese culture has been in existence for several millenia. Learning portions of this culture will help you deal with the Chinese people.

Personal relationships normally stem from business relationships. In China, the more you build a close personal relationship, regardless of how fleeting, the more chances to seal a deal on your own terms. Therefore, even if you are bargaining with a store owner, try to engage in small talk that expresses a social interest in him, which is possibly the best way how to study Chinese. You’re sweetening the sugar, so to speak. Therefore, learn Chinese in order to bargain and chat.

Give out your business card with both arms outstretched and your name facing the recipient. Also, the Chinese are very particular on seniority and designation. Addressing a Chinese national with his proper designation and not only the common Mister or Miss will earn you brownie points.

Respect should be shown in terms of seniority and rank. “Face” is very important, so never humiliate a Chinese in front of others. Leave your terseness and tactlessness at home. Also, offer small gifts as tokens of appreciation and do not refuse a gift.

The more important the person is in rank and seniority, the more you must give respect. Don’t refuse a present that is given to you, and you have to also offer gifts yourself. Most importantly, never embarrass a Chinese person in public because “face” is very important to them.

Also remember not to walk around with a permafrown on your face, put down Mao Tse Tung and other revered Chinese leaders, praise the Japanese in any way, and air pro-Taiwan and pro-Tibet sentiments.

When in China, you’ll do very well to do as the Chinese do. For fluent communication, study Chinese online.



By: Dinah Leabeau

About the Author:

On the 8th day of August 2008, a most auspicious day for the Chinese people, the 2008 Summer Olympics, will officially start in Beijing, China. If you are off to China to see the games of the XXIX Olympiad, then here are a few handy tips to behave like the Chinese and to learn Chinese.

Know the Rules

Even if the Olympics is meant to bring the whole world together in camaraderie, there are still numerous laws that must be followed. China has very rigid laws for both natives and foreigners, and it’ll do you good to learn them to prevent inconveniences.

There’s a list of dos and don’ts made for Olympic tourists by China. Though the Olympics is about freedom and camaraderie, keep in mind that China has extremely strict laws that foreigners and locals alike should follow. You need to know and follow these laws, lest you encounter trouble.

Studying Chinese quickly can considerably help you because this list is in Chinese. With conversational Chinese, you can make yourself understood if you are asked questions, in need of assistance, or lost.

Military bases and other areas are declared by the government as off-limits. There will be no anti-China sentiments, no sexually transmitted diseases, and no mental handicap of any type tolerated from visitors on Chinese soil. The approval of your visa or deportation depends on being able to converse in Chinese fluently.

The Culture

Chinese culture has been in existence for several millenia. You can deal with the Chinese people if you study parts of this culture.

Personal relationships often result from business relationships. You have more chances of sealing deals on your own terms if you cultivate a closer personal relationship. Try to engage in banter and express interest in a store owner when bargaining. In a sense, this sweetens the sugar. Therefore, learn Chinese to be able to haggle and banter.

Seniority is very important to the Chinese. You have to address a Chinese national by his designation (Chairman/Director), instead of the Western custom of Mister and Miss So-and-so. Also, make sure to give out a business card with your name facing the recipient and with outstretched hands.

Respect has to be shown in terms of seniority and rank. “Face” is very important, so never embarrass a Chinese in the presence of others. Thus, leave your brashness and terseness at home. Also, do not say no to a gift, and give small gifts in appreciation.

You need to show more respect to important people with seniority and rank. Give gifts, and never refuse one that is given to you. Most of all, “face” is extremely important, so never embarrass a Chinese person in front of others.

Never criticize their exalted leaders, and don’t go around with a frown. Also, don’t compliment the Japanese and air pro-Taiwan or Tibet views.

“When in China, do as the Chinese do” – keep this in mind. In order to fluently communicate, study Chinese online.



By: Dinah Leabeau

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Click Here to Download Ringtones from the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics

The 2008 Summer Olympic Games, officially known as the Games of the XXIX Olympiad, is a major international multi-sport event which is being celebrated in Beijing, People’s Republic of China, from August 8 (with football starting on August 6) to August 24, 2008, and followed by the 2008 Summer Paralympics from September 6 to September 17. 10,500 athletes are expected to compete in 302 events in 28 sports.

The program for the Beijing 2008 Games is quite similar to that of the Athens Games held in 2004. The 2008 Olympics will see the return of 28 sports, and will hold 302 events (165 men’s events, 127 women’s events, and 10 mixed events), one event more in total than in Athens. Overall 9 new events will be held, which include 2 from the new cycling discipline of BMX. Women will compete in the 3000 m steeplechase for the first time. In addition, marathon swimming events for men and women, over the distance of 10 kilometres, will be added to the swimming discipline. Team events (men and women) in table tennis will replace the doubles events. In fencing, women’s team foil and women’s team sabre will replace men’s team foil and women’s team epee.

Ringtones from the 2008 Summer Olympics currently being held in Beijing are some of the hottest ringtones in the world right now. Click on the link below and sign up to download 2008 Olympic ringtones for your phone right now!

Click Here to Download Ringtones from the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics

 



By: Jim McEwan

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With news stories focusing on human rights abuse, terrorism, air pollution and doping, it seems that the Olympics are not what they once were. The long-awaited Beijing Olympic Games finally begin this Friday but can they transcend the politics? Can we still be touched by the Olympic spirit?

Growing up in the 1980s, my Olympic heroes were Coe, Ovett and Cram, Carl Lewis, Daley Thompson, and Torvill and Dean. I loved the story of Jesse Owens versus the ***** and even our feeble Eddie the Eagle pulled at the heartstrings. Into the 1990s and beyond, Redgrave, Pinsent and Co were proper Olympians with Kelly Holmes and Amir Khan providing some inspirational Olympic stories in 2004.

Over the next few weeks, I’ll be looking out for our men’s fours rowing team and little Tom Daley, diving for team GB at just 14 years old. But repression of political activists, detention without trial – featuring the scary Re-education Through Labour (RTL) scheme – and censorship in China are unfortunately overshadowing the competition for me and many others at the moment.

This is a great shame for the athletes involved but actually nothing new. Politics have been prominent in the Olympic Games since 1936 when ****** hijacked them as a piece of **** propaganda. Happily, black athletes like the American Jesse Owens were there to dispel the myth of Aryan supremacy.

The 1956 Olympics held in Melbourne, Australia were boycotted by various nations for numerous reasons and 1968 saw the volatile Mexico City games. Two black American medallists, Tommie Smith and John Carlos, gave the black power salute during the United States anthem and were subsequently expelled from the games. Student protesters also tried to use the Olympics to raise awareness of the authoritarian Mexican government.

Tragically, this ultimately culminated in the gunning down of more than 200 protesters by government forces in October 1968, just days before the games began. It emerged many years later that the US government had supported the Mexican authorities with weapons, ammunition, radios and riot control training in an attempt to prevent disruption to the Olympic Games.

The Munich games in 1972 were hijacked by Palestinian terrorists, with eleven Israeli athletes being kidnapped and eventually killed. Hard to imagine how the Olympics could recover from such a shocking event.

In 1976 the Olympics in Montreal were riddled with boycotts, drug allegations and debts. The 1980 Olympics saw the largest boycott ever with the United States and 61 other countries refusing to enter the games in protest against the USSR’s invasion of Afghanistan. In response, the USSR, East Germany, Cuba and 14 other nations boycotted the Los Angeles Olympics in 1984. Incidentally, this was the first Olympic games for the People’s Republic of China.

Numerous countries around the world have been close to boycotting the Beijing Games, but so far it does not look like this will happen. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) granted Beijing the games in July 2001 under the proviso that human rights in China would improve. Many people believe that the Olympics can be used as a positive political force, citing the banning of South Africa between 1964 and 1992. They believe that this was instrumental in forcing the country to allow black and white athletes to participate together in national sport, a significant step towards equal rights and the end of the oppressive apartheid regime.

According to Amnesty International’s website, Liu Jingmin, Vice-President of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games Bid Committee said in April 2001:

“By allowing Beijing to host the Games you will help the development of human rights.”

Jacques Rogge, President of the IOC declared at the time:

“We are convinced that the Olympic Games will improve the human rights record in China.”

In April 2008 Rogge had to remind the Chinese government of their commitment to human rights and ask them to respect it. Only time will tell if they do so.

Over the last twenty years or so, scandals involving perfomance-enhancing drugs have probably eclipsed the political Olympic storms. This has added to the negativity surrounding the Olympic Games and perhaps means that the audience is now more cynical and less impressed than in the old days.

But the majority of the athletes participating in the Olympics have legitimately reached the pinnacle of their sport and deserve our respect. Why not put aside our concerns and cynicism once the opening ceremony starts and just enjoy the thing? Accept that politics are part and parcel of any event involving the nations of the world, and ignore it. Why not let the Chinese people be proud of their athletes and their culture? Why not celebrate outstanding human achievement? Why not let the Olympics bring us together, just for a few weeks?



By: Maxine Clarke

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