Category — Host Cities

Not sure what to say about the above video because I don’t understand the language. But here’s a report from newamericamedia:

A 50-second reporting piece on the Olympics and the earthquake from the Chinese Central Television (CCTV) might have been staged. The post on the Chinese-language website has a Youtube link to the story, which describes how Olympic torch bearers have donated to the earthquake relief efforts.

The post pointed out that in the last ten seconds of the story, the Olympic torch holders are shown putting money in a donation box, but a closer look shows that their hands are empty.

Newamericamedia based its report from this Chinese website. If the report is true, i.e., if the torch bearers didn’t really donate anything, one wonders what public relations benefit the authorities are trying to obtain by staging it.

But then again, maybe there are other torchbearers not included in the video who did donate to to China’s earthquake relief. At this point, let’s call this a non-scandal.

A young ambassador for the Beijing Olympic Games meets Pakistanian athletes. Story here. One of the guys look like Novak Djokovic, no?

PHOTO SOURCE: Beijing 2008

Eunice Barber’s quote of the day:

I am against the boycott, I am against the badge. Boycott is not for the athletes. What we have to boycott are the people signing million of euros in business contracts. France has no lesson to give to China. There are so many Blacks and Arabs who get burnt up in France and the so-called humanitarians don’t stand up (for them).

Do you understand these people who call themselves humanitarians and who are violent with those carrying the torch?

Eunice Barber is a two-time heptathlon and long jump world champion. She was born in Sierra Leone and acquired French citizenship in 1999. According to a Reuters report Barber once complained she had been a victim of police brutality and racist abuse when arrested for driving on a closed road outside Paris.

A video of Tonique Williams-Darling’s gold medal winning run in the 400-meter event. Tonique represented the Bahamas during the 2004 Athens Olympics.

Tonique took 2007 off because of injuries but is looking forward to the Beijing Olympics.

Add US Olympic Committee chief Steve Roush to the growing list of people who says that China will vie for the top spot in Beijing.

Among his reasons:

* A highly competitive team
* The traditional home-field advantage that host nations enjoy
* Increased incentives for athletes
* Large infusion of funds for sports
* The world’s best coaches training Chinese athletes AND coaches
* 1.3 billion people

Roush also believes that Beijing 2008 will lay the foundation for future Chinese dominance in the Olympics. Read more here.

Related:
Olympic Predictions: Who Will Be the Overall Champions
Olympic Medal Predictions: The Overall Winner