2008 Summer Olympics, Beijing
Left: Countdown clock in Tiananmen Square. Photo by TopGold Right:National Gymnasium under construction. Photo by Xiaming
In the News
Political Controversy and Human Rights Issues
"China Olympics sued for copyright abuse"
By Mure Dickie, Financial Times, Jan. 30, 2008
--Despite its assurance that it respects intellectual property, the Beijing Olympic Games Organizing Committee is being sued for copyright infringement regarding the Games' official slogan.
"Chinese Dissident Watched, Then Taken"
By Audra Ang, The Associated Press, Jan. 30, 2008
--Another article about the arrest of Hu Jia that details more clearly his life and work and his wife, Zeng Jinyan's struggle to save Hu Jia and bring human rights to China.
"Visitors barred from Freedom City ‘crime' scene in Beijing"
AFP, Jan. 27, 2008
--Human rights activists Hu Jia and his wife Zeng Jinyan were arrested for voicing their hopes that the Olympics would bring democracy to China to guests over tea. This article discusses their detainment as well as that of several other human rights activists in China as part of the government's desire to remove voices of dissent before the Olympics.
"China's Genocide Olympics"
By Nicholas D. Kristof, The New York Times, Jan. 24, 2008
--Discusses a new movement regarding human rights and other politics linked to objections to the Beijing Olympics: rather than boycotting the games, activists are encouraging spectators, athletes, and others to peacefully protest or wear visible bands that make a stand against China's international and internal politics.
"Linking Beijing Olympics with Darfur issue 'strongly' opposed"
China View, Jan. 24, 2008
--China's response to efforts to label the 2008 Games the "Genocide Olympics".
"China Rejects Attempts to Link Developments in Burma to Beijing Olympics"
By Glenn Kessler, Washington Post, Oct. 2, 2007
--Chinese government stance on international human rights activist movement toward boycotting the Beijing Olympics. Focuses on Burma, but includes other issues.
"China faces Olympic boycott call, tough French stance, over Darfur"
The Associated Press, March 21, 2007
--A look at another issue that stands between China and a successful 2008 Olympics.
The "Watercube" Aquatics Center and the "Bird's Nest" Stadium.
Photo by angus_mac_123
Environmental and Safety Concerns
"China plans to halt rain for Olympics"
By Barbara Dernik, Los Angeles Times, Jan. 31, 2008
--The extremes to which China will go to ensure that is has a successful Olympics marred by nothing: even Mother Nature.
"Beijing Olympics going Kosher with food safety issues driving a mini-boom"
By Stephen Wade, USA Today, Jan. 30, 2008
--Due to concern over the procurement of sanitary, safe food to serve Olympic athletes and spectators, there has been a boost in the popularity of Kosher food and Rabbis are being asked to inspect food manufacturing plants.
"Beijing Olympic water scheme drains parched farmers"
By Chris Buckley, Guardian Unlimited Sport, Jan. 23, 2008
--In a desperate bid to prove its capital is flourishing during the Olympics, water is being diverted via canals to Beijing from neighboring provinces, thereby draining farmers of their resources, destroying crops and causing them to lose their land.
Human Interest
"Secrets of the Bird's Nest"
By Jonathan Glancey, The Guardian, Feb. 11, 2008
--An inside look at the stunning Olympic stadium and everything it represents for China and the world. A positive and uplifting take on the Beijing Olympics.
"Beijing demolition protestors stand their ground"
By Ben Blanchard, Guardian Unlimited, Dec. 3, 2007
--Article about citizens of Beijing who are being forced out of their homes with little monetary compensation to make way for Olympic construction projects.
"Nearly 3,500 Chinese Named 'Olympics'"
The Associated Press, Nov. 5, 2007
--A snapshot article that further portrays China's Olympic fever and the people's desire to find a way to be unique in country of billions.
"Olympics Push Chinese Kids to the Max"
By Anita Chang, The Associated Press, Nov. 4, 2007
--An interesting article about the extent of Olympic fever in China and how far parents and grandparents will push their children to reach that Olympic dream and stand out in an enormously populated country.
"BBC Chinese stages joint Beijing Olympics Countdown debate"
BBC, June 8, 2007
--Press release giving information on a debate by Chinese citizens of Beijing about how the Olympics have/will effect their lives and their city.
Beijing Clean-up: China's efforts to show the world a positive face
"Beijing Olympic fans trained to cheer"
By Chantelle Janelle, WIS TV.com, Jan. 30, 2008
--A short blurb regarding Beijing's determination to ensure there will be no eruptions of bad manners at the Games.
"China war on online porn is effort to show best public face at Olympics"
By Mure Dickie, Financial Times, Jan. 24, 2008
--China is, among other things, cracking down on internet porn as a front to rid the internet of traces of Chinese dissidents prior to the Olympic Games.
"Beijing announces pre-Olympic social clean-up"
By Jonathan Watts, Guardian Unlimited, Jan. 23, 2008
--Beijing's attempt to clean-up its appearance socially as well as environmentally before the Olympics, while maintaining a humane image of its police force.
Olympic Organizational Issues
"IOC will have final word on who receives accreditation for Olympic Games"
The Canadian Press, Nov. 27, 2007
--The latest developments regarding the issue of foreign media accreditation for the 2008 Summer Olympics.
"Beijing denies Olympic Bible ban"
By Hiroyuki Sugiyama, Yomiuri Shimbun, Nov. 11, 2007
--Chinese government denies the alleged claim that bibles would be banned from the Olympic village and questions the motives of those who reported it in the first place.
"Rights group urges IOC to press Beijing on Olympic media freedom"
The Canadian Press, Nov. 6, 2007
--Discusses further hurdles encountered by China regarding a healthy Olympics; their unwillingness to allow foreign media access, and the city's poor air quality which may already be causing top athletes to withdraw for fear of aggravating asthma.
"Bibles Banned at 2008 Beijing Olympics"
CBN News, Nov. 5, 2007
--Discusses the first release listing items banned from the Olympic village which include political propaganda, video cameras, cups, and bibles. Also discusses the anticipated conflict that will result from the latter.
Analysis and Opinion
"Too Fast, Too High, Too Strong"
By Jamie Metzl, The Washington Post, Feb. 9, 2008
--An interesting opinion essay on the strong potential for a doping disaster among Chinese Olympic athletes in Beijing that will result in the further deterioration of U.S.-China relations.
"A Worm's-Eye View of the Beijing Olympics"
By Wei Liu, "China Rights Forum: 2008 and Beyond", May-July, 2007
--A thorough, thoughtful and provocative essay that focuses on the response of ordinary Chinese people at home and overseas to the Beijing Olympics.
*If interested, you can find the full issue of the May-July 2007 "China Rights Forum: 2008 and Beyond" which includes numerous articles on the Beijing Olympics at: http://hrichina.org/public/contents/article?revision%5fid=45090&item%5fid=45071
"Jubilation on the Streets of Beijing"
Time Magazine, July 14, 2001
--A sanctioned article on the initial reaction of Chinese citizens gathered in Tiananmen Square for the government's official announcement of their bid for the Olympics back in 2001. This article presents the view that the previously listed essay opposes that the Chinese are proud and excited at the prospect of hosting the 2008 Olympic Games.
"Beijing Olympic Boycott Over Burma Will Only Alienate Chinese People"
By Xujun Eberlein, New America Media, Nov. 5, 2007
--Contains commentary from an average non-government owned mainland Chinese businessman regarding various Americans' call for a boycott of the Beijing Olympics unless China intercedes in Burma.
Lesson Plans
"Beijing, China will host the 2008 Olympics"
--Provided by CNN with links to relevant CNN news articles and web resources, this lesson plan targets junior high and high school students and is aimed at generating a thoughtful discussion of the benefits and downsides to China's hosting the Olympic Games.
"Gauging Beijing" by Annissa Hambouz and Yasmin Chin Eisenhauer
--A New York Times Daily Lesson Plan that has students use the "SWOT" (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats) method to evaluate the Beijing Olympics and then make brochures for each side of the debate using the same "SWOT" categories to support their arguments.
"Running Rings Around the Competition: Exploring Perspectives on Beijing's Bid for the 2008 Olympics" by Rachel McClain and Javaid Khan
--Another New York Times Daily Lesson Plan that allows students to put themselves in the shoes of the International Olympic Committee, examine and vote on China's initial bid for the 2008 Summer Olympics. Although China has already been granted the Games, this lesson plan can spark a debate on the criteria by which a country should be chosen to host future Olympic Games.
Multimedia Web Resources
"Destination China: A Multimedia Weblog"
--This site is a project of the University of Illinois Department of Journalism and includes many useful entries (including ones on the Beijing Olympics) that will familiarize students with China and add depth to the discussion.
General Web Resources
http://en.beijing2008.cn/
--Official website of the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
http://china.hrw.org/
--Human Rights Watch China page for the Beijing Olympics. Excellent resource for finding and discussing all of the issues surrounding Beijing and the relation of those issues to the Olympics. Also includes a wide array of photographs pertinent to the discussion.
http://www.idebate.org/debatabase/topic_details.php?topicID=680
--Great site that lays out the pros and cons of a potential boycott of the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing side by side.
http://torchrelay.beijing2008.cn/en/news/headlines/n214043036.shtml
--An interesting look at how the design for the Olympic torch was chosen and how that torch was produced
http://observer.guardian.co.uk/china/story/0,,514491,00.html
--A collection of several different opinion statements during the original debate over whether or not Beijing should host the 2008 Olympics when China initially announced their bid for the Games.
Last Updated: February 21, 2008
