ARTICLE- Beijing Olympics 2008

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NOTE: THIS IS AN ARTICLE TO PRACTICE MY JOURNALISM WHILST I'M TRAVELLING, I'LL BE DOING THEM THROUGHOUT THE TRIP, ITS NOT SO MUCH A ACCOUNT OF WHAT WE'RE DOING, MORE JUST SOMETHING FOR ME TO DO ON LONG TRIPS, AND IM PUBLISHING THEM IN CASE YOU FANCY READING THEM. CHEERS, RICH.


The Chinese really are trying hard. With four months to go until the curtain goes up on the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, the final preparations are put in place to win over the world.

With the Olympic torch relay hitting the London leg today, the talk back home is more on impending demonstrations against China's human rights record. The fact that there was talk that Fu Ying, the Chinese Ambassdor, may boycott the event, which is supposed to embrace the Beijing games' motto of 'One World, One Dream', shows that the threat against a peaceful games without incident is a very real one.

The Olympic Motto itself is "Swifter, Higher, Stronger", the games are primarily a showcase and celebration of the world's best in sport, but at a time where China's growing economically day by day, and the country's involvement in world issues in Darfur and most recently the crisis in Tibet, the opportunity for protesters to get their voices heard on a world stage is likely to be taken up.
But the Chinese people themselves are embracing the true embodiment of the games. They are so excited that their country will host the games; this country is on a mission to deliver the best Olympic Games the world has ever seen.

The stadia and facilities are state of the art, the main Olympic stadium, nicknamed 'The Bird Nest' is without doubt the best stadium I have ever sen (though you can't get that close to it yet.)
Sure, the rest of the area is still a building site and a bit of a mess, but you just know the Chinese will get that sorted.

One thing any Westerner will know if they've ever visited China is that the Chinese are fascinated by our faces, they have no problem with staring at you, laughing, and taking photos without permission ... and that's mostly in Beijing's city centre as well.
If the world is going to be made to feel welcome, this will have to stop. We will have to get used to the habit of spitting in the streets though, and toddlers with all in one suits on that have holes where their bottoms are so they can just crouch and go to the toilet in the street!

China is an astonishing country from what I've seen of it already, it's so diverse and every place is different. Sitting on a train from Xi'an to Shanghai writing this, looking out the window at the beautiful farmland, I have no doubt China will deliver the world a great games, though it will be a very different games from recent times.

Yes, this probably is the ideal opportunity to sound a voice, but peacefully, without disruption, and the Chinese will then let their enthusiasm and passion for their Olympic dream carry them through to deliver a spectacle that for one reason of another, will be remembered for decades.

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Photos

Countdown
The countdown clock in Tianamen Square, Beijing

The Bird Nest
The Olympic Stadium in Beijing, where the athletics and football will be held.

Comments

[Becks]

I found it at last!!!!!
Hey!!!! Only me!!! I have been meaning to find your blog for ages Rich and I have finally got round to doing it so thought I would grace you with a few comments!!!!! Well guys its good to see that your fat face clothes are being put to good use!!!! It's really starnge seeing you both in pictures that are the other side of the world, I can't seem to get my head round it all its crazy stuff!!!!! Back in the uk my exhibition is going really well at the moment, I have sold 3 this a drawing at £45 and two paintings at £275 each!!!!! I'm sooooooo excitied!!!!! on the rugby front rich London Irish are on their way to Twickernam for the semi-finals, the quaters was a brillant match I'm soo excited yet again!!!! work is fine and I'm due to do my first sunday shift this sunday starngly enough. I'm not entirely sure of what I'm menat to be doing and if it all goes wrong I will just blame my teacher (you) as you are out of the country!!!!!!! I'm really liking your articles Rich they are really interesting and kept my interest. I hope Claire is cracking on with some art work and I would really love to see any stuff she does when you guys get back!!! All my love and happy travelling, your mate the hobbit becks xxxxx