CHINA
AND THE 2008 OLYMPIC GAMES
AUGUST
7th 2008
Those
who complain that China is not moving fast enough in changing the way
its society is managed fall broadly into two categories. Those who have
directly suffered what they consider to be injustice at the hands of
the state and its agents along with their relatives and close friends,
and those who have not but think that they could do a better job of
running the country if they were in charge. George W Bush, a
super-cretin if ever there was one, is, I assume, in the second
category.
I
would recommend a study of European and American history of the past
few hundred years before venturing an opinion on China. If there is any
chance of this planet remaining a reasonable habitat for civilised
human beings and their descendants it will in my view be thanks as much
to the Chinese and the cultural developments of which they are an
example as any other part of the human family.
The current instability in the world's economies is 100% due to the
actions taken by the administrations of the last two American
presidents, Clinton and G W Bush. This
file is now opened to record the situation in China and its relations
with the world as affected by the coming Olympics and the various
actions and remarks, from the admirable to the cretinous, of the
participants and attenders.
AUGUST 8th 2008
The opening ceremony went well, a stunning spectacle. I do not think it
was produced by slave labour or at some unacceptable price in terms of
human rights or freedom. The conclusion I would draw is to advise the
organisers of London 2012 Olympics against doing a firework display - I
think that's now been done.
AUGUST 11th 2008
But who cares what I think. According to Murdoch's SKY NEWS:
The ceremony has been strongly criticised by architect Ai Weiwei,
who helped design the Bird's Nest stadium.
Writing
on his blog, Mr Ai described the ceremony as "a recycling of the
rubbish of fake classical culture tradition; a sacrilegious visual
garbage dump and an insult to the spirit of liberty; low class sound
play that's just noise pollution".
He was directly critical of
China's ruling communist party, characterising the ceremony as "a
showcase of the reincarnation of the Marxist imperialism; the ultimate
paragon of an all embracing culture of fascist totalitarianism; an
encyclopaedia that encompasses total defeat in intellectual spirit."
Mr Ai helped design the stadium alongside Swiss architect firm,
Herzog and de Meuron.
But
since then, he has become an outspoken blogger against the Olympics and
the Chinese regime. Unusually, he has not been censored by the
authorities.
Hell,
I enjoyed it. Wasn't that the idea? I got the impression the performers
did too - was that just out of terror of being seen not looking happy?
AUGUST 17th 2008
No major catastrophes so far. Most countries have complained about the
judging of the boxing, but that seems to be a problem with boxing in
quite a few places. The British team are doing well considering the
modest pool (numerically) we have to draw on.
Beijing Olympics medal table
| Country |
|
G |
S |
B |
T |
| China |
|
30 |
13 |
10 |
54 |
| USA |
|
19 |
19 |
24 |
62 |
| Team GB |
|
11 |
6 |
8 |
25 |
| Germany |
|
9 |
5 |
6 |
20 |
| Australia |
|
8 |
10 |
11 |
29 |
Medal table last updated 12.20 UK Time. To view full medal table, click here. To view all Team GB medallists click
here.
AUGUST 20th 2008
GB doing even better. We are in 3rd place for Gold medals and 4th
overall. The links above apply.
We are told it the investment in athletes that has brough this about.
The message should be that for 2012 in London we should spend money on
athletes and fixing transport and basic logistics, not on
over-elaborate presentation of the games.
The strangest sight was a Russian lady leading a walking race by miles
because she wasn't walking. That was obvious even without the slow
motion filming which showed clearly she lef the ground with both feet
on every stride. If she is not disqualified, what's the point?
AUGUST 22 2008
"GREEN" OLYMPICS: A CHINESE WAKEUP CALL?
Olympics host China received
another gold last week,
when U.S. Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson presented Chinese officials
with a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold award
for the 2008 Olympic village. The world-class sustainable development
boasts a variety of features including solar panels, green roofs, and
an extensive rainwater recycling system.
While China's pollution problems and their growing carbon footprint
are a major global concern (China is now the largest greenhouse gas
emitter by volume), the country made strides in an effort to "green"
and clean up the city of Beijing for the Games, spending 17.6 billion
dollars to reduce pollution and emissions. Let's hope the short-term
successes in support of the Olympics provide a model for China's
future, and the country vigorously addresses its significant
contribution to global warming.
StopGlobalWarming.org
AUGUST 23rd 2008
A few failures for GB but on the whole still good performances and more
medals. Even one in boxing!.
taekwondo
went a bit pearshaped, some bad judging was corrected but rather upset
our competitor who managed a bronze. Cubans a bit strange - one bit our
boxder, the other head-kicked an official. But it could have been
worse! To view full medal table, click here. To view all Team GB medallists click
here.
AUGUST 24th 2008
The games have come to a successful conclusion. There were many who
expected problems at all levels and atmospheric pollution that would
affect athletes. They were wrong, because they underestimated to
commitment of the Chinese government and the performance of those who
carried out the necessary work in preparation and management. Only good
will have come from these games. However, I am still in favour, after
the London games, of them finding a permanent home in Athens with
Greece being assisted by all the participating Nations with the finance.
Nobody could possible feel anything other than hope for the world after
witnessing the closing ceremonies of the 2008 Olympic Games.
Difficulties lie ahead, but the idea that the competitive nature of
animal life on this planet dooms us to endless war is not borne out,
though the management of resources and the control of population is
surely what we need to take care of.
SEPTEMBER 18th 2007
Britain has achieved a remarkable medal tally in the Paralymics - http://results.beijing2008.cn/WRMP/ENG/Schedule/index.shtml
We have come second overall, next to Chna.
Why?
Is it that our Paralympians are better trained and more spirited than
most countries? Or is it that for some reason we have, amongst our well
fed and spirited young people who aspire to athleticism, an abnormal
number who are disabled due to probems engendered by our modern
industrial society, saved and assisted by that same technological
environment to live their dream as best they may?
OCTOBER 17th 2008
It must be obvious now that having the Olympics in China was a very
good idea. Journalisitc freedoms explored during the games are being
cautiously extended now in time and geographical location. Journalists
are still followed and harried on occasions. In the west, journalists
stalk and harry the public and the people they call or make
'celebrities', Many might prefer the Chinese situation.
nnnn