Olympic Blues and Greys
Friday, July 25, 2008 at 5:07 am Under China News
Some thoughts from our colleague Lin Yang:
Many of us joined the spontaneous carnival in the streets on a summer night seven years ago when Beijing was awarded the 2008 Olympics. But as the moment of glory finally arrives, the exultation is no longer shared by all. I have noticed growing sentiment recently in Internet posts and daily conversations indicating that some Chinese are experiencing a change of heart towards the Olympics. Pride, longing, anticipation has been replaced by confusion, frustration, and even anger. In Tianjin, when i asked my taxi driver to take me to one of the city’s famous kebab stalls, he launched into a lengthy complaint instead. “Kebab stalls? They’re nearly all gone!! All for the Olympics! I used to go with other driver pals on our night shift. The stalls were always packed, with people eating and chatting happily after a long day’s work. Now it’s serve th Olympics instead of serving the people!” Some people in Beijing meanwhile are planning to flee the Games and travel agencies are even offering “biyuntao” (???) packages. The homonym of “condom” in Chinese has become a popular term referring to “tour package to get away from the Olympics” (Bi-avoid, Yun-the Olympics, tao–package). “One world, one nightmare”, as a friend summed up the situation with a sigh. On one of the leading Internet forums on current affairs, Tianya BBS, posters lamented over changes brought on by the coming games. “Now there are security checks everywhere; soldiers and police everywhere,” wrote one poster, “‘I can no longer recognize this place I call home”, wrote another, “morning markets and street stalls are gone and we are left with no choice but to shop at pricier supermarkets; cheap housing is no longer available; manufacturing and construction are halted, and even restaurant takeout is banned, with no clear explanation other than a vague reference to the Olympics.”There are also those who go even farther than complaining over daily inconveniences. “Rambobest”, who called himself a “nationalist” in his post had some reflections on national glory and the Olympic games. “I understand the government wants to use this opportunity to show the world a rising China, but would hosting an Olympics alone qualify us as a rising power? Are there no other priorities like dealing with corruption, and other crucial social issues? Instead, different voices are clamped down on for the Olympics just so the government won’t lose face.”Some were simply disheartened by the futile journey to get a glimpse of the Olympic torch. A poster from Qingdao was outraged by the government order to ban all unlicensed citizens from entering the relay area. “The Olympics should be an event participated in and enjoyed by everyone. Yes the torch relay is broadcast on TV, but that’s not enough for a Chinese who wants to voice his passion for the country and the Olympics!”And that is a good point. Seven years ago, people believed having the Olympics in Beijing one day would be a national dream fulfilled, and a moment shared by everyone. Is this still the Olympics we had in mind when migrant workers who built Olympic venues and infrastructures with their own hands are made to leave the city before the game starts, when watching the torch relay turns into a prestige event for the few, when witnessing athletes around the world competing on one’s own land becomes a luxury?
( This post is from an independent writer. The opinions and views expressed herein are those of the author and are not endorsed by APakistanNews.Com.)
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