What if you gave an Olympics and no one came?
posted at 10:50 am on August 13, 2008 by Ed Morrissey
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China, the world’s most populous country, has an ironic problem: not enough people attending the Olympics. Not only do they have a plethora of empty seats at the event, the hotel business in Beijing is actually worse than usual during a time when rooms should be filled to capacity. Beijing has begun busing spectators and “cheer squads” into the events and begging their citizens to attend, but thus far have had little success:
Two weeks after announcing they had sold every one of the record 6.8 million tickets offered for the Games, Olympics officials expressed dismay at the large numbers of empty seats at nearly every event and the lack of pedestrian traffic throughout the park, the 2,800-acre centerpiece of the competition.
U.S. swimmer Michael Phelps won his third gold medal Tuesday in an arena with at least 500 no-shows, and there was a smattering of empty seats Wednesday morning as he captured his fourth gold in the 200 butterfly. The U.S. softball team played in a stadium only about 30 percent full on Tuesday, while the day before, 10 of 18 venues did not reach 80 percent capacity, officials said. Meantime, crowds of tourists and fans have been thin in the extravagantly landscaped Olympic Park, which holds 10 venues including National Stadium.
To remedy the problem, officials are busing in teams of state-trained “cheer squads” identifiable by their bright yellow T-shirts to help fill the empty seats and improve the atmosphere. They are also encouraging residents to apply for access to the heavily secured park. …
Across Beijing, hotels and tourist sites are reporting below-average attendance for August. Many of the foreigners in Tiananmen Square, under tight security for the Games, are not individual tourists but part of Olympic delegations.
“Business is worse than at this time last year,” said a receptionist at a 22-room hotel in Beijing’s Chongwen district, where rooms cost $28 a night. “It’s the season for traveling and last year the hotel was full. The Olympics should have brought business to Beijing, but the reality is too far from the expectation.”
Beijing has no idea what is causing the problem. They expected the Olympic area to be overcrowded, not underattended. Even their cheer squads, rounded up from workplaces throughout the city, get dwarfed by the empty seats. Foreigners have not arrived in anywhere near the numbers predicted.
May I suggest two reasons why? First, Beijing made it clear that they would not allow for much freedom in their Olympic presentation. They reneged on a promise of unhindered Internet access for journalists, and as the Post notes, imposed travel restrictions on tourists who did want to attend. Those are not out of the ordinary for China, of course, but it doesn’t exactly scream “Welcome!”
More importantly, though, the Chinese oppression of its people made this Olympic venue a very poor choice. Despite the IOC’s assertion that an Olympiad promotes freedom, it was obvious to everyone that this choice would only give an endorsement — and a great PR opportunity — to the Beijing government. Most people probably decided that they couldn’t abide the hypocrisy and figured that they could catch it on television.
In days past, the IOC had to play a game of balance between East and West during the Cold War. If they granted an Olympics to Lake Placid, they’d have to give one to Moscow, and so forth. That no longer applies. The IOC award to Beijing offended many, especially after China decided to house Olympic delegations at Tienanmen Square, where they slaughtered democracy activists less than 20 years ago.
The IOC damanged its credibility in this decision. The lack of enthusiasm for these Games is a direct result. Not even the Chinese want to contribute to this mockery.
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Wow. And I spent $50 in ‘96 to watch a crappy women’s basketball game from the 2nd to last row at the Omni in Atlanta.
Dr.Cwac.Cwac on August 13, 2008 at 10:25 AM
Hotel attendance may be down because Chinese officials shut down thousands of factories in and around town months ago, to try and clear the pollution a bit, so many foreign buyers have no business need to visit now. Business and pleasure travellers are also probably down due to security concerns surrounding the games, and to avoid the expected olympics crowds.
Think_b4_speaking on August 13, 2008 at 10:30 AM
They’re giving away tix now but the recipients have to “volunteer” for Barack Hussein O’Jesus’ campaign.
Akzed on August 13, 2008 at 10:30 AM
They had the same exact problem at the previous Olympics– embarassingly empty seats, weak attendance and quickly waning interest.
When will they learn?
Urban Infidel on August 13, 2008 at 10:33 AM
Olimpex, u r doin’ it rong.
kirkill on August 13, 2008 at 10:33 AM
I’ve been noticing that too. Granted, when we’re watching it live it’s like 8 a.m. over there, but I’ve seen empty seats a lot. The women’s gymnastics event didn’t look anywhere near filled to capacity, and China won the gold. I wonder what some of the less popular events look like.
BadgerHawk on August 13, 2008 at 10:33 AM
*Rimshot!*
wise_man on August 13, 2008 at 10:33 AM
What olympics?
madmonkphotog on August 13, 2008 at 10:34 AM
Couldn’t agree with you more, Ed.
Hosting the Olympics in China is a revolting concept.
I appreciate that our athletes dedicate their lives to excellence, and compete hard for recognition of same, but I’m actually rather appalled that there is any US representation there.
LimeyGeek on August 13, 2008 at 10:34 AM
Great way to, officially, bury the slaughter, isn’t it?
I refuse to watch it, as I also did not watch the other Commie Games.
OldEnglish on August 13, 2008 at 10:35 AM
The IOC had credibility that could stand to be damaged? That’s news to me.
Vatican Watcher on August 13, 2008 at 10:36 AM
It’s no one thing.
First, it’s as far away from the money in the West as you can practically get.
Second, the world economy stinks and fuel prices are high.
Third, China was made to sound very inhospitable to Westerners - dog on the menu, restricted travel and information. A dirty place with smog filled air. Who needs that when it’s going to cost you a fortune?
I love Asia. I love Asian culture. I love Asian people (and they gravitate toward me for some inexpiable reason) I love Asia’s grit and grime. Even I wouldn’t go to China for the Olympics.
TheBigOldDog on August 13, 2008 at 10:36 AM
The Olympics are dead. They just don’t know it. The concept is done. I hadn’t planned to watch it. But a friend got me into it again. I would bet that the ratings suck.
fleiter on August 13, 2008 at 10:36 AM
Amen to that ;)
LimeyGeek on August 13, 2008 at 10:36 AM
While I’ve generaly liked the coverage so far, NBC’s been a little creepy at times. The ‘guarantor of the children’s future’ statement during the opening ceremonies and the weird excitement about doing the nighly news from Tienamen have been the two worst examples.
BadgerHawk on August 13, 2008 at 10:37 AM
Beware the potential of China having lost face from hosting the Olympics, they are very insult sensitive.
Kind of like a bunch of 6th graders with some heavy duty purse strings.
Speakup on August 13, 2008 at 10:39 AM
Haven’t watched minute one. I got the NFL channel, the Military channel, and the Comedy channel. don’t need no Olympics channel.
Akzed on August 13, 2008 at 10:41 AM
I’m generally not interested in the Olympics anyway, but I flat out refuse to watch it when it’s being held in China. The choice of location was real boneheaded move on the IOC’s part and I’m not going to reward them for it.
backwoods conservative on August 13, 2008 at 10:42 AM
I lived in Hong Kong and Taiwan for 17 years. The way the ‘Mainland’ (Chicom) gov does things is infamous. There is no freedom of choice in China, which looks to me like the closest thing to a lower planet that might exist. The government ‘encouraged’ people to attend…yeah, right.
People work 16 hours a day for as little as $.16 an hour because they know if they refuse they will simply be replaced. Which is why I stopped buying Eileen Fisher clothing (made in China by slave labor)which typically sells a tank top for $68 plus tax.
To hear David Brooks wax lyrical about how harmonious China is makes me wonder if he’d pillowed a Chinese maiden before writing down his impressions. There is nothing easier to find in that part of the world than a maid who will surrender herself lightly to a Foreign Devil, hoping to get out of there.
rishika on August 13, 2008 at 10:45 AM
Boycotting the olympics is sending a message to the Chinese how?
offroadaz on August 13, 2008 at 10:47 AM
I don’t exactly boo-hoo in my beer when I hear how a Communist dictatorship can’t get their own people to do what they tell them to do, like make them attend the Games.
pilamaye on August 13, 2008 at 10:50 AM
It was redundant. The “crappy” is implied.
loganthompson on August 13, 2008 at 10:50 AM
All of those points make a lot of sense, but how does that explain the tickets selling out? Would people really buy tickets and not show up, or buy tickets specifically so that there would be an empty seat there?
Seems odd to me.
Esthier on August 13, 2008 at 10:50 AM
All political problems aside the main problem with any Olympics is that it has become a sporting event of the wealthy. Only they can afford the cost of going to a place like Beijing and they are the only ones who can afford to buy the tickets to the majority of the events and only they can afford the overpriced lodging and food.
It is the same for all Olympics. Go price out what it would cost you to go to the winter games in Vancouver and see if you could afford to attend those games. My guess is that the vast majority of you couldn’t even though you could drive to Vancouver.
Nahanni on August 13, 2008 at 10:51 AM
I love the Olympics.
I have a friend that considered going to the Olympics this year, and the travel package offered her family was $40,000. Not all trips to China would cost that much, of course. But it isn’t cheap to get or stay there.
I’d be interested to hear more about the visa restrictions, and what countries they put restrictions on. Are there a lot of Korean and Japanese tourists there?
MayBee on August 13, 2008 at 10:52 AM
Really? Seems obvious to me. Boycotting the Olympics is hurting them financially, especially since they’re not even seeing the business they normally do this time of year.
What bigger message can every day people send to a country?
Esthier on August 13, 2008 at 10:54 AM
Ask Al Franken.
Dr.Cwac.Cwac on August 13, 2008 at 10:54 AM
Cuz the ChiComs are total d_cks?
Hell, I didn’t even make it THAT far, except for the Women’s Beach Volleyball portion. Hot amazons in swimsuits have a way of trumping even the most righteous of indignations…
Spanglemaker on August 13, 2008 at 10:56 AM
I wasn’t aware that the IOC had any credibility left after the Berlin Olympics of 1936.
Kalapana on August 13, 2008 at 10:58 AM
I’ve been saying this the whole time: watching the Beijing Olympics means you approve of their horrible human rights record - even if they *ahem* cleaned things up* in time for the games.
*locked up and/or executed anyone who they felt might embarrass their nation
Vic on August 13, 2008 at 10:59 AM
When all is said and done, it will be interesting to see the similarities of the 2008 Olympics in Bejing with the 2008 Democratic Convention, I’m sure.
They are already piling up.
From the earlier “Expected to Volunteer” post, who wouldn’t be disenfranchised in attended the “free” convention.
Before you know it, how many “expected to volunteer” Chineses will end up attending the Olypics?
shick on August 13, 2008 at 11:00 AM
+1
DaveC on August 13, 2008 at 11:03 AM
If the Nazi Olympics didn’t do it, then the Munich Massacre certainly did.
I haven’t watched one single second of the Olympics this year. And I’ll never watch another one again.
mjk on August 13, 2008 at 11:04 AM
My wife is a runner and will watch Ryan Hall do the marathon when it’s shown live.. (at least, part of it.)
I use to be a big fan of them.. this year.. not so much..
the whole, chi-com thing..
I hope the US does well, win lots of medals… aside from that.. I’ll go fishing..
DaveC on August 13, 2008 at 11:05 AM
Wow. Just wow. That’s more than I make in a year.
Esthier on August 13, 2008 at 11:08 AM
I have been informed by a relative, with business interests in that region, that corporations wishing to do, or continue doing business there should “sponsor” a certain amount of tickets. Not bribery or curruption, you understand, just sponsorship.
OldEnglish on August 13, 2008 at 11:10 AM
+1
RushBaby on August 13, 2008 at 11:11 AM
This Olympics is an artificial event. Beijing does not appear as it normally does. The local food is not as it normally is. The fireworks are fake, the anthem is lip-synched.
Who is surprised that the gymnastics officials mucked up the balance beam competition, however slightly? And there’s nothing much they can do about Michael Phelps, but the diving competition is going to be another sensitive area.
This Olympics is designed to show us that Communism is good, that’s all.
BigD on August 13, 2008 at 11:11 AM
Ah. That would make sense then. Thanks.
Esthier on August 13, 2008 at 11:16 AM
How apropos. A 40 billion dollar Olympics DUD — to go along with the fake fireworks.
My collie says:
CyberCipher on August 13, 2008 at 11:16 AM
It must be the one child policy.
Valiant on August 13, 2008 at 11:17 AM
I dont know why, but I am extra mad at the blatant ChiCom Cheating in gymnastics (with the ages) and the favoritism of the judges.
The Diving though, did you watch the synchro diving? They are like effing machines, I say give em the gold.
Squid Shark on August 13, 2008 at 11:19 AM
I have been watching the swimming just to see Phelps kick everyone’s ass, other than that I won’t be tuning in.
Seeing the ten year olds on the Chinese girls gymnastics team convinced me that the ChiCom’s wouldn’t be playing these games fair, so why watch.
Bishop on August 13, 2008 at 11:21 AM
And with NBC’s Olympic site hosting up to 2000 hours of video, your choice of events, your choice of viewing time, why exactly would I want to spend money, travel, deal with bureaucracy, suffer polution, get spied on, get lied to, and see less of the events?
NeighborhoodCatLady on August 13, 2008 at 11:22 AM
Somehow, this must be George Bush’s fault. Or McCain’s.
Frankly, I don’t understand the need to spend tons of money to see these events live. I see everything I want to see from the comfort of my bedroom on TV or on the Internet. There is a good Chinese take-out restaurant only 3 miles away. There may be lots of others like me out there.
connertown on August 13, 2008 at 11:23 AM
Really. Not watching the games on NBC is hurting the Chinese financially? Seems like its doing more damage to our own economy then it would to the Chinese.
offroadaz on August 13, 2008 at 11:24 AM
Were you bombed? :)
Kafir on August 13, 2008 at 11:26 AM
Huh? When was the last time the IOC had even the vestiges of credibility?
thegreatbeast on August 13, 2008 at 11:28 AM
Just more side effects of global warming and xenophobic racism.
snaggletoothie on August 13, 2008 at 11:29 AM
But all the pretty lights and perfect faces should have wiped away the memories of such incidents. Maybe the world is just racist.
ronsfi on August 13, 2008 at 11:29 AM
Yeah, I know. I was only pointing out that diving was one of the competitions — like the ladies (or girls) gymnastics, where the Chinese were going to take the gold come hell or high water.
BigD on August 13, 2008 at 11:29 AM
thats the ONLY reason its in the olympics, or anywhere else….
its a GOOD reason though….
right4life on August 13, 2008 at 11:31 AM
especially in HD, why bother going to all the expense of actually attending?
right4life on August 13, 2008 at 11:32 AM
I don’t know if you saw the “16 year old” Chinese females…LMAO!!! You can go see the same thing at any school yard full of 7th graders…
sabbott on August 13, 2008 at 11:34 AM
I’d say that applies more to purchasing their consumer goods than watching sporting events. Face it, we are funding the system that produces that human rights record.
As to ideas like (nations) boycotting the Olympics, that isn’t fair to the athletes who may have only one shot at the opportunity to be an “olympian.” The real root of the problem has got to be the IOC who would pick a controversial site like China in the first place. Ironically Athens was controversial enough because of security concerns but to put an international event in a repressive nation is absurd even before you consider all the stuff China had to do just to improve the air quality.
highhopes on August 13, 2008 at 11:34 AM
I’d agree with you on that one, but I thought you meant boycotting it by not showing up.
Personally, I’m DVRing the games and watch them regularly. I love cheering on the US even if I don’t like the place they’re in.
Esthier on August 13, 2008 at 11:34 AM
Not exactly close to most 1st world nations where the majority of viewers would be.
The only thing worth watching is the cute girls in tights doing gymnastics anyways. Who watches water polo for christ’s sakes?!!
Alden Pyle on August 13, 2008 at 11:35 AM
Silent protest, perhaps?
ej_pez on August 13, 2008 at 11:39 AM
And with NBC’s Olympic site hosting up to 2000 hours of video, your choice of events, your choice of viewing time, why exactly would I want to spend money, travel, deal with bureaucracy, suffer polution, get spied on, get lied to, and see less of the events?
‘Cause there’s less communist propoganda in China, that’s why.
TABoLK on August 13, 2008 at 11:39 AM
I’ve been watching the Olympics and maybe people dropped off once they realized the whole thing was rigged towards china victory. I have to figure that even the chinese people get bored knowing that it’s all been fixed to help them. The diving and the gymnastics were two of the biggest examples of outright blatant cheating I have ever seen. The IOC has been completely bought and paid for, I have never liked them but now I just plain hate them.
HotAirExpert on August 13, 2008 at 11:40 AM
Pervert!
But, yeah.
lorien1973 on August 13, 2008 at 11:41 AM
I do :p
HotAirExpert on August 13, 2008 at 11:41 AM
No way. Have you seen our team play? Those two have turned it into an art form. Can’t say I had a lot of respect for the sport before, but they are incredible.
Esthier on August 13, 2008 at 11:41 AM
Actually, the great thing about NBC’s online thing is that for the majority of the stuff, there isn’t any commentary at all.
I still can’t figure out why last night’s Men’s 4×200 isn’t online though.
jimmy the notable on August 13, 2008 at 11:41 AM
You know, I’m a nice, happily married 40s lady, and I have to say I find the beach volleyball costumes a little disturbing. We go to the beach here in Delaware, and even the nubile young ladies don’t wear bikinis with half their butts hanging out the bottom. Are these girls all looking for a Playboy shoot?
Anyone want to place bets on when thongs become the recommended attire for this event?
BigD on August 13, 2008 at 11:44 AM
I live in hope
LimeyGeek on August 13, 2008 at 11:47 AM
If they don’t work they don’t eat. Funny thing about living in a totalitarian society where recreation and time off from work is not at the top of the priority list for the average joe.
Lawrence on August 13, 2008 at 11:47 AM
Dude. If you find that disturbing you ARE happily married. ;)
ronsfi on August 13, 2008 at 11:48 AM
The ChiCOMS are just realizing that with capitalism comes a certain degree of customer service mentality. With pet food laced with antifreeze and other shoddy products, and top dollar prices for hotels and events, consumers from free countries have the option to say “no thanks,” and they did.
I’m sure some of the negative PR is just spin, but a lot of it isn’t. Just like in 1984, nobody in LA bought tickets until the venues were empty.
PattyJ on August 13, 2008 at 11:49 AM
Hey, I did say I was a happily married lady.
BigD on August 13, 2008 at 11:51 AM
Fortunately Adobe and the Chi-coms have worked out a licensing agreement which will result in capacity crowds for the duration of the games.
moxie_neanderthal on August 13, 2008 at 11:54 AM
Indeed. How does the Chinese girl who fell off the beam get a higher score than Alicia? Our girl fell off doing a much tougher maneuver, and the overall routine was simply better. It became a non-issue on the floor, since we had several mistakes there and China’s 12 year olds were almost flawless, but still.
BadgerHawk on August 13, 2008 at 11:55 AM
I just want to highlight that sentence, in case any of the people that like to trash talk the US and all of our “lost freedoms” are reading this blog.
MayBee on August 13, 2008 at 11:56 AM
I wonder if there exists a “Jesse Owens” for the ChiCom farce?
LimeyGeek on August 13, 2008 at 11:59 AM
Ha! Ooops! A thousand pardons. Please forgive.
ronsfi on August 13, 2008 at 12:00 PM
Hitler, now there was a man that could run fascist Olympics and fill ALL the seats.
Hening on August 13, 2008 at 12:01 PM
I’ve been to China and my wife is from China. Personally I thought the food was great, and Fido was particularly tasty. ;)
Actually my wife just got back froma 3 month visit. She is from the northern part of China. She didn’t want to saty there for the Olympics. She thought it was going to be a nightmare with crowds.
I also was talking to a waitress at a local restaurant the other night. Her daughter just came back froma school trip or something and was annoyed she couldn’t stay for the games. The waitress also gave me adrink on the house for the warning about the air quality. Her daughter has asthma and didn’t know how bad it would be. She took extra medicine and precautions.
The waitress said if her daughter had gone as she originally planned, she would have spent most of the trip in the hospital instead of seeing the Great Wall.
On a side note: Wang Nan defeats her Croatian opponent in Table Tennis. Wang Nan is from the same city as my wife, so she was glued to the TV and calling all her friends. :D
evilned on August 13, 2008 at 12:10 PM
I highly doubt getting stabbed is much of an incentive to go either. I was aquainted with the victims and can’t even begin to tell you how upset I am.
jewells45 on August 13, 2008 at 12:48 PM
That’s why, if the Olympics can even remain viable, they should do away with events that score subjectively.
If you can’t judge the event by a timing device or non-subjective scoring like volleyball or baseketball, then get rid of it. The Chinese - as well as previous communist regines - have long been known to pay-off judges in events like boxing and gymnastics.
slug on August 13, 2008 at 12:58 PM
This sure looks to me like its a way for average Chinese folk to actually protest something. people not showing up in the historic numbers expected or promised sends an embarrassing signal. I think much of the empty-seat factor is that most average Chinese a) cant afford the games, and b) dont want to be party to a Commie propaganda show.
Good for them. My issue has never been with the Chinese as a people, but the Commie dictators are a big problem getting bigger.
I have to wonder though…the Chinese know the names and addresses of every person who was given or “bought” a ticket to an event. Sadly, I bet you a donut that after the thing is over, some of these folks will be visited at their huts by dudes in track suits and handguns “asking” why they were missing from the stands.
PS - heres a question for allyall thats interested me for years now, re Tianammen Square in 89 and the dude who stood down the tanks.
That anon dude is rightly considered a global hero. But while I grant that 100%, he’s is not the only star of that show.
First, the Looie in charge of the tank had to stop think about it and call back to tank battalion HQ. At that point, some other officer told of the situation, had to say “run the guy over,” or “dont run the guy over.”
So theres really two unknown people who showed some unexpected humanity on that in deciding not to just run the dude over. The tank HQ guys had less than no idea that the event was captured live on CNN. How could they know? Is CNN on at Peking tank battalion HQ? Prolly not.
so yes, guy standing in front of the tank column is unquestionbly a hero, arguably the most iconic photo taken anywhere in the last 50 years in my personal view. But the point tank commander had to show some humanity too, as did the guy at tank HQ.
Both of those guys have to decide not to run the dude over. If the lead tank Looie says gun it, protester dude is toast. If tank HQ Col. tells tank column Looie, “run the dude over or its gulag-city for you and your whole family,” protestor dude is dead.
I would be powerul interested in a follow-up story on all three people: protestor hero dude, point tank Lt., and the HQ Col.
But of course we in the West will never who who those dudes were or where they are today. I bet you another donut they were both sacked and sent to China’s famed Bullet-Hole to the Head-Spa & Resort.
Mike D. on August 13, 2008 at 1:00 PM
Residents need to apply for access? What kind of application is it?
Big S on August 13, 2008 at 1:17 PM
So let me get this straight: The hugest bureaucracy in the world messes up on logistics, and you’re blaming a bad human rights record? If they sold out (and, yeah, there’s a chance they’re lying, but bear with me), then that means it was bad planning, not bad press. It sounds to me like what you’d expect from a Communist country holding the Olympics.
On the other hand, they might be lying, but this might still be due to logistical problems; e.g., thinking that people were willing to pay through the nose to attend a smog-filled Olympics, when they can visit China in the future with a lower cost, fewer crowds, and no need to spend so much time at sports arenas of questionable structural integrity getting the same view they could from the comfort of their own homes.
By the way, unless China really does something even more blatantly horrible than usual on the international stage, I think it’ll be one of the few places in which the Olympics will be a net gain. I know far more people eager to go to China once the games end than I have in past years. Was there a significant tourist bump from Atlanta, Utah, Nagano, or Turin?
calbear on August 13, 2008 at 1:20 PM
I’d say that is true of all Olympics from the very beginning. This faux rhetoric of a brotherhood of athletes putting aside national differences to compete in the spirit of sportsmanship is a load of what is found around equestrian events.
In the media age, every Olympic city is cleaned up and “Disneyfied” to put the best foot forward for future tourism/business opportunities. The US venues are a little different but most of these Olympics are national showcases of “happy villiagers welcoming the world” instead of a more realistic portrayal. The IOC itself is cleaned up where the happy band of sportsmen facade covers a corrupt parochial organization that would do the UN proud.
highhopes on August 13, 2008 at 1:33 PM
.
The protester died in prison; deaths in the square and in the following 5-6 months in prisons are estimated at 12,000. Don’t know about the army dudes, but I would guess you are right on target.
Think_b4_speaking on August 13, 2008 at 1:55 PM
While you do have points with respect to the control of travel, the censoring of the press, the smog, the authoritarian regime’s heavy handed control, there are many more rational arguments that account for low attendence.
Cost for one, epitomized by the popularity this summer for taking Staycations and the weak world economic situation based on record high oil prices that only broke, what 3 weeks before the start of the Games?
It isn’t ordinary for the Chinese to put visa travel restrictions on tourists. Don’t fluff with things you have little substance for asserting.
Athens was a huge bust for attendence, and IIRC Atlanta was not what was expected. I don’t remember what Sydney was like. Anybody?
As for Chinese staying home, food prices are going through the roof as is transportation costs. On average, their discretionary income isn’t what we are accustomed to, not to mention Chinese aren’t partial to spending like drunken sailors. Many more average Chinese employees don’t get the two weeks vacation to choose to take off from work when they choose or on a whim. But, considering that, what’s wrong with businesses giving free trips to their employees, wearing matching shirts and coming up with standard cheers. (Just to note, when the Chinese run tours it is normal for them to be given something to wear something that makes them standout, usually a hat but often a shirt instead. It helps them from getting lost and also having the tour guides to find each them.) You talk about that as though people wouldn’t naturally take an all expense paid day trip (or for a minimal fee) to the Olympics and need to be forced on the buses.
Some of your points are valid, but overall, Ed, ignoring many sound reasons for what is occurring while hyping your PC reasons, sounds as shaded as a NYT’s editorial, or a Clark Hoyt explanation.
Dusty on August 13, 2008 at 2:10 PM
Scalpers.
opusrex on August 13, 2008 at 2:30 PM
I cringe every time I look at the brand-new venues on TV: didn’t the ChiComs tear down some very, very old, well-established neighborhoods to build them? And how much slave labor did that take?
I cheer every time an American wins, and my family’s getting sick of hearing me talk to the TV: “Yeah, you totalitarians - that’s right - that ’s the sound of freedom!”
Hafta say that the Americans’ choice of flag-bearer for the opening ceremony - a former boy-soldier from Sudan, now a naturalized American - had to be a real middle-finger salute to their communist hosts.
Lurking Vet on August 13, 2008 at 2:54 PM
I’m surprised Putin hasn’t sent in a tank division to fill the void.
Griz on August 13, 2008 at 4:28 PM
I visited China in 1995, and spent 4 days in Beijing. The people were wonderful. They were just starting to grow economincally. I felt at the time that as their society grew more prosperous and got a middle class, it would be harder for the government to control their hearts and minds. They are still heading in that direction in spite of what the government tries to showcase in the Olympics.
When we were in Beijing, we got police escorts that our buses followed, thus clearning the congested traffic. Even then, the pollution was not nearly what it is today. I don’t even recognize that air there now. We had clear and sunny days, but it was in April, too.
The Chinese people we came across were very open and friendly to us. In fact, they had not seen that many really big sized people and thought it was special. I am a big person and many wanted their pictures taken with me. It wasn’t mockery, it was very friendly. I was pleased to be in a society that was not so mean to big people.
I hope some day that the Chinese people can live in a free society. That rebellion in 1989 made a huge impression on me. Many Chinese have entrepreneurial things going on in their household, to earn extra income. They will have a middle class sometime in the future.
We visited the children’s schools where the really talented children were taught their craft. We got to visit their music school, sports schools, etc. These children are often housed in the dorms there, far away from their parents. Their parents consider it an honor. However, with the one child rules, it does create a hardship on the parents when they age, since their kid isn’t near them.
I liked it there very much. I would go back sometime. But I will wait until it is not so horrible to travel by air. With the luggage restrictions, restricitons on fluids, etc, it is just too crazy. I am now choosing cruises that involve no flight time. This year, it is driving to Seattle for another Alaska cruise. Next year, driving to San Diego for the Hawaii round trip cruise. Maybe someday air travel will be better and I will go back to cruises in and around Asia.
karenhasfreedom on August 13, 2008 at 5:24 PM
Or badminton.
Or handball?!
And the IOC dropped baseball and softball in 2012 because they needed to make room for squash or roller “sports”?!
Redhead Infidel on August 13, 2008 at 5:45 PM
Silent Protest?
Maybe the people of China do have some semblance of a right to free speech. They can refuse to attend the Olympics in Beijing which, as we all know, is a monumental propaganda coup for China. Throw in the Chinese illusions and Chinese cheating, and maybe the Chinese people just decided they don’t want to be a part of the farce. Bleh… fat chance.
I’m shocked that the Chinese haven’t started rounding up the people and forcing them to attend the Olympic events in the same fashion they rounded up the people and forced them into prison lest they embarrass the communist country while the world’s eyes are on China.
Our boycott is going well, by the way. I haven’t watched one minute of Olympics television, and I haven’t patronized one Olympics sponsor, nor watched one NBC show. We’re very proud of ourselves. I have to admit though, I’ve been tracking Michael Phelps and his quest for 9 golds in one Olympics.
SilverStar830 on August 13, 2008 at 5:45 PM
The Chinese I met in the central and western provinces were generally not fond of the Party and its ham-fisted ways, especially in the “autonomous regions” where the military presence was much more…present.
if the locals are voting with their feet, good for them. China can do what it can to control every aspect of the Games, but they cannot control every aspect of the reaction to it. Cheating scandals, pretty girl lip-syncing great singer who just didn’t fit the image…in the long run this could actually do the country some good, the more egg the Party gets on its face.
sulla on August 13, 2008 at 6:01 PM
Dunno if it has anything to do with the Chinese, it’s simply unrewarding to pay for a ticket and get less value than while watching TV, with commentators, statistics and reruns.
The most interesting events on TV, such as Gymnastics and Swimming are simply very boring for the audience.
Aristotle on August 13, 2008 at 6:29 PM
LMFAO! A few of the “cheer squad” was at the USA vs. S.Korea baseball game earlier today. They were quite popular. More people were watching and taking pictures with them then the baseball game. Very annoying.
BJ on August 13, 2008 at 6:33 PM
We watch Michael Phelps blowing everyone else out of the water (best use of 12,000 calories per day ever), but that’s all we watch. And if I were Chinese, I wouldn’t go either.
pookysgirl on August 14, 2008 at 8:16 AM
Where is the LOVE, Ed? And World Peace, Harmony, Mother Earth, We Are One World…
I asked the other day, after so much fakery and resutling mockery, where is the original goal of Olympics? Goodwill towards mankind in general?
Sir Napsalot on August 14, 2008 at 12:32 PM