The government of China is using the Olympics in 2008 as a good reason to redevelop Beijing.
Vast areas of Beijing are being bulldozed.
It is estimated that approximately 300,000 hutong residents have already been moved to clear the way for the Olympics.
The old streets of Beijing will be replaced with skyscrapers.
Friday, 30 September 2005
Wednesday, 28 September 2005
Logo For Beijing Olympics Unveiled
The environmental logo for the Beijing 2008 Olympics was unveiled on September 24th at the Beijing Youth Palace.
The logo is a composition of human and a tree, they are both reaching to the sky representing the harmonious unification of man and nature.
Liu Jingmin, vice mayor of Beijing and executive vice president of the Beijing Organizing Committee for the Games of XXIX Olympiad (BOCOG), said:
"To ensure Green Olympics not only needs the government support and the efforts of BOCOG, but also depends on the participation of the public. The release of the logo will help to promote the various educational activities organized by BOCOG to encourage citizens to live a green life, to take part in green activities and to support the Green Olympics."
"Green Olympics" is one of the three themes of the Beijing 2008 Games, the other two being "People's Olympics" and "Hi-Tech Olympics".
The logo is a composition of human and a tree, they are both reaching to the sky representing the harmonious unification of man and nature.
Liu Jingmin, vice mayor of Beijing and executive vice president of the Beijing Organizing Committee for the Games of XXIX Olympiad (BOCOG), said:
"To ensure Green Olympics not only needs the government support and the efforts of BOCOG, but also depends on the participation of the public. The release of the logo will help to promote the various educational activities organized by BOCOG to encourage citizens to live a green life, to take part in green activities and to support the Green Olympics."
"Green Olympics" is one of the three themes of the Beijing 2008 Games, the other two being "People's Olympics" and "Hi-Tech Olympics".
Tuesday, 27 September 2005
Daft Advertising Rules Relaxed
The UK government has given in to pressure from the advertising industry, and signaled it will change its proposed controls on advertising during the 2012 Olympics.
However, as with anything promised by politicians, the devil will be in the detail.
The International Olympic Committee requires host cities to prevent "ambush marketing", namely advertisers trying to associate themselves with the Olympics without paying to be an official sponsor.
This rule is there to protect the real reason for the existence of the Olympics, the multi billion dollar consumer companies who sponsor the games.
The Department for Culture Media and Sport, as usual with Blair's government, went obverborard when it prepared legislation to comply with the IOC requirements.
Advertisers would have been banned from using the words gold, silver, bronze, London or summer in conjunction with games or 2012.
Totally daft!
Lobbying by the Institute of Practitioners in Advertising has persuaded the DCMS to make some changes to the legislation.
We shall see.
However, as with anything promised by politicians, the devil will be in the detail.
The International Olympic Committee requires host cities to prevent "ambush marketing", namely advertisers trying to associate themselves with the Olympics without paying to be an official sponsor.
This rule is there to protect the real reason for the existence of the Olympics, the multi billion dollar consumer companies who sponsor the games.
The Department for Culture Media and Sport, as usual with Blair's government, went obverborard when it prepared legislation to comply with the IOC requirements.
Advertisers would have been banned from using the words gold, silver, bronze, London or summer in conjunction with games or 2012.
Totally daft!
Lobbying by the Institute of Practitioners in Advertising has persuaded the DCMS to make some changes to the legislation.
We shall see.
Monday, 26 September 2005
Green Olympics
Roots and Shoots a US environmental and humanitarian program for young people under the Jane Goodall Institute, founded in 1977 to promote wildlife research and conservation, as well as animal welfare, particularly of chimpanzees has launched a program for environmental protection in Beijing in an effort to help build "Green Beijing, Green Olympics".
"Eco Action Beijing," will invite primary school, middle school and university students in Beijing to participate in the campaign for public welfare.
"Green Beijing, My Home" is the slogan of the program, which will last until the close of the 29th Beijing Olympic Games in 2008.
The goal of the program is to pick a group of top "Green Schools", that are committed to promoting environmental protection education.
"Eco Action Beijing," will invite primary school, middle school and university students in Beijing to participate in the campaign for public welfare.
"Green Beijing, My Home" is the slogan of the program, which will last until the close of the 29th Beijing Olympic Games in 2008.
The goal of the program is to pick a group of top "Green Schools", that are committed to promoting environmental protection education.
Friday, 23 September 2005
Religious Freedom
The 2008 Olympics in China could provide the spark for religious freedom, a Hong Kong Catholic bishop has said.
Bishop John Tong said the 2008 games could provide the boost that China's Christians need.
Quote:
"Hosting the 2008 Olympic Games may help China to become more open"
I don't think that the Olympics has any connection at all with relgion, aside that is from it obvious connection to mammon.
Bishop John Tong said the 2008 games could provide the boost that China's Christians need.
Quote:
"Hosting the 2008 Olympic Games may help China to become more open"
I don't think that the Olympics has any connection at all with relgion, aside that is from it obvious connection to mammon.
Wednesday, 21 September 2005
Tokyo To Bid For 2016 Olympics
The Governor of Tokyo, Shintaro Ishihara, has said that Tokyo will bid to host the Summer Olympics in 2016 or later.
The Tokyo metropolitan government will appoint an officer to head the bid on October 1st, and set up a preparatory committee by the end of October.
Bids don't need to be submitted to the International Olympic Committee until 2007. The host city will be selected in 2009.
The Tokyo metropolitan government will appoint an officer to head the bid on October 1st, and set up a preparatory committee by the end of October.
Bids don't need to be submitted to the International Olympic Committee until 2007. The host city will be selected in 2009.
Monday, 19 September 2005
Women's Course Changed
The landscape changes to one of the women's skiing courses for February's Turin Olympics have been completed.
The layout had been criticised for being too flat and easy. Hilde Gerg, from Germany, had led a petition to move the super-G to nearby Sestriere, where men's races will be held.
However, the Turin organisers, the International Olympic Committee and the International Ski Federation ordered that five jumps be changed and a new curve running against the slope be added.
The layout had been criticised for being too flat and easy. Hilde Gerg, from Germany, had led a petition to move the super-G to nearby Sestriere, where men's races will be held.
However, the Turin organisers, the International Olympic Committee and the International Ski Federation ordered that five jumps be changed and a new curve running against the slope be added.
Friday, 16 September 2005
Winter Olympics Off To A Slow Start
The winter Olympics in Truing begin in less than 150 days. However, less than half of the tickets to this event have been sold.
Out of 460,000 tickets sold, only 100,000 have gone directly to the public. The rest have been sold/given to sponsors, corporations, sports federations, broadcasters, national Olympic committees and ticketing agencies.
Giorgio Lauretta, head of ticketing, said:
"I would have liked to have sold more, but our advertising so far has been quite weak".
Out of 460,000 tickets sold, only 100,000 have gone directly to the public. The rest have been sold/given to sponsors, corporations, sports federations, broadcasters, national Olympic committees and ticketing agencies.
Giorgio Lauretta, head of ticketing, said:
"I would have liked to have sold more, but our advertising so far has been quite weak".
Wednesday, 14 September 2005
Beijing To Cost Less Than Athens
The Beijing 2008 Olympics will cost less than the 2004 Athens Games, it is even expect to make a small profit.
That is at least the view of Jiang Xiaoyu, executive vice-president of the Beijing Organising Committee for the 2008 Olympic Games (BOCOG), who said:
"Beijing will adhere to the principle of 'frugal Olympics' in organising the 2008 Games. We use the paper two-sided now."
Not surprisingly these games have been dubbed the "frugal Olympics".
Jiang said that the Games are expected to a profit of about $16M.
That is at least the view of Jiang Xiaoyu, executive vice-president of the Beijing Organising Committee for the 2008 Olympic Games (BOCOG), who said:
"Beijing will adhere to the principle of 'frugal Olympics' in organising the 2008 Games. We use the paper two-sided now."
Not surprisingly these games have been dubbed the "frugal Olympics".
Jiang said that the Games are expected to a profit of about $16M.
Friday, 9 September 2005
The Green Olympics
Ken Livingstone, mayor of London, has promised that the 2012 London Olympics will be the most environmentally friendly games ever staged.
He has just issued a new set of draft rules, to guide the construction of the Olympic facilities.
Mayor Livingstone said:
"The London games will be quite simply the most sustainable ever - leaving a lasting legacy of jobs, homes and environmental improvements for east London, London and Britain."
The new draft principles state that the facilities must meet the best design standards. Architectural competitions will be used to select the designers of the stadiums, and the other buildings, on the Stratford site.
Livingstone wants to combine the environmental record of the Sydney games, with the inner city regeneration prompted by the Barcelona games.
Bidding contractors will have to show their commitment to ethical employment practices, and use recycled materials.
£70m will be spent to bury overhead power lines on the site of the Olympic village.
He has just issued a new set of draft rules, to guide the construction of the Olympic facilities.
Mayor Livingstone said:
"The London games will be quite simply the most sustainable ever - leaving a lasting legacy of jobs, homes and environmental improvements for east London, London and Britain."
The new draft principles state that the facilities must meet the best design standards. Architectural competitions will be used to select the designers of the stadiums, and the other buildings, on the Stratford site.
Livingstone wants to combine the environmental record of the Sydney games, with the inner city regeneration prompted by the Barcelona games.
Bidding contractors will have to show their commitment to ethical employment practices, and use recycled materials.
£70m will be spent to bury overhead power lines on the site of the Olympic village.
Thursday, 8 September 2005
LA To Bid For 2016 Olympics
Los Angeles will bid to host its third Summer Olympics, by bidding for the 2016 Olympics.
The organisers claim that this will be tax neutral.
Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and Barry Sanders, chairman of the Southern California Committee for the Olympic Games, have confirmed that the United States Olympic Committee will be notified of the city's intention to bid for the Games.
Villaraigosa said:
"We're a community built for the Olympic Games. We have world-class sporting venues and we have a history of success".
Other cities considering 2016 bids include Chicago, Rome and Tokyo.
The organisers claim that this will be tax neutral.
Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and Barry Sanders, chairman of the Southern California Committee for the Olympic Games, have confirmed that the United States Olympic Committee will be notified of the city's intention to bid for the Games.
Villaraigosa said:
"We're a community built for the Olympic Games. We have world-class sporting venues and we have a history of success".
Other cities considering 2016 bids include Chicago, Rome and Tokyo.
Wednesday, 7 September 2005
Spielberg Annoys Palestinians
Mohammad Daoud, the Palestinian mastermind of the 1972 Munich Olympics atrocity in which 11 Israeli athletes died, has complained that Steven Spielberg should have consulted him about a new film ("Munich") about the event to be sure to get the story right.
I am sure that Spielberg's first thought is to make sure that the terrorists are fairly represented!
Daoud said:
"I know nothing about this film. If someone really wanted to tell the truth about what happened he should talk to the people involved, people who know the truth. Were I contacted, I would tell the truth,".
Daoud, despite planning the raid, disingenuously blames Israel and West German authorities for the deaths.
I am sure that Spielberg's first thought is to make sure that the terrorists are fairly represented!
Daoud said:
"I know nothing about this film. If someone really wanted to tell the truth about what happened he should talk to the people involved, people who know the truth. Were I contacted, I would tell the truth,".
Daoud, despite planning the raid, disingenuously blames Israel and West German authorities for the deaths.
Tuesday, 6 September 2005
German Appeal Denied
The Court of Arbitration for Sport upheld the January 6th decision, by the International Equestrian Federation, that found Germany's Ludger Beerbaum and his horse Goldfever 3 guilty of a doping offence at the Athens Olympics.
The federation stripped Germany of the title, giving the gold to the United States.
The court said that Beerbaum made a mistake by administering a medication with a prohibited substance.
The court added it makes no difference whether "the ingestion of that substance was intentional or negligent and irrespective of the effect of that substance on the performance."
The federation acknowledged it was a legitimate medical treatment, and Goldfever received no competitive advantage.
The federation stripped Germany of the title, giving the gold to the United States.
The court said that Beerbaum made a mistake by administering a medication with a prohibited substance.
The court added it makes no difference whether "the ingestion of that substance was intentional or negligent and irrespective of the effect of that substance on the performance."
The federation acknowledged it was a legitimate medical treatment, and Goldfever received no competitive advantage.
Monday, 5 September 2005
Jobs Galore
The British government has started advertising for people to fill strategic Olympic administration positions, in time for the Olympics 2012 being hosted in London.
An advertisement in the Sunday Times invited applications for the posts of chair and chief executive of the Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA).
The ODA will oversee the construction of key venues and infrastructure projects for 2012.
Olympics Minister Tessa Jowell said:
"We need to ensure we have the highest calibre candidates for these roles. I hope that some of the brightest stars in business and public life will want to take up this challenge.
Ensuring that the venues, transport and infrastructure for the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games are delivered on time and on budget is an enormous job, and will require great skill in organisation and communication.
The 2012 Games will be a showcase to the world - all eyes will be on London and Britain and what we can deliver for the Olympic movement".
The closing date for applications is 30 September.
An advertisement in the Sunday Times invited applications for the posts of chair and chief executive of the Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA).
The ODA will oversee the construction of key venues and infrastructure projects for 2012.
Olympics Minister Tessa Jowell said:
"We need to ensure we have the highest calibre candidates for these roles. I hope that some of the brightest stars in business and public life will want to take up this challenge.
Ensuring that the venues, transport and infrastructure for the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games are delivered on time and on budget is an enormous job, and will require great skill in organisation and communication.
The 2012 Games will be a showcase to the world - all eyes will be on London and Britain and what we can deliver for the Olympic movement".
The closing date for applications is 30 September.
Thursday, 1 September 2005
Swiss Air
The air forces of Switzerland and Italy are to work closely together, in order to ensure that the 2006 Turin Winter Olympics are protected from terrorist attack.
The Swiss government is seeking parliamentary approval for a cross-border defence accord with Italy, before the games begin next February.
The Swiss government went on record and said:
"This type of event attracts the attention of the whole world and offers extremist groups the chance to realise their aims through terrorist attacks,".
The objective of the exercise is to enable the exchange of information between Switzerland and Italy, and to improve the possibility of intervention in the event of a specific threat.
During cross border engagements the air forces are only permitted to use infrared warning fire. The neighbouring country's air force is not permitted to engage in live warning fire, or to attempt to shoot down aircraft.
The Swiss government is seeking parliamentary approval for a cross-border defence accord with Italy, before the games begin next February.
The Swiss government went on record and said:
"This type of event attracts the attention of the whole world and offers extremist groups the chance to realise their aims through terrorist attacks,".
The objective of the exercise is to enable the exchange of information between Switzerland and Italy, and to improve the possibility of intervention in the event of a specific threat.
During cross border engagements the air forces are only permitted to use infrared warning fire. The neighbouring country's air force is not permitted to engage in live warning fire, or to attempt to shoot down aircraft.
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