Jun 12 2008
Remind Me Why the Olympics are Being Held in Beijing, China!
I have to question the reasoning behind allowing Beijing to host the 2008 Olympic games, and it’s not just to do with their appalling human rights situation. It’s just not a country that’s culturally mature enough to take on such a huge social undertaking. A few months back I read a news story that said that the Chinese people were being trained so that they didn’t swear and throw verbal abuse at the international athletes. They were trained in how to cheer, in how to act in public (ie not spitting), and in general how to interact with the non-Chinese public who would be coming into their country because of the games. Does this sound like a country who is ready to host the Olympic Games?
The most recent report I’ve read is about a document that’s entitled “A Guide to Chinese Law for Foreigners Coming To, Leaving or Staying in China During the Olympics”. The English version of this has now been withdrawn but one has to wonder at a country who can publish official documents that say such things about disabled athletes as “….can be stubborn and controlling; they may be sensitive and struggle with trust issues. …Sometimes they are overly protective of themselves, especially when they are called ‘crippled’ or ‘paralysed’.” Hmmm! Aren’t the Paralympics being held there in September? Where’s the respect? Or weren’t there training courses on how to respect people who had challenges to deal with? Whilst much of the Western World is taking political correctness to ridiculous extremes, it would appear that it hasn’t yet arrived in China! It should be noted that an apology for these remarks has been made, but the point is that they were made and so that’s what China thinks of the disabled athletes.
So I question the saneness of the Olympic Committee in approving Beijing. China is an exotic country and one which should have had a great Olympic Games with much to offer the “foreigners” who visit the games and put money into their economy. However they should have been rejected for 2008 and told to reapply when they were ready to accept and respect the cultural differences of the rest of the world who would be entering their country. This should be mandatory for all winners of Olympic Games. China should be remembered as the time the Olympic Committee got it wrong and held up as an example of the more fundamental criteria required to host these prestigious games.
4 Responses to “Remind Me Why the Olympics are Being Held in Beijing, China!”
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You make a good point. I did not even think about the people of China and their attitude toward cultural differences. That could make for an interesting few weeks, in addition to protests or whatever else might happen. Another problem I read about is the air pollution in Beijing, which is apparently so bad that athletes’ performances could be affected, and they may have to reschedule some of the events.
The air pollution is probably the real reason why they won’t allow the visitor to sleep outdoors (they say it’s for public hygiene)! It’s going to be an interesting Olympics to say the least!
I’ve been wondering about their manners as well. This will definitely be interesting to watch though. how were they even picked?
It never occurred to me that there would be such a big social cultural difference until the news reports started coming in about these training sessions. Olympic hosts are usually picked by competing countries submitting proposals, the committee short-listing the best, and eventually choosing one of these based on whatever criteria they use. London has the 2012 summer olympics and I think the 2016 candidates include Rio and Chicago.