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2008 Summer Olympics

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The 2008 Summer Olympics (Simplified Chinese: 二零零八年北京夏季奥运会, Traditional Chinese: 二零零八年北京夏季奧運會), officially known as the Games of the XXIX Olympiad, will be celebrated from August 8, 2008 to August 24, 2008, with the opening ceremony commencing at 08:08:08 pm CST (12:08:08 UTC) at the Beijing National Stadium in Beijing, People's Republic of China[a]. Some events, including football (soccer), sailing, and new 10 km marathon swimming events will be held in other cities of China. With the equestrian events being held in Hong Kong, this marks only the third time the same edition of the Olympic Games has been hosted by two National Olympic Committees (NOCs).[b]

The Olympic games were awarded to Beijing, People's Republic of China after an exhaustive ballot of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) on July 13, 2001. The official logo of the games, titled "Dancing Beijing," features a stylized calligraphic character jīng (京, meaning capital), referencing the host city. The mascots of Beijing 2008 are the five Fuwa, each representing one color of the Olympic rings. The Olympic slogan, One World, One Dream, calls upon the world to unite in the Olympic spirit. Athletes will compete in 302 events in 28 sports, just one event more than was on the schedule of the Athens games of 2004. Several new NOCs have also been recognized by the IOC.

The Chinese government has promoted the games to highlight China's emergence on the world stage [2][3], amidst concerns about environmental issues and human rights. Nevertheless, former IOC president Juan Antonio Samaranch has said the Beijing games will be "the best in Olympic history."[4]

Host selection process

Main article: 2008 Summer Olympics bids

Beijing was elected the host city on July 13, 2001, during the 112th IOC Session in Moscow, beating jesus was part of the olimpics and won the fast runs all the way non stopToronto, Paris, Istanbul, and Osaka. Prior to the session, five other cities—Bangkok, Cairo, Havana, Kuala Lumpur, and Seville—submitted bids to the IOC but failed to make the shortlist in 2000. The voting distributions were as follows.

2008 Summer Olympics bidding results
City NOC Round 1 Round 2
Beijing  China 44 56
Toronto  Canada 20 22
Paris  France 15 18
Istanbul  Turkey 17 9
Osaka  Japan 6 —

After the first round of voting, Beijing held a significant lead over the other four candidates. Osaka received only six votes and was eliminated. In the second round, Beijing was supported by an absolute majority of voters, eliminating the need for subsequent rounds.[5]

Previously, Beijing had bid to host the 2000 Summer Olympics. It led the voting over the first three rounds, but ultimately lost to Sydney in the final round in 1993.

Development and preparation

Venues

Main articles: 2008 Summer Olympic venues and Olympic Park

By May 2007, construction of all thirty-one Beijing-based Olympic Games venues had begun.[6] The Chinese government is also investing in the renovation and construction of six venues outside Beijing as well as fifty-nine training centers. Its largest architectural pieces will be the Beijing National Stadium, Beijing National Indoor Stadium, Beijing National Aquatics Centre, Olympic Green Convention Centre, Olympic Green, and Beijing Wukesong Culture & Sports Center. Almost 85 percent of the construction budget for the six main venues is being funded by US$2.1 billion (RMB¥17.4 billion) in corporate bids and tenders. Investments are expected from corporations seeking ownership rights after the 2008 Summer Olympics. Some venues will be owned and governed by the State General Administration of Sports, which will use them after the Olympics as facilities for all future national sports teams and events.

It was announced on July 8, 2005 that the equestrian events are to be held in Hong Kong because of "uncertainties of equine diseases and major difficulties in establishing a disease-free zone." The five venues outside Beijing will be located in Qingdao, Hong Kong, Tianjin, Shanghai, and Qinhuangdao.[7]

Beijing National Stadium

Main stadium Beijing National Stadium (Under Construction)
Main article: Beijing National Stadium

The centerpiece of the 2008 Summer Olympics will be the Beijing National Stadium, nicknamed the "Bird Nest" because of its nest-like skeletal structure.[8] Construction of the venue began on December 24, 2003. The Guangdong Olympic Stadium was originally planned, constructed, and completed in 2001 for the Games, but a decision was made to construct a new stadium in Beijing. Government officials engaged architects worldwide in a design competition. A Swiss firm, Herzog & de Meuron Architekten AG, collaborated with China Architecture Design & Research Group to win the competition. The National Stadium will feature a lattice-like concrete skeleton forming the stadium bowl and will have a seating capacity of 80,000 people. Architects originally described the overall design as resembling a bird's nest with an immense ocular—an opening with a retractable roof over the stadium. However, in 2004, the idea of retractable roof was abandoned for economic and safety reasons. The Beijing National Stadium will be the site of the opening and closing ceremonies, as well as the athletics events and soccer finals. The stadium's designer Ai Weiwei has since withdrawn his support for China's Olympic games, saying "he wants nothing to do with them anymore". [9][10]

Marketing

Emblem

File:Beijing 2008 Tiananmen Square1.jpg
Dancing Beijing emblem depicted in a flower garden.

The 2008 Summer Olympics emblem entitled "Dancing Beijing" (Chinese:舞动的北京) was unveiled in August 2003 in a ceremony attended by 2,008 people at Qi'niandian (祈年殿) — the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests in Beijing's Temple of Heaven (天壇 or 天坛). The emblem combines elements of traditional Chinese society—a red seal and a calligraphic word for jing (京) ("national capital") with athletic features. The open arms of the calligraphic word symbolizes the invitation of China to the world to share in its culture. IOC president Jacques Rogge was very happy with the emblem, saying, "Your new emblem immediately conveys the awesome beauty and power of China which are embodied in your heritage and your people."[11]

Mascots

Main article: Fuwa
File:Friendlies All.jpg

The Fuwa (Chinese: 福娃; pinyin: Fúwá; literally "good-luck dolls") were unveiled as the mascots of the games by the National Society of Chinese Classic Literature Studies on November 11, 2005, at an event marking the 1000th day before the opening of the games.

The Fuwa consist of five members that incorporate fish, giant panda, fire, Tibetan antelope, and swallow designs. They roughly correspond with the five elements of Chinese philosophy: water, metal, fire, wood, and earth, but none of them represent metal, and sky is not an element. The Fuwa each have as their primary color one of the colors of the five Olympic Rings. The five Fuwa are named Beibei, Jingjing, Huanhuan, Yingying, and Nini. When the first syllable of each of the five names are said together, the result is the phrase 北京欢迎你 (Běijīng huānyíng nĭ) which means "Beijing welcomes you".[12]

Tickets

The Beijing Olympic Organizing Committee publicized in early August 2006 that it will sell over 7 million tickets for various sporting events and ceremonies to the general public.[13] The chief of the committee expressed her hopes that all Chinese people would have a chance to come to the games. The committee has, therefore, set low ticket prices so as to encourage the Chinese people to become more involved in the Olympics.

On April 14 2007, tickets to the general public went on sale through the Beijing Organizing Committee for domestic tickets (which will account for 75% of the sales) and through each nation's NOC for overseas ticket sales.[14] By June 2007, 2.2 million tickets—about a third of the supply volume—had already been sold.[15]

Slogan

File:One World One Dream.png
Both the 2008 Olympic emblem and slogan appear side by side in this image.

On June 26, 2005, The Beijing Olympic Committee announced that the slogan for the 2008 Olympics will be "One World, One Dream" (simplified Chinese: 同一个世界 同一个梦想; traditional Chinese: 同一個世界 同一個夢想; pinyin: Tóng Yíge Shìjiè Tóng Yíge Mèngxiǎng.)[16] The slogan calls upon the whole world to join in the Olympic spirit and build a better future for humanity. It was chosen from over 210,000 entries submitted from around the world.[8]

Merchandising

Officially branded merchandise is sold at special stores

Since early 2007, licensed Olympics merchandise stores have been in business throughout China. More than 800 official stores were in operation at the end of July 2007. Since August 2007, Olympic merchandise has been made available online, with more than 5000 products available via the official merchandising website, which include apparel, mascot dolls, key-chains and commemorative chopsticks.[17] In November 2007, overseas Olympic E-shop provide online access to customers all over the world to Licensed Products of Beijing 2008 Olympic Games. (Excluding the USA, Japan, UK, Canada and China)[18]

Olympic lawmaking

The Beijing municipal authority has declared that more than 70 local laws and decrees would be made before the 2008 Summer Olympics which would banish local people who don't have hukou (residency permits) of Beijing. It would also banish vagrants, beggars, and people with mental illness from the city. The municipal authority also made it clear that it would strengthen border control, call for a "special holiday", or forcible shutout, to make Beijing citizens stay at home during the Olympics. It also seeks to strengthen controls over Chinese and foreign NGOs and forbid any protests during the games. The government has also strengthened its laws relating to prosecution of those deemed to be disseminating material not beneficial to the state.[19]

The Geneva-based group, Centre on Housing Rights and Evictions has claimed that 1.5 million Beijing residents will be displaced from their homes for the Olympics event. Beijing's Olympic organizing committee and China's Foreign Ministry have put the number at 6,037.[20] As of May 2005, 300,000 residents have been evicted in preparation for the games. Police in Beijing placed many people under arrest for protesting against the evictions.[21]

The Beijing government has issued new mandates that require police officers in the city to act more appropriately. The government has circulated pamphlets urging officers to desist from using foul language, lose their arrogance, and not hang up on people who call to report crimes. They have been told that violators will be reprimanded. By doing this, Beijing hopes to clean up its image in time for the games.[22]

A drive has also been launched to improve the poor English translations common on Chinese signage and labeling in readiness for the Olympics.[23]

In Feburary 2008, 2 million Chinese citizens were forced out of their homes for Olympic Houses. More than 40,000 protesters were arrested. [24]

Public transport

Further information: Beijing Subway
This is a map of the Olympic venues in Beijing. Several expressways encircle the center of the city, providing for quick transportation around the city and between venues.

Anticipating a huge rush during the games, Beijing's subway system is currently undergoing a major expansion which will increase its capacity to more than twice its existing size. The system currently is composed of four lines and 64 stations. An additional seven lines and more than eighty new stations are being constructed, including a direct link to Beijing Capital International Airport. In the airport itself, eleven unmanned trains, each transporting a maximum of 83 passengers, will expedite the movement of people throughout the new terminal building.[25] Most of them are scheduled to operate from June 30, 2008, one month before the beginning of the games. In January 2007, the BOCOG announced that the Metro cars will be fitted with video screens showing the latest news and events during the games. Additionally, cellphone signals would be made available, so that people can use their communication devices in the metro stations or underground.[26]

According to the General Administration of Civil Aviation of China, a new five-level emergency alert system for extreme weather and security threats will be implemented in the airport. This system is designed to ensure smooth and safe transportation for the estimated three million domestic and overseas visitors who will flock to Beijing for the games in August 2008.[27]

On the ground, Beijing is set to designate thirty-eight official public transit routes that will link the Olympic venues. During the games, 2,500 large-size buses and 4,500 minibuses will be operated by a total of 8,000 drivers to transport people across various venues. Prior to the games, public transport will be optimized in order to reduce the existing 110 overlapping routes.[28]

Smoking is banned in the 66,000 cabs, the violation of which would lead to a fine of 100 to 200 yuan (13 to 26 USD). Beijing authorities are thus trying to make the event a non-smoking event.

Sports

This pictogram depicts Athletics.
File:Beijing 2008 Tiananmen Square2.jpg
Decorative flower garden in Tiananmen Square depicting various Olympic sports.

The programme 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 nine new events will be held, which include two from the new cycling discipline of BMX. Women will compete in the 3000m steeplechase for the first time. In addition, marathon swimming events for men and women, over the distance of 10 kilometers, 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.[c][29][30]

In mid-2006, video gamers held talks with the Chinese government in hopes of allowing video games to be a demonstration sport at the games. Demonstration events have not been held at any Olympic Games (Summer or Winter) since 1992.[31]

On August 7, 2006, a day before the 2-year countdown to the Beijing Games, the Beijing Organizing Committee released pictograms of the 35 Olympic disciplines. Each pictogram is designed so that people of nations around the world can recognize the different sports being played at the Olympic Games. This set of sport icons is named the beauty of seal characters, due to each pictogram's likeness to Chinese seal script.[32]

The following are the sports to be contested at the games. The Olympic sport of aquatics has been split into its constituent disciplines of diving, swimming, synchronized swimming, and water polo. The number of events to be contested in each sport is indicated in parentheses.

Torch relay

2008 Olympic Torch Relay.
Main article: 2008 Olympic Torch Relay

The plans accepted by the IOC for the Olympic torch relay were announced on April 26, 2007, in Beijing.[33] The relay, with the theme "Journey of Harmony", will last 130 days, carrying the torch 137,000 km (85,100 mi.) – the longest distance of any Olympic torch relay (though most of it is by air). The relay will begin on March 25, 2008, in Olympia, Greece. From there, it will travel across Greece to Panathinaiko Stadium in Athens, and then to Beijing, arriving on March 31. From Beijing, the torch will follow a route passing through every continent except Antarctica. The torch will visit cities on the Silk Road, symbolizing ancient links between China and the rest of the world. A total of 21,880 torchbearers will be selected from around the world by various organizations and entities.[34]

2008 Olympic Torch on display in Vilnius, February 16, 2008.

The BOCOG also plans to carry the flame to the top of Mount Everest.[34] In June 2007, construction began on a 108 km (67 mi) long "highway" scaling the Tibetan side of the mountain. The $19.7 million blacktop project will span from Tingri County of Xigazê Prefecture to the Everest Base Camp. Environmental concerns about the effects of the road on the fragile Himalayan region have been expressed by the media, but denied by the Chinese government.[35]

The original scheduled route agreed in April included a stop in Taipei just before heading for Hong Kong. Taiwan's government, however, later rejected this proposal, claiming that such arrangement would make the Taiwan relay be seen as part of China's domestic route, rather than the international route.[36] Recent negotiations have led the IOC to officially take Taipei off the torch relay. Both China and Taiwan have blamed each other for injecting politics into the event. [37]

The Olympic Torch is based on traditional scrolls and uses a traditional Chinese design known as the "Cloud of Promise" (祥云). The torch is designed to remain lit in 65 kilometer-an-hour winds, and in rain of up to 50 millimeters-an-hour.

Participating NOCs

This map depicts the NOCs that competed at the 2004 Olympics in Athens. A vast majority of these nations are expected to return for the 2008 games.

Whilst qualifying competitions in various disciplines are well underway, it is not yet completely certain which National Olympic Committees (NOCs) will participate. Most NOCs participate regularly, although various circumstances could cause a nation to be absent from the games, as was the case for six NOCs at the 2006 Winter Olympics. Nevertheless, placements in various qualifying races can help predict which nations and how many athletes will be at the games; for example, Steven Roush, chief of sport performance for the United States Olympic Committee expects the United States to bring about 600 competitors to the games, their largest Olympic team thus far.[38]

North Korea and South Korea are considering sending a united team to the 2008 Olympics.[39][40] In the past, the two nations have walked together in the parade of nations during the opening ceremonies, but have never competed as one team. The two NOCs met with IOC president Jacques Rogge on September 5, 2006, to discuss the possibility of creating such a combined team.[41] In early 2007, Korean Olympic Committee President Kim Jung-kil and North Korean Olympic Committee President Mun Jae-duk met to further discuss the logistics of sending a unified team.[40] South Korea advocates selection of athletes based on performance, while North Korea hopes for equal representation of athletes if the two indeed send a joint team.[42] The NOCs failed to reach an agreement on representation, but said they would have further discussions in the future.[43]

The Marshall Islands gained NOC status in February, 2006, and is expected to participate in the Games.[44] Tuvalu representatives met with IOC president Jacques Rogge in 2005, who indicated that Tuvalu was likely to be voted a full-fledged Olympic member at the IOC meeting in 2007.[45] At the 119th IOC session, the Tuvalu Association of Sports and National Olympic Committee was accepted as a new National Olympic Committee.[46]

In May 2006 (just after the 2006 Winter Olympics), the citizens of Montenegro voted in a referendum to sever their political union with Serbia. The states of Serbia and Montenegro, which participated at the 2004 Games jointly as Serbia and Montenegro, will now compete separately. The Montenegrin Olympic Committee was accepted as a new National Olympic Committee at the 119th IOC session along with Tuvalu.[46] A dissolution of the Netherlands Antilles was to have taken place in July 2007,[47] giving Curaçao and Sint Maarten—like Aruba—a status aparte. This status would have permitted the new nations to create NOCs, allowing them to compete separately at the games. However, the dissolution was postponed until December 2008, four months after the scheduled 2008 Olympics.[48][49] Even if the dissolution of the Netherlands Antilles takes place in December 2008, any newly formed NOCs will have to wait until the 2012 Olympics to participate in the Summer Games.

On February 17, 2008, the IOC promised to recognize the Republic of Kosovo as a new independent nation. However, there seems to be a consensus that athletes from the newly formed republic will not be able to qualify for the Olympics in time to send a delegation to Beijing. This is additionally compromised by the fact that the new nation has yet to be recognized by many other international athletic federations.[50]

The 2008 Summer Olympics (Simplified Chinese: 二零零八年北京夏季奥运会, Traditional Chinese: 二零零八年北京夏季奧運會), officially known as the Games of the XXIX Olympiad, will be celebrated from August 8, 2008 to August 24, 2008, with the opening ceremony commencing at 08:08:08 pm CST (12:08:08 UTC) at the Beijing National Stadium in Beijing, People's Republic of China[a]. Some events, including football (soccer), sailing, and new 10 km marathon swimming events will be held in other cities of China. With the equestrian events being held in Hong Kong, this marks only the third time the same edition of the Olympic Games has been hosted by two National Olympic Committees (NOCs).[b]

The Olympic games were awarded to Beijing, People's Republic of China after an exhaustive ballot of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) on July 13, 2001. The official logo of the games, titled "Dancing Beijing," features a stylized calligraphic character jīng (京, meaning capital), referencing the host city. The mascots of Beijing 2008 are the five Fuwa, each representing one color of the Olympic rings. The Olympic slogan, One World, One Dream, calls upon the world to unite in the Olympic spirit. Athletes will compete in 302 events in 28 sports, just one event more than was on the schedule of the Athens games of 2004. Several new NOCs have also been recognized by the IOC.

The Chinese government has promoted the games to highlight China's emergence on the world stage [52][53], amidst concerns about environmental issues and human rights. Nevertheless, former IOC president Juan Antonio Samaranch has said the Beijing games will be "the best in Olympic history."[4]

Host selection process

Main article: 2008 Summer Olympics bids

Beijing was elected the host city on July 13, 2001, during the 112th IOC Session in Moscow, beating jesus was part of the olimpics and won the fast runs all the way non stopToronto, Paris, Istanbul, and Osaka. Prior to the session, five other cities—Bangkok, Cairo, Havana, Kuala Lumpur, and Seville—submitted bids to the IOC but failed to make the shortlist in 2000. The voting distributions were as follows.

2008 Summer Olympics bidding results
City NOC Round 1 Round 2
Beijing  China 44 56
Toronto  Canada 20 22
Paris  France 15 18
Istanbul  Turkey 17 9
Osaka  Japan 6 —

After the first round of voting, Beijing held a significant lead over the other four candidates. Osaka received only six votes and was eliminated. In the second round, Beijing was supported by an absolute majority of voters, eliminating the need for subsequent rounds.[5]

Previously, Beijing had bid to host the 2000 Summer Olympics. It led the voting over the first three rounds, but ultimately lost to Sydney in the final round in 1993.

Development and preparation

Venues

Main articles: 2008 Summer Olympic venues and Olympic Park

By May 2007, construction of all thirty-one Beijing-based Olympic Games venues had begun.[6] The Chinese government is also investing in the renovation and construction of six venues outside Beijing as well as fifty-nine training centers. Its largest architectural pieces will be the Beijing National Stadium, Beijing National Indoor Stadium, Beijing National Aquatics Centre, Olympic Green Convention Centre, Olympic Green, and Beijing Wukesong Culture & Sports Center. Almost 85 percent of the construction budget for the six main venues is being funded by US$2.1 billion (RMB¥17.4 billion) in corporate bids and tenders. Investments are expected from corporations seeking ownership rights after the 2008 Summer Olympics. Some venues will be owned and governed by the State General Administration of Sports, which will use them after the Olympics as facilities for all future national sports teams and events.

It was announced on July 8, 2005 that the equestrian events are to be held in Hong Kong because of "uncertainties of equine diseases and major difficulties in establishing a disease-free zone." The five venues outside Beijing will be located in Qingdao, Hong Kong, Tianjin, Shanghai, and Qinhuangdao.[54]

Beijing National Stadium

Main stadium Beijing National Stadium (Under Construction)
Main article: Beijing National Stadium

The centerpiece of the 2008 Summer Olympics will be the Beijing National Stadium, nicknamed the "Bird Nest" because of its nest-like skeletal structure.[8] Construction of the venue began on December 24, 2003. The Guangdong Olympic Stadium was originally planned, constructed, and completed in 2001 for the Games, but a decision was made to construct a new stadium in Beijing. Government officials engaged architects worldwide in a design competition. A Swiss firm, Herzog & de Meuron Architekten AG, collaborated with China Architecture Design & Research Group to win the competition. The National Stadium will feature a lattice-like concrete skeleton forming the stadium bowl and will have a seating capacity of 80,000 people. Architects originally described the overall design as resembling a bird's nest with an immense ocular—an opening with a retractable roof over the stadium. However, in 2004, the idea of retractable roof was abandoned for economic and safety reasons. The Beijing National Stadium will be the site of the opening and closing ceremonies, as well as the athletics events and soccer finals. The stadium's designer Ai Weiwei has since withdrawn his support for China's Olympic games, saying "he wants nothing to do with them anymore". [55][56]

Marketing

Emblem

File:Beijing 2008 Tiananmen Square1.jpg
Dancing Beijing emblem depicted in a flower garden.

The 2008 Summer Olympics emblem entitled "Dancing Beijing" (Chinese:舞动的北京) was unveiled in August 2003 in a ceremony attended by 2,008 people at Qi'niandian (祈年殿) — the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests in Beijing's Temple of Heaven (天壇 or 天坛). The emblem combines elements of traditional Chinese society—a red seal and a calligraphic word for jing (京) ("national capital") with athletic features. The open arms of the calligraphic word symbolizes the invitation of China to the world to share in its culture. IOC president Jacques Rogge was very happy with the emblem, saying, "Your new emblem immediately conveys the awesome beauty and power of China which are embodied in your heritage and your people."[11]

Mascots

Main article: Fuwa
File:Friendlies All.jpg

The Fuwa (Chinese: 福娃; pinyin: Fúwá; literally "good-luck dolls") were unveiled as the mascots of the games by the National Society of Chinese Classic Literature Studies on November 11, 2005, at an event marking the 1000th day before the opening of the games.

The Fuwa consist of five members that incorporate fish, giant panda, fire, Tibetan antelope, and swallow designs. They roughly correspond with the five elements of Chinese philosophy: water, metal, fire, wood, and earth, but none of them represent metal, and sky is not an element. The Fuwa each have as their primary color one of the colors of the five Olympic Rings. The five Fuwa are named Beibei, Jingjing, Huanhuan, Yingying, and Nini. When the first syllable of each of the five names are said together, the result is the phrase 北京欢迎你 (Běijīng huānyíng nĭ) which means "Beijing welcomes you".[12]

Tickets

The Beijing Olympic Organizing Committee publicized in early August 2006 that it will sell over 7 million tickets for various sporting events and ceremonies to the general public.[13] The chief of the committee expressed her hopes that all Chinese people would have a chance to come to the games. The committee has, therefore, set low ticket prices so as to encourage the Chinese people to become more involved in the Olympics.

On April 14 2007, tickets to the general public went on sale through the Beijing Organizing Committee for domestic tickets (which will account for 75% of the sales) and through each nation's NOC for overseas ticket sales.[14] By June 2007, 2.2 million tickets—about a third of the supply volume—had already been sold.[15]

Slogan

File:One World One Dream.png
Both the 2008 Olympic emblem and slogan appear side by side in this image.

On June 26, 2005, The Beijing Olympic Committee announced that the slogan for the 2008 Olympics will be "One World, One Dream" (simplified Chinese: 同一个世界 同一个梦想; traditional Chinese: 同一個世界 同一個夢想; pinyin: Tóng Yíge Shìjiè Tóng Yíge Mèngxiǎng.)[16] The slogan calls upon the whole world to join in the Olympic spirit and build a better future for humanity. It was chosen from over 210,000 entries submitted from around the world.[8]

Merchandising

Officially branded merchandise is sold at special stores

Since early 2007, licensed Olympics merchandise stores have been in business throughout China. More than 800 official stores were in operation at the end of July 2007. Since August 2007, Olympic merchandise has been made available online, with more than 5000 products available via the official merchandising website, which include apparel, mascot dolls, key-chains and commemorative chopsticks.[17] In November 2007, overseas Olympic E-shop provide online access to customers all over the world to Licensed Products of Beijing 2008 Olympic Games. (Excluding the USA, Japan, UK, Canada and China)[57]

Olympic lawmaking

The Beijing municipal authority has declared that more than 70 local laws and decrees would be made before the 2008 Summer Olympics which would banish local people who don't have hukou (residency permits) of Beijing. It would also banish vagrants, beggars, and people with mental illness from the city. The municipal authority also made it clear that it would strengthen border control, call for a "special holiday", or forcible shutout, to make Beijing citizens stay at home during the Olympics. It also seeks to strengthen controls over Chinese and foreign NGOs and forbid any protests during the games. The government has also strengthened its laws relating to prosecution of those deemed to be disseminating material not beneficial to the state.[58]

The Geneva-based group, Centre on Housing Rights and Evictions has claimed that 1.5 million Beijing residents will be displaced from their homes for the Olympics event. Beijing's Olympic organizing committee and China's Foreign Ministry have put the number at 6,037.[59] As of May 2005, 300,000 residents have been evicted in preparation for the games. Police in Beijing placed many people under arrest for protesting against the evictions.[21]

The Beijing government has issued new mandates that require police officers in the city to act more appropriately. The government has circulated pamphlets urging officers to desist from using foul language, lose their arrogance, and not hang up on people who call to report crimes. They have been told that violators will be reprimanded. By doing this, Beijing hopes to clean up its image in time for the games.[22]

A drive has also been launched to improve the poor English translations common on Chinese signage and labeling in readiness for the Olympics.[60]

In Feburary 2008, 2 million Chinese citizens were forced out of their homes for Olympic Houses. More than 40,000 protesters were arrested. [61]

Public transport

Further information: Beijing Subway
This is a map of the Olympic venues in Beijing. Several expressways encircle the center of the city, providing for quick transportation around the city and between venues.

Anticipating a huge rush during the games, Beijing's subway system is currently undergoing a major expansion which will increase its capacity to more than twice its existing size. The system currently is composed of four lines and 64 stations. An additional seven lines and more than eighty new stations are being constructed, including a direct link to Beijing Capital International Airport. In the airport itself, eleven unmanned trains, each transporting a maximum of 83 passengers, will expedite the movement of people throughout the new terminal building.[25] Most of them are scheduled to operate from June 30, 2008, one month before the beginning of the games. In January 2007, the BOCOG announced that the Metro cars will be fitted with video screens showing the latest news and events during the games. Additionally, cellphone signals would be made available, so that people can use their communication devices in the metro stations or underground.[26]

According to the General Administration of Civil Aviation of China, a new five-level emergency alert system for extreme weather and security threats will be implemented in the airport. This system is designed to ensure smooth and safe transportation for the estimated three million domestic and overseas visitors who will flock to Beijing for the games in August 2008.[27]

On the ground, Beijing is set to designate thirty-eight official public transit routes that will link the Olympic venues. During the games, 2,500 large-size buses and 4,500 minibuses will be operated by a total of 8,000 drivers to transport people across various venues. Prior to the games, public transport will be optimized in order to reduce the existing 110 overlapping routes.[28]

Smoking is banned in the 66,000 cabs, the violation of which would lead to a fine of 100 to 200 yuan (13 to 26 USD). Beijing authorities are thus trying to make the event a non-smoking event.

Sports

This pictogram depicts Athletics.
File:Beijing 2008 Tiananmen Square2.jpg
Decorative flower garden in Tiananmen Square depicting various Olympic sports.

The programme 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 nine new events will be held, which include two from the new cycling discipline of BMX. Women will compete in the 3000m steeplechase for the first time. In addition, marathon swimming events for men and women, over the distance of 10 kilometers, 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.[c][29][62]

In mid-2006, video gamers held talks with the Chinese government in hopes of allowing video games to be a demonstration sport at the games. Demonstration events have not been held at any Olympic Games (Summer or Winter) since 1992.[63]

On August 7, 2006, a day before the 2-year countdown to the Beijing Games, the Beijing Organizing Committee released pictograms of the 35 Olympic disciplines. Each pictogram is designed so that people of nations around the world can recognize the different sports being played at the Olympic Games. This set of sport icons is named the beauty of seal characters, due to each pictogram's likeness to Chinese seal script.[32]

The following are the sports to be contested at the games. The Olympic sport of aquatics has been split into its constituent disciplines of diving, swimming, synchronized swimming, and water polo. The number of events to be contested in each sport is indicated in parentheses.

Torch relay

2008 Olympic Torch Relay.
Main article: 2008 Olympic Torch Relay

The plans accepted by the IOC for the Olympic torch relay were announced on April 26, 2007, in Beijing.[33] The relay, with the theme "Journey of Harmony", will last 130 days, carrying the torch 137,000 km (85,100 mi.) – the longest distance of any Olympic torch relay (though most of it is by air). The relay will begin on March 25, 2008, in Olympia, Greece. From there, it will travel across Greece to Panathinaiko Stadium in Athens, and then to Beijing, arriving on March 31. From Beijing, the torch will follow a route passing through every continent except Antarctica. The torch will visit cities on the Silk Road, symbolizing ancient links between China and the rest of the world. A total of 21,880 torchbearers will be selected from around the world by various organizations and entities.[34]

2008 Olympic Torch on display in Vilnius, February 16, 2008.

The BOCOG also plans to carry the flame to the top of Mount Everest.[34] In June 2007, construction began on a 108 km (67 mi) long "highway" scaling the Tibetan side of the mountain. The $19.7 million blacktop project will span from Tingri County of Xigazê Prefecture to the Everest Base Camp. Environmental concerns about the effects of the road on the fragile Himalayan region have been expressed by the media, but denied by the Chinese government.[35]

The original scheduled route agreed in April included a stop in Taipei just before heading for Hong Kong. Taiwan's government, however, later rejected this proposal, claiming that such arrangement would make the Taiwan relay be seen as part of China's domestic route, rather than the international route.[36] Recent negotiations have led the IOC to officially take Taipei off the torch relay. Both China and Taiwan have blamed each other for injecting politics into the event. [37]

The Olympic Torch is based on traditional scrolls and uses a traditional Chinese design known as the "Cloud of Promise" (祥云). The torch is designed to remain lit in 65 kilometer-an-hour winds, and in rain of up to 50 millimeters-an-hour.

Participating NOCs

This map depicts the NOCs that competed at the 2004 Olympics in Athens. A vast majority of these nations are expected to return for the 2008 games.

Whilst qualifying competitions in various disciplines are well underway, it is not yet completely certain which National Olympic Committees (NOCs) will participate. Most NOCs participate regularly, although various circumstances could cause a nation to be absent from the games, as was the case for six NOCs at the 2006 Winter Olympics. Nevertheless, placements in various qualifying races can help predict which nations and how many athletes will be at the games; for example, Steven Roush, chief of sport performance for the United States Olympic Committee expects the United States to bring about 600 competitors to the games, their largest Olympic team thus far.[38]

North Korea and South Korea are considering sending a united team to the 2008 Olympics.[39][40] In the past, the two nations have walked together in the parade of nations during the opening ceremonies, but have never competed as one team. The two NOCs met with IOC president Jacques Rogge on September 5, 2006, to discuss the possibility of creating such a combined team.[41] In early 2007, Korean Olympic Committee President Kim Jung-kil and North Korean Olympic Committee President Mun Jae-duk met to further discuss the logistics of sending a unified team.[40] South Korea advocates selection of athletes based on performance, while North Korea hopes for equal representation of athletes if the two indeed send a joint team.[42] The NOCs failed to reach an agreement on representation, but said they would have further discussions in the future.[64]

The Marshall Islands gained NOC status in February, 2006, and is expected to participate in the Games.[44] Tuvalu representatives met with IOC president Jacques Rogge in 2005, who indicated that Tuvalu was likely to be voted a full-fledged Olympic member at the IOC meeting in 2007.[45] At the 119th IOC session, the Tuvalu Association of Sports and National Olympic Committee was accepted as a new National Olympic Committee.[46]

In May 2006 (just after the 2006 Winter Olympics), the citizens of Montenegro voted in a referendum to sever their political union with Serbia. The states of Serbia and Montenegro, which participated at the 2004 Games jointly as Serbia and Montenegro, will now compete separately. The Montenegrin Olympic Committee was accepted as a new National Olympic Committee at the 119th IOC session along with Tuvalu.[46] A dissolution of the Netherlands Antilles was to have taken place in July 2007,[47] giving Curaçao and Sint Maarten—like Aruba—a status aparte. This status would have permitted the new nations to create NOCs, allowing them to compete separately at the games. However, the dissolution was postponed until December 2008, four months after the scheduled 2008 Olympics.[48][49] Even if the dissolution of the Netherlands Antilles takes place in December 2008, any newly formed NOCs will have to wait until the 2012 Olympics to participate in the Summer Games.

On February 17, 2008, the IOC promised to recognize the Republic of Kosovo as a new independent nation. However, there seems to be a consensus that athletes from the newly formed republic will not be able to qualify for the Olympics in time to send a delegation to Beijing. This is additionally compromised by the fact that the new nation has yet to be recognized by many other international athletic federations.[65] Template loop detected: 2008 Summer Olympics calendar

Broadcasting

Likely competitors in the Games, especially swimmers, have voiced dissatisfaction with the IOC's decision to schedule some events to meet the requests of NBC, which paid US$5.7[66] billion for exclusive United States broadcasting rights to the Summer and Winter Games from 2000 through 2012.[67] NBC requested that popular events, such as swimming, athletics, basketball, and gymnastics, be broadcast live during television primetime in the United States between 8:00 and 11:00 p.m. EDT (between 00:00 and 03:00 UTC) for maximum advertising revenue. This would require events to be held in the early morning between 8:00 and 11:00 a.m., Beijing time. The IOC granted the request for swimming and gymnastics but denied it for athletics and basketball.[68] The IOC has precedent for its decision: at the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul, some swimming, gymnastics, and athletics finals were held in the morning. Also, at the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta, gymnastics finals were held in the afternoon which allowed most of Europe to view gymnastics during their primetime.

In the Philippines, for the first time since 1996, state-run television network NBN, was not awarded the broadcast rights to the Beijing games. Instead, the IOC has awarded the broadcast rights of the 2008, 2010 and 2012 Games to Solar Entertainment, a major player in the country's cable television market.[69] However, it is still not known as to how Solar will broadcast the games, although it is likely that Solar will broadcast the games on free TV through NBN, as with the Asian Games in Doha in 2006. It is possible that it could partner with other major television networks, such as RPN (another state-run network where it has a co-production agreement on its primetime block) or ABS-CBN (a commercial and largest TV network where it had previously co-broadcast boxing bouts, and former having broadcasted the games in 1992 Summer Olympics). In 2004, NBN ran into funding issues, which almost inhibited the network from broadcasting the Summer Games in Athens.[70] The IOC's decision likely reflects this issue.

In the United Kingdom the BBC will again be the sole broadcaster of the games.[71]

In Canada the public network CBC/Radio-Canada and cable networks TSN and RDS will broadcast its final games before a private consortium involving CTV/Rogers/TQS takes over for the 2010 Winter Olympics, which will be happening within Canadian borders, in Vancouver.

In Italy the Games will be broadcasted by RAI (Rai Due).

In Spain the Games will be broadcasted by TVE.

In Chile the Games will be broadcasted by state-owned TVN.

In Malaysia, the games will be broadcasted by Malaysia's Satellite Tv Astro and other free-to-air channels.

For the last time (before Nine Network and Foxtel secured rights for Olympics 2010 and 2012), Seven Network will broadcast for Australia the Olympic Games.

In Brazil the Games will be broadcasted by TV Globo, Band(public channels) and Sportv, ESPN Brasil and BandSports(cable-tv networks).

Concerns and controversy

Concerns over the games include the potential for boycotts from pro-Tibetan organizations. China has also been battling problems with air pollution both in the city of Beijing and in neighboring areas, which the Beijing Organizing Committee (BOCOG) says it hopes to remedy before the games.

Protests and potential boycotts

File:Beijing2008GamesOverlogo.jpg
Students for a Free Tibet campaign to protest the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics.

Boycotts and protests have occurred at past Olympic Games by groups of protesters, activists, and political groups who have had grievances against the host countries or another participating nations. In some cases, these activities have been sanctioned by member states, such as in the 1976, 1980 and 1984 Summer Olympics.

While no state has indicated a willingness to boycott the 2008 games, some groups are initiating independent campaigns to do so and other notable groups have called for protests. It has been reported that Chinese intelligence services were monitoring the activities of foreigners suspected of plotting demonstrations during the Olympics. In addition to monitoring NGOs that are concerned with domestic Chinese issues, the Chinese intelligence is also monitoring possible terrorism-related activities and anti-American demonstrations.[72]

Pro-Tibetan independence groups, such as Students for a Free Tibet, have initiated a campaign to protest the Beijing 2008 Summer Olympics.[73][74][75] The group plans to protest for Tibetan independence and objects to the Chinese government's use of the Tibetan antelope (chiru) as one of its five mascots.[76] The Tibetan People's Movement has also demanded representation of Tibet with its own national flag. Hollywood actor Richard Gere in his position as the chairman of the International Campaign for Tibet called for the boycott of the games to put pressure on China to make Tibet independent.

The press freedom organisation Reporters Without Borders has advocated a boycott expressing concerns over violations of free speech and human rights in China. It hopes that international pressure and petition can effect the release of prisoners of conscience, and hold China to promises made to the IOC, regarding improvements in human rights.[77]

Activists working to address the ongoing violence in Darfur, Sudan, have called for pressure to be exerted on China because of their financial and diplomatic support for Omar al-Bashir, who is responsible for the Sudanese government's proxy militias. These advocates, which include actress Mia Farrow, NBA athlete Ira Newble, and Sudan researcher Eric Reeves, have organized a global advocacy campaign called Olympic Dream for Darfur. Some have begun to refer to the Beijing Olympics as the "Genocide Olympics" as noted in The China Post as a way of connecting Beijing's close political and economic ties to the Sudanese regime. The Chinese government, in turn, has criticised the activists for "politicising" the Olympics and outlined its plans to help the Sudanese economy.[78][79]

Calls for sustained pressure and possible boycotts of the Olympics have come from former French presidential candidate François Bayrou,[80] actor and UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador Mia Farrow,[81] Genocide Intervention Network Representative Ronan Farrow,[81] author and Sudan scholar Eric Reeves[82] and the The Washington Post editorial board.[83] Filmmaker Steven Spielberg, founder of the USC Shoah Foundation Institute for Visual History and Education, sent a letter to Hu Jintao on April 2 2007 to discuss and possibly end China's involvement in the conflict.[84] In February 2008, Spielberg announced he was stepping down from his role as an artistic advisor in protest of the Chinese government's refusal to pressure Khartoum to stop the "continuing human suffering" in the Darfur region. He noted: "Sudan's government bears the bulk of the responsibility for these on-going crimes, but the international community, and particularly China, should be doing more." [85] Additionally, a group of 106 lawmakers in the United States have circulated a letter calling for the US to boycott the coming Olympics because of China's support of the Sudanese regime and the forced relocation[21] of 300,000 Chinese poor to make room for the games.[86] Congresswoman Maxine Waters introduced a similar resolution in early August 2007.[87]

On September 28, 2007, the Nobel Peace Prize laureate Desmond Tutu urged China to intervene in the ongoing protests in Myanmar. Tutu said that if China did not take a stance against the military rulers in Myanmar he would "join a campaign to boycott the Beijing Olympics".[88]

The British Olympic Association (BOA) will require that before leaving for China, British Olympic team members sign an agreement, stating that they "are not to comment on any politically sensitive issues." However, BOA spokesman Graham Newsom stated that the BOA didn't intend to censor athletes, and referred to a rule in the International Olympic Committee charter which states, "No kind of demonstration or political, religious or racial propaganda is permitted in any Olympic sites, venues or other areas."[89][90]

The Chinese regime did however get a boost from US President George W. Bush, who declined to support actions taken in protest of the Chinese government, declaring: "I view the Olympics as a sporting event." [91]

Environmental issues

Concern has been raised over the air quality of Beijing and its potential effect on the athletes.[d] Although the Beijing Municipal Government, in its bid file in 2001, committed to lowering air pollution, increasing environmental protection, and introducing environmental technology,[92] research data show that even if the city were to dramatically cut down its emissions, pollution would still drift over the neighboring provinces,[93] from which 50 percent of Beijing's air is believed to originate.[94] At current levels, air pollution is at least 2 to 3 times higher than levels deemed safe by the World Health Organization. Marco Cardinale of the British Olympic Association has stated that air pollution coupled with heat and humidity makes it "very unlikely we'll see outstanding performances in endurance sports."[93] Several countries have also indicated that their athletes will arrive at the games as late as possible to avoid exposure to pollution.[95] Despite this, Beijing, in its commitment to improve air quality, will remove 60,000 taxis and buses from the roads by the end of 2007 and plans to relocate 200 local factories, including a prominent steel factory,[93] before the games begin.[94] The Chinese government has provided assurances that "blue skies are a requirement not only for Beijing, but also for the places around it."[96] The United States Olympic Committee has also expressed its assurance that the air quality of Beijing will not be a concern for the U.S. delegation to the games.[97]

Meteorological findings in April 2007 also have suggested that, based on rainfall data from the past 30 years, there is a 50 percent chance of rain for the opening and closing ceremonies of the games.[98][99] To combat the chance of poor weather, Beijing officials plan to seed clouds to induce rain several days before the games begin by shooting thousands of silver iodate pellets into the air using ground-based rockets.[100][101] While the effectiveness of this method is questionable, Beijing is optimistic that it will reduce the chance of rainfall during the games,[102] and planned to carry out several tests as a practice in the summer of 2007, one year before the games begin.[100] Officials have also stated that inducing rain should also remove some of the pollution from the air.[99]

Another issue of concern is that of Beijing's poor tap water supply. A high-ranking Beijing official has stated that tap water in the city should be avoided.[citation needed] The water coming out of the water plants is safe, according to Bi Xiaogang of the Beijing Water Management Bureau; the process of transporting the water throughout the city is what contaminates it. Beijing is suffering from a drought of 15 years as well as a lack of major fresh water sources elsewhere, so many locals drink bottled water instead of that from the tap.[103] Officials of the city water authority have ensured, however, that "the safety and efficiency of the water system" will be maintained and that the recycled water supplied to the Olympic Village will be as clean as tap water.[104]

Class discrimination

The new toilet facilities built in the Beijing stadiums can no longer be used by regular Chinese citizens living or working in the area. Concerns have been raised by Communist party officials that the hygiene issues of local citizens would affect the Beijing Olympic image.[105] There is now a penalty of 100 to 500 yuan imposed on any Chinese locals caught using the bathrooms.[105]

See also

Wikimedia Commons has media related to 2008 Summer Olympics.

References

Citations

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  96. ^ "Promise of clean air during Olympics". BOCOG. 2007-03-13. Retrieved 2007-03-16. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  97. ^ "USOC official: air quality not a concern for U.S. Olympic delegation in Beijing". BOCOG. 2007-08-03. Retrieved 2007-08-03. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  98. ^ "Beijing to keep skies clear on Games' opening day". BOCOG. 2007-04-26. Retrieved 2007-04-27. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  99. ^ a b Tandan, Marc (2007-04-27). "The Buzz: Is China's weather plan for the Olympics all wet?". The Virginian-Pilot. Retrieved 2007-04-27. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  100. ^ a b Xiaohua, Sun (2007-07-18). "Weather drills get under way for 2008 Olympics". China Daily. Retrieved 2007-07-19. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  101. ^ Watts, Jonathan (2007-05-12). "Organisers to give Olympic clouds a silver lining". Guardian Unlimited. Retrieved 2007-05-16. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  102. ^ Robertson, Laura (2007-04-27). "Beijing Fights Olympic Rain, But Can it Prevent the Protestors' Storm?". CBN News. Retrieved 2007-04-27. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  103. ^ "Beijing 2008 advice: Don't drink the water". Associated Press. 2007-05-09. Retrieved 2007-05-11. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  104. ^ Xiaohuo, Cui (2007-07-19). "New water treatment system for Olympics". China Daily. Retrieved 2007-07-19. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  105. ^ a b Singtao Shanghai news. Section A-14. [07-22-2007]

Notes

  1. ^ The number 8 is associated with prosperity and confidence in Chinese culture.[1]
  2. ^ Hong Kong is a Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China, whereby it is controls its own political system and economy. Under the principle of "one country, two systems," China agreed to allow Hong Kong to compete in sporting events separately from Mainland China. Thus, Hong Kong has its own National Olympic Committee, the Sports Federation and Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, which is distinct from the Chinese Olympic Committee.
  3. ^ The fencing programme will again include all six individual events and four team events, though the team events will be a different set than were held in 2004. The International Fencing Federation's rules call for events not held in the previous Games to receive automatic selection and for at least one team event in each weapon to be held. Voting is conducted to determine the fourth event. In 2004, the three men's team events and the women's épée were held. Thus, in 2008, the women's foil and sabre events and men's épée were automatically selected. Men's sabre was chosen over foil by a 45–20 vote.[2]
  4. ^ Poor-quality air in China contributes to the death of about 400,000 Chinese annually. Ozone and fine particulate matter—bits of carbon, sulfates, and industrial by-products—will be the two biggest pollution threats to the athletes in 2008. When high ozone levels are present, lungs are not able to absorb as much air, causing coughing, wheezing, or headaches.[3]
Wikinews has related news:

Broadcasting

Likely competitors in the Games, especially swimmers, have voiced dissatisfaction with the IOC's decision to schedule some events to meet the requests of NBC, which paid US$5.7[4] billion for exclusive United States broadcasting rights to the Summer and Winter Games from 2000 through 2012.[5] NBC requested that popular events, such as swimming, athletics, basketball, and gymnastics, be broadcast live during television primetime in the United States between 8:00 and 11:00 p.m. EDT (between 00:00 and 03:00 UTC) for maximum advertising revenue. This would require events to be held in the early morning between 8:00 and 11:00 a.m., Beijing time. The IOC granted the request for swimming and gymnastics but denied it for athletics and basketball.[6] The IOC has precedent for its decision: at the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul, some swimming, gymnastics, and athletics finals were held in the morning. Also, at the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta, gymnastics finals were held in the afternoon which allowed most of Europe to view gymnastics during their primetime.

In the Philippines, for the first time since 1996, state-run television network NBN, was not awarded the broadcast rights to the Beijing games. Instead, the IOC has awarded the broadcast rights of the 2008, 2010 and 2012 Games to Solar Entertainment, a major player in the country's cable television market.[7] However, it is still not known as to how Solar will broadcast the games, although it is likely that Solar will broadcast the games on free TV through NBN, as with the Asian Games in Doha in 2006. It is possible that it could partner with other major television networks, such as RPN (another state-run network where it has a co-production agreement on its primetime block) or ABS-CBN (a commercial and largest TV network where it had previously co-broadcast boxing bouts, and former having broadcasted the games in 1992 Summer Olympics). In 2004, NBN ran into funding issues, which almost inhibited the network from broadcasting the Summer Games in Athens.[8] The IOC's decision likely reflects this issue.

In the United Kingdom the BBC will again be the sole broadcaster of the games.[9]

In Canada the public network CBC/Radio-Canada and cable networks TSN and RDS will broadcast its final games before a private consortium involving CTV/Rogers/TQS takes over for the 2010 Winter Olympics, which will be happening within Canadian borders, in Vancouver.

In Italy the Games will be broadcasted by RAI (Rai Due).

In Spain the Games will be broadcasted by TVE.

In Chile the Games will be broadcasted by state-owned TVN.

In Malaysia, the games will be broadcasted by Malaysia's Satellite Tv Astro and other free-to-air channels.

For the last time (before Nine Network and Foxtel secured rights for Olympics 2010 and 2012), Seven Network will broadcast for Australia the Olympic Games.

In Brazil the Games will be broadcasted by TV Globo, Band(public channels) and Sportv, ESPN Brasil and BandSports(cable-tv networks).

Concerns and controversy

Concerns over the games include the potential for boycotts from pro-Tibetan organizations. China has also been battling problems with air pollution both in the city of Beijing and in neighboring areas, which the Beijing Organizing Committee (BOCOG) says it hopes to remedy before the games.

Protests and potential boycotts

File:Beijing2008GamesOverlogo.jpg
Students for a Free Tibet campaign to protest the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics.

Boycotts and protests have occurred at past Olympic Games by groups of protesters, activists, and political groups who have had grievances against the host countries or another participating nations. In some cases, these activities have been sanctioned by member states, such as in the 1976, 1980 and 1984 Summer Olympics.

While no state has indicated a willingness to boycott the 2008 games, some groups are initiating independent campaigns to do so and other notable groups have called for protests. It has been reported that Chinese intelligence services were monitoring the activities of foreigners suspected of plotting demonstrations during the Olympics. In addition to monitoring NGOs that are concerned with domestic Chinese issues, the Chinese intelligence is also monitoring possible terrorism-related activities and anti-American demonstrations.[10]

Pro-Tibetan independence groups, such as Students for a Free Tibet, have initiated a campaign to protest the Beijing 2008 Summer Olympics.[11][12][13] The group plans to protest for Tibetan independence and objects to the Chinese government's use of the Tibetan antelope (chiru) as one of its five mascots.[14] The Tibetan People's Movement has also demanded representation of Tibet with its own national flag. Hollywood actor Richard Gere in his position as the chairman of the International Campaign for Tibet called for the boycott of the games to put pressure on China to make Tibet independent.

The press freedom organisation Reporters Without Borders has advocated a boycott expressing concerns over violations of free speech and human rights in China. It hopes that international pressure and petition can effect the release of prisoners of conscience, and hold China to promises made to the IOC, regarding improvements in human rights.[15]

Activists working to address the ongoing violence in Darfur, Sudan, have called for pressure to be exerted on China because of their financial and diplomatic support for Omar al-Bashir, who is responsible for the Sudanese government's proxy militias. These advocates, which include actress Mia Farrow, NBA athlete Ira Newble, and Sudan researcher Eric Reeves, have organized a global advocacy campaign called Olympic Dream for Darfur. Some have begun to refer to the Beijing Olympics as the "Genocide Olympics" as noted in The China Post as a way of connecting Beijing's close political and economic ties to the Sudanese regime. The Chinese government, in turn, has criticised the activists for "politicising" the Olympics and outlined its plans to help the Sudanese economy.[16][17]

Calls for sustained pressure and possible boycotts of the Olympics have come from former French presidential candidate François Bayrou,[18] actor and UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador Mia Farrow,[19] Genocide Intervention Network Representative Ronan Farrow,[19] author and Sudan scholar Eric Reeves[20] and the The Washington Post editorial board.[21] Filmmaker Steven Spielberg, founder of the USC Shoah Foundation Institute for Visual History and Education, sent a letter to Hu Jintao on April 2 2007 to discuss and possibly end China's involvement in the conflict.[22] In February 2008, Spielberg announced he was stepping down from his role as an artistic advisor in protest of the Chinese government's refusal to pressure Khartoum to stop the "continuing human suffering" in the Darfur region. He noted: "Sudan's government bears the bulk of the responsibility for these on-going crimes, but the international community, and particularly China, should be doing more." [23] Additionally, a group of 106 lawmakers in the United States have circulated a letter calling for the US to boycott the coming Olympics because of China's support of the Sudanese regime and the forced relocation[24] of 300,000 Chinese poor to make room for the games.[25] Congresswoman Maxine Waters introduced a similar resolution in early August 2007.[26]

On September 28, 2007, the Nobel Peace Prize laureate Desmond Tutu urged China to intervene in the ongoing protests in Myanmar. Tutu said that if China did not take a stance against the military rulers in Myanmar he would "join a campaign to boycott the Beijing Olympics".[27]

The British Olympic Association (BOA) will require that before leaving for China, British Olympic team members sign an agreement, stating that they "are not to comment on any politically sensitive issues." However, BOA spokesman Graham Newsom stated that the BOA didn't intend to censor athletes, and referred to a rule in the International Olympic Committee charter which states, "No kind of demonstration or political, religious or racial propaganda is permitted in any Olympic sites, venues or other areas."[28][29]

The Chinese regime did however get a boost from US President George W. Bush, who declined to support actions taken in protest of the Chinese government, declaring: "I view the Olympics as a sporting event." [30]

Environmental issues

Concern has been raised over the air quality of Beijing and its potential effect on the athletes.[d] Although the Beijing Municipal Government, in its bid file in 2001, committed to lowering air pollution, increasing environmental protection, and introducing environmental technology,[31] research data show that even if the city were to dramatically cut down its emissions, pollution would still drift over the neighboring provinces,[32] from which 50 percent of Beijing's air is believed to originate.[3] At current levels, air pollution is at least 2 to 3 times higher than levels deemed safe by the World Health Organization. Marco Cardinale of the British Olympic Association has stated that air pollution coupled with heat and humidity makes it "very unlikely we'll see outstanding performances in endurance sports."[32] Several countries have also indicated that their athletes will arrive at the games as late as possible to avoid exposure to pollution.[33] Despite this, Beijing, in its commitment to improve air quality, will remove 60,000 taxis and buses from the roads by the end of 2007 and plans to relocate 200 local factories, including a prominent steel factory,[32] before the games begin.[3] The Chinese government has provided assurances that "blue skies are a requirement not only for Beijing, but also for the places around it."[34] The United States Olympic Committee has also expressed its assurance that the air quality of Beijing will not be a concern for the U.S. delegation to the games.[35]

Meteorological findings in April 2007 also have suggested that, based on rainfall data from the past 30 years, there is a 50 percent chance of rain for the opening and closing ceremonies of the games.[36][37] To combat the chance of poor weather, Beijing officials plan to seed clouds to induce rain several days before the games begin by shooting thousands of silver iodate pellets into the air using ground-based rockets.[38][39] While the effectiveness of this method is questionable, Beijing is optimistic that it will reduce the chance of rainfall during the games,[40] and planned to carry out several tests as a practice in the summer of 2007, one year before the games begin.[38] Officials have also stated that inducing rain should also remove some of the pollution from the air.[37]

Another issue of concern is that of Beijing's poor tap water supply. A high-ranking Beijing official has stated that tap water in the city should be avoided.[citation needed] The water coming out of the water plants is safe, according to Bi Xiaogang of the Beijing Water Management Bureau; the process of transporting the water throughout the city is what contaminates it. Beijing is suffering from a drought of 15 years as well as a lack of major fresh water sources elsewhere, so many locals drink bottled water instead of that from the tap.[41] Officials of the city water authority have ensured, however, that "the safety and efficiency of the water system" will be maintained and that the recycled water supplied to the Olympic Village will be as clean as tap water.[42]

Class discrimination

The new toilet facilities built in the Beijing stadiums can no longer be used by regular Chinese citizens living or working in the area. Concerns have been raised by Communist party officials that the hygiene issues of local citizens would affect the Beijing Olympic image.[43] There is now a penalty of 100 to 500 yuan imposed on any Chinese locals caught using the bathrooms.[43]

See also

Wikimedia Commons has media related to 2008 Summer Olympics.

References

Citations

  1. ^ "The Number Eight And The Chinese". Retrieved 2007-04-22.
  2. ^ "List of decisions of the 2006 General Assembly" (PDF) (pdf). Federation Internationale d'Escrime. 2006-04-08. Retrieved 2007-04-22. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  3. ^ a b c Mone, Gregory. "Choking at the Olympics". Popular Science (August 2007): 33–35. ISSN 0161-7370. {{cite journal}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help); Unknown parameter |laydate= ignored (help); Unknown parameter |laysource= ignored (help); Unknown parameter |laysummary= ignored (help)
  4. ^ "Some Shows Turn NBC Olympics Into Also-Ran". New York Times. 2006-02-26. Retrieved 2008-01-22. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  5. ^ "Are the IOC and NBC Unfairly Prohibiting Internet Coverage of the Sydney Olympics?". 2001-01-09. Retrieved 2007-05-06. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  6. ^ "2008 Beijing Olympic Swimming Finals in the Morning Looks to be a Reality". About, Inc. 2006-10-26. Retrieved 2006-12-19. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  7. ^ IOC signs 2008, 2010 and 2012 broadcast rights deal for the Philippines, International Olympic Committee. Retrieved on July 18, 2007.
  8. ^ Ronnie Nathanielsz. GMA saves TV Coverage, Manila Standard Today. Retrieved on July 18, 2007.
  9. ^ http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2005/nov/09/broadcasting.bbc2
  10. ^ Hutzler, Charles (2007-07-23). "China Sees Activists As Olympic Threat". Associated Press. Retrieved 2007-07-29.
  11. ^ Denyer, Simon. "Tibetan Protesters train hard for Beijing Olympics". Retrieved 2007-05-30.
  12. ^ August, Oliver (2004-08-31). "Tibet activists begin Beijing Games protest". Times Online. Retrieved 2007-05-30. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  13. ^ Wade, Stephen (2007-08-07). "Protests, Smog Cloud Olympics a Year Out". Associated Press. Retrieved 2007-08-07.
  14. ^ Students for a Free Tibet, 2008 Olympics Campaign, blog.studentsforafreetibet.org. Retrieved on January 8, 2007.
  15. ^ "Boycott Beijing 2008: Repression continues in China, one year before Olympic Games", Reporters Without Borders, 2007. Retrieved on 2007-10-03
  16. ^ Bloomberg, Frederick Kempe (2007-05-26). "China hopes to avoid 'genocide Olympics'". China Post. Retrieved 2007-05-30. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  17. ^ "China's Games". Washington Post. 2007-05-29. Retrieved 2007-05-30. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  18. ^ Call for Olympic boycott stirs up pre-poll France, Reuters. Retrieved on 2007-03-22.
  19. ^ a b The 'Genocide Olympics', The Wall Street Journal, 2007-03-28. Retrieved on 2007-03-28.
  20. ^ On Darfur, China and the 2008 Olympic Games, Sudan Tribune, 2007-02-11. Retrieved on 2007-03-28.
  21. ^ China and Darfur: The Genocide Olympics?, The Washington Post, 2006-12-14. Retrieved on 2007-03-28.
  22. ^ Steven Spielberg (2007-05-11). "Steven Spielberg on Darfur/China situation". Spielbergfilms. Retrieved 2007-05-13. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  23. ^ [3]
  24. ^ Cite error: The named reference 300k evicted was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  25. ^ "China defends Darfur role, deflects Olympic warning", Reuters AlertNet, 10 May 2007
  26. ^ Bresnahan, John (2007-08-07). "Waters Wants To Boycott Beijing Olympics". The Politico Crypt. Retrieved 2007-08-08.
  27. ^ Desmond Tutu vädjar till Burmas ledare Dagens Nyheter, September 28, 2007.
  28. ^ "Olympics - UK athletes barred from political comments". The Guardian. February 10, 2008. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Text "accessdate-2008-02-10" ignored (help)
  29. ^ "Olympic Charter" (PDF). International Olympic Committee. October 16, 2007. Retrieved 2008-02-10. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  30. ^ [4] BBC News, February 14, 2008.
  31. ^ "Report of the IOC Evaluation Commission for the Games of the XXIX Olympiad in 2008" (PDF). International Olympic Committee. 2001-05-15. p. 62. Retrieved 2007-07-18. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  32. ^ a b c Oster, Shai (2007-02-15). "Will Beijing's Air Cast Pall Over Olympics?". The Wall Street Journal. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  33. ^ "WHO fears over Beijing pollution". BBC. 2007-08-17. Retrieved 2007-08-17.
  34. ^ "Promise of clean air during Olympics". BOCOG. 2007-03-13. Retrieved 2007-03-16. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  35. ^ "USOC official: air quality not a concern for U.S. Olympic delegation in Beijing". BOCOG. 2007-08-03. Retrieved 2007-08-03. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  36. ^ "Beijing to keep skies clear on Games' opening day". BOCOG. 2007-04-26. Retrieved 2007-04-27. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  37. ^ a b Tandan, Marc (2007-04-27). "The Buzz: Is China's weather plan for the Olympics all wet?". The Virginian-Pilot. Retrieved 2007-04-27. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  38. ^ a b Xiaohua, Sun (2007-07-18). "Weather drills get under way for 2008 Olympics". China Daily. Retrieved 2007-07-19. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  39. ^ Watts, Jonathan (2007-05-12). "Organisers to give Olympic clouds a silver lining". Guardian Unlimited. Retrieved 2007-05-16. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  40. ^ Robertson, Laura (2007-04-27). "Beijing Fights Olympic Rain, But Can it Prevent the Protestors' Storm?". CBN News. Retrieved 2007-04-27. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  41. ^ "Beijing 2008 advice: Don't drink the water". Associated Press. 2007-05-09. Retrieved 2007-05-11. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  42. ^ Xiaohuo, Cui (2007-07-19). "New water treatment system for Olympics". China Daily. Retrieved 2007-07-19. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  43. ^ a b Singtao Shanghai news. Section A-14. [07-22-2007]

Notes

  1. ^ The number 8 is associated with prosperity and confidence in Chinese culture.[1]
  2. ^ Hong Kong is a Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China, whereby it is controls its own political system and economy. Under the principle of "one country, two systems," China agreed to allow Hong Kong to compete in sporting events separately from Mainland China. Thus, Hong Kong has its own National Olympic Committee, the Sports Federation and Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, which is distinct from the Chinese Olympic Committee.
  3. ^ The fencing programme will again include all six individual events and four team events, though the team events will be a different set than were held in 2004. The International Fencing Federation's rules call for events not held in the previous Games to receive automatic selection and for at least one team event in each weapon to be held. Voting is conducted to determine the fourth event. In 2004, the three men's team events and the women's épée were held. Thus, in 2008, the women's foil and sabre events and men's épée were automatically selected. Men's sabre was chosen over foil by a 45–20 vote.[2]
  4. ^ Poor-quality air in China contributes to the death of about 400,000 Chinese annually. Ozone and fine particulate matter—bits of carbon, sulfates, and industrial by-products—will be the two biggest pollution threats to the athletes in 2008. When high ozone levels are present, lungs are not able to absorb as much air, causing coughing, wheezing, or headaches.[3]
Wikinews has related news:
  1. ^ "The Number Eight And The Chinese". Retrieved 2007-04-22.
  2. ^ "List of decisions of the 2006 General Assembly" (PDF) (pdf). Federation Internationale d'Escrime. 2006-04-08. Retrieved 2007-04-22. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  3. ^ Cite error: The named reference PopSci pollution article was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
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