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Only six months has passed since the Beijing Olympics and the Birds Nest stadium which hosted the spectacular opening and closing ceremonies is already beginning to lose its shine. The paint is peeling and stains have appeared on its famous lattice design. Accelerating the deterioration of the iconic National Stadium is the absence of a permanent tenant. [...]
Posted on 11 February 2009 | 12:06 am
The Olympics are now over, but my adventures continue. You can continue following my travels in Asia here.
Posted on 17 October 2008 | 1:17 am
The opening ceremony for the Paralympics was held last night in Beijing. The ceremony was spectacular but perhaps not on the scale of the ceremony for the Beijing Olympics. Most of the show was performed by people with disabilities, including Li Yue, who lost her left leg in the Sichuan earthquake and performed [...]
Posted on 6 September 2008 | 7:44 pm
The Beijing Paralympics are just a day away from starting. Here are some pictures from Tiananmen Square which has some pretty impressive floral displays on show now.
Posted on 4 September 2008 | 8:59 pm
Posted on 4 September 2008 | 7:47 pm
The ticket scammers who defrauded people by selling non-existent tickets through the internet are getting ready for the Vancouver and London Olympics. “I was shocked by the brilliance and hard work of the thieves fleecing the Olympic family — and they are setting up to do the same thing in Vancouver in 2010 and London in [...]
Posted on 2 September 2008 | 8:23 pm
Beijing did a lot to improve the air quality leading up to the Beijing Olympics, with mixed results. The days before the opening ceremony were pretty bad, but a burst of rain cleared the air and pollution became less of a talking point. Almost straight after the closing ceremony the hazy skies returned. A [...]
Posted on 1 September 2008 | 3:56 am
Beijing recorded 6.52 million visitors for the 2008 Olympics, with 382,000 of those coming from overseas. Authorities long estimated that 500,000 foreigners would visit the city, but tougher visa controls reduced that number. The Xinhua news agency reported that tourist spots in the city reported total revenues of 162 million yuan (US$23 million), according to [...]
Posted on 31 August 2008 | 8:34 pm
To the athletes tonight: You were true role models. You have shown us the unifying power of sport. The Olympic spirit lives in the warm embrace of competitive rivals from nations in conflict. Keep that spirit alive when you return home. These were truly exceptional Games! (Source: Dr Jacques Rogge, Chairman of the International Olympic [...]
Posted on 24 August 2008 | 4:39 pm
The fireworks are still going on over Beijing tonight as the Olympics comes to a close. The closing ceremony wasn’t as long as the first one and not as spectacular, but still very well done. We had a short section to mark the handover of the Olympics from Beijing to London. London’s mayor [...]
Posted on 24 August 2008 | 7:16 am
One of the US's best synchronized swimmers will not be allowed to compete at this year's Athens Olympic Games. Bill May has beaten virtually every person competing in Athens this year but will not be allowed to compete there because it is an event reserved for females only.
'This summer he wanted the chance to compete in a new category, mixed pairs, but the US Synchronized Swimming Federation decided not to ask for the event. May says, "It was a huge disappointment and it was very humbling. ... It's a political sport in that it's kind of like a clique at school."
There's been talk of dropping synchronized swimming from the Olympics, and some believe the fact it's a women-only sport keeps it in the games. The theory, by pushing to allow Bill May and a new mixed pairs event in the games, the sport could be pushed right out of the Olympics.
Olympic synchronized swimming coach Chris Carver says, "If we get too controversial, maybe we would be the ones to go, and we don't want to be the ones to go."' Source - Male synchronized swimmer not allowed to compete in Olympics
I have kept up with Bill May over the years and he is an outstanding swimmer not to mention outstanding person. I can not believe that the #1 synchronized swimmer in the U.S.A will not be competing in the 2004 Olympics. I am appalled of the sexist way that this has carried on over the years. You would think by now it would be mixed pairs. I also think that it would bring more attention to Synchronized swimming if mixed pairs are allowed. It brings more compassion and more strength to the sport. I am very dissapointed in the person who allows this to keep going on. Get over yourself and let there be mixed pairs.
Posted by: Courtney at August 16, 2004 08:57 AMAny extremely small minority has to struggle hard for a long time to get proper treatment. If the number of male synchronized swimmers grows, people will begin to see the potential artistry and athleticism of male synchronized swimmers, and it will be more accepted. If we had a few more people like Bill May, the role of men in synchronized swimming would become more apparent. A community of male synchronized swimmers could discover things that males could do with their different physical abilities that would add to the sport/art.
Posted by: Joel at August 25, 2004 07:37 AMThat is sooooooooooo dumb!
Posted by: at August 30, 2004 08:15 AMI am really disapointed with the non-existant national television coverage of the syncro events. Letting Bill compete at the Olympics can only enhance the sport.
Posted by: at August 30, 2004 11:08 AMI am really disapointed with the non-existant national television coverage of the syncro events. Letting Bill compete at the Olympics can only enhance the sport.
Posted by: at August 30, 2004 11:08 AM
