thatsnotmypuppy Posted August 10, 2009 Report Share Posted August 10, 2009 I concur - Atlanta for all its faults was a great fun time - something that sadly I doubt the IOC will allow happen again. Sydney was just a big party - a great city, great people - it all worked magnificently. I really, really enjoyed being on the ground in Beijing - yes the nationalism was evident everywhere but the local population - even those with no hope in helll of getting a ticket or within 500 metres of a venue were still proud and excited to have the Games there. The city was clean, for the most part the air was clean and the venues functioned well. Many venues would have been a challenge for the paralympics though - the Chinese love their stairs! Having been back to Beijing a couple of times since the Games the city has changed for the better. It is questionable if the Games will have any long term, effect politically or socio-economically. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frenchy Posted August 10, 2009 Report Share Posted August 10, 2009 From what I heard, they're making every 8 Aug some National Fitness Day in China. Well if that ain't "legacy", I don't know what is!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frenchy Posted August 10, 2009 Report Share Posted August 10, 2009 The Olympics are great. But they are not about democracy. I can't believe you wrote that!! Read the Charter: "Fundamental Principles of Olympism" (...) Olympism seeks to create a way of life based on the joy of effort, the educational value of good example and respect for universal fundamental ethical principles." Democracy and the respect for human rights should be the very first condition when choosing a host city..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
baron-pierreIV Posted August 10, 2009 Report Share Posted August 10, 2009 Frenchy, the submotto of the IOC is "...do as we say; NOT as we do." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kenadian Posted August 10, 2009 Author Report Share Posted August 10, 2009 I can't believe you wrote that!!Read the Charter: "Fundamental Principles of Olympism" (...) Olympism seeks to create a way of life based on the joy of effort, the educational value of good example and respect for universal fundamental ethical principles." Democracy and the respect for human rights should be the very first condition when choosing a host city..... Idealism and realism, like words and actions, often don't intersect. Those words you quote say nothing of democracy. The history of the Olympic Movement has certainly demonstrated that the IOC is willing to go to places that are not so people friendly if it mean they get what they want and need from the hosts. The first condition of choosing a host city for the Olympic Games is who's going to dish out and bring in the most for hosting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sir Rols Posted August 11, 2009 Report Share Posted August 11, 2009 (edited) Olympism seeks to create a way of life based on the joy of effort, the educational value of good example and respect foruniversal fundamental ethical principles." Democracy and the respect for human rights should be the very first condition when choosing a host city..... I can't remember who said it exactly, it might have been His Excellency the Marquess himself, but it was along the lines of "We can't tell nations we're happy for them to compete, but never to host". I tend to agree with that. I also agree with Kendegra that universal fundamental ethical principles is not exactly the same as saying explicitly "democracy". Yes, I do tend to be pragmatic about the political complexions of the hosts. But I guess it's part of their cachet that they still do inspire such lofty ideals for many people. For me its an idealistic and generally successful enough goal that they bring "the youth of the world together" and encourage global engagement and interaction. Edited August 11, 2009 by Sir Roltel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hobart Posted August 13, 2009 Report Share Posted August 13, 2009 cant belive how fast that year has gone was a great games and i was so glad i was there. I think i have eaten rice once in the past year after eating it everyday for 3 weeks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NY20?? Posted August 19, 2009 Report Share Posted August 19, 2009 I have heard that there had been only two events held in the Olympic Stadium after the closing ceremony and the anniversaire:- a concert of Jackie Chan - a sport event for students of the experimental elementary school No. 2 from Beijing ... that is in my point of view a pathetic legacy of an Olympic Stadium, which was built to become a major architectual sight I think its being a symbol of national pride is what's being left at its legacy, which will in turn bring in money from Chinese tourists who would want to shop, eat, and who knows even spend the night at the stadium. Though it is hosting more events later this year, I do find it surprising that the largest stadium in the capital city of China hasn't hosted more in the past year. A good article on all this: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/08/sports/o...VENUE.html?_r=1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wingspread Posted August 30, 2009 Report Share Posted August 30, 2009 A friend of mine is in Beijing right now for a study-abroad thing. He went to the stadium a couple of days ago. Here's one of the more interesting items he found in the souvenir shop: They're selling parts of the original grass surface that was used during the games. He said it costs 700 bucks and only 10,000 pieces are available in the world. Have past hosts done this? Ridiculous, I think. Almost like they're desperate to make money. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob2012 Posted August 30, 2009 Report Share Posted August 30, 2009 If people are willing to buy it, good luck to them I say! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sir Rols Posted August 30, 2009 Report Share Posted August 30, 2009 If people are willing to buy it, good luck to them I say! I've got a keyring with sand from the Beach Volleyball court at Bondi in 2000. And something or the orther similar from Barcelona (I can't remember exactly where the sand was from there) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NY20?? Posted August 31, 2009 Report Share Posted August 31, 2009 Have past hosts done this? Ridiculous, I think. Almost like they're desperate to make money. The Chinese love the Olympics, especially their's. They view the Bird's Nest as much more than a stadium, but a monument (and it was partly designed as one). Selling blades of grass from an Olympic stadium a year later may sound desperate, but not in China I think. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thatsnotmypuppy Posted September 1, 2009 Report Share Posted September 1, 2009 I have a 10cm x 10 cm piece of the Atlanta Olympic track - so yes - other cities do it! Sydney if I remember correctly also sold some of the track. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wingspread Posted September 1, 2009 Report Share Posted September 1, 2009 Thanks for responding to my question. Nice info I previously didn't know! Selling parts of stadia and playing surfaces still does seem silly to me. Then again, I'd probably be even saving a used and discarded Games-branded soda paper cup if I attended an Olympics so who am I to criticize these merchandising strategies, right? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fox334 Posted September 2, 2009 Report Share Posted September 2, 2009 I wonder if VANOC is going to sell any ice or snow used by the athletes? What about the bullets used in Biathlon? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sir Rols Posted September 2, 2009 Report Share Posted September 2, 2009 (edited) LOL - WADA should cash in and sell used pee samples. I wonder how much Ben Johnson's Seoul samples would fetch on eBay? Edited September 2, 2009 by Sir Roltel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oakydoky Posted September 2, 2009 Report Share Posted September 2, 2009 I've got some Beijing 2008 memoribilia. I have a glass cylinder which has the bird's nest etched inside it which is then lit up. It's quite a cool little ornament. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
micheal_warren Posted September 2, 2009 Report Share Posted September 2, 2009 I have got a model torch from Beijing which was built with left overs from the birds nest. Its really cool Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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