Bull In A China Shop

With the Olympics in Beijing quickly approaching, world-class athletes from all over are descending upon China and preparing to take their shot at the ultimate prize, an Olympic medal. Joey Cheek, the reigning Olympic 500m speed skating champion doesn't have to worry about attending. His visa which was originally approved, has been revoked by the Chinese government for unspecified reasons. News reached Cheek hours before he was set to leave for Beijing.

Perhaps it is only coincidence that Cheek is co-founder of Team Darfur, a human rights organization whose main purpose revolves around stopping the atrocities being committed in Sudan, a Chinese ally. One key initiative has been to persuade China to use its relationship with Sudan to have them lay down arms while the Olympic games are underway. Other members of the U.S. Olympic team and Team Darfur have received ominous statements of future harassment if they attempt to cause China embarrassment during the Games. This of course is in addition to the many other problems that have plagued China in their approach to hosting the Games.

China has well documented pollution problems. They spent boatloads of money to decrease the pollution levels but the problems seem to be worse than many think. There has been talk of the suspension of many endurance races (such as running and cycling events) as well as half-joking statements that some athletes were thinking of donning gas masks while participating. Don't be surprised if you see some sort of mask on some athletes who place personal health above Olympic glory.

Please take a second to look over the above picture. That is not a photo of a state-of-the-art pitch that will be used for field sports. That is the venue where the Beijing committee plans to host the Olympic sailing events. The algae you're seeing was in the waters of the Yellow Sea as recent as 6 weeks ago. An estimated 20,000 people have been "employed" to scoop this algae out of the water in order to have it ready by the time the Olympics begin.

As if the environmental problems weren't enough, reports of other "minor" problems such as rats eating ping-pong balls that have been in storage and questions of the structural soundness of Olympic podiums that have been built have also added to the capacity for failure of these Olympic games. I love the Olympic games and the ideals behind them so I will be watching and hoping nothing goes wrong and nobody get hurt but I can see the dark clouds and the imminent disaster they hold. It appears Joey Cheek may be the lucky one.

*(UPDATE) - Not 10 minutes after I finished writing this piece, I read a report that Lopez Lomong, a Sudanese born American citizen will carry the flag for the U.S. Olympians in the opening ceremony. This was voted on by the American team captains. This is a great gesture and will prove to be a great show of support for the people of Darfur. Bob Costas and Jim Nantz are feverishly preparing their puff pieces. Get your tear ducts ready.