The Summer Olympic Games In China, 2008  

Hi Askwebman:

You are correct about this being an international event but America did not go to the Olympic Games in Russia and the Russians didn't attend the Games in Salt Lake City.

The judging in most events WAS by voting blocks until a new system was put in plase last year.

If you were able to participate in the Olympics but had breathing problems whould you go?

Folling the Olympics is the 'Special Olympics' and a lot of special needs people participate in them. Will the polution be bad for their health?

Thank you so much for telling me your point of view.

Ivor

Hi Shenfei:

I get my news from a varity of places. You are right that no city or country is perfect. I am sorry you didn't like what I said. I believe everyone has a right to their opinion and thanks for telling me yours.

Ivor

BBC already apologized to china when it distorted its news on tibet while cnn stood firm that they didn't cropped the pictures they put in their news. LOL!

Hi Everlasting:

Thanks for telling me about the BBC.

It was important for me to know.

Ivor

Hi Barbara:

That's OK. Thanks for reading it anyway.

Have a nice evening.

Ivor

Hi Pat:

I didn't know Beininj had a no smoking zone. When I was there the Chinese I saw were always smoking.

It is imposible to stop these Olympics.

Thanks for sharing your view of this with me.

Have a great evening.

Ivor

I didn't say they HAVE a no smoking zone, I said they are trying to figure out how to MAKE Beijing a no smoking zone.

I'm sorry I didn't get that right.

I wonder how they are going to do that when there are millions of people who live here?

Pat I tried to give you the best responce but I'm not sure if it took. Please let me know.

It did take, Ivor. Thanks for that!

Hi MM:

I don't think any one should boycott the games or the closing ceremonies. That would be a slap in the face for the athetes who have worked so hard for four years and the next country that will be holding the Summer Olymipics.

If they leaders boycott the opening cerimonies China will get the point.

I am sure if the Chinese can control the disitents in their country they control everyone coming to the games.

Thanks for adding you input into this discussion.

Have a super day.

Ivor

Hi Everlasting:

There is a lot of corruption and gangs in the Philippines.

I don't believe I have heard anything about the CIA the idea about the boycott started Europe and President Bush hasn't decided if he will be attending the opening of the games.

I agree that this will only hurt the athletes if the games are boycotted but if people attend the events they won't be.

Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this topic.

Have a great day.

Ivor

Reading your post from your viewpoint as somebody who lived there made me see things in a different light =]
Maybe you may have some unintentional bias, living there, but it's refreshing to see a view point from somebody who knows more about what's REALLY going on, not just from the news ^^
thank you for giving your opinion and giving us a chance to see what natives think (:

I am speaking this as a friendly and reasonable Chinese. I know my country isn't perfect, but it doesn't mean that we are not qualified to hold the Olympics. You have to come to see how many people support it here.
I have been to Beijing twice and I know its air pollution is bad. But it's not that unacceptable. At least the government already take some methods to improve it. Some athletes' countries are even better Beijing very much. I can have a doubt whether they are afraid of loss so that they can already bring up excuses.
And if your point is right. Then all the developing countries shouldn't hold the Olympics. The Olympics should be held in the rich and developed countries. And as to the political issues, how can a foreigner knows more than our own Chinese?

Hi Citress and You:

You seem to be arguing under this review.

The Chinese people are very nice the rulers not so much.

No one can ignore China because with India they are the two fasting growing industrial countries in the world.

You: Do you believe Tibet is part of China? I don't.

Citress: Do you want to hurt the athletes who have been working for four years to get to the games?

Beijing is one of the most poluted cities in the world and I find it hard to breath when I am there. I hope that the athletes and the Special Oylmpic athletes don't have any problems competing in their games.

Thanks to both of you for adding you opinions.

I hope you both have a great weekend.

Ivor

I believe that Tibet is a part of China. If there are any disagreements, we can talk and talk rather than making fights for it. As the cost will be the innocent people and I don't want it at all.
In fact in our country we have some rules that are beneficial to minority only. And it includes the Tibet people of course. For example, if we have exams to the high school or university, the minority students will have more extra scores than us. Any other country has such kind of rule?
Like I said before, it doesn't sound very fair. In fact many big cities have the pollution issues. Perhaps the Olympics can only hold in the country town? At least it will have fresh air there. We think that athletes have better health. If they can't overcome some problems and they can only do better in a fairyland, then they are not the athletes.

Youless:

I guess we will have to disagree about Tibet being part of China.

Yesterday I saw on CNN that the Chinese government wants to meet with the Dalai Lama.
He has agree to send a delegation to meet with them. I know he won’t go because they want to kill him.

It seems to be that China has given in to world pressure.

I am sure the Beijing games will be a wonderful event.

Have a great day.

Ivor

I think this is not giving in. We don't want to have any troubles in this special event. In fact all Chinese have the same wish.

You I know you don't want any troubles in China during the games.

I wish you could read the 'western press' and you can if they allow you to read it on line.

I hope that China has no more troubles after the games and that one day you will have free elections.

Wishing you the best.

Ivor

You know nowadays there is an internet. So we will be able to see the Western Press. And this is why I will be angry as it is not fair and some are even very offensive. And meanwhile I hope you will also read the news about my country.

Hi Sweetie:

We can't change the past and the games will go on as planned.

Yesterday I saw on CNN that the Chinese government wants to meet with the Dalai Lama.He has agree to send a delegation to meet with them.

It seems to be that China has given in to world pressure.


Have a great day.

Ivor

i have read most of these discussions, which gave a strong feeling that most people who participate in it get a feeling that holdnig olympics in China is bad call.
well, as a chinese, i appreciate all those concerns people shared in these discussion, but if you guys could give a little efforts to look at this isssue in another perspective, you might change you mind.
China is a developing country with an amzing economic growth rate and it is few develoing countiry in the world be able to hold this event.
Of course it is not as perfect as the other developed western countries and has some many problems. however, the way i see this issue is that holding olympics in China is is a reward for this country its people and all these years sufferings. I have to say Beijing might not be the best candidant city to hold this event, but it might be the city who worked hardest in the past a few years to win the chance.
So please give us a chance to show the world how much improvement we have made and how far we have came.
thank you.

xXx2008 - I read your comment and wasn't going to respond to it but when I was away doing other things I thought about what you said. I think if I came into a discussion where almost everyone was being critical of my country I would probably leap to its defence and go on the counter-attack. The fact you didn't do that impressed me.

Maybe you have a point and we are looking at it in the wrong way. Maybe it is a chance for China to show the world the progress it's made and how things have changed there. And I agree there have been changes although there's still a lot more needs to be done. No country is perfect, including the developed Western countries, but there are legitimate concerns about human rights in China and of course there is the issue of Tibet.

I still think it was a bad decision to hold the games in Beijing but if it marks the start of a new relationship between China and the rest of the world, and contributes positively to social reform within China itself, then at least something good will have come of it. We'll see what happens.

Hi Stiletto:

I know what you mean. What is done is done and it can't be changes.

One of the members here, (if you look at the comments), says they have a free press and use of the internet.

Thanks for telling me what you think.

Have a super day.

Ivor

Hi Sarah:

I would never suggest the games should be boycotted. It would hurt the athlets who worked so hard to represent their countries.

I watch the opening and closing ceremonies because of the music, the parade of athletes and how the host country presents a great show.

The people of China are very nice. Their government is another story.

Have a great day.

Ivor

Then why have the heads of state boycott the opening ceremony? I don't understand. What would be the point?

Sarah:

The Chinese would loose face and that is a terrible thing in China.

I heard they are going to meet with a delegation from Tibet and that is a good sign that the treat of boycotting the opening games was noticed by the leaders of China.

Have a great evening.

Ivor

I thought the whole idea was to make the Chinese loose face so you could get them to change. And I didn't think the treat of a few Heads of State missing the open ceremonies would do it.All I want is a safe, competitive, Summer games. Is that too much to ask?I am not into adding politics to The Games. I didn't understand it in 1980 or 1984.nd I really was angry when I learned about 1972.I just wish the games could be politic free.

Hi Dr.

I agree with your comment. I no longer trust the Olymic committee for doning much. To me they are similare to the UN General assembly.

Thanks for coming by and leaving your comment.

Have a marvelous evening.

Ivor

the only reason people are bitching about this is because of tibet and how china is threating them and i believe that the games should not be affected by this.

Hi DR:

I agree that the games are for the athlets and they have been working very hard.

I guess China has 'lost face' because they are going to meet with people from Tibet.

I hope this is settled before the games begin.

Once again thanks for your comment.

Have a great day.

Ivor