I was lucky? to win a trip to Beijing in 2008 for the Olympics. Saw Opening Ceremonies, watched Michael Phelps win everything, enjoyed the US Mens and Womens gymnastics and the Williams sisters play tennis. The Olympics themselves were outstanding. However, I saw the military presence on the street, knew our hotel room was watched and en…
I was lucky? to win a trip to Beijing in 2008 for the Olympics. Saw Opening Ceremonies, watched Michael Phelps win everything, enjoyed the US Mens and Womens gymnastics and the Williams sisters play tennis. The Olympics themselves were outstanding. However, I saw the military presence on the street, knew our hotel room was watched and entered when we left it. And felt the resentment of the Chinese people clustered around the Olympic grounds entrance daily but were not allowed in. Everything looked great but underneath, cheap and falling apart. Perhaps every country ruled by authoritarians who host the Olympics hide citizen oppression and China was no different. Hu Tongs built over, residents displaced and left with nothing all for the Olympic grounds. The people so badly needed a reason to cheer and cheering for an American was probably the ultimate middle finger to their government!
Great angle John, and gee, i don't recall NBC telling us about the "Tiananmen Square" situation you described. I guess i missed it....................sigh
I was lucky? to win a trip to Beijing in 2008 for the Olympics. Saw Opening Ceremonies, watched Michael Phelps win everything, enjoyed the US Mens and Womens gymnastics and the Williams sisters play tennis. The Olympics themselves were outstanding. However, I saw the military presence on the street, knew our hotel room was watched and entered when we left it. And felt the resentment of the Chinese people clustered around the Olympic grounds entrance daily but were not allowed in. Everything looked great but underneath, cheap and falling apart. Perhaps every country ruled by authoritarians who host the Olympics hide citizen oppression and China was no different. Hu Tongs built over, residents displaced and left with nothing all for the Olympic grounds. The people so badly needed a reason to cheer and cheering for an American was probably the ultimate middle finger to their government!
Great angle John, and gee, i don't recall NBC telling us about the "Tiananmen Square" situation you described. I guess i missed it....................sigh
"...ultimate middle finder to their government." Yes!
I did not consider that. Insightful of you to mention.