As the Beijing Games approach, we’re not the only b5media blog to be talking about the Olympics. Below are just a few of the many Olympic posts around the system:
US Gymnast, Shayla Worley fractured her right fibula yesterday during the two-day Olympic selection camp at the Bela Karolyi Camp outside of Houston, likely ending her Olympic chances for this year.
The camp will decide the final four members of the US women’s gymnastic team. Shawn Johnson and Nastia Liukin have already been selected for the team. The additional members will be announced this evening.
Mike, who writes the Olympic blog: 08:08:08, is an Australian who moved to Beijing this spring specifically to be in the middle of the action leading up to and during the Beijing Games. If that isn’t the true spirit of travel writing, I don’t know what is. He agreed to chat with us about what it’s like in Beijing right now and his thoughts on the up-coming Olympics. Here’s what he had to say:
Torch: Can you tell “Light the Torch” readers a little about your background and why you decided to move to Beijing for the Olympic Games?
I started my blog on a whim in 2005. I was living in Japan at the time. I had been to China several times and spent a year studying Mandarin in Wuhan, China in 1998. During that year I traveled up to Beijing a few times and thought it was a cool and interesting city.
I quit my job in Japan at the end of 2006 and started blogging and making websites full-time, while traveling around South East Asia. Around mid-2007 I thought it would be cool to head up to Beijing and start taking some pictures and writing about what was actually happening. I had started hearing about these fantastic new stadiums being built and wanted to see them for myself. I thought I had a good opportunity to do something with my blog and I could provide a different perspective on the games to the traditional media outlets.
The winter was too cold for me, so I went back to Australia for Christmas and then returned to China in March this year. Having spent a year in China 10 years ago, I was interested in seeing how China has changed in that time and the effect the Olympics would have on the country.
Torch: Is this your first time in Beijing?
The first time I visited the city was in 1998. I spent 3 months here last year and have been here from March this year.
Torch: Beijing seems a flurry of activity right now, before the Games. What is going on there that isn’t being covered by the Western press?
I would say most of the articles and stories I have read are pretty accurate and most of which is happening is being covered. Most of the journalists have a lot of experience living and reporting on China.
The press can sometimes be a little slow to pick up stories though, like the crackdown on visas. The China forums were going crazy for a couple of months before the press wrote anything about it, now there are stories daily on the topic. Something which I have noticed in forums and blogs is that factories and production are now being affected by the Olympics. This could have an affect on the Chinese economy, but it is still probably too early to say. I wouldn’t be surprised to find examples of companies moving production to neighboring countries like Vietnam because of the Olympics.
Torch: Is the smog really as bad as it seems in the pictures?
The pollution has its good and bad days. Most of last month the sky was covered in a thick fog, which you would expect to see in winter, but the weather was actually warm and humid. Beijing has also had a bit of rain recently which helps to clear the pollution. Everything always seems to be covered in dust. If you have a new car, you really need to wash it every second day to keep it nice. I don’t suffer from any breathing problems, but I think if you suffered from asthma you wouldn’t want to stay in Beijing for long.
While gymnastics and swimming events won’t have any trouble, outdoor endurance events such as the marathon and triathlon could be in trouble. When I have ridden my bike around on busy roads, I feel a slight pain in my chest. I much prefer to go to an air-conditioned gym to exercise!
Torch: Are you planning on attending any of the events? If so, which ones? Do you have a favorite Olympic event?
I didn’t apply for tickets as I wasn’t sure if I would stay in Beijing or not. I am also planning to do a lot of blogging while the Olympics are on. The beach volleyball is not far from my house, so I might try and go to that if I can get some tickets. I went to many of the test events this year and last year including: rhythmic gymnastics, boxing, gymnastics, synchronized swimming, basketball, softball, boxing and wushu. The events were cheap and only lightly attended so I had a good chance to see the new stadiums and sit close to the action.
I like martial events like taekwando, boxing and judo. Since I am from Australia, I will be keen to watch the swimming. Many people make fun of the rhythmic gymnastics, but after seeing them live last year I have a greater appreciation for them.
Torch: What, if anything, has surprised you about the Olympic preparations?
I thought it would be difficult to find accommodation(s), but that turned out to be easy. I am surprised at the increase in security and the closing down of anything that might embarrass China, even though they have been written about endlessly in the press. I thought there would be more events and festivals leading up to the games, but any annual festivals have actually been canceled or postponed until after the Olympics. The lead up to the games have been a little boring in that regard. With all the security and police around, it feels more like they are preparing for a war.
Torch: What advice do you have for any readers that are going to Beijing for the Games?
It is important to be aware of the different tourist scams. I have written about them on my blog here and here.
Foreigners are required to carry their passports with them at all times. The police are checking people frequently, so it is a good idea to take your passport with everywhere.
People should visit their doctor and get the necessary vaccinations. People should also take a good hat, sun screen and mosquito repellent. Although, you might need to buy the last two items when you get to China, as many airlines ban people taking liquids on flights.
Thanks, Mike for taking the time to talk with us. You can view Mike’s videos of his experiences in Beijing this spring and summer on his YouTube page.
Somali-born, 31-year-old Abdi Abdirahman was the top qualifier for the US Olympics Men’s 1000m event. The two-time Olympian, who became a US citizen in 2000, finished 10th in Sydney and 15th in Athens. He is joined in Beijing by second-place qualifier Galen Rupp and third-place qualifier Jorge Torres.
Jill Kintner will be the first US woman to compete in Olympic BMX, which is debuting as an Olympic sport at the Beijing games. Here she talks a little about that and about training for the big event.
The leading scorer on the US Olympic soccer team Abby Wambach, will have to watch her team compete from the sidelines. The 28-year-old Rochester native broke her left tibia and fibula last night during the first half of a match with Brazil. She will have surgery on the leg and be off for 12 weeks, missing the Beijing Games.
The Brazil-US match was a final tune-up for the team prior to going to Beijing. Despite Wambach’s injury, the United States won 1-0.
Chinese customs vary somewhat significantly from Western ones. For instance, don’t hug or kiss your Chinese acquaintance on the cheek. They will be offended and confused. This video on Hong Kong etiquette gives a few more pointers on “fitting in” in China.
After being warned for a doping violation, U.S. male gymnast, Morgan Hamm, is getting ready to compete at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.
USA Gymnastics and the United States Olympic Committee have announced that, despite testing positive for a banned anti-inflammatory, Hamm will be permitted to participate at the Games. For more about how that was decided, read this story.
He and his twin brother Paul Hamm, the reigning men’s Olympic champion in all-around, will be making their third appearance at the Olympics.
Olympic host city, Vancouver, is taking their anti-doping tactics very seriously. They had already estimated the costs of the lab for the upcoming 2010 Winter Games but, ultimately, it will cost double the anticipated amount. The facility, which will be inside of the speed-skating venue in Richmond, B.C., will cost $5 million to build in addition to the $4.1 million organizers had already budgeted to run the program. The main reason for the cost is that they have chosen to create a building for the lab rather than use an existing space.
“I believe that everybody can be confident that you can’t stop people from taking drugs, but if you come to Vancouver, we’re likely to find you,” said Richard Pound, the former president of the World Anti-Doping Agency and a member of the board of directors for Vancouver’s organizing committee.
I certainly hope Mr. Pound is correct because this really is an exorbitant amount of money but I’m reluctant to put much stock into what he says. He famously claimed that drug testing in the National Hockey League was “full of holes” and suggested that one-third hockey players were guilty of doping. Not only did he get attacked for his comments, he also had to admit that he had no proof to substantiate his claims…
Swimmer Natalie Coughlin will be competing in six events in Beijing–100m back stroke, 100m freestyle, 200m individual medley, and three relays. The 25-year-old California girl hopes to best her performance in Athens, where she took home five medals–just the third woman to win five medals in one Olympic meet. Here’s what she has to say about the upcoming games:
About Light the Torch – Beijing Olympics and Other Olympic News
The Olympic Torch is just part of what Light the Torch covers. We discuss the coming Beijing Olympics as well as future and past Olympic Games, Olympic athletes, and Olympics issues and news.
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