The Opening Ceremony - 8.08pm on 08.08.2008.

Let the Games Beijing!

From The Daily Mail (London)  By Liz Hazelton and Nicola Boden
Last updated at 10:55 PM on 08th August 2008It has been the most eagerly anticipated Olympics in history and today, at exactly 8.08pm on the 8th day of the 8th month, the Beijing Games finally began.  Such was the extravagance of what followed, the London 2012 Olympics Committee must be wondering how on earth they will top it in a modest stadium in Stratford.

First came a heart-stopping explosion of fireworks which turned the night sky crimson and coated the landmark Bird's Nest in a blaze of red.  Then came a thunderous tattoo, produced by exactly 2,008 perfectly synchronised drummers massed on the stadium floor.

Spectacular: A blaze of fireworks lights up the Bird's Nest Stadium as the 2008 Olympic Games finally begins

But this was just the beginning of an Olympics opening ceremony likely to be the most spectacular in history.

The figures alone are astounding.  At a cost of £25million, in front of 80 world leaders and a worldwide audience of four billion, China was determined to prove that it could stage the greatest show on earth.

After the initial star-spangled sky of brilliant-hued fireworks, the display turned momentarily more modest.

But the  train of flares which went up across the vast city in a beacon trail to the Great Wall was no less awe-inspiring.

  The Olympic Flame lit by Li Ning

After that it was almost impossible to be anything but overwhelmed.

The  rim of the Bird's Nest was lit by an apocalyptic arc of fire.

Eventually, the athletes bearing their national flags trooped out to be welcomed by ecstatic crowds.

 
Around 10,000 performers were taking part in the show to open the Games, which has been seven years in the planning.

Film director Zhang Yimou, whose work includes the film House of the Flying Daggers, has created a three-hour show portraying 5,000 years of Chinese history.

China has picked the slogan 'One World, One Dream' for the Games, intended to show its desire to throw its arms open to the world and create a lasting legacy.

 Arc of light: The Bird's Nest roof turns gold

The Olympic Flames: China rehearses spectacular Games firework display. from The Daily Mail - 17th July 2008

Soaring spectacularly into the night sky, a massive fireworks display emphasises the magnificence of the new Olympic National Stadium in Bejing. The futuristic structure, dubbed the Bird's Nest because of its lattice-like design, will be the home of the Games from August 8.

Here's how to do it London: Stunning pictures of Beijing's space age Olympic stadiums.

By Sophie Borland and Tamara Cohen  from The Daily Mail on 23rd July 2008

These are spectacular arenas, and it is clear that the Chinese organisers have spared no expense - and hired some of the world's leading architects - to ensure their venues are of the highest standard. Much emphasis has been placed on the venues being ecofriendly. Many of the buildings use recycled rainwater in their air-conditioning systems or have specially insulated walls to ensure they stay cool in the sun.

CHAOYANG PARK BEACH VOLLEYBALL GROUND: The pitch, which will host the beach volleyball competition, consists of 17,000 tons of sand imported from the island of Hainan, south of China. While the site was being built, construction workers came across a dilapidated temple, which, after careful excavation, was found to be ruins from the Ming Dynasty

LAOSHAN VELODROME: Occupying an area of almost 33,000 sq m, this building's roof is shaped like a bicycle wheel. Up to 9,000 spectators will be able to watch the cycling events in the stadium, which stands 33m tall

BASKETBALL GYMNASIUM: Incredibly, this gymnasium has three floors underground in addition to its four floors on the surface. The outside is made from alloy panels which are able to reflect the sun's heat to keep the spectators inside cool

GREEN ARCHERY FIELD: This stadium will be dismantled when the Games finish at the end of August. There is a seating capacity of 5,300 and the grass is kept green by recycled water fed from two reservoirs nearby

THE AGRICULTURAL UNIVERSITY GYMNASIUM: Up to 8,200 spectators will be seated in this venue, which will host the wrestling events. The panels of glass in the ceiling can be specially adjusted to allow extra ventilation and natural lighting inside

THE GREEN TENNIS COURT: The stadium has been designed in the shape of a lotus flower to ensure maximum ventilation for the athletes and spectators. The three main courts are dodecagonal - they have 12 sides - and there are stands at each edge. Up to 17,400 people can be seated in the venue, which covers an area of almost 42 acres. There are ten courts in total - three main and seven 'preliminary competition' courts

BEIJING UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY GYMNASIUM: This arena - which covers 22,000 sq m - will host badminton and rhythmic gymnastics. The eco-friendly stadium uses recycled rainwater to cool the air in summer and heat from the ground to keep spectators warm in winter

NATIONAL AQUATICS CENTRE: Each giant panel in the walls and ceiling is filled with water which is continually pumped through the structure. Up to 8,500 spectators will watch the swimming and diving events

SPORTS CENTRE GYMNASIUM: This bizarre structure will seat 6,300 spectators for the handball competition. All windows and doors have been thermally insulated, with an extra concrete and aluminium wall added to the exterior to ensure it stays coo

 Watch CCTV Live

  For Reports, News and Videos of the Summer & Paralympics see:  www.english.cctv.com/index.shtml  or www.fr.cctv.com (French) or www.cctv.com/espanol/01/index.shtml (Spanish)

Paralympic Games.  September 6th - 17th, 200

Beijing Paralympics open with spectacular ceremony  By Simon Hart in Beijing   06 Sep 2008

Thousands of cheerleaders and dancers in rainbow suits performed a dance routine in the center of the field at the National Stadium before athletes from 148 countries were introduced.

Amid a bombardment of fireworks, the crowd cheered and waved flags as Communist Party leaders and foreign heads of state looked on.

The ceremony marked the beginning of 11 days of competition for more than 4,000 disabled athletes from 148 countries, including 206 from Britain. They were led into the stadium during the athletes' parade by flag-bearer Danny Crates, a middle-distance runner who lost his right arm in a car accident 14 years ago.

The British team, which finished second in the medals table at the last two Paralympics, are hoping to continue the success of Britain's Olympic athletes in Beijing but have little chance of matching the might of the host nation. China dominated the Athens Games four years ago by winning 63 gold medals and is expected to win many more on home soil.

 

   

Paralympic torch relay.

A ceremony for the last leg takes place at the Millenium Monument - Beijing.  Source: CCTV.com  - 2008 09:29. 

Altogether 240 torchbearers will be passing the flame on a 12-kilometer route on Friday and Saturday. It will light the cauldron when the 13th Paralympics opens Saturday night at the National Stadium.

On Friday, 120 torchbearers will pass the flame along a route that will reach the Summer Palace.

The Paralympic flame was ignited on August 28th and has been relayed along two routes through 10 Chinese provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities.

More than 4,000 athletes from 148 countries and regions will take part in the Beijing Paralympics.

  A Double Golden Girl at 13

Eleanor Simmonds celebrates he gold medal in the Water Cube, Beijing 14.09.2008.  Eleanor Simmonds, who will not be 14 for two months, won gold in the pool last Monday and repeated her performance on 14.08.08 — the youngest individual champion from Britain in the history of the Paralympics.

Tom Daley became Britain’s youngest Olympian for 60 years but Ellie Simmonds, the diver’s junior by six months, has now set a new mark in the 48-year history of the Paralympics by winning the women’s 100 metres freestyle, and later the 400 metres.

‘I had a dream last night about the final but in my dream I only won silver,’ said Simmonds, the youngest on the 200-strong British team. ‘I can’t believe you are calling me Paralympic champion.’

Mirjam de Koning-Peper, the Dutch world bronze medallist of two years ago, led Simmonds by 1.5 seconds at the turn but it was the swimmer 26 years her junior who paced herself and won by half a second. It was not even Simmonds’ strongest event. That is the 400m freestyle in which she set a world record in March. She won that on Sunday when one of the strongest challengers was team-mate Nyree Lewis.

It was watching Lewis’s victory at the last Games in Athens that inspired Simmonds to become an elite swimmer and persuade her parents, Val and Steve, to move from Boldmere in the West Midlands to South Wales, where she could join British Swimming’s high performance squad.

They were there to see the daughter born with achondroplasia, or dwarfism, become the youngest British gold medallist since Joanne Round, 12, won as part of a swimming relay team in Seoul in 1988.

The Paralympics Story.

 

In 1948, Sir Ludwig Guttmann organized a sports competition involving World War II veterans with a spinal cord injury in Stoke Mandeville, England. Four years later, competitors from the Netherlands joined the games and an international movement was born. Olympic style games for athletes with a disability were organized for the first time in Rome in 1960, now called Paralympics. In Toronto in 1976, other disability groups were added and the idea of merging together different disability groups for international sport competitions was born. In the same year, the first Paralympic Winter Games took place in Sweden.

Today, the Paralympics are elite sport events for athletes from six different disability groups. They emphasize, however, the participants' athletic achievements rather than their disability. The movement has grown dramatically since its first days. The number of athletes participating in Summer Paralympic Games has increased from 400 athletes from 23 countries in Rome in 1960 to 3806 athletes from 136 countries in Athens in 2004.

The Paralympic Games have always been held in the same year as the Olympic Games. Since the Seoul 1988 Paralympic Games and the Albertville 1992 Winter Paralympic Games they have also taken place at the same venues as the Olympics. On 19 June 2001, an agreement was signed between IOC and IPC securing this practice for the future. From the 2012 bid process onwards, the host city chosen to host the Olympic Games will be obliged to also host the Paralympics.

The Chinese city of Beijing will host the next 2008 Paralympic Games, whereas the Winter Paralympics 2010 will be in Vancouver, Canada. London will host the Paralympics in 2012 and Sochi will be the host of the 2014 Winter Paralympics

Olympic Names

'Aoyun' -  the Chinese name given to to children means 'Olympics'.  More than 3,490 children born around 2,000 when Beijing was bidding for the games, were given this name.  Other children share their name with the mascots:  BeiBei (880),  JingJing (1240),  Huanhuan (1063),  YingYing (624),  NiNi (612).  Source:  Beijing Daily.

   

The Emblem

The Chinese seal - 'Dancing Beijing'  is a clever combination of the 5 rings, the same with the character of 'Jing" and Beijing 2008 in English.

 

The figure on top looks like a man running dancing, to welcome victory.  It carries with it, the Chinese People's longing for luck and happiness, interpreted through the use of the colour 'red'.

 

The Slogan - 'One World One Dream!'

 

Very simple, yet profound.  It expresses an ideal; the belief of what is perfect.  Of the people of Beijing and China, in a world sharing a beautiful earth. Sharing a modern civilisation and creating a better future, hand in hand.   

 

 

Live television coverage of the Olympics begins 08.08.2008 at 19.45 Beijing time (12.45 lunchtime BST London time - 11.45 GMT).  Pictures are from CCTV - China Central Television.  Latest news, updates and pictures on www.cctv.com - select from a variety of languages. 

 

China & the Olympics.

 

1894  The Court of the Qing Dynasty were sent invitations from the International Olympic      Committee (IOC) to attend the Games, but no reply was received.

1922  Wang Zhengting (1882 - 1961) was the first Chinese member of the IOC.

1931  The China National Sports Co-operation & Promotion Association was accepted into the IOC.

1932  Liu Changchun (100 & 200m) was the first Chinese athlete to attend the Games.

1936  China sent it's first delegation of 140 members to attend the Games in Berlin, but they failed to win any medals.

1952  The People's Republic of China sent a delegation to the 15th Olympiad in Helsinki, but they arrived too late to join in most of the events.

1956  The problem of 'two Chinas' resulted in mainland China not taking part in the 16th Games in Melbourne.  In 1958 they left the IOC.

1979  They resumed their seat on the IOC.

1988  He Zhenliang (b 1929 -) was elected Vice-President of the IOC.

1993  Beijing failed in it's bid to win the Games; 43 votes to Sydney's 45.

1996  China won 16 golds in Atlanta - 4th in the gold league table

1998  In November, China submitted it's application to host the 2008 Olympic Games.

         Other candidates were; Istanbul (Turkey), Osaka (Japan), Paris and Toronto.

2000  China won 28 golds in Sydney.  The first time it came in the top 3 medal table.

2001  13th July, Beijing was successful in it's bid for the 2008 Olympics.

2004  China won 32 gold medals at the 28th Games in Athens

2008  Beijing...What next?

 

Monumental Moments In Olympian History.

 

776BC - 393AD (1168 years - 269 Olympiads) set up to worship their God Zeus.  As well as the competitions themselves, which were played naked, speakers gave speeches,, poets read poetry, and businessmen sold goods.  Wealthy families also set up private games to choose husbands for their daughters.  There were 10 events, and the winners were honoured as heroes.

 

1896 Athens - the first modern summer Olympics.  9 sports - 13 countries - mm Greece 49

1900 Paris - due to poor organisation there were more athletes than spectators

                   22 countries - most medals France 102

1904 St Louis - lost in chaos over 4 months as The World Trade Fair was also in St Louis

                       c 12 - mm US 238

1908 London - first time athletes march into the stadium by nation c 23 - mm Britain 145

1912 Stockholm - electronic timing devices used c 28 - mm Sweden 65

1916 Cancelled due to World War I

1924 Paris - all sports run by their International Governing Organisations c 44 - mm US 99

1928 Amsterdam - Olympic Flame introduced c 46 - mm US 56

1932 Los Angeles - automatic timing & photo finish introduced c 37 - mm US 100

1936 Berlin - torch relay introduced 3000 runners through 7 countries

                   c 49 - mm Germany 89

1940 Helsinki - it was awarded to Japan but they lost it when they invaded China.

                       It was cancelled when the Soviet Union (USSR) invaded Finland

1944 Cancelled during World War II (two)

1948 London - following WW II Germany & Japan were not invited c 59 - mm US 84

1952 Helsinki - Soviet Union joined for the first time c 69 - mm US 76

1956 Melbourne - from Nov 22 - December as in southern hemisphere and seasons are

                          reversed c 67 - mm Soviet Union 98

1964 Tokyo - first time the Games are held in Asia c 93 - mm US 90

1972 Munich - terrorist attack by Black September bomb kills 11 in the Olympic Village

                     c 122 - mm Soviet Union 99

1976 Montreal - hit by corruption and over budget c 92 - mm Soviet Union 125

1980 Moscow - US boycott as Soviet Union invades Afghanistan c 81 - mm USSR 195

1984 Los Angeles - in retaliation Soviet Union boycott c 141 - mm US 174

1988 Seoul - DPRK & Cuba boycott c 159 - mm USSR 112

1992 Barcelona - 'Nessun Dorma' becomes a world wide hit sung by Pavarotti

                          c 172 - mm USSR 112 (USSR - Union of Soviet Socialists Republics &

                          Soviet Union are the same - included Russia)

1996 Atlanta - terrorist attack kills 1, injures 14 c197 - mm US 101

2000 Athens - US swimmer wins a record 6 gold medals + 2 c 202 - US 103

 

208 Beijing - Citius Altius Fortius - Faster Higher Stronger

 

 

OLYMPIC HOST CITIES.

 

Beijing began it's life as an insignificant border outpost, pitted with sweeping sandstorms from the Gobi Dessert.  Much of Beijing's historical heritage dates from the Manchu Qing Dynasty.  It has been the capital throughout six dynasties.

 

  Picture from Hong Kong Lego Users Group

It took 4,500 people and more than 300,000 lego brick to create this 8m x 3m model of the most recogniseable venues of the 2008 Olympics, which begins with the opening ceremony on 08.08.2008 in Beijing.  This model is on view at the Grand Century Palace in Hong Kong until August 31st.

 

You can visit the Former Imperial Palace, the Summer Palace, or eat Peking Duck and climb the Great Wall.  You'll find remnants of old Peking in the occasional 'houtong'.  However modern Beijing is full of confidence, with intimidating overpasses, towering skyscrapers, The National Grand Theatre and the Birds-nest Stadium.

 

Looking down on Beijing from the foothills, 20 or so km to the north west, it looks like a diamond sparkling on the plain.  It is truly an ancient city, but it has embraced the 21st century too.

 

Tianjin is worthy of note for several reasons.  First is the compact enclave of colonial buildings, a legacy from the Treaty of Tianjin in 1856, granting the right for European powers to establish trading concessions.  It's also famous for folk art, notably 'Cross Talk'.

 

Several temples are worth a visit and the Ancient Culture Street, where travelers are time-warped into opening their purses and money.  Every kind of souvenir will be found there.  Opposite the Friendship Hotel is the Earthquake Memorial commemorating the 250 - 350,000 people who perished in the Great Tangshan Earthquake of 1976.  Much of Tianjin was destroyed too.

 

Qingdao is a fascinating corner of Shandong Province.  A former German Treaty Port, it looks and feels like a small slice of Europe in China.  Red tiled roofs, green trees and blue sky and sea.  There are restaurants selling mouth-watering sea food dishes.  Pop into a shop and buy something small and ask for a recommendation.  They'll probably direct you to a relative or friend's restaurant.

 

From the second week of August for 16 days, the celebrated Qingdao International Beer Festival kicks off.  Tsingdao beer, originally a German brew, is renowned throughout the world.  Breweries worldwide meet to compare notes and, of course,  party.

 

Qinhuandao is less well known, but almost everyone knows of Beidaihe, beside the Bohai Sea.  With a coastline stretching 124km of beautiful beaches, it's the perfect place for summer fun.

 

In the Autumn you have the chance to spot rare birds in the Baideihe Nature Reserve where more than 400 species come to rest.

 

Shenyang is now the industrial and manufacturing centre in Liaoning province, but it was the trading centre for nomads of the north, beyond the Great Wall, 1,000 years ago.

 

The Imperial Palace of the Manchus is China's second largest palace, after The Forbidden City.  Two of the first Qing Emperors are buried here.  Their tombs are called Fuling and Beiling.

 

Shanghai is booming.  In Shanghai the British and their European rivals, the French, Germans, Italians and Americans had a colonial throat-hold backed by military force, on the Chinese economy and society.  They transformed a small, insignificant fishing town on the Huanhpu River, into one of the richest, outrageous, desperate, most exciting, free-wheeling and wicked cities in the world.  Shanghai revelled in it's wealth, flamboyance, materialism and vice.

 

In the 1930's, when the Japanese blitzed it's way into the south of China, the entire Shanghai dream collapsed into a nightmare of military repression, starvation and atrocities.  It didn't recover until the 1990's, when it was given the go-ahead to exercise some open-door policies of it's own, that it regained it's former glory.  It is a powerhouse; a confident city with it's eyes firmly fixed on a prosperous future.

 

It has the tallest TV tower in Asia; The Oriental Pearl TV Tower, standing about 468m high.  The best time to visit is about 1 hour before dark, and you'll see Shanghai light up as if by magic.

 

Hong Kong  rejoined the motherland on a miserable, wet night on July 1st, 1997.  One hundred and fifty six years of colonial rule had come to an end.

 

The former British Colony is now the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), and has been promised a high degree of autonomy for 50 years after 1997.  Nothing seems to have changed, except that flags on Government buildings are different.  To ex-pats, someone living away from their homeland, it was a home from home.  China was that place over the sea.

 

The British annexed Hong Kong in 1841 as spoils from the first Opium War, an insult China has never forgotten.  I had nothing to do with it - don't blame me!  From the beginning, Chinese flooded in to escape famine and the harsh rule of of the Manchu Qing dynasty.  Most had nothing to lose.  With hard work British and European venture capitalist, Hong Kong couldn't help but make money.

 

Over the years it has adapted and diversified with change.  When the revolutionaries marched into Shanghai, the textile barons moved out to Kong Kong.  During the Vietnam War it was the shipment port for US war materials, and also the most popular recreation destination of American troops.

 

By the 1970's the colony was on the move again, to international banking, finance and electronics.  I see no reason why Hong Kong shouldn't become more prospreous by the day.

 

For entertainment, Hong Kong Disneyland has special features beside the traditional Disney favourites.  The Chinese New Year is celebrated with a special parade.

 

The symbol of wealth is Victoria Peak.  The views of Hong Kong at night are spectacular, and rated one of the best in the world.  It is also home to many species of birds and butterflies as well as the occasional dog-eating python. 

One World , One Dream

Run-up to the Olympics.

 

1.  'Smile' wristbands for Olympic Volunteers unveiled - January 1st, 2007.

 

2.  Planned torch route announced - Beijing 2008:  2007.04.26

                                                      Paralympics:  2007.09.06.

Taiwan excluded from the route.  Never mind.  They can watch it on television as I will be doing.

 

3.  Jade inlaid medals unveiled  - 2007.03.27.  I'm very proud of this innovation from the Olympic Committee.  It's a magnificent representation of China's commitment as being a first for the country.

 

4.  The CPC Central Committee and State Council fully support the Olympic preparations.  2007.10.15.

 

5.  Opening & Closing Ceremonies Creative phase ends and the Production phase begins.  2007.08.

 

6.  Beijing sent out invitations around the world on the year countdown to the events.  2007.08.08.

 

7.  21,888 torch bearers announced.  The largest number in the history of the Games.

 

8.  Campaigns of 'Welcome the Olympics and other promotion swing into action.

 

9.  2007 - 'Good Luck Beijing' to test venues and preparations

 

 

How Foreigners View The Olympics To Be Held In Beijing & What Are Their Perceived Problems & Solutions?  from a report to The Beijing Olympic Committee - BOC.

 

In an attempt to respond to this question fairly, I contacted native speaking English foreigners  working in China and friends living overseas; (UK, USA, Canada, France, Germany & Australia). I also searched newspapers from 2008.01 to the present; Telegraph, The Times, The Guardian & Independent - UK and The New York Times and Washington Post - USA)

 

Introduction. 

 

My responses and searches indicates, that there is a strong consensus that Beijing will be able to hold a 'good and strong'  Olympics which is broadly in line with the vision of the founder of the modern Olympics, Le Baron Pierre de Coubertin.  There is a reminder that, although the Olympics will bring great prestige to both Beijing and China, they belong to the whole world, promoting peace and harmony.

 

The IOC President, Jaques Rogge said in February, that pressure from human rights groups had not influenced sponsors or the marketing programme.  The Xinhua news-agency reported on February 15th, that Foreign Ministry spokesman, Liu Jianchao expressed regrets that Mr Spielberg had decided to withdraw from the advisory panel of the Opening & Closing Ceremonies over the China / Darfur situation.  The IOC President said that the games are bigger than one person.  He said that boycots are a thing of the past, not of the present.  The same was echoed by several European and EU representatives.  Yan Bin, Director or BOCOG Marketing, said that not a single sponsor - 63 in the Summer Games, or 30 supporting the Parlympics had told them of plans of the Marketing Programme or... supporting the Games.

 

Jaques Rogge said that they will not tolerate athletes mixing [promoting] politics with sport.  British Foreign Minister, David Miliband, said,  'everything we have seen and read, suggests that preparations are proceeding in an excellent way.'  He continued that China had big responsibilities.  Britain was looking forward to working with the Chinese Government, to ensure values of stability, security and social justice.

 

British Prime Minister, Gordon Brown was successful, and that cultural events, such as 'China Now', was improving relationships with China.  'British people,' he said, 'were fascinated by the changes and improvements going on in China.'  London holds the biggest celebration of The Spring Festival outside China.  I have been three times  It is Chinese - 'with Western characteristics!'

 

In February, both the former British Prime Minister, Tony Blair, and George W Bush said that they were determined to attend the Opening Ceremony.

 

Angela Merkel, the German Chancellor said (02.19), that the Games offered a significant opportunity to China, as more people would get to know China.  We know that from cultural exchanges between China / France and Russia in recent years, that relationships must be good.  The same applies with Australia, particularly now as the Prime Minister has a Chinese wife and he speaks Chinese fluently.

 

Marketing.

 

The emblem  'Dancing Beijing'  is a very impressive symbol  of the Chinese longing for luck and happiness.  People around the world will probably not be familiar with the sentiment, but that doesn't matter.  What is important, is that it is displayed on products throughout the globe, bringing the Beijing Olympics to the attention of the world.

 

The same applies to the 'FUWA's, which are instantly recognisable, although to people unfamiliar with Chinese traditions and culture will not be aware of their significance.  I like the cuddly toys they are rather cute and the promotional advertisements are amusing.

 

We get it on television everyday, and I like the idea of an Olympic Channel.  I think the television coverage will be excellent as it was in 2004.

 

I am impressed with the range and quality of products in Olympic shops.  I am particularly pleased with the prices in the shops - from a few yuan to thousands.  Ticket prices to events are also affordable, and sales have been well regulated.

 

The information on the two website; Beijing and more recently, the reality site is excellent. My mother, 87 in England, said earlier this week that there have been several programmes on British stations about developments in Beijing, including the Olympic Village and facilities.  To keep her alert in the evenings takes some doing, and I'll take her word as to the quality

 

Security.

 

I was surprised the other day, with  International Department BOCOG, Zhan Yong's surprise announcement that not all of the 55 language translators will not be professional.

 

Security at the airport each time I have returned to London, has always been tight and efficient.  Zhang Zhi, Deputy Director of Airport Police, announced that portable bomb detectors will be available.  A few minutes delay knowing that security, is not so much of an inconvenience.

 

Politics & Sport.

 

Returning to my comment at the beginning about Stephen Spielberg's decision to withdraw from the Advisory Committee, I respect that it is his decision to act according to his beliefs and principles.

 

I do however think that politics and sport are inevitable linked.  Governments necessarily support the bid in whatever form; they are responsible for promoting the events, providing the funds and publicity.  Throughout the history of modern Olympics, incidents have been linked to political incidents.  Cancellations due to world wars, terrorist attacks and boycots - first the United Sates , followed by retaliation from Moscow.

 

I think what the President of the IOC was referring to was that National Governments should not use the Games as a political platform for their beliefs and ideology. 

 

Rewards will come in other ways if such a situation is avoided; namely recovering costs, improving infrastructure and the prestige which goes with success of presenting a 'strong and good Games', on the spirit of it's intentions.  And, of course, the medal count.  As they say in boxing,  'Let's have a clean fight!'

 

Problems & Solutions.

 

I think the first problem is whether Beijing will be able to keep it's promise of  'A Green Olympics'.  The question was raised in 'The Telegraph'  very recently.  Mesures have been taken to re-locate polluting factories, remove old, polluting buses and cars.  There is also the horrendous problem of of Beijing's traffic congestion.  My impression is, that if they say it, they will.  Examples have gone before.  World expert architects and geologists said that the Qinghai - Tibet railway couldn't be built.  China said that it could and they did it.

 

Another report said said that there was heavy congestion for spectators entering one of the sports arenas.  The entrance for competitors was nearest the road; spectators had to go round the side.  Signs were unclear and confusion set in, causing irritation and delays.

 

Visitor's will be coming to Beijing and the other host cities.  I think those from the United States, Germany and oil rich Arabic countries are likely to make their way by tour groups who may also have another agenda - 'Let's do China during the breaks'.  The same is also likely to apply to countries in South America and from the African continent and sub-continent of South-east Asia.  Visitors from the UK, France and others may well have made arrangements independently.

 

There are three points; signs need to be clear - pictograms are a food solution as many are international. 

 

Secondly, visitors from the middle-east and US expect for everything to be provided.  They don't walk; they'll pay, but they always expect to 'tip' good service. and are likely to be very offended if it is refused.  That is likely to include Volunteers, taxi drivers, restaurant waiters, guides and anyone who provides good service.  But sorry, Germans rarely, if ever offer rewards.

 

Third is the need for respectable cover, even if it is casual; drinking water and having a map.  Although good street maps are readily available throughout the city, I suggest that the production of a new smaller, simplified editions are produced.  Irrelevant information needs to be removed.  Main venues, tourist spots, communication centres, bus and subway should etc., be retained.

 

They should be available in hotels and to the Volunteers.  Most visitors second language is likely to contain 'communication English'.  They might have a phrase book or English / multi-lingual Guide.  The problem is likely not to lie with the visitor, but with the Volunteer.

 

My belief is the or so 100,000 Volunteers are a very important part of the structure and running of the Olympics.  They are at the fore-front of contact with the public and their role should not be estimated.  They are, as we say, at the 'pointed end' or 'at the coal face', which simply means that the public's, and throughout the world's general opinion of the organisation of events will be judged by the response they receive from the Volunteers at first hand. 

 

I read recently on the Internet, an anonymous article criticising the training the Volunteers has received.  That it was inadequate for them to be able to deal with the problems they faced, that it didn't take into account problems faced with people from differnt cultures and nationalities, and that their language skills were inadequate.  I don't think they have a representative picture of the situation as it will exist. 

 

We were called at short notice, to join the Core Volunteer Winter Training scheme in Beijing towards the end of January.*  They will not be involved in in-depth conversations.  They need to be able to communicate sufficiently to answer the 'customers' needs.  That is why I suggested the simplified map, and the addiition of a small notepad and pencil would be useful to write telephone / bus numbers, draw a sketch map or provide other information relevant to the enquiry.  Research in London's key tourist locations showed that the wuestion most asked is,  'Where are the toilets.'

 

A few rules.

 

Be sure volunteers know the key locations; toilets, subways, busses etc.,

Be well groomed and stand smartly.

Be friendly, considerate and keep space.

Be on your best behaviour - don't ask personal questions, don't spit or eat with your mouth open.   The Volunteers biggest problem will be smiling all day!

 

Conclusion.

 

The Olympic approach is, I believe,  'This what we have to offer.  This is China!'  It is an opportunity for China to show it'self to the world; bridging the gap between peace, harmong and understanding a country which, in many people's eyes, is shrouded in tradtion, mystery and superstirion. 

 

Alan Cooper.

2008.03.12,

 

Here Come the Games - 2008.08.08.

 

The Beijing Olympic Games are coming closer by the minute.  Although they are being held in Beijing, they don't belong to Beijing or even to China.  They are an International event which belongs to the world, promoting peace and harmony.

 

The Olympic Volunteers, of which there will be 70, 000 - 100,000 or so, are an important part of the structure and organisation for the successful running of both the summer Olympics from August 8th - 24th (2008.08.08 - 24), and the Paralympics which follow in September from 6th - 17th (2008.09.06 - 17).  They are at the fore-front of contact with the public and their role should not be underestimated.  As we say, they are at the 'coal face' or at the 'pointed end',  which simply means that the public's general impression of the organisation of events will be judged from the response they receive by direct contact with the Volunteers at first hand.

 

I read recently on the Internet an anonymous article criticising the training the volunteers had received; that it was inadequate for them to be able to deal with the problems that they will encounter; that it didn't take into account problems faced being in contact with people of different nationalities and cultures, and that the Volunteers language skills were also below the standard necessary for them to be able to accomplish their task.

 

Apart from the fact that I think it is somewhat underhand and cowardly for a person to make a criticism and not identify themselves for whatever reason, I think they do not have a representative picture of the situation as it will exist, during the period of the Games.

 

It is not necessarily important to have an excellent standard of English, as many visitor's English will also be limited.  They will be using words and phrases as a way of international communication to sort out problems, rather than become involved in in-depth conversations. 

 

That is the point; Volunteers need to have the skills necessary to communicate - answer enquiries and satisfy their 'customers' needs.  Research shows that the most common question that is asked of guides and at information centres is, 'Where are the toilets?' 

 

Volunteers can overcome difficulties with the aid of a map and a notepad to jot down brief information, draw a sketch-map, note telephone or bus numbers and other information which may be relevant to the enquiry.

 

So, July 27th  -  the Olympic Village officially opens

      August 8th  -  Olympic Games open

      August 24th  -  Olympic Games close

      August 27th  -  Olympic Village close

 

      -  10,708 athletes will come to the Olympics

      -  28 sporting events will be held

      -  302 gold medals will be awarded; similarly silver and bronze medals

      -  31 competition venues in Beijing

      -  7 venues outside Beijing

 

The Olympic approach I believe, is 'This is what we have to offer.  This is China'.  It is an opportunity for China to show itself to the world, bridging the gap between peace, harmony and understanding of a country which in many nations eyes, is shrouded in tradition, superstition and mystery.

 

Alan Cooper.

2008.03.

 

Beijing 2008 - Olympics.

 

Over subscribed Volunteers.  The number of people who have applied to be volunteers for the Olympics or Paralympics has topped 750,000.  Officials say that the Beijing Games need between 70,000 - 100,000.

 

'Aoyun' -  the Chinese name given to to children means 'Olympics'.  More than 3,490 children born around 2,000 when Beijing was bidding for the games, were given this name.  Other children share their name with the mascots:  BeiBei (880),  JingJing (1240),  Huanhuan (1063),  YingYing (624),  NiNi (612).  Source:  Beijing Daily.

 

Mascots for the Vancouver Winter Olympics in Canada are a mixture of mythical characters.

Sumi : wears the hat of the Orca Whale, flies with the wings of the thunder bird, and runs of the strong legs of a black bear.

Quatchi : the Sasquatch is is a popular figure of the legends of the Pacific west coast.Parents often tell stories to discipline young children.

Miga : is a young sea bear, part killer whale and part bear.  Miga is a rare white bear that is only found in British Colombia.  According to legend, the Spirit Bear, were turned white to remind people of the Ice Age.  Source: 21st Century.

 

BEIJING OLYMPICS 2008 VOLUNTEERS WINTER TRAINING PROGRAMME

2008.01.20 - 27.

 

Wang Bo and I were invited to take part in the  Winter Training Programme for the Core Volunteers for the forth-coming Olympics.  Organised by 'Ai-fly' and under the supervision of Li Yang (Crazy English), it provided a revealing insight into the work and problems the Volunteers face at both the Olympics and Paralympics, which follows.

 

Thirty foreign teachers from all over the world, joined one thousand volunteers from China, in an English Training Programme in preparation for the work ahead.  Come the day, almost one hundred thousand volunteers, chosen from almost 1 million applicants, will be working with the public at Olympic venues across China.

 

Our group was a talented and dedicated group of 23 people, all experienced in the medical profession.  They included well qualified nurses, doctors and surgeons.

 

Morning sessions were occupied by lectures about the various problems they were likely to face.  The most informative of these was on the last day, delivered by a lady who was totally blind, although she had normal vision in her younger days, until her eye-sight began to fail in her late 20's.  It was a well planned and paced lecture, lasting exactly 90 minutes, illustrated with stills and video clips.

 

The afternoons were practical sessions, most of which our group considered helpful, although some expressed there was an element of 'idiot English'; at times, stating the obvious.

 

Overall, it proved to be a very productive week, and one which we would gladly repeat.  I hope that we have an opportunity in the future to make a bigger contribution to China's Olympic Programme, with more improvements in English.

 

Alan Cooper.

2008.01.31.

 

Olympic Volunteers

 

According to reports, Test Competitions for Olympic Volunteers during August, 2007 ran smoothly.  However, not all those taking part were prepared for the fact that they would need to attend training sessions and take tests.

 

Volunteers reasons for wanting to Volunteer, varied from nationalistic pride in wanting to support their country, to more personal reasons such as broadening their experiences and personal horizons, to boosting resumes, and even the chance of free tickets.

 

Perhaps that came as a bit of a culture shock to their expectations as generally, voluntary work of this nature is un-glamorous, repetitive and tedious; with long hours standing with throbbing feet, often in blistering heat.  Some were able to utilize their foreign language skills.  However, opportunities to meet the stars or gain free entry to events were few and far between, if not non-existent.

 

One underlying factor emerged, and is a valuable lesson for everyone.  It is that although jobs such as filing and answering questions from dawn to dusk like, 'Where are the toilets?',  are laborious, they are an important link in the chain to enable colleagues to quickly and accurately locate information later or to satisfy 'the customers' needs.  That, in it turn places emphasis on the importance of 'team-work'.

source:  www.51poll.com

 

Olympic Torch Relay.

 

The Olympic Torch Relay begins it's 137,000 km journey when it is lit in Olympia, Greece on March 24th.  Michail Liapis, Minister of Culture, says that they are ready.  The flame arrives in Beijing on March 31st, where it begins it's journey across the world, including a stop at Mount Qomolangma (Everest), in May, weather permitting.

 

Now for some Facts & Figures with which you can amaze your friends.

 

Route length  -  137,000km

Journey time  - 130 days

Represents  -  Friendship and respect to people of different nationalities, races and beliefs

Number of torch bearers - 21,880, the largest number in Olympian history

Flame is lit using sunlight reflected from a mirror

Fuel  -  in the past, gunpowder, resin and olive oil.  For 2008 Games, propane gas

Slogan  -  'Light the Passion.  Share the Dream'

Torch  -  72cm long, weight 985g

          -  made from aluminium shaped like a paper scroll, in-cut with lucky clouds design

          -  traditionally carried on foot, but also bicycle, car, train, plane, boat, snow-bike,

             horse and camel

Sydney 2000 - the torch was carried under water through the Great Barrier Reef

Flame went out or couldn't be lit during the 1996 Atlanta Games and 9 times during the 1998

             Winter Games in Japan

source:  Olympic website

 

Henry Fok Ying-tung (1923 - 2006)

Edited from '21st Century'  2006.11.01.  SPOTLIGHT  by Qiu quanlin & Wang Zhuoqiong.

 

When the world's best swimmers and divers come to China to compete in the Olympic Games in 2008, they and thousands of spectators will enjoy the charm of the "Water Cube", the nickname for the National Aquatics Centre.

    

The person most responsible for the Cube, however, won't.  "It's a pity my father won't watch the 2008 Olympic Games," said Timothy Fok Tsun-ting, the eldest son ofHenry Fok Ying-tung, the Hong Kong business tycoon who died on Saturday 29th October, 2006 in Beijing from cancer.

     

Fok, 83, devoted much of his time, knowledge and resources to the country's sports programme the "Water Cube" to which he donated one-fifth of the 1 billion yuan (US$125 million) needed to build it.  This  is only one example of his generosity and dedication to help China's athletes.  Fok, a vice-chairman of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, donated more than 800 million yuan (US$100m).

    

To support the Asian Games held in Beijing in 1990, Fok donated 100 million yuan (US$12.5 million) for the Ying Tung Natatorium, which was the largest swimming pool in Asia at the time. It is being renovated and will be used during the 2008 Olympics  for water polo and the swimming portion of the modern pentathlon.

    

Liu Peng, Director of the State General Administration of Sports said, 

 

"The contribution of the Fok Ying-tung Sports and Physical Education Foundation is not only on the commercial level but also spiritually encourages athletes to achieve great performance.  It is not only for the medal winners, but also for the entire sports society in China."

      

He Zhengliang, chairman of the International Olympic Committee's (IOC) Commission for Culture and Olympic Education, remembered Fok as a man of passion for sports and great patriotism.

 

HONG KONG: by Teddy Ng.  Henry Fok Ying-tung was remembered in Hong Kong... as a selfl-ess, true patriot by community members across the political spectrum.

   

At times the contributions of Fok, a prominent Hong Kong industrialist who died on Saturday night in Beijing at age 83, took a toll on his business. Even so, he was not deterred from helping China's development.

   

He sent aid to the mainland despite a United States-led embargo during the Konrean War from 1950 to 1953.

   

"China had gone through a lot of difficulties during the first 30 years after 1949," said Chinese University political scientist Ivan Choy. "Fok had helped the nation a lot during these 30 years even though he had to pay huge cost for providing help".

Fik's body arrived in Hong Kong at 1:15 pm yesterday on a flight from Beijing.  (His)eldest son, Timothy Fok Tsun-ting, said funeral arrangements had not been finalized, but a service was tentatively scheduled for next Tuesday (30th October). In keeping with Chinese custom, the family will bury the body.

  

Henry Fok was the pioneer of joint ventures with overseas partners, including the Zhongshan hot Spring Resort in 1980 and the first five-star White Swan Hotel in 1983. He also focused on the development of Nansha, which was once regarded as the 'Siberia of Guangdong'.

  

 Acting Chief Secretary for Administration Michael Suen, Financial Secretary Henry Tang and Director of the Liasion Office of the Central People's Government in Hong Kong, Gao Siren, arrived at Hong Kong  airport to pay tribute.

   

Tang called Fok, 'a great patriot who had contributed to the nation's development and also a successful entrepreneur'.

  

A memorial service took place at the Peking Union Medical College Hospital before the body was delivered to Beijing Capital  International Airport. Fok's eldest grandson, Kenneth Fok, held his grandfather's picture as the conffin, covered with a national flag, ...sic... continued it's journey.

 

Tom Daley Vs Jaws: Amazing pictures as Olympic sensation swims with sharks  By Andy Hooper  02nd January 2009

 

When you are 14 and have dived at the Olympics in between your school homework, a date with three sharks should not prove too challenging.  Emily, Enzo and Howardine seemed friendly enough - from my vantage point outside the sand sharks’ tank at the National Aquarium in Plymouth.

More than 1,000 fish were there to keep them company, with a safety team of two scuba divers and a free diver overhead on hand to protect Tom Daley. Just in case.

Enlarge  

Tom Daley and his unusual date with three sharks

We still had a brief scare as one shark eluded the safety divers and swam directly at Tom, passing within inches of the diving star of Beijing as he was treading water.  Tom’s father Rob could not bear to look. To shrieks from the watching crowd, Tom  dived again, blissfully unaware of the drama.

What is it they say about working with animals?  Sand sharks can eat lobsters, crab and squid .... but not Olympians, apparently. There have been no records of attacks by sand sharks, or so it says on the internet.

As Tom reached my depth to pose for his picture, the sharks became shy and retreated to the back of the aquarium.  It meant some photo-editing was required to recapture the moment a courageous young boy dared swim in the same tank as thousands of sea bream and three 12-foot sharks.