2008 Woodie Awards
Inside the Lines: 2008 Summer Olympics already feeling the heat from worldwide protests
J. Andrew Horvath
Issue date: 4/10/08 Section: Sports
Atop a small pedestal, a lone athlete stands tall. During the same four years you have spent drinking, partying, and skipping your 9:30 classes because they're too early, this man has been putting himself through torturous training in preparation for one race. And now, he stands alone as a representative of his nation. The speakers blare, and the sounds of his national anthem pour into the stadium. He begins welling up, and eventually just breaks down. All of his early mornings, training, and effort have culminated in this moment. Because of his performance at this year's Olympics, he might even find his way onto a Wheaties box.
Or in a hospital.
Or in the middle of a massive protest.
The 2008 Summer Olympic Games have found their way into the People's Republic of China and one of its largest cities: Beijing. Unfortunately, these games have drawn more scrutiny of China's policies than produced excitement about the events themselves.
Chinese air is more polluted today than Los Angeles was at its worst. Additionally, the water conditions in the People's Republic aren't exactly the best possible. In fact, some of the athletes have already checked themselves out of participation on behalf of their health faster than Yao Ming can say, "Can I write a check?"
Of course, tree-huggers aren't the only people ticked off at the Chinese government. The "Free Tibet" signs have once again been dusted off and have found their way into all sorts of situations and places, with the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco becoming the latest platform for the anti-annexation stand.
The Olympic flame, which is meant to travel from Olympia to the destination of the games themselves, has already faced some anti-Chinese protesters along its route. Vicious fighting and rioting on the streets of Paris ensued when the torch was carried through the roughly seventeen-mile route. While the different news wire services can't collectively agree on the number, we know that the torch was put out at least once and up to six times during the Paris stretch.
Or in a hospital.
Or in the middle of a massive protest.
The 2008 Summer Olympic Games have found their way into the People's Republic of China and one of its largest cities: Beijing. Unfortunately, these games have drawn more scrutiny of China's policies than produced excitement about the events themselves.
Chinese air is more polluted today than Los Angeles was at its worst. Additionally, the water conditions in the People's Republic aren't exactly the best possible. In fact, some of the athletes have already checked themselves out of participation on behalf of their health faster than Yao Ming can say, "Can I write a check?"
Of course, tree-huggers aren't the only people ticked off at the Chinese government. The "Free Tibet" signs have once again been dusted off and have found their way into all sorts of situations and places, with the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco becoming the latest platform for the anti-annexation stand.
The Olympic flame, which is meant to travel from Olympia to the destination of the games themselves, has already faced some anti-Chinese protesters along its route. Vicious fighting and rioting on the streets of Paris ensued when the torch was carried through the roughly seventeen-mile route. While the different news wire services can't collectively agree on the number, we know that the torch was put out at least once and up to six times during the Paris stretch.
Be the first to comment on this story