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John D
05-19-2001, 10:04 AM
Hello all,


Some serious thought should have started years ago on the question "will China host the 2008 Olympics and introduce Wushu".......? Now that WC has been accepted (1998) into the large realm of the PRC Wushu system, what should/could the WC competition categories consists of?

So far there has been some Chi Sau activities in the PRC. Also, some WC people got smashed up in the San Sau full contact fights....but not a whole lot overall!!!

Yip Ching mentioned to me two years ago that he was hoping that the WC family could field a San Sau (open hand) team. Yip Chun is pushing for a chi sau tournament format.

Personally, I cannot see a strict standard on any of the WC hand or the WC weapon sets! I also hate to see WC people beating on each other for glory and story!

My "4-3X5" Competition Proposal

I wish to propose a demanding "reflex based" competition system in the following four categories of skill (Chi Sau, San Sau "distance", Kwan "staff", and Do) be adopted. Forget judging the sets, there are too many differences to define and judge.

In each of the four(4) categories, the competitor faces three(3) randomly picked attacks from five(5) different attackers (not other WC competitors). Hence the name "4-3X5" is born.

The competitor can then demonstrate his/her reaction counters (three-five motions) against various attackers. Judges, will know in advance what type of attack is coming and can look for applied skill. All attacks are at 90-100% speed but not full power-"pulled".

With five judges in each competition category - the high and low scores are thrown out, while the middle three judged scores are averaged. It will be necessary to selected a sizable group of non-competing (as neutral) attackers in each of the four competition categories to provide the (randomly selected) attacks. Having "null" or neutral attackers will eliminate most (but not all) of the petty ugliness that is expected between egos, school, and assocation.

Each competitor is judged like the Olympic Ice Skaters....by their final total scores, not by destroying others in the WC family.

In each of the assigned attacks, the Attacker will have the option to use a one count (one direct punch/kick) or two count (two moves.... a left feint followed by a right hook/kick) attack. Allowing more than two count combination attacks by the attacker gets far too dangerous and bloody.

Yes, I am aware that selecting neutral attackers maybe difficult. However, selecting attackers from other arts (especially attacking arts)is a possibility. Designated Chi sau attackers can stay within the WC family.

My thoughts are posted....assuming that something WC is needed for the Olympics and that China will be hosting the Olympics in 2008 - let this forum have your constructive thoughts.....? These maybe "BIG" assumptions indeed but they are real possibilities!!!!!!

Regards to all,
John DiVirgilio - Hawaii

JasBourne
05-19-2001, 04:57 PM
I don't approve of 'sport' wing chun. I feel that constraining a conceptual combat art dilutes it, and opens the door for the proliferation of 'McKwoon' type schools, leading to a degeneration of the art itself over time.

I feel that this is exactly what has happened to technique-oriented MA disciplines like karate and tae kwan do, and I don't want to see WC go the same route...

Guess I'm just a hard-core traditionalist, with a touch of elitism :D

peace,
Jas

<IMG SRC="http://machagrande.com/images/aMao1.JPG" border=0 height=116 width=100>

fei_jai
05-19-2001, 05:33 PM
Wing Chun is for realistic self defence. Once we start down the dark path... errr... I mean, once we train for anything else other than realistic self defence, we easily lose sight of what we originally set out to achieve.

Besides, although China will probably include wushu as a demonstration sport, it's unlikely that Wing Chun will be apart of it. In my view, Wing Chun and WuShu are two completely different art forms and have never seen the two linked in any way. Anyhow, to be part of the Olympics, I believe there must be an international body that governs that particular sport. Wing Chun is far from having a single body that even affiliates all lineages of Wing Chun.

Another point is that the sport has to appeal, and be accepted by the general populace. I don't think Wing Chun is as popular, or as well known as TaeKwonDo. And remember... the Olympics is about money, not sport.

Dave

mikey
05-19-2001, 06:35 PM
amen!
Wing Chun and competition are as compatible
as military and intelligence!
when people train to score points instead of
destroying your opponent,you dilute their fighting
ability. What happens if you are walking home with your chi sao trophy,and you are mugged by some people who don't know what the rules are?
call time out?
this sounds funny,but it is definitely a serious
problem with MANY "sport" martial artists. I have more than once fought or sparred with some
sport martial artist who just couldn't deal with
the real thing. The old adage "you fight like you train" is very true.Sport martial artists train
to score points and please judges,not to fight
for their lives. If you don't believe me,take
an afternoon cruising TKD schools or Karate schools.Choose the ones with a lot of trophies
displayed everywhere.Pretend you are interested in joining and watch them. I mean REALLY watch them.Are they training to fight for their lives,
or for the next heavily regulated "full contact"
point match? you be the judge.
I see no reason to pull the fangs out of a
devastating fighting form to collect trophies.
If you want trophies,take TKD.
so there! :p
jees,what's next, the 15 minute cardio-chi sao work out?(featuring Billy Blanks,of course!)

mikey
05-19-2001, 06:39 PM
jas-
you go girl! :)

mun hung
05-19-2001, 10:11 PM
Just the thought of seeing Wing Chun in the Olympics as a sporting event makes me sick to my stomach. Of course it will all boil down to dollar signs. It always does. We can only imagine what they would do to the art. I think it's the last thing that should be done to promote Wing Chun. The art will grow on it's own without anyones help. Hate to sound selfish, but I'm actually quite satisfied with the idea of studying something that not everyone knows about. Good for me - sucks to be you! ;)

John D
05-20-2001, 01:15 PM
Hello All,

Well folks, don't get hit by the runaway truck speeding down the street, but like it or not WC is now considered a Wushu art in the PRC. If (if?) China hosts the Olympics, Wushu will be added into the stew of competition.

Like the rest of you, I can't see WC competing in any of the forms comptetions. From what I gathered from gossip...Chi Sau WILL be one WC Olympic competition category. The San Sau is already established but the early WC competitors did poorly...sad.

I pray that all the young & older WC people on this forum and elsewhere will find a way to enjoy this great art despite the growing WC commercialization.

I am still thinking of how to approach the whole Olympics matter.....

Regards to all,
John DiVirgilio

GLW
05-20-2001, 03:37 PM
Not exactly.

The IOC (International Olympic Committee) has recently recognized the IWuF (International Wushu Federation) as a governing organization for setting up Wushu as an Olympic event.

China has put in a bid for the 2008 Olympics. Should they win the bid, Wushu will be an Olympic event then. If not, it may happen but not a sure thing.

The current events are Taolu (form) and Sanshou.

The Taolu division as it stands right not include the International Compulsory events (Changquan, Nanquan, 42 Taijiquan, Broadsword, Straightsword, NanDao, Staff, Southern Staff, Spear, 42 Taiji Sword. There are open events but they are typically more for show than for medals in international competition.

Between now and 2008, there may be a change in one or two of the routines, but I wouldn't bet on it. The last set of compulsories lasted around 10 years. The current routines include 5 routines that will be totally official in 2003...they are just out of the box for competition this year and the old and new routines can be used this year only. The remaining 5 routines are less than 5 years old and not widely practiced so they will probably be around through 2008...unless they change them in 2003...doubtful since the new routines were started and talked about from 1997...and the training materials just came out a month ago...(turn around time is around 4 years to develop a new set of routines.).

Sanshou has the standard Sanshou rules. In fact, the Sanshou rules were developed by China over the last 10 years.

Team memaber tryouts for the Sanshou team is not limited to any style. You just have to be able to fight according to the full contact Sanshou rules.

While they may add Chi Sau as an event in China competitions (unlikely at the national and definitely unlikely at the international level), keep in mind that Taijiquan has been a recognized part of China's wushu approach for years and there is still no big venue for Tui Shou (Push hands) even though some competitions in China have it as an event (more of a exhibition event). I would suspect that Chi Sau would be handled the same way.

old jong
05-20-2001, 04:09 PM
I hope that wing chun will never become a sport!I'm sure it would be the beginning of the end for our system. If you want sport...Try some ping pong instead. :eek:

C'est la vie!

edziak
05-21-2001, 09:55 AM
I totaly agree. To turn a martial art into a sport is to turn a solem and ancient tradition into a ****ing contest.

GLW
05-21-2001, 03:00 PM
Having seen Chi Sau competitions, I don't care for this avenue of competition.

In its best form, Chi Sau is fun and a training exercise. In its worst, one or both parties let their desire for face run away with them and the ego turns it into stiff, too much power, no technique, slap fests. Not a pretty sight.

If people want to test themselves in fighting, there are several ways to do it.

First and most hardcore is to put yourself into a situation where you get into a number of streetfights. That proves things pretty quickly...but can cost you your life, health, or freedom.

Second is underground events. This is only marginally safer than the first option. You are a little less likely to end in jail...but you are almost always supporting organized crime and betting. A reaaly good thing to do.

The third is things like NHB, Full Contact, UFC, etc....

This would include Sanshou according to IWuF rules as well as any full contact event. Without this tru confrontation against people who do NOT do your style, you never really know how many of your techniques work.

The complaint about things like Sanshou requiring gloves is a moot point. Both sides wear them...so what. Ever try fighting in a cold climate in gloves...not that different. Also, if you are going to fight in such an event, I would guess that you would train with the gloves way before showing up. So, that old argument about the gloves and grabbing...sorry, it doesn't hold much water. (Shuai Jiao people grab to throw...and they do well in Sanshou and other full contact venues).

Personally, I don't care for the UFC stuff. The soft canvas floor with just a bit of padding makes it a slight advantage for the grappling style while making it a bit more difficult for the striker and especially the kicker to use their techniques (twisted knees are a good bet on that surface). Also, the cage with vertical walls provides the grappler with a pinning surface on the floor and the walls...this is not a big advantage but it is definitely not a situation where all is equal...but those are the rules.

If you enter those venues, you train for those venues first...and as they say "You pays your money, you takes your chances".

If people want to focus totally on a fighting art and keep it as such, they MUST fight somewhere. Legal or illegal is the bottom line...and legal does have enough choices now days.

To quote Nike: "Just Do It"

South Paw
11-21-2001, 09:29 PM
The emblem resembles a person doing "taiji" (Tai Ch'i), symbolizing gracefulness, harmony, vitality and mobility as well as unity, cooperation, exchange and development. It also resembles the shape of a traditional Chinese artifact known as the "China Heart Unit." The logo was designed by Chen Shaohua, a noted designer in Shenzhen and one of the 13 official emblem designers appointed by BOBICO, and well-known painter Han Meilin, who modified the design by using a calligraphy brush. Kan Tai-Keung, a famous designer in Hong Kong, also contributed to the designing of the emblem. web page (http://www.beijing-2008.org/)

South Paw

L D S
11-21-2001, 09:38 PM
web page (http://www.huangfeihong.com.cn/wushu/show6-4.htm)

Ling

HopGar
11-21-2001, 09:58 PM
if only we could read chinese, Ling. :o ;)

Zvika

"He's not dead, 'es resting! Well if 'e's resting, I'll wake him up! 'Ello Mr. Polly Parrot...." -Monty Python, Dead Parrot Sketch

PangQuan
12-07-2004, 03:43 PM
I have been trying to keep up to date with the addition of WuShu into the 2008 Summer Olympics held in Bejing. Up to this point all I have read is that it is still being submitted for approval.:confused: From my low standing in the world and martial community, I would hope that one of you who may have better connections, can shed some light as to the current situation.

Thanks

Shaolinlueb
12-07-2004, 07:21 PM
i think it got cancelled.

Baji Brad
12-07-2004, 07:31 PM
I haven't been in contact with my contemp. wushu friends for the last month or so, but last I read, it's not going to get in. I don't think an officially decision is going to be made until next year or something like that. I'm thinking summer, but I'm not possitive. Check out the http://www.beijingwushuteam.com "debate zone"(name of their forum) for more info.

Baji Brad
12-07-2004, 07:33 PM
Anyway, I think the main reason for it not getting in is that they're looking to trim down the number of events in the Olympics, and they would defentiely have to eleminate something anyway to get wushu in.

Shaolinlueb
12-08-2004, 09:43 AM
Originally posted by Baji Brad
Anyway, I think the main reason for it not getting in is that they're looking to trim down the number of events in the Olympics, and they would defentiely have to eleminate something anyway to get wushu in.

they could always eliminate badmitten or that sport where you sweep infront of a puck. :rolleyes:

norther practitioner
12-08-2004, 10:18 AM
curling...

GeneChing
12-08-2004, 11:21 AM
...but it got confusing. Here's an e-zine article (http://ezine.kungfumagazine.com/ezine/article.php?article=368) that addresses it from when Beijing was first announced as host city. Since then, wushu was officially denied. However, China protested, so the IOC said that they would observe how things went at the Asian Games and wushu's status went into some kind of weird twilight zone. The Asian Games went well. They're still talking about the possibility of wushu participating as an event in the Olympics. In fact, it was still on the table at the World Traditional Wushu Festival in China last October. I doubt it will go in as a medal event, but then again, Tae Kwon Do didn't go in as a medal sport - in fact it took 12 years for it to earn medal status. So wushu has a good chance to go in as a demo sport, and that would be fine.

Curling is the winter olympics, which is quite different than the summer games.

norther practitioner
12-08-2004, 02:47 PM
Yeah, the winter olympics are still fun to watch.

GeneChing
12-08-2004, 02:52 PM
...although snow ninja wrestling is bidding for a winter game slot. I suppose figure skating was a martial art in the days of Kerrigan/Harding, but not anymore. Seriously, people wouldn't make as much fun of curling if the competitors were dressed like women's beach volleyball.

norther practitioner
12-08-2004, 03:04 PM
I'm speaking from more of the skeleton, luge, ski racing, etc. side of the winter olympics....

:p

But have you seen the woman in that sport... no thanks, I'd rather them stay in there flannel shirts and overalls.

jun_erh
12-13-2004, 12:17 PM
Olympic handball is the lamest "sport" I've ever seen. It looks lik it was invented by a communist. I wouldn't even let the mentally retarded play that game. Wushu would be way better. You know what's kind of cool though is the trampoline in the gymnastics part. It was th first year they had it last time so it was like chaos.

Shaolinlueb
12-13-2004, 12:31 PM
Originally posted by jun_erh
Olympic handball is the lamest "sport" I've ever seen. It looks lik it was invented by a communist. I wouldn't even let the mentally retarded play that game. Wushu would be way better. You know what's kind of cool though is the trampoline in the gymnastics part. It was th first year they had it last time so it was like chaos.

but handball is fun. :D

PangQuan
12-13-2004, 01:29 PM
I personally think they should remove table tennis, the chinese ALWAYS win at that, they get like 99 % of all the medals in it, they should just get rid of it and put in WuShu. this makes alot of sense to me. trade one garunteed gold for another, that is alot more fun to watch.

Shaolinlueb
12-13-2004, 09:04 PM
teh stupid sweeping the puck thing they should get rid of!!!

ShaolinJOJO
01-06-2005, 06:48 PM
Dude ShaolinLueb get rid of handball and keep sweeping the puck it comes from Canada eh!

Shaolinlueb
01-07-2005, 09:46 AM
Originally posted by ShaolinJOJO
Dude ShaolinLueb get rid of handball and keep sweeping the puck it comes from Canada eh!

sweeping the puck is teh gay. come on basketball was invented by a canadian. be happy :p

PangQuan
01-07-2005, 03:01 PM
I personally dont care what anyone says. I have faith. WuShu is just to raw not to add. At least a demo spot. I think it would be an incredable insult to all of china if the rest of the world said no to one of china's greates past times. If the they dont at least let it in as a Demo sport I will be protesting for sure. I never have before but I will start. I think that the rest of the martial arts circles are just afraid that once the world is more exposed to the level of engergy WuShu/Kung Fu has to offer, everyone will start wanting to learn CMA. Cause its the bomb. Everyone knows that a true CMA master is rounded fully and can do it all. But can a Tae Kwon Do master break iron bars with his forehead like the Shaolin? Or do 7 foot backflips standing still. No. Its a conspiracy i tell you. Or i may just be going off on some paranoid anticts. Either way I trust Wushu will began to take on a dominant role in the Martial community within the next few years.

Dash Iros
11-19-2005, 06:11 PM
Are there any news about the possibility of wushu being a part of it?

SPJ
11-19-2005, 06:35 PM
I think it is offically dead.

Not even a demo or performance.

however, Wu Shu Tao Lu and Wu Shu San Da are regularly held in east Asia games every 4 years.

And yet, we would always remember the Kuo Shu demo in Berlin Olympic in 1930's.

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2005-10/16/content_3621265.htm

:cool:

GeneChing
11-21-2005, 10:45 AM
...but it looks dead as a medal or demonstration event. There's talk of some sort of simultaneuos competition - there's all sorts of other competitions that are run around the Olympics, like the para-Olympics, but they're pretty focused and can't really hold much of a candle to the main events, of course.

GLW
11-21-2005, 03:13 PM
Being realistic...if it is not a medal event and not a demo event...it is nothing.

Even with medal events, coverage could be scant or none at all.

However, as neither one, it will get no coverage, no boost, and the only ones who will hear about it will be those that are already involved.

David Jamieson
11-21-2005, 04:59 PM
At the opening of an envelope in china, there's a wushu demonstration. You can count on the opening ceremonies having it. :p

As a demonstration sport, me no think it gonna fly. Still no 100% for sure organization that is unified and so the IOC will not support it until everyone has their poop in a group.

And we know just how difficult it is to get a few kungfu teachers to sit in the same room with each other let alone be civil with their tongues and behaviours hahaha.
It's like a freaking religion for petes sake. Better to have monks than clerics in my opinion as far as that goes.

I'd like to see pankration come back...even if it is just mma. lol that would totally roxors.

but there's already lots of martial arts in the olympics anyway.

judo, tkd, boxing, wrestling, fencing, archery and other pseudo martial arts.
Do we really need performance wushu as an olympic sport? It's got it's own thing going on anyway. Let the money go to the more obscure sports like frilly whippy dancy tissue whips and somersaulting while throwing the ball. How else are those already rpiviledged kids going to make it through vasser without the olympic program?

....oh, i'm sorry, I'm not a bigsupporter of the olympics anymore ever since they brought in curling, I figure it's just a big sausage fest with tom boys.

I mean come on...Curling? WTF are they thinking???

shadowlin
11-22-2005, 02:13 PM
what would be the point of having a competition where literally only one country would be capable of competing in any real sense.

Americans and europeans can't compete with a country that makes it one's JOB to train in wushu.

They could just pull out the monks from their travelling show Wheel of Life and own everyone. It'd really be pointless.

Kind of like having basketball in the Olympics after the US first invented it in the early 20th century... Seriously. There'd be like 1000 Michael Jordans of Wushu coming out of China. And they can all do the same move in sync and look the same... it's amazing. And it'd be an easy gold for china.

No point.

GeneChing
04-03-2008, 09:49 AM
I need to compile all the Beijing Olympic (http://en.beijing2008.cn/)threads now. I like the title of this one, so I'll start doing it here.


Jackie Chan, Zhang Ziyi to Sing for Olympic Film (http://english.cri.cn/3086/2008/04/03/1261@341325.htm)
2008-04-03 10:21:57 CRIENGLISH.com

Stefanie Sun is in a Beijing studio on Tuesday, April 1, 2008, recording "Stand Up," the theme song for "The One," a tribute film to the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. [Photo: ent.sina.com.cn]
Related: "The One" Dedicated to Beijing Olympics

A new film about China's first Olympian will feature four top Chinese-speaking celebrities on its soundtrack, its producer said on Wednesday.

Jackie Chan, Lee-Hom Wang, Zhang Ziyi and Stefanie Sun will join together to sing "Stand Up," the theme song for "The One," producer Wang Zhebin told the Beijing Times.

"The One" is based on the story of sprinter Liu Changchun's struggle against Japanese invaders to represent China at the 1932 Summer Olympics held in Los Angeles. Supported by the Beijing Organizing Committee for the Olympic Games (BOCOG), the film was made as a tribute to the 2008 Beijing Games.

The idea to form a quartet to sing the theme song arose from the symbolic combination of four groups of Chinese artists -- Hong Kong, Taiwan, mainland and overseas Chinese -- represented by Jackie Chan, Lee-Hom Wang, Zhang Ziyi and Stefanie Sun, respectively, the report says.

Since the stars all have busy schedules and arranging a joint recording would be difficult, they will work separately and their parts will be edited together later, Wang Pingjiu, lyricist of "Stand Up" and a senior official in the BOCOG cultural committee, said. Award-winning musician Shu Nan composed the musical score for "Stand Up."

Stefanie Sun kicked off the recording in a Beijing studio on Tuesday. The Singaporean singer said she was honored to be involved.

"The One" is currently in post-production and will be ready for release next month. Earlier reports say it will be available to worldwide athletes attending the Beijing Olympics in August.

lkfmdc
04-03-2008, 02:13 PM
...but it looks dead as a medal or demonstration event.



Gene! Gene! Gene! Talk of this sort will bring back our troll friend from Texas yet again :p

Wushu and Sanshou/San Da in the olympics turned sadly into another example of a Chinese fire drill :rolleyes:

I have no doubt they will put up a fake olympic style wushu event at the same time, telling the participants they are going to be part of the Olympics :cool:

1bad65
04-03-2008, 02:28 PM
Didn't it take time before TKD became an Olympic event?

Like wasn't it a demo event or something first?

SPJ
04-03-2008, 06:17 PM
among the singers

only stefanie sun or sun yan zi is good.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YqJLE4QmyPU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=agdnKpN-s-s&feature=related

she is from singapore and won some prizes in singing.

JC can only sing low pitch songs.

Zhang Zi Yi is only so so in singing.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-TsUT_cVrYI

Wang is ok.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rV8Iuke2Bmg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LRKGL6yteXE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-lZ4iDc1hVw&feature=related

:)

GeneChing
04-04-2008, 12:08 PM
As opposed to our troll friend from NY? :p

TKD was introduced as a demo sport in Seoul in '88. It didn't become a medal sport until Sydney in 2000. Read China Gets the Gold! The Beijing Olympics (http://ezine.kungfumagazine.com/ezine/article.php?article=368) by me and Andy Ching to get the full story. And to reiterate, wushu did not get demo sport status. It's currently at International Federation status, which bears the appropo Olympic acronym of IF.

lkfmdc
04-04-2008, 12:36 PM
As opposed to our troll friend from NY? :p



oh, I'll get you Gene Ching, and your little dog too! ;)

"IF".... how appropriate....

oh, compared to Taekwondo, TKD had competiton for women for YEARS before it became a demo sport. China sort of "forgot" to offer San Da for women, eliminating it entirely from consideration! :rolleyes:

cjurakpt
04-04-2008, 01:57 PM
the other thing to remember about TKD was that the push behind it had gotten one thing very straight very early on: total subsuming of individual "kwans" and personal stylistic quirks under the comprehensive banner of WTF TKD; in other words, they had what wushu and CMA in general will never have: uniformity - the IOC doesn't care about historical squabbles, it doesn't give a cr@p about nuance - it wants sports that can be quickly summarized and served up to the public without dissent; unfortunately, the reach of the PRC is based on more on coercion than anything else, so of course their grand vision for wushu ends pretty much at their borders: they didn't send out and fund an army of sifus like the South Korean gov't did for TKD teachers, and so there is no link to home in terms of bringing it all back to momma; and obviously the WTF was smart enough to realize that the IOC wasn't going to budge in terms of who is calling the shots, and got in lockstep with them, pretty much no questions asked; of course, TKD is still rife with internal favoritism, but in terms of the big picture it follows the rules same as any other sport, and again, the folks representing it are all on the same page; bottom line, China blew it big time, between lack of coordination abroad, coupled with the recent impetus of the IOC to actually cut back on the number of sports comprising the Olympics anyway

SPJ
04-04-2008, 06:28 PM
for me;

everything takes time. not really needing a time table.

as long as PRC continue to support wushu or CMA in no matter whatever forms domestically.

more researches--

as long as that there is an international league or asia and then world league.

forms competition and san da/shou etc.

moi is happy.

or moi dun mind/care if wushu is part of olympics or not.


:D:);)

rogue
04-08-2008, 04:54 AM
So after exporting toys and spies are the ChiComms now exporting their award winning policing tactics? After the Tiananmen Square Massacre you'd have thought that the ChiComm's would be focusing on better public relations.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/news/news.html?in_article_id=557941&in_page_id=1770&ct=5

San Francisco should be interesting...

David Jamieson
04-08-2008, 06:07 AM
There is no shortage of things to complain about with this coming olympics.

RD'S Alias - 1A
04-08-2008, 07:42 AM
Wow, that is seriously F'ed up. :(

SPJ
04-08-2008, 07:45 AM
yes. each is doing his or her "job".

tibetan independence protesters will protest.

local police will arrest any "law breakers".

dudes in blue will make sure everyone "see" the torch among crowds of protesters, police, local people, even pro china gathering.

however, most are pro olympics

and most are pro peace.

da lai la ma dilivered a speech to tibetan people inside tibet and the rest of the world on april 6th..

"let us pray for a peace".

http://www.canadaeast.com/news/article/260267

--

:(

Black Jack II
04-08-2008, 08:06 AM
What a cluster ****.:rolleyes:

WinterPalm
04-08-2008, 08:07 AM
I seriously think no country with unwelcome troops in anyone else's country should not be allowed to compete.

B-Rad
04-08-2008, 08:12 AM
Wouldn't have much of an Olympics then :p

sanjuro_ronin
04-08-2008, 08:17 AM
I seriously think no country with unwelcome troops in anyone else's country should not be allowed to compete.

Hmm....subject to interpretation as to what is "unwelcomed" and by whom.
The US is "unwelcomed" in Iraq and A***hanistan, other than by the people they put in power, and even then...
Canada is in the same boat in Afghanistan, there are dissidents there that don't want us there.

I think its best to remember that Sports and Politics are NOT suppose to mix, boycotted Olympics only hurt the athletes, not the governments.

Black Jack II
04-08-2008, 08:57 AM
The US is "unwelcomed" in Iraq and A***hanistan

I love how you speak with 110&#37; authority on that subject.:cool:

According to people I have spoken to who have come from the War and according to viable news sources it is the often the reverse.

Funny how two people see things differernt.

Lucas
04-08-2008, 09:39 AM
I am sure there is a mixture of both.

As with anything, there will always be opposing factions regardless of the sides.

David Jamieson
04-08-2008, 10:00 AM
Olympics shmolympics.

politicized crap is more like it.

thanks politics for ruining our competitions!!

MasterKiller
04-08-2008, 10:09 AM
I love how you speak with 110% authority on that subject.:cool:

According to people I have spoken to who have come from the War and according to viable news sources it is the often the reverse.

Funny how two people see things differernt.
I guess all the IEDs are showering our soldiers with explosions of love.

sanjuro_ronin
04-08-2008, 10:13 AM
I love how you speak with 110% authority on that subject.:cool:

According to people I have spoken to who have come from the War and according to viable news sources it is the often the reverse.

Funny how two people see things differernt.

Not 110%, but I think that it is naive to think that we are welcomed there, I mean the President of Iran walks around Baghdad, does Bush?

WinterPalm
04-08-2008, 10:15 AM
Historically, when city-states were invite to the Olympics, the original Olympics held at Olympia, they were to refrain from conflict.
I think it's a good idea!

It's sad but the most powerful nations on the planet with their armies are always sending goons with them wherever they go. Why do you think the G-8 has so much security? The elite are getting further and further away from what the average American, Chinese, or Canadian wants.

The other day a bunch of Tibetian protestors put up signs in the audience at a Curling match...wtf? Do you somehow think Chinese atheletes (debatable in terms of curling...) are capable of telling their government what to do? It's like when people boo the American anthem here in Canada when America was campaigning to invade Iraq. Do you think American hockey players could go back and change Cheney's mind?

rogue
04-08-2008, 01:08 PM
Not 110%, but I think that it is naive to think that we are welcomed there, I mean the President of Iran walks around Baghdad, does Bush?

Maybe the president of Iran is using the guys in blue when he does.

rogue
04-08-2008, 01:09 PM
Best guess: What are the chances of something major going down at the Olympics?

sanjuro_ronin
04-08-2008, 01:10 PM
Maybe the president of Iran is using the guys in blue when he does.

Maybe, but when Maddass Hussein was in power, your didn't see the president of Iran anywhere near Iraq.
Nothing like a good war to bring enemies together for a bar-b-que.

rogue
04-08-2008, 01:15 PM
I doubt he'd last ten minutes walking around without the US provided security to protect his sorry arse.

sanjuro_ronin
04-08-2008, 01:19 PM
I doubt he'd last ten minutes walking around without the US provided security to protect his sorry arse.

Is that why we see Bush doing the same thing?

Anyways, sporting events should be the target of politics, the boycotts of the past did ZERO to change anything.
Just hurts the athletes for no reason.

Lucas
04-08-2008, 01:22 PM
One could wager Bush would'nt last very long walking the streets in the USA without protection.

WinterPalm
04-08-2008, 01:25 PM
One could wager Bush would'nt last very long walking the streets in the USA without protection.

For a very good reason!

rogue
04-08-2008, 01:28 PM
Too many idiots out there.

Meanwhile Chicomm thugs get run of the streets.

SPJ
04-08-2008, 01:55 PM
actually,

they are "specially" trained police.

the mission is to watch the torch 24/7 by shifts.

they have to run 40 to 50 kilometers each day along with torch carrying olympic athletes.

--

they had to take a bus in paris.

the "blue dudes" are no match for angry crowds/masses.





:eek::confused::D;):p

SPJ
04-08-2008, 04:12 PM
my brother was saying

the fire/torch was put out 4 times in Paris, it is meaningless, now,

the fire is supposed to be lit at Greece, stays lit till lighting up the torch in beijing

and stay lit till 2008 summer games are over.

then light up the torch of the next hosting country.

--

symbolism of carrying on the spirits of Olympic games.

--

this is the first in history that the fire was put out four times or if ever in the process of being carried thru participating countries.

--

I said. it is only a symbol.

the fire may be put out, we may light it up again.

or just use the rain and weather proof flashlight mimicking a flame.

but in all seriousness.

--

the torch carrying athletes some how become a prey or victim among the political wrestling or tug of war among the crowds.

--

which is--

:(

David Jamieson
04-08-2008, 05:45 PM
I don't think the athletes are the target audience of the protestations about China. I think that everyone who has ever had any sort of a grudge at all with China for good reasons or not is simply going to use the opportunity to as often as possible raise the issue of choice.

And there are a few choices when it comes to picking something to protest about how China is run.

On the other side of the coin is support for change in China. I think we have seen a lot of chnage in China as a country in t last decade and we are seeing even more of it with China opening it's doors to the world as host of the olympics.

I'm sure that if the games were held in London there would be protests just as there would be protests if the games were held in the USA somewhere. You would have thousands lining the streets and burning effigies of Bush over the Iraq situation an dso on.

It's become a political circus and the media companies are writing the narrative for us and hoping that we get on the bus!

nonsense. Just let the people run their races and throw their hammers and javelins and move on. It is not gonna change the world.

UK MONK
04-08-2008, 09:15 PM
in 2007 i was training at epo wushu college in dengfeng (shaolin). i was woken up one morning by my coach and told to get my performance cloths on. turns out that the chairman of the olympics was at my school. i gave a performance for him and the press that was there.

he was a nice guy and he started talking to me. he asking me about myself and why i was training in china and also my opinion on wushu in the olympics. so we got chatting and i asked if wushu was going to be an event. he replied "no, but it will be a performance event." he then went on to hint that it might be a legitimate event in 2012 in london.

so who knows whats going on lol. :confused:

GeneChing
04-09-2008, 03:51 PM
It was a beautiful day in the city. No city throws a protest like S.F.

I wish I could have stayed longer, but I needed to finish some stuff up here at the office.

lkfmdc
04-12-2008, 11:32 AM
No city throws a protest like S.F.



You havent' been in Paris have you? I was stuck there during some sort of municipal transit union dispute :eek:

But the entire Chinese Olympic thing is turning into a bit of a fiasco isn't it :confused:

Shaolin Wookie
04-12-2008, 11:42 AM
You havent' been in Paris have you? I was stuck there during some sort of municipal transit union dispute :eek:

But the entire Chinese Olympic thing is turning into a bit of a fiasco isn't it :confused:

It's still not as bad as Iraq. I think the solution is more troops in blue suits. If we send more troops, we can topple the resistence and bear the torch of freedom straight to the heart of the "hypothetical Baghdad". At the very least, we could send some money to them to put their grudges aside.

Hey, you don't think the economic stimulus checks had anything to do with this, do you?:eek:

golden arhat
04-12-2008, 03:42 PM
At the opening of an envelope in china, there's a wushu demonstration. You can count on the opening ceremonies having it. :p

As a demonstration sport, me no think it gonna fly. Still no 100% for sure organization that is unified and so the IOC will not support it until everyone has their poop in a group.

And we know just how difficult it is to get a few kungfu teachers to sit in the same room with each other let alone be civil with their tongues and behaviours hahaha.
It's like a freaking religion for petes sake. Better to have monks than clerics in my opinion as far as that goes.

I'd like to see pankration come back...even if it is just mma. lol that would totally roxors.

but there's already lots of martial arts in the olympics anyway.

judo, tkd, boxing, wrestling, fencing, archery and other pseudo martial arts.
Do we really need performance wushu as an olympic sport? It's got it's own thing going on anyway. Let the money go to the more obscure sports like frilly whippy dancy tissue whips and somersaulting while throwing the ball. How else are those already rpiviledged kids going to make it through vasser without the olympic program?

....oh, i'm sorry, I'm not a bigsupporter of the olympics anymore ever since they brought in curling, I figure it's just a big sausage fest with tom boys.

I mean come on...Curling? WTF are they thinking???


i know
wtf


scottish obscure sport practised by no one that lives outside of the arctic circle involving stoness and brooms



or world wide martial art practised by millions



makes no sense to me

SPJ
04-12-2008, 05:21 PM
Wushu or CMA events may stand by itself.

It does not have to be part of olympics or part of anything else.

It would be nice to draw attention when olympics is hosted in China.

that is about it.

there are may items of competition in Wushu.

forms, and san da and all.

--

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ut-vRogun40&feature=related

oh I did not know samurai J is a buddhist and trained in Shaolin, too.

--

:)

SPJ
04-12-2008, 05:57 PM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_laNQLEJR8Q

dao qiang jian gun and open hand forms,

you name it.

we can have alot of fun without being part of something else.

1. Pigua Zhang


2. 8 Xian Jian

8 gods sword. there are 8 gods that would cross the sea together, it is a Chinese legend.


3. Xiao Jia

Ba Ji small frames.


4. 13 Qiang

13 methods of spear.

5. Jing Xuan Dao

circling broad sword. or hanging mirror swordplay


:)

SPJ
04-13-2008, 11:31 AM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pnUttEGIF4E&feature=related

the torch lighting ceremony in Greece.

:)

SPJ
04-13-2008, 11:35 AM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vv5W9UBe7Sc

a brief history of early chinese athletes participating in olympic games

all the way to hosting the games starting august 8th, 2008.

a show at 2008 spring festival.

--

:)

SPJ
04-14-2008, 07:12 AM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ZBVM7DXSuM&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TwuzgYJqC2Y&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OR1sGUIb9Pc&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wpqUJO3IHMo&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vNfKkJ0sr9A&feature=related

training for the games.

winning the most numbers of gold medals in 2008?

China or --

:)

SPJ
04-14-2008, 05:50 PM
Bei jing is ready for you.

R U ready?


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uAMGfj4RLOg&feature=related

there is the largest single unit structure in the world the T3 air terminal in the airport.



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BBgReOO3BwA


bei jing subway number/line 5.

it is the newest and most modern and safe subway in the world.

24 hour lighting, handicap friendly.

there is the subway tram every 4 min.

welcome to bei jing.

:)

Mr Punch
04-14-2008, 06:05 PM
Kind of like having basketball in the Olympics after the US first invented it in the early 20th century... A Canadian invented basketball in the late 19th century. How about Olympic Revisionism...?! Then at least the UK could have a chance at getting some medals, if the Japanese, Chinese, and Americans didn't kick our asses again. Oh bugger... that's another sport we invented and lose! :D

Anyway, bugger the Olympics: international Sasuke is the ONLY way forward.

FWIW, while I agree with protesting the Tibet cause, I think the behaviour of the protesters nailing the torch has been crass. Mind you, I think the torch bearing thing is far too much of a part of its meaningless over-commercialisation and hype anyway.

SPJ
04-15-2008, 07:54 AM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ohUWDbMUYMA&feature=related

the production of factories from several provinces will be reduced.

in order to reduce the polluted air in bei jing during the games.

--

however, long term environment friendly technology, and pollution control are needed.

--

David Jamieson
04-16-2008, 05:50 AM
'the tibet cause' is a narrative developed here(in the west), and elsewhere outside of Tibet.

the "free tibet" movement is another narrative created and perpetuated outside of tibet.

the "free tibet" movement does nothing to help anyone with anything and is in all likelyhood a western undermining of the Nation of China.

watch: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xsoc4-QnplY&eurl=http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=26061226952&ref=nf

If you want more information, there is plenty more that is so far away from what the DL says or what CNN would like you to see.

Might change your opinion on the subject.

Mine was changed in the 80's and I quickly jumped off the free tibet bandwagon after realizing what it really was. Propaganda.

SPJ
04-16-2008, 06:58 AM
cool link and clip.

"do not muddy the olympics with political intrigue".

I like the music toward the end of the clip.

it is "qing hai/tibetan plateau" by ?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R4GdI76ekio&feature=related

this one is by hang hong.

in 1959, the paper/notes of borrowing (money, land to farm etc) were burned, the agricultural enslavement system, caste system etc were abolished.

buddhism was introduced first by princess wen cheng of great tang dynasty first before 7th century.

--

personally, what ever is the best for the majority (most) of the people is the best politics.

--

SPJ
04-16-2008, 07:06 AM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Vmtvpk2zU4&feature=related

Li nan is han people, but she sings with tibetan flavor.

this song made her famous all over China.

or she made the song popular thruout China.

I post it due to this is the most popular version and with English subtitles.

:)

SPJ
04-16-2008, 07:33 AM
politics intervened again.

China pressured miss tibet 2006 to wear the sash or miss tibet-china (not miss tibet) to participate tourism pageant.

She refused to wear, since she was from the exile communities in India.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YT9mB6dDC5k&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jdr7uT7kcEw&feature=related

:(

SPJ
04-16-2008, 07:41 AM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R4qcLtqRJXU&feature=related

dance in the pageant

to a popular song "2 butterflies" (ning du ma) with some rapping, too.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o3hZ67BSYf8&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4qPfPzgZPcg&feature=related

:)

SPJ
04-16-2008, 06:38 PM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c_Q4rfMI3h8

qing hai/tibetan plateau

in tibetan language by basang.

:)

unkokusai
04-16-2008, 07:35 PM
A Canadian invented basketball in the late 19th century.


But...he became a US citizen and invented the game in the US, so we get to claim it, not you guys. Ha!

GeneChing
04-29-2008, 10:00 AM
Like I said in post 41 (http://ezine.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showpost.php?p=852864&postcount=41), I was at the SF Torch run. That was the only N.A. appearance of the torch. I've written that up - it'll be in our next issue. It's very interesting to me how wushu is playing into this now.


Red Flags on the Green (http://www.newhavenindependent.org/archives/2008/04/china_protest.php)
by Thomas MacMillan | April 28, 2008 8:17 AM

The worldwide debate over human rights and the coming Olympics arrived in New Haven, as a pro-China rally and a parade of protesters met in a shouting, flag-saturated, musical confrontation in the middle of the Green.

A coalition including local Tibetans and practitioners of Falun Gong gathered around a temporary stage in the southwest corner of the Green on Saturday afternoon for an event organized by the Global Human Rights Torch Relay, an international campaign against human rights abuses perpetrated by the Chinese government. Speakers and musicians addressed the crowd, many of whom held signs condemning the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). The event included a short parade circling through downtown New Haven.

Meanwhile, on the northeast corner of the Green on the permanent stage, a rally organized by the local Chinese population, with matching Beijing Olympics T-shirts and abundant flags, was voicing its support for China and celebrating the coming Olympic games.

The two groups met as the Human Rights Torch parade, accompanied by a marching band, traveled down Temple Street, through the middle of the Green. The pro-China rally rushed to the edge of the street to chant and wave flags as the Human Rights Torch parade passed by. The two groups were separated by a line of New Haven police and barricades.

The Protest

The Human Rights Torch Relay was organized as a symbolic alternative to the Olympic torch relay now underway. Like the Olympic torch, the Human Rights Torch has been traveling around the world, coordinated with events designed to bring attention to violations of human rights in China. The campaign was started by the Coalition to Investigate the Persecution of Falun Gong in China (CIPFG).

Practitioners of Falun Gong, the Chinese spiritual movement (also known as Falun Dafa) that has been outlawed in China, claim that they are the victims of torture and abuse in China. Addressing the crowd on Saturday afternoon, John Jaw of the Falun Dafa Association of New England said that there have been 3,000 documented deaths of Falun Gong practitioners in China but that “we believe the actual number is many times that.” He also said that “there are thousands incarcerated, working 12 to 14 hours a day, making products for the government.”

Dr. Wenyi Wang of Physicians for Human Rights, said that Falun Gong prisoners have been victims of systems of forced organ harvesting for “international transplant tourists,” people who come to China for inexpensive organ transplant operations.

Brandon Wang, of the Boston chapter of CIPFG, wanted to make it clear that their argument is with the CCP, not the people of China. “This is an evil nation,” he said.

New Haven downtown Alderwoman Bitsie Clark (pictured above at right), who helped obtain the parade permit for the event, spoke briefly to the crowd. She decried human rights abuses everywhere, including those perpetrated in Guantanamo and Abu Ghraib.

Other speakers presented information about the persecution of Christians in China and Chinese support for genocide in Darfur. Local Tibetans (pictured), including Lama Tsondru Sangpo, took the stage to chant Buddhist prayers of compassion.

The Party

While the Tibetans were singing their prayers of peace, the pro-China party on the other side of the Green was enjoying a Wushu (martial arts) display set to the sounds of dramatic recorded music: thundering drums and proud trumpets. The Wushu demonstration was followed by a triumphant soft rock song, with the lyrics “Hand in hand we stand, across the land” as the Chinese ralliers marched around their half of the Green trailing Chinese flags and carrying signs with slogans like “Olympics, Not Olympolitics.”

In a marked contrast with the mixed group of human rights demonstrators, the pro-China rally was composed almost entirely of Chinese people, many with white Beijing Olympics T-shirts and little Chinese flag stickers on their cheeks. The organizers addressed the crowd in Chinese from the stage.

“We want to show our excitement about the Olympics and send a message of welcome,” said Jie Chen, a Yale grad student in the economics program and the official spokesperson of the rally. When asked if the event was planned in response to the Human Rights Torch Relay, Chen said, “to some extent yes, but we’re not trying to do anything against anybody.”

Chen said that she doesn’t agree with the politics of the protesters. “I think Tibet is part of China. So do most people here,” she said, gesturing around at the hundreds of Chinese people around her. As for the Falun Gong, “they’re not showing the whole picture.” Chen said that there have been media distortions of the Falun Gong situation.

“How Can They Do That?”

At 3 p.m., the Human Rights Torch Relay began a march through downtown. Led by three-torch bearing “goddesses” and accompanied by the Divine Land marching band, the group paraded up Chapel and York and down Elm Street. Adults distributed fliers and children handed out paper flowers.

As they rounded the corner of Elm and Temple, the China rally ran to meet them, waving flags and chanting “China! China!” The human rights parade chanted back, “Shame on the CCP!” and the band belted out a rousing song. Police on foot and on motorcycles kept the groups apart.

Lama Tsondru, toting a large photograph of the Dalai Lama, said later that he spent the parade offering Boddhichitta prayers of compassion. His daughter, Dekyi Bhutia said that she had been doing the same, until she rounded the corner and saw the pro-China rally. “I got so angry,” she said, “you see that they’re denying everything and eventually I stopped praying and started chanting.” Bhutia, a student at Southern Connecticut State, said that she was angry to see students waving Chinese flags. “I’m angry that they know everything that is going on,” she said. “How can they do that?”

As the Human Rights Torch Relay was wrapping up, Suan Kuo, one of the organizers of the event, said that many Chinese student groups in the US have a “direct link to the CCP,” and that “they finance their lifestyle.” He said that nationalist groups act on behalf of the Chinese government. “The CCP is never out in front, they have the students do their dirty work.”

Back on the other side of the Green, the pro-China rally was finishing up as well, with a sing-along of popular Chinese songs, including one called “The Real Hero” and another about the Chinese flag.

Asked whether the rally was funded by the Chinese government, Jie Chen said no, it was a completely volunteer effort. Asked about the organizing body behind the rally, Jie Chen said that the rally was organized by a committee, but that she couldn’t remember its name.

Read about a previous downtown protest involving China and Falun Gong here.

GeneChing
04-30-2008, 09:11 AM
Artistes Unite To Show Support For Torch Relay (http://batgwa.com/story.php?id=835)
28 April 2008
Emma Lam

Alan Tam (譚詠麟), Eric Tsang (曾志偉), Liza Wang (汪明荃), Moses Chan (陳豪), Kate Tsui (徐子珊) and Bosco Wong (黃宗澤) were among the artistes taking part in the Welcome The Olympic Flame <全民迎聖火> press conference yesterday to show the united support to the controversial torch relay by members of the showbiz industry.

The torch is due to arrive in Hong Kong on 02 May.

HKPAG president Alan said that for China to host the Olympic Games this year should be the pride of every Chinese person all over the world, so there should be a show unity and support from every Chinese person. He added that when the World Cup was held in Korea in 2002, every Korean citizen showed total support by wearing red or football shirts and he hoped that a similar show of patriotism will be seen on Friday.

Alan revealed that in a joint collaboration between HKPAG, TVB, ATV and CRHK, there will be special events held at Olympian City, Kwun Tong's apm, Times Square and Tuen Mun Town Plaza as well as the three torch relay points of Shatin Racecourse, Hong Kong Cultural Centre and Wanchai's Golden Bauhinia Square. Musical acts confirmed for the events include Wynners (溫拿), Denise Ho (何韻詩), Kary Ng (吳雨霏), at17, Yumi (裕美) and EO2. He also pointed out that as this is a mark of respect for the government and their duties as citizens, the artistes will not be taking a fee for their work.

Asked if he was worried about protests that will take place at the events, Alan said that he will trust the organising parties to handle any incidents. He also urged the public to show their respect for the Hong Kong and Chinese flags and not to throw them onto the floor after the show has finished, suggesting that they are saved for the games themselves to show their support again.

Eric seemed very emotional at the event and said that he was quite upset by the reports of disturbances. He revealed that from the day that the games were awarded to Beijing, he has been very excited about it, so the reports have left him a little nervous, but he is confident that the Chinese people will unite to show their support.

He added that Hong Kong is a very unique city because it is an international cosmopolitan with many different people of different ethnicities, so he hopes that on Friday, everyone will show their support by wearing something red.


Olympic torch arrives in Hong Kong after activists deported (http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5gEtQD-yS0Xp4_sizYjZ8SE7bG_1gD90C2A300)
8 hours ago

HONG KONG (AP) — The Olympic torch arrived in Hong Kong Wednesday after the Chinese territory deported at least seven activists who planned to protest the flame.

Three pro-Tibet activists who planned to protest during Hong Kong's leg of the Olympic torch relay were deported after they arrived at the territory's airport Tuesday, activists said.

A fourth person, an organizer for an independent Chinese writers' group, was also deported.

Four other activists who planned to protest China's human rights record have been turned away since the weekend. The flame's return to Chinese soil follows a global tour marred by protests against Beijing's human rights record and its recent crackdown in Tibet.

Mia Farrow is due to arrive here Thursday to raise awareness about fighting in Sudan's Darfur region. Activists such as the 63-year-old actress want China to press Sudan to let U.N. peacekeepers into Darfur.

The Hong Kong leg of the torch relay on Friday is a high-stakes event for the local government because it marks the flame's homecoming to Chinese soil after a world tour tarnished by protests.

Hong Kong, a former British colony now ruled by China, is supposed to enjoy Western-style civil liberties such as freedom of expression that are denied in the mainland. It grants visa-free entry to many Westerners, raising the prospects of demonstrations.

Authorities plan to deploy 3,000 officers to guard the flame, which was carried through Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, earlier Tuesday — the last international leg of the relay.

Activists said Kate Woznow and Tsering Lama, organizers of Students for a Free Tibet, and Matt Whitticase, organizer of the Free Tibet Campaign were turned away after arriving in Hong Kong on Tuesday.

Woznow, a Canadian, told The Associated Press she was put on a return flight to New York. Whitticase, a British citizen, was booked on a return flight to London, Free Tibet Campaign spokeswoman Claire Cooper said.

Tsering Lama, an ethnic Tibetan Canadian citizen, was deported back to Toronto, Canada, Students for a Free Tibet spokeswoman Lhadon Tethong said.

Separately, Zhang Yu, general secretary of the Independent Chinese PEN Center, was detained for at least seven hours at the airport before being put on a plane to Paris late Tuesday, Hong Kong Journalists Association general secretary Mak Yin-ting said Wednesday.

Zhang, who is based in Sweden, was planning to attend a four-day writers' and artists' conference calling for freedom of expression in China that coincided with the torch relay, Mak said.

The grounds for the deportations wasn't immediately clear. Hong Kong officials have said repeatedly they won't discuss individual cases.

In a phone call from the plane before takeoff, Woznow said immigration officials questioned her about her trip but gave no reason for turning her away.

Woznow accused the Hong Kong government of caving in to pressure from Beijing.

"I really thought that Hong Kong authorities were different from Beijing," she said.

On Saturday, three Danish human rights activists were detained and deported. Danish sculptor Jens Galschiot and his two sons were questioned for six hours and then put on a flight to Denmark, a cameraman traveling with them said.

Galschiot sculpted the "The Pillar of Shame," which depicts 50 twisted human bodies to mourn victims of the 1989 military crackdown on pro-democracy protests in Tiananmen Square.

Hong Kong Secretary for Security Ambrose Lee met with Danish Consul General Jorgen Mollegaard and European Union and French diplomats Tuesday to discuss Galschiot's case, a government spokesman said.

Mollegaard did not immediately return a call seeking comment.

Mark Allison, a spokesman for Amnesty International's Hong Kong branch, urged the government to explain the grounds for the deportations.

Also on Tuesday, the government of Nepal said it had deported American mountaineer William Brant Holland of Midlothian, Va., for violating regulations by bringing a "Free Tibet" banner to the Mount Everest base camp. It also ordered a BBC news crew out of the camp.

Nepal, not wanting to hurt relations with Beijing, is trying to enforce a strict ban on protests during China's upcoming Olympic torch relay to the summit of the world's highest mountain. Dozens of armed Nepalese soldiers have been posted at Mount Everest's base camp and at Camp 2, a lower stop for mountaineers.

The relay up Everest will take place on the Chinese side of the mountain. But Nepal's government, under pressure from Beijing, has posted soldiers on its side and banned climbing near the summit from May 1-10.

Climbers will not be allowed to go past Everest's Camp 2 — at 21,325 feet — until after the Chinese finish their torch relay on the mountain, sometime in May when weather permits.

Everest will be big, no pun intended.

SPJ
04-30-2008, 01:13 PM
100 days before the games will start on August 8.

each city the torch goes, there will be local celebrations.

cool.

:)

GeneChing
05-05-2008, 09:46 AM
There was talk of Jackie getting his disciples to participate in this (http://ezine.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?t=45829). Any more news on this? Anyone see it? I imagine there's more to come with Jackie's participation.


Jackie Chan Welcomes Olympic Flame To China (http://batgwa.com/story.php?id=855)
4 May 2008
Alex Au

The Olympic torch today started its tour of mainland China, in Sanya, the southernmost city of Hainan province.

Jackie Chan (成龍), Zhang Ziyi (章子怡) and other celebrities, athletes and sponsors were among those who carried the touch in relay.

The flame was returning to China – after leaving Beijing 31 March and experiencing a controversial world tour that saw vocal, and sometimes violent, protests, over China's human rights record and rule of Tibet, in many cities including Athens, London and San Francisco.

However, today, clad in red and bearing determined expressions, the pro-China groups vastly outnumbered the handful of protesters, reported BBC News.

The torch is scheduled to visit every province in China before arriving in Beijing 6 August, a few days before the Olympics begin. The torch will next travel to Guangdong province in south-east China.

SPJ
05-05-2008, 03:43 PM
out of all the promo clips.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jx_9qKrL8fE&feature=related

love this one the best with culture theme.

:)

SPJ
05-05-2008, 03:52 PM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0qujiMgloiQ&feature=related

a cute and inspiring promo vid for London 2012.

:)

GeneChing
06-25-2008, 02:36 PM
It's black with glamrock-chick-silver glitter. It has the jing running man logo (http://www.beijing2008.cn/upload/cms_owrp2/column_cn/beijing_logo.gif) and on the back it has all the events in pictographs. Very cool.

I like the official label most of all:

The security feature of an anti-counterfeiting label for the Beijing 2008 Official Licensed Product
1. There is a 3mm wide hologram windowed security thread with the emblem of the Olympic Games in the middle part of the label's front side.
2. The latent figure "Beijing 2008" can be observed on the lower part of the label's front side.
3. This label's design had been embossed which will be apparent when touched.

I guess my old Beijing 2008 switchblade is counterfeit.

SPJ
06-25-2008, 08:29 PM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MgfIpn4DXxM

a theme song.

beijing welcome you sung by many actors, actress, and singers from singapore, hk, taiwan and China.

:)

SPJ
06-25-2008, 08:32 PM
It really does not matter which country hosting the games.

It is about the games and competing athletes.

in altanta, LA, sydney, tokyo or beijing.

thus I was totally turned off by protests derailing the torch relay.

--

protests are ok but to derail the torch relay mmm not good.

:(;):eek::confused::D:)

SPJ
06-25-2008, 08:36 PM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MgfIpn4DXxM

there are also tibetan and mongolian singers.

I like Zhang Liang Ying toward the end of the song. She is doing the redpaper cutting.

She is from Cheng Du, Si Chuan, China.

--

I also like Sun Yan Zi in the beginning of the song. She is with many kids.

She is from Singapore.

--

:)

GeneChing
07-10-2008, 09:58 AM
This is a long read, but interesting to see WTF politricks.


One martial art battles cold war corruption (http://www.macleans.ca/culture/sports/article.jsp?content=20080709_59367_59367&page=1)
Will the Olympics let tae kwon do escape its tainted past?
ALEX GILLIS | July 9, 2008 |

If they had been alive, or out of prison, or had briefly ignored the martial arts mayhem that they'd wrought, some of the founders of tae kwon do would have been proud of Karine Sergerie. Sergerie, Canada's martial arts champion, was losing 3-0 in the finals of the 2007 World Tae- kwondo Championships (an almost insurmountable score), when she told herself that she shouldn't give up, shouldn't think about past losses. Weary and in pain, she lashed out with an electric-fast kick to her opponent's midsection (the score now 3-1) and followed with another (3-2). "This is like being in a movie," she thought. Her third kick tied the match, and she won in sudden-death overtime, becoming the first Canadian to win a world championship in the South Korean art of tae kwon do.

In the process, Sergerie embodied the founders' tenets — perseverance, self-control, integrity, courtesy and indomitable spirit — tenets that some of the founders mangled as they stole millions of dollars, ran espionage missions and plotted with gangsters. Seventy million people in 180 countries practise various styles of tae kwon do, and many have seen its powerful kicks but not its sordid history.

Two years ago, South Korean courts convicted officials in the World Taekwondo Federation (WTF), which runs the sport, with issuing fake referee licences to more than 30 people, and the officials were dismissed. This year, after the WTF's secretary general handed an envelope of cash to an IOC member who had lost his luggage during a 2007 championship, an IOC ethics commission concluded that it was not "acceptable behaviour, inasmuch as such conduct runs the obvious risk of being interpreted as a corruption attempt and thus of tarnishing the image of the IOC member and the IOC itself." The secretary general said he was simply trying to help.

The WTF isn't, however, the only governing body involved in controversy. Its rival, the International Taekwon-Do Federation (ITF), has seen its share of bizarre conflicts and has never been invited to the Olympics, even though it ran tae kwon do long before the WTF and still runs its own world competitions. ITF leaders allied themselves with North Korea in the 1970s, were part of an assassination plot in the 1980s, and ran parts of the ITF like a cult in the 1990s.

The contrast between athletes such as Sergerie and some of the leaders of the martial art is striking. A couple of months ago, Sergerie, who lives in Montreal, won a gold medal in the 67-kg weight division at the test event for the Olympics. She is Canada's hope for a martial arts gold in Beijing, as are Vancouver's Ivett Gonda and Quebec City's Sébastien Michaud — but that's assuming they don't face the cheating, bribery and violence fostered by some of the martial art's founders. "I hope it will be clean and fair," Sergerie told Maclean's. "I hope so because it doesn't look good for the sport."

Tae kwon do's main founder, Choi Hong-Hi, was a powerful general in South Korea in the 1950s when he made up the name "tae kwon do," which evolved from karate and roughly means "the way of the foot and the fist." He convinced Korea's leaders that soldiers should train in the art. He and the other founders set up special units to train South Korean soldiers for the Vietnam War and prepare secret-service agents for missions to North Korea. He created the ITF in 1966 and within a few years tae kwon do was one of the hottest martial arts in the world. Movie star Bruce Lee and boxer Muhammad Ali were two of the many stars training in the South Korean art.

Choi moved to Toronto in 1972 partly because he said the South Korean regime had recruited two of his prime tae kwon do instructors for a mission to kidnap 203 alleged spies in seven countries in 1967, when the Kafkaesque mission landed in newspapers around the world. At the time, Koreans knew about Choi's conflicts with South Korean president Park Chung-Hee, and most blamed the loud-mouthed Choi, who had a reputation for being difficult to work with. But Choi told reporters that he fled South Korea because the dictatorship had targeted him after he protested about the 1967 mission.

The move to Canada did little good for Choi, because South Korea assigned a high-ranking Korean CIA agent, Kim Un-yong, to replace him and become world leader of a martial art that would improve the regime's image around the world. Kim was younger than Choi and had been below him in military rank, but he was a wealthy, brilliant diplomat who could speak six languages and had served as a KCIA agent and South Korean embassy official, according to U.S. congressional reports about the KCIA's activities in the United States.

What followed was a martial arts Cold War, with athletes and instructors caught in the crossfire. On one side was Choi and North Korea, which he contacted after he settled in Toronto, and on the other, Kim and South Korea, which created the World Taekwondo Federation in 1973 (the year after Choi moved to Canada) and made Kim its president. An enraged Choi accused them of stealing his martial art, dubbed himself the "founder" of tae kwon do, and vowed to stop Kim with the help of North Korea. Most Koreans later viewed Choi's alliance with the North as a colossal betrayal of tae kwon do's ideals, and the majority of his star instructors left him to join the WTF or start their own federations.

During a 1980 martial arts visit in Pyongyang, North Korea, where Choi's black belts broke wooden boards and jumped over a motorcycle, Choi convinced North Korea's leader to give millions of dollars to the ITF and enough men to launch a new, global wave of tae kwon do. In return, Choi's martial art gave the Hermit Kingdom an aura of prestige, access to the rest of the world and the occasional martial arts assassin. Within a year of the 1980 demonstration, Choi was opening new gyms and national associations around the world, and Choi's son, the No. 2 man in the ITF, was plotting with North Korean agents and Toronto mobsters to assassinate South Korea's newest dictator, a plan that the RCMP stopped. "Bizarre death scheme," said the headline in the Toronto Sun. Choi's son did time in prison for that plot, and Choi became persona non grata until his death in 2002.

Meanwhile, the WTF faced its own highs and lows. Kim brought the Olympics to Seoul in 1988 and lobbied for years for tae kwon do to become an official Olympic sport in 2000. Canada's Karine Sergerie was one of millions of youth who joined tae kwon do because of Olympic dreams.

But rumours of corruption in the late 1990s followed Kim Un-yong after bribery allegations surfaced relating to the awarding of the Olympics to Salt Lake City, one of the largest corruption scandals in Olympic history. Kim stood at the centre of it, but he seemed untouchable, more god than godfather. However, at world championships and the 2000 Sydney Olympics, refereeing mistakes, bad judging and what looked like outright cheating angered many athletes. One of Kim's retired lieutenants, WTF vice-president Lee Chong-woo, later told a journalist how cheating worked during the 2000 Olympics: "When we assigned referees prior to the competition, I was the one who decided most of all who was to be assigned or not assigned. I could not openly ask judges to take care of Korea, could I? So when I hit the judges' backs, some were sensitive enough to understand what it meant,

Sergerie and some of the leaders of the martial art is striking. A couple of months ago, Sergerie, who lives in Montreal, won a gold medal in the 67-kg weight division at the test event for the Olympics. She is Canada's hope for a martial arts gold in Beijing, as are Vancouver's Ivett Gonda and Quebec City's Sébastien Michaud — but that's assuming they don't face the cheating, bribery and violence fostered by some of the martial art's founders. "I hope it will be clean and fair," Sergerie told Maclean's. "I hope so because it doesn't look good for the sport."

Tae kwon do's main founder, Choi Hong-Hi, was a powerful general in South Korea in the 1950s when he made up the name "tae kwon do," which evolved from karate and roughly means "the way of the foot and the fist." He convinced Korea's leaders that soldiers should train in the art. He and the other founders set up special units to train South Korean soldiers for the Vietnam War and prepare secret-service agents for missions to North Korea. He created the ITF in 1966 and within a few years tae kwon do was one of the hottest martial arts in the world. Movie star Bruce Lee and boxer Muhammad Ali were two of the many stars training in the South Korean art.

Choi moved to Toronto in 1972 partly because he said the South Korean regime had recruited two of his prime tae kwon do instructors for a mission to kidnap 203 alleged spies in seven countries in 1967, when the Kafkaesque mission landed in newspapers around the world. At the time, Koreans knew about Choi's conflicts with South Korean president Park Chung-Hee, and most blamed the loud-mouthed Choi, who had a reputation for being difficult to work with. But Choi told reporters that he fled South Korea because the dictatorship had targeted him after he protested about the 1967 mission.

GeneChing
07-10-2008, 10:00 AM
I may have to check this book out...

continued (http://www.macleans.ca/culture/sports/article.jsp?content=20080709_59367_59367&page=3)
The move to Canada did little good for Choi, because South Korea assigned a high-ranking Korean CIA agent, Kim Un-yong, to replace him and become world leader of a martial art that would improve the regime's image around the world. Kim was younger than Choi and had been below him in military rank, but he was a wealthy, brilliant diplomat who could speak six languages and had served as a KCIA agent and South Korean embassy official, according to U.S. congressional reports about the KCIA's activities in the United States.

What followed was a martial arts Cold War, with athletes and instructors caught in the crossfire. On one side was Choi and North Korea, which he contacted after he settled in Toronto, and on the other, Kim and South Korea, which created the World Taekwondo Federation in 1973 (the year after Choi moved to Canada) and made Kim its president. An enraged Choi accused them of stealing his martial art, dubbed himself the "founder" of tae kwon do, and vowed to stop Kim with the help of North Korea. Most Koreans later viewed Choi's alliance with the North as a colossal betrayal of tae kwon do's ideals, and the majority of his star instructors left him to join the WTF or start their own federations.

During a 1980 martial arts visit in Pyongyang, North Korea, where Choi's black belts broke wooden boards and jumped over a motorcycle, Choi convinced North Korea's leader to give millions of dollars to the ITF and enough men to launch a new, global wave of tae kwon do. In return, Choi's martial art gave the Hermit Kingdom an aura of prestige, access to the rest of the world and the occasional martial arts assassin. Within a year of the 1980 demonstration, Choi was opening new gyms and national associations around the world, and Choi's son, the No. 2 man in the ITF, was plotting with North Korean agents and Toronto mobsters to assassinate South Korea's newest dictator, a plan that the RCMP stopped. "Bizarre death scheme," said the headline in the Toronto Sun. Choi's son did time in prison for that plot, and Choi became persona non grata until his death in 2002.

Meanwhile, the WTF faced its own highs and lows. Kim brought the Olympics to Seoul in 1988 and lobbied for years for tae kwon do to become an official Olympic sport in 2000. Canada's Karine Sergerie was one of millions of youth who joined tae kwon do because of Olympic dreams.

But rumours of corruption in the late 1990s followed Kim Un-yong after bribery allegations surfaced relating to the awarding of the Olympics to Salt Lake City, one of the largest corruption scandals in Olympic history. Kim stood at the centre of it, but he seemed untouchable, more god than godfather. However, at world championships and the 2000 Sydney Olympics, refereeing mistakes, bad judging and what looked like outright cheating angered many athletes. One of Kim's retired lieutenants, WTF vice-president Lee Chong-woo, later told a journalist how cheating worked during the 2000 Olympics: "When we assigned referees prior to the competition, I was the one who decided most of all who was to be assigned or not assigned. I could not openly ask judges to take care of Korea, could I? So when I hit the judges' backs, some were sensitive enough to understand what it meant,

while the insensitive ones did not understand at all." Lee said the process was called "branch trimming" and that it referred to eliminating strong competitors in early rounds so that Koreans could face relatively weaker opponents in the medal rounds.

At the time, Korean gangsters were trying to take over parts of Olympic tae kwon do, manipulating elections to the executive and raking in millions in kickbacks and bribes. A journalist once asked Lee Chong-woo about gang members in the sport. Lee replied that gangsters gave tae kwon do a bad name but they were needed to counter groups trying to wreck the martial art, an indirect reference to the Cold War between his WTF organization and the Communist-backed ITF.

The links to crime bosses don't seem to have died. Earlier this year, a Korean tae kwon do master, Lee Seung Hwan, announced that he was a director of the Seoul-based Kukkiwon (the premier training facility and world headquarters of Olympic tae kwon do), even though a South Korean court had imprisoned him for working with 300 gangsters and martial artists during street fights before a tae kwon do presidential election in 2002.

Almost as bad were the bribery, extortion and corruption scandals that eventually destroyed Kim Un-yong. In 2005, a Korean court found him guilty of embezzling more than $3 million from sports organizations and of accepting more than $700,000 in bribes. He was sentenced to two years in prison. Kim said the whole thing was a political vendetta, but didn't offer details. Internationally, Olympic tae kwon do faced the worst crisis in its history as, country by country, Kim's network fell. The IOC considered kicking tae kwon do out of the Olympics, but it remained partly because the WTF rebuilt itself from the ground up — in Canada, the U.S., Australia and many other nations.

"We've moved into a business age," said Wayne Mitchell, Canada's WTF secretary general, referring to the WTF worldwide. "It's far smarter to run those organizations like businesses rather than like criminal organizations or an extension of that sort of thing." Grandmaster Kee Ha, Canada's head coach of the 2004 Olympic team, said that the refereeing and judging should be more consistent for the 2008 games, thanks to judging seminars and other WTF initiatives. Karine Sergerie hopes the worst is over. She doesn't want to discuss controversies in Olympic tae kwon do. "It's a waste of energy," she says. She has other things to focus on, like winning a gold medal.

Alex Gillis's book, A Killing Art: The Untold History of Tae Kwon Do, will be published by ECW Press in August 2008.

sanjuro_ronin
07-10-2008, 10:08 AM
Well, what can a 3rd dan in ITF who has actually trained with Choi and one of his sons say about that?

Show me ONE MA organization that has no scandal?
As for the assasination plot, there is much more to that than meets the eye, much of which the RCMP broomed under the carpet.
As for crime bosses and MA, LOL !
HELLO !!!
Since when is that news ??
LMAO

David Jamieson
07-10-2008, 05:20 PM
Hmm....subject to interpretation as to what is "unwelcomed" and by whom.
The US is "unwelcomed" in Iraq and A***hanistan, other than by the people they put in power, and even then...
Canada is in the same boat in Afghanistan, there are dissidents there that don't want us there.

I think its best to remember that Sports and Politics are NOT suppose to mix, boycotted Olympics only hurt the athletes, not the governments.

There are dissenters here that don't want us to be part of this un-winable effort at attacking shadows and darkness.

It is a pointless effort that will only serve a few in this place and almost no one in that.

sports and politics as far as olympics go have been bedmates from teh beginning. The whole point of the olympics is political...exploitation of sport.

read how it's gone from amateurs to pros competing. why? It's politics. All is politic when it comes to the olympics with the exceptions of the athletes intentions. But they are only pawns as countries vie for the opportunity to say "look how good I am". That is a political motivation at the core really...wouldn't you say?

yes they shouldn't, but in reality they do.

SPJ
07-10-2008, 06:27 PM
With less than 30 days away.

the securities start to tighten--

I heard that Beijing univ (one of the best) declined visitors during games.

every car entering the city during the games will be checked.

--

Oh, people already viewed "red cliff" part 1. the movie over there.

I guess I have to wait for dvd then.


--

;)

Mulong
07-11-2008, 10:35 AM
BMX got in; hence, I wouldn't be surprised that skateboarding will be within next decade.

Sadly, wushu had it chance, but everything was against it from the start, i.e., politics, and no major sponsors. :(

SPJ
07-14-2008, 03:56 PM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HPXrUZ_XWxM&feature=related

2008 olympics theme music

by 12 girl bands and 5 lucky dolls or fu wa.

:)

SimonM
07-16-2008, 07:30 AM
SPJ I need to ask clarification as I can not view the video from work;

do you mean 12 separate girl bands or do you mean the 12 girls band that performs pop-like tunes using traditional Chinese insturments?

shuaichiao
07-16-2008, 07:39 AM
It's the later. Kind of like Venessa Mae times 12:D

SimonM
07-16-2008, 09:30 AM
Ok. I've seen them in concert on TV. They're alright.

GeneChing
07-16-2008, 09:54 AM
I guess we'll all have to stick to our Big Macs and Starbucks at the Olympics.


Dog meat off the menu during Beijing Olympics (http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/n/a/2008/07/11/international/i012048D37.DTL)
(07-11) 08:17 PDT BEIJING, China (AP)

Canine cuisine is being sent to the doghouse during next month's Beijing Olympic Games.

Dog meat has been struck from the menus of officially designated Olympic restaurants, and Beijing tourism officials are telling other outlets to discourage consumers from ordering dishes made from dogs, the official Xinhua News Agency reported Friday.

Waiters and waitresses should "patiently" suggest other options to diners who order dog, it said, quoting city tourism bureau Vice Director Xiong Yumei.

Dog, known in Chinese as "xiangrou," or "fragrant meat," is eaten by some Chinese for its purported health-giving qualities.

Beijing isn't the first Olympic host to slap a ban on the dish.

South Korea banned dog meat during the 1988 Seoul Olympics by invoking a law prohibiting the sale of "foods deemed unsightly." After the Olympics, the ban was not strictly enforced.

Dog meat is also eaten in some other Asian countries, including Vietnam, the Philippines and Laos.

SimonM
07-16-2008, 10:30 AM
This article actually just spawned a big debate at work over whether or not it's fair to ban dog meat during the olympics. I likened it to not walking around the house in your underwear when you have company over but others have considered it an unnecessary restriction on personal freedom. But it's by far not the most potentially contentious issue. What do people think of this, of banning half the cars off the road, temporarily shutting down polluting factories (rather than improving their environmental standards), etc.?

lkfmdc
07-16-2008, 10:45 AM
every dog has his day ;)

bakxierboxer
07-16-2008, 03:38 PM
I guess we'll all have to stick to our Big Macs and Starbucks at the Olympics.

From Yahoo! most-mailed pix (afp)
((OK! that's my title....)

SPJ
07-16-2008, 06:16 PM
For people interested in meat eating.

actually, there is this quan ji de peking duck restaurant. They served people since Qing dynasty. Must try.

with so many people will be in town.

guess long line everywhere, including public bath rooms.

--

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xfPv5KUfwfY

;)

SPJ
07-16-2008, 06:20 PM
no drug uses or paddling.

no prostitution.

no--

yes, they are forbidden in the forbidden city.

:D

SPJ
07-16-2008, 06:29 PM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=De59YFNa2-4

torch song, kind of weird, but guess it is alrite.

zhai wo xin zhong zhai wo xin zhong (in my heart)

--

:)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zwb0GJtjX6w&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cGUyxe0btIs&feature=related

theme song.

guess it is alrite, too.

:)

SimonM
07-17-2008, 07:01 AM
For people interested in meat eating.

actually, there is this quan ji de peking duck restaurant. They served people since Qing dynasty. Must try.

with so many people will be in town.

guess long line everywhere, including public bath rooms.

--

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xfPv5KUfwfY

;)

They are way overpriced for basically the same thing you can get in a dozen other restaurants. For good duck in Beijing you should go to the Guo Han Binguan just off Dongzhimen Wai Da Jie near the Australian and Canadian embassies.

SimonM
07-17-2008, 07:03 AM
no drug uses or paddling.

no prostitution.

no--

yes, they are forbidden in the forbidden city.

:D


Forbidden they may be...

But that doesn't stop the brothels and the drug peddlers from selling their wares.

SPJ
07-18-2008, 07:48 AM
Fair warning,

before the crowds thinking about having a wild party.

there will be many police/security, para military police, anti terrorist police--

watching the whole town.

even local residents are encouraged not to move or travel into town during these "especial" times of games.

50% local cars are not allowed to drive, we may use public transportation such as buses and trams, --

--

as China "strives" to be a good host and welcome everyone.

not a party pooper

but games crowd would be good guests, too.

--

:D

SPJ
07-18-2008, 07:58 AM
http://2008.cctv.com/

cctv site about the games.

http://www.beijing2008.cn/

http://en.beijing2008.cn/

official site for the games.

:)

TaichiMantis
07-18-2008, 08:05 AM
Are there any news about the possibility of wushu being a part of it?

You can see Tiki Barber trying Taekwando (http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/21134540/vp/25702295#25702295)with the Lopez family.

SimonM
07-18-2008, 08:10 AM
Fair warning,

before the crowds thinking about having a wild party.

there will be many police/security, para military police, anti terrorist police--

watching the whole town.

even local residents are encouraged not to move or travel into town during these "especial" times of games.

50% local cars are not allowed to drive, we may use public transportation such as buses and trams, --

--

as China "strives" to be a good host and welcome everyone.

not a party pooper

but games crowd would be good guests, too.

--

:D

SPJ I'm not advocating that people go to beijing for prostitutes and heroin. I'm simply saying, as somebody who has spent time there recently, that saying these things aren't present, don't exist, etc. is naive.

GeneChing
07-21-2008, 04:30 PM
Chinese reporters ask Jackie a lot of odd questions...

Jackie Chan: Zhang Ziyi Should Get Married (http://batgwa.com/story.php?id=1069)
19 July 2008
Emma Lam

Jackie Chan (成龍), Marsha Yuen (原子鏸) and Wang Jing (王婧) were among the guest performers at Phoenix TV's The World Sings for Olympics Concert <鳳凰衛視「世界同聲頌奧運」音樂會> at AsiaWorld Expo in Lantau Island this evening.

Making his appearance on stage on a Segway, Jackie performed the song "We Are Ready" to open the show and was then joined by Marsha and Wang for "One World One Voice".

Jackie revealed that he will be flying out to Beijing tomorrow to take part in events to mark the ten days leading up to the opening of the Beijing Olympics on 08 August. Asked about reports of comments from China Vice-President Mr Xi Jinping, saying that the promotional activity for Hong Kong's Olympic Equestrian events were insufficient, Jackie replied that he had been working away from Hong Kong recently, so he had not seen these reports, but would take steps to understand whether or not there is insufficient promotion.

After mixed reactions to the HK$10 billion donation made by Hong Kong to the victims of the Sichuan earthquake, Jackie was asked if he thought that this sum was too much or too little. He replied that it is hard to weigh up in this way and the Chinese government itself has a lot of money too. He felt that if you have the ability and finance to give, then the sum itself does not matter. He added that he is more concerned about the mental health of the affected children.

Reports have emerged suggesting that Tony Leung (梁朝偉) and Carina Lau (劉嘉玲) will be married in a private ceremony in Bhutan on Monday. Jackie conveyed a message of congratulations to the couple and revealed that he had not been invited to the wedding. Talking about reports that his good friend Zhang Ziyi (章子怡) will also be getting married soon, he said that it was the right time for her to get married now. Asked if he will be giving a gift to Carina and Tony for their wedding, he said that they are both very wealthy already and suggested that they should ask for donations to charity instead of gifts.

GeneChing
07-22-2008, 09:44 AM
There's also threats of locusts, Gobi desert sandstorms, and then there's that algae bloom....


2 deadly bus blasts amp up China's pre-Olympics jitters (http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/07/22/MNPA11SJ3L.DTL&hw=china+terrorist+bus&sn=001&sc=1000)
Attacks come amid warnings of threats, tightening of security
Jim Yardley, New York Times
(07-22) 04:00 PDT Beijing --

Two public buses exploded during the Monday morning rush hour in Kunming, killing at least two people and injuring 14 in what authorities described as deliberate attacks as China is tightening security nationwide and warning of possible terrorist threats in advance of next month's Olympic Games.

The blasts struck city buses at 7:05 a.m. and again at 8:10 a.m., state media reported. Public security officials in Kunming, the capital of Yunnan province in southwestern China, provided no information about whether the explosions were coordinated, nor did authorities say whether they were the work of terrorist groups or disgruntled individuals.

The first bus blast killed Wang Dezhi, a 30-year-old woman, and injured 10 others, according to the provincial public security Web site. The second explosion occurred 65 minutes later on a different bus that was following the same route. In that blast, a 26-year-old man, Chen Shifei, died and four people were injured.

Witnesses on one bus told Chinese newspapers that a short man in a black shirt and gray pants boarded the bus before the explosion and sat behind the driver. After the bus stopped and then prepared to keep going, the man suddenly jumped up and yelled for the driver to let him disembark, the witnesses said.

Witnesses told a joint reporting team from the Yunnan Information Daily and the Southern Newspaper Group that the man had left a black leather bag on the bus. About 30 seconds later, the bus exploded. Witnesses on the second bus told Chinese journalists they had also seen a black bag.

By Monday afternoon, police were still searching for suspects. Checkpoints were set up on highways, while police were tightening security at the city's airport and train terminal, according to the Web site of the provincial public security bureau. A photograph of one bus posted online showed shards of a shattered window spread across a street but also suggested that the blast had not been powerful enough to inflict catastrophic damage.

The explosions continued the surge of riots and public protests that China has experienced as the country prepares for the Aug. 8 opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympics.

In recent years, public protests have become common in China, especially in rural areas where farmers have demonstrated against land seizures and official corruption. But authorities are trying to tamp down embarrassing outbursts in advance of the Olympics and have ordered local authorities to address local grievances and block petitioners from coming to Beijing.

Beyond the increasing internal disturbances, foreign terrorist groups may be plotting to disrupt the Olympics, authorities warn. Chinese officials have singled out the Eastern Turkistan Islamic Movement, known as ETIM, and said they destroyed 41 training bases and arrested 82 people.

Some human rights activists say China is exaggerating the threat posed by ETIM to justify a broad security crackdown in Xinjiang Autonomous Region, home to the country's Muslim ethnic Uighur population.

Also in China

Quake reconstruction: China began withdrawing the first contingent of 40,000 troops from three provinces hit by the May 12 earthquake, as authorities shift their focus from rescue and toward reconstruction. About 500 paratroopers left the Sichuan capital of Chengdu by train Monday morning, Xinhua News Agency said.

Miners trapped: At least 56 people were trapped after a coal mine flooded in southern China. Xinhua reported that rescuers were unable to make contact with the miners at the Nadu mine in Guangxi Zhuangzu Autonomous Region after the flood late Monday afternoon.

Beijing haze clearing: Traffic flowed smoother, busy avenues had fewer cars and even the hazy sky had mostly cleared, as Beijing implemented its plan to reduce air pollution before the start of next month's Olympics. Millions of commuters turned to subways, buses and car pools as the strict program sought to take half of Beijing's 3.3 million cars off the road.

GeneChing
07-22-2008, 09:48 AM
40 million potted flowers! If you've ever seen Chinese potted flower displays at Tienanmen, you know what this is about...

Beijing Prepares 40 Mln Flowers for Olympics (http://english.cri.cn/2886/2008/07/22/53s384169.htm)
2008-07-22 19:32:41

Beijing has prepared 40 million potted flowers to decorate streets and Olympic venues, according to a press briefing here on Tuesday.

These flowers will be placed not only at Tiananmen Square and Olympic venues, but also along the the axis of Beijing, airport expressway, ring roads, and around Olympic Village and hotels.

"July and August are usually the hard time for flowers. We picked up over 20 kinds of heat-resistant flowers from more than 500 species of seasonable flowers to decorate the city, including chrysanthemum and salvia," said Wang Sumei, vice director of Beijing Landscape Forestation Bureau.

Committed to a "green" Olympics, Beijing has planted more than 30 million arbores and rosebushes greening a total area of 8,800 hectares since 2000.

During the past seven years, Beijing has witnessed an increase of some 10,000 hectares green space, 22.7 million trees and 46.5 million square meter lawn, according to Wang.

The city had expanded green coverage from 36 percent in 2000 to the present 43 percent, she added.

As for the green construction for Olympic venues, Beijing planted 370,000 arbores and 2.1 million rosebushes around 31 Olympic stadiums, 45 training stadiums and more than 160 Olympic roads, with a total greening area of 1,026 hectares.

GeneChing
07-22-2008, 09:54 AM
The first time I went to China, having Beijing duck was a religious experience. They tried to ban it here in S.F. many many years ago, citing that meat hanging in windows was unsanitary. Never mind it's been a tradition for years and no one had issues with it. A little more research showed that any potential unsanitary nasties would get trapped in the grease fat, which was burned off when reheated, so the ban was lifted.

I spoke of some duck eating experiences here: Shaolin Trips: Episode 4 - A Hero Watching the Formation: Chapter Six: Xingqisan (Wednesday): Tournament, Fish Head Hot Pot and Duck Tongues with the Little Dragon's Dad and the Purgatory of Gold Mountain. (http://ezine.kungfumagazine.com/ezine/article.php?article=593)

Quanjude: Olympic Peking Duck "100 Pct Safe" (http://english.cri.cn/3100/2008/07/22/1261s384014.htm)
2008-07-22 13:59:16

Related: Peking Duck Flies off UK Menu on Oven Fears

Quanjude, one of China's oldest Peking duck restaurants, says guests in for the Beijing Olympics should have no worries about enjoying its ducks, despite a recent ban on the dish by the European Union.

The world-famous Peking duck might be removed from restaurant menus in the United Kingdom following an EU ban on the duck ovens citing concerns over carbon-monoxide emissions.

UK officials are busy inspecting restaurants and sealing ovens that don't carry a CE (Conformité Européenne) mark, a European standard for product safety, The Daily Mail reported.

Quanjude, which serves Peking duck in the Olympic Village in Beijing, says the duck meat it provides for athletes and officials will be "100 percent safe," Beijing Youth Daily quoted an unnamed representative from the company as saying.

Quanjude's ducks are selected from farms designated by the Beijing Olympics organizing committee, the representative says. He says that the ducks will undergo strict safety and nutrition checks before and after they are roasted in the oven.

Peking duck, a dish with a history of 600 years or more, is traditionally roasted in either a hanging oven, like those at Quanjude, or in a closed oven.

Most of the duck ovens used by Chinese restaurants in the United Kingdom were imported from China because European manufacturers don't make them, The Daily Mail reported.

The recent ban came despite local officials conceding that there have been no reported health problems linked to the ovens, the report said.

Many Chinese cooks in the United Kingdom are infuriated by the clampdown, accusing the Europeans of having no knowledge about the art of cooking Peking duck.

SPJ
07-23-2008, 07:25 AM
Chinese reporters ask Jackie a lot of odd questions...

Jackie is only a kung fu/stunt movie actor. and NOT a political figure.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pmUsSZZbr8s&feature=related

HK people did raise some fund for relief for si chuan people.

how much is enough? que?

Yes. HK economy was and still is "propped" up by mainland funds, as the economic center moved to shanghai and else where after 1997. the stock market and land prise were about to collpase, Deng ordered to infuse fund into the stock market to support HK. It was also a show of one country 2 system for Taiwan people to see.

JC is not the governor of HK special region, is he?

Other entertainers life stories, JC is not interested to butt in or have any say.

JC is not the governor of all Chinese entertainers, is he?

---

:confused::(:mad::D;):)

GeneChing
07-23-2008, 10:26 AM
Not directly Olympic, but one of the many co-brands. It's Yao Ming versus Lebron James (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WUdlExb3b5s).

SimonM
07-23-2008, 10:28 AM
My office web-filter caught that as "adult content".

Please tell me that wasn't a photo of Yao Ming and Lebron James in an <ahem> compromising position. :D

SPJ
07-24-2008, 06:29 PM
oh. It is just 2 of them drinking the coke commercial.

:)

SPJ
07-24-2008, 06:31 PM
I just read that there will over 300 helpers to present awards thruout the games.

They were selected from girls between 165 cm to 175 cm high.

--

more than half of million people/guests will be in town.

--

:)

SPJ
07-24-2008, 06:36 PM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yr5ZWYRaAyw

always a big fan of the monkey king or sun wu kong.

:)

GeneChing
07-28-2008, 09:49 AM
Our dear friend, Sifu Bryant Fong on the front page!


Olympics bring pride to Chinese Americans (http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/07/28/MNEO11Q87U.DTL&hw=bryant+fong&sn=001&sc=1000)
Janny Hu, Chronicle Staff Writer

(07-27) 16:28 PDT -- For the last 27 years, Bryant Fong has made an annual trek to Beijing, and every year the scenery changes. The highways spiral outward, the buildings grow taller, the hotels get fancier. On his last trip eight months ago, the San Francisco martial arts teacher needed only to venture outdoors to find modernization operating at Olympic speed.

"You'd find guys sleeping right next to the job site in the middle of the day," Fong said. "They'd work four or five hours, eat, sleep, and get up and start working again, just so they can try to finish redoing the sidewalks."

Beijing is a city hurtling toward a deadline as China readies for its first-ever Olympic Games. The Opening Ceremonies are only 11 days away, and the out-with-the-old, in-with-the-new mantra goes deeper than construction.

For the thousands of Chinese Americans in San Francisco, most of whom are first- or second-generation immigrants like Fong, the Olympics represent a coming-out party for their homeland.

The old one-way migration out of China has become a swirling network as the country grows into an economic force, and the words "proud" and "honor" are repeatedly used to describe its hosting duties.

"The people of China have changed," said Joyce Lee, who emigrated 15 years ago. "The Olympics are the biggest event in the world, and it's a good start to show people what China can do."

Like most of the city's Chinese immigrants, both Fong and Lee hail from the Cantonese-speaking province of Guangdong in southern China.

Fong, who was born in Oakland and raised all over the Bay Area, is the sifu, or teacher, of the San Francisco Wushu Team. He took his first group of martial arts students to China in 1980 and returns yearly to the Shichahai Sports School, home of the Beijing Wushu Team, which boasts actor Jet Li among its alumni. Once a modest outpost, the school has become a symbol of China's growing stature with three sprawling floors of gymnasiums, an underground parking lot and its own four-star hotel.

Rapid advancement

The hefty upgrade doesn't surprise Zhang Ming Liang, who emigrated with his wife more than 20 years ago. On a recent afternoon, the retired couple watched their grandson play at Portsmouth Square in the heart of Chinatown.

Zhang joked about getting lost in Beijing, with all its high-rise towers, when he visits nowadays. He says relatives there boast about the latest advancements in cable television and other technology.

"The Olympics are guaranteed to be a success," Zhang said. "China has plenty of money now, people, manpower, resources. There's no fear of failure. It won't happen."

Zhang's confidence stems not from any unbridled nationalism, but from having experienced the power and pitfalls of the Chinese government.

Pollution?

Cars in Beijing have begun operating on an alternate-day basis, with license plates ending with even numbers allowed to drive one day, odd numbers the next.

Protests?

When the Olympic torch came through San Francisco in April for its only North American stop, Fong and his Wushu students were invited to perform at Justin Herman Plaza. The show was supposed to be a backdrop for the torch relay as it moved along the Embarcadero. Instead, their demonstration was demonstrated against by protesters assailing China's human rights record. The torch itself was a no-show, having been rerouted.

'We're all for China'

"A lot of protesters, they have no idea how to deal with the Chinese. They look at us as being ****genous," Fong said. "Yes, we're all for China. But we're also aware that China has many difficulties, like with Tibet and Burma.

"You have to look at the history of China. You have to distinguish between the Chinese people and the government. A lot of Chinese Americans here are sympathetic to Tibetans. But we're also proud of having the Olympics."

Beverly Yip, who grew up on Sacramento Street in Chinatown, agrees. She was in Hong Kong the day before the torch returned to Chinese soil after its troublesome journey overseas.

As part of the festivities, a replica torch was on display at the Langham Place Hotel. Yip was among the throngs who excitedly waited more than 30 minutes to get pictures taken with the torch.

"For the shortest time, I was so proud," Yip said. "I felt like a little child, and just the adrenaline rush. I was proud to be Chinese American, a hybrid of both cultures. I felt like I was that much closer to the Olympics."

Lee might be the quintessential mix, having lived almost exactly half her life in China and half in San Francisco. In her mid-30s now, Lee owns a clothing boutique in the Sunset District, and as customers filtered in on a recent Sunday afternoon, she switched seamlessly among Mandarin, Cantonese, Taishanese (a dialect spoken in Guangdong province) and English.
'It's my homeland'

"I was really lucky," Lee said. "I came when I was 17 so I got to go to high school and learn two different cultures. My friends tell me I've completely changed because I can compare now, I have my own judgment.

"But I still care about China. It's my homeland. The people are really kind, and if they have the equal chance, equal rights, they'll be better."

Mei Yang left the Zhongshan prefecture more than 20 years ago with her husband, King. The couple opened a Chinese restaurant on Hayes Street within a year of arriving and now work 18-hour days at the Java Source Coffee House they own on Clement Street.

Expensive endeavor

Among her usual customers are Richmond District locals who congregate for some fresh coffee, Chinese chess and gossip. They wonder what it would be like to experience the Olympics firsthand, but finances have made the exercise moot. Plane tickets top $1,500 per person, and even the most modest accommodations will be double and triple their regular price.

"Then you have the business," Yang said. "If we stay open, then we have to hire help. If we close, then we're still paying the rent. It's just too expensive to leave. We can't afford it."

Instead, they'll watch their old home from their newest home, hoping that the Olympics can bring China respect and advancement on all fronts.

"In the end, we're Chinese," Zhang said. "Right or wrong, good or bad, it's your own people."

GeneChing
07-28-2008, 09:52 AM
For more on the opening ceremonies, see our article in 2008 July/August issue (http://ezine.kungfumagazine.com/magazine/article.php?article=769): The Martial Arts Master of Ceremonies By Chen Xinghua and Chi Chien


Kung Fu tour of Beijing (http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-07/28/content_8829177.htm)
2008-07-28 23:10:18

BEIJING, July 28 (Xinhua) -- If you're a fan of Kung Fu or the martial arts films of Bruce Lee and Jackie Chan, you'll find plenty of action during your stay in Beijing.

Kung Fu, the Chinese martial art that blended the skills of self-defense, hunting and military training in ancient times, has been developed into a popular international sport also called wushu.

Modern Chinese martial arts usually concentrate on forms (or taolu in Chinese), which comprise basic movements, including stances, kicks, punches, jumps, sweeps and throws, which are mainly aimed at exhibitions and competitions, and often include more acrobatic jumps and movements.

Chinese martial arts heroes and heroines have been fascinating thousands of people all over the world with their performances on stage and screen.

Beijing offers many opportunities to enjoy wushu and even to learn some tai chi.

GRAND SHOW

More than 400 skilled students from Beijing Shaolin Martial Arts School are to perform Kung Fu at the opening and closing ceremonies of the Olympic Games, but don't worry if you have no tickets.

Students in the school perform wushu at any time, allowing close views of forms and qigong (chi kung, practices that involve methods of accumulating, circulating and working with qi or energy within the body), two essential elements of Chinese martial arts.

You can ask your travel agency to contact the school directly if you are part of an interested group. The school will arrange special performances for a group (more than 10 people) for about 100 to 200 yuan (14 to 28 U.S. dollars) per person.

If you want to see the show alone or with two or three friends, you can also call the school for information on show times, and when you can enjoy it for free.

The school is in Huilongguan, Changping District, and the telephone number is 86-10-62715558.

"The Legend of Kung Fu", an 80-minute show playing every night in Beijing's Red Theater, tells how a small boy became a kung fu master after a series of trials. No speaking, only kung fu, dance and acrobatics. English subtitles explain the story.

The theater gives performances at 5:15 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. The price ranges from 180 yuan (26 USD) to 680 yuan (100 USD) based on the seating. The address is 44 Xingfu Dajie, Chongwen District, and the telephone number 86-10-67142473.

  TAI CHI IN PARKS

The city also has the perfect places to learn kung fu every morning.

Many Chinese practise tai chi and qigong in the morning in public parks such as the Ritan Park, or the Sun Altar Park, and the Temple of Heaven, especially at weekends, and visitors are welcome to look around or even take a short course.

Fifty-one-year old Wang Xuewu who has learned and practiced taichi for more than 32 years is a regular coach in Ritan. He has hundreds of students, including dozens of foreigners.

In an area of about 100 square meters under the trees, children and adults of all ages practice tai chi together.

"I advise foreign friends to learn some basic forms when they are in China. They can keep practicing their whole lives after they get to know basic forms and movements," says 48-year-old Zhang Hongli.

Zhang started practising tai chi two years ago, and he says it has helped lower his high blood pressure.

Rong Xiaohui, another teacher, says the sport is helpful for people who suffer from heart problems, high blood pressure, arthritis, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease and other ailments.

He also said long-term tai chi practice helps promote physical balance, flexibility and cardiovascular fitness so it's best to start young.

Rong is planning special short-term training programs for foreign visitors in August and September, and he will hold lectures on Chinese culture and Taoist philosophy.

Enthusiastic and fast learners can finish the simplified 24 forms of tai chi within 10 days, and continue with DVD teaching programs.

The course costs 20 yuan (3 U.S. dollars) per hour, and lasts from 7:30 a.m to 10:30 a.m, Monday to Sunday. You may contact the coach in advance by e-mail (rongxhcn@yahoo.com.cn) or go direct to the site on a fine day.

"I hope I can practice tai chi with kids from other countries," says 7-year-old Yin Chang, who started six months ago. "It's full of fun.

SimonM
07-29-2008, 07:11 AM
Not directly Olympic, but one of the many co-brands. It's Yao Ming versus Lebron James (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WUdlExb3b5s).

I think I recall hearing a tale that "Coke Adds Life" was apparently mis-translated early in the history of the beverage in China to "Coke brings your ancestors back to life".

lkfmdc
07-29-2008, 08:34 AM
I think I recall hearing a tale that "Coke Adds Life" was apparently mis-translated early in the history of the beverage in China to "Coke brings your ancestors back to life".

The funniest and completely true version of this was when American car manufacturers were horrifed to learn that in Spanish speaking markets the "Chevy Nova" was misunderstood to be "Chevy NO va" or "Chevy, it doesn't work" ;)

The Willow Sword
07-29-2008, 08:35 AM
i will not watch it or have anything to do with it. I think that the Olympic committee should re-evaluate WHERE it decides to Hold the olympic games. With China's Human rights violations against The Tibetan People, Their Own people, not to mention the myriad of Animal Cruelty violations against the country, i think Bejing is a poor choice to hold these games.
I saw a recent report on the news about the Chinese government putting out Propaganda to its citizens about "ettiquette" when dealing with Westerners. There is a "what not to do" list that states what you can and cannot talk about with Westerners. In a nutshell on this list the donts are "cannot discuss your job, or your feelings about the world, and in turn the chinese people are not to do the same." amongst other natural conversation topics. It would seem that the Communists over there are fearful of the massive influx of westerners to their country and that the portion of the chinese populous who want democracy might be encouraged to further speak out against the current regime of government(my Opinion).
Its hard for me to boycott this because i have watched the olympic games ever since i was a kid. I guess i will be spending more time outside enjoying nature and Austin. May be a blessing in disguise for me and a blessing in disguise for the Millions of people in China who want a fair democracy to replace the communist BS that pollutes and taints that country. I hope the USA does well and i hope the Communists get a dose of revolution in that country as a result of Westerners coming over.
TWS

lkfmdc
07-29-2008, 08:38 AM
Dude, they had an Olympics in NAZI GERMANY! They obviously have no standards

GeneChing
07-29-2008, 09:11 AM
According to urban legend, one of the original translations for coca cola into Mandarin translated into "bite the wax tadpole (http://www.bitethewaxtadpole.com/bitethewaxtadpole.htm)".

Of course, you've all seen our Shaolin Soda thread (http://ezine.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?t=39801), yes?

lkfmdc
07-29-2008, 09:16 AM
my si hing Steve Ventura was in China in the early 80's and back then it was "Shaolin Coke" (I guess they escaped corporate law suits back then)... wonder if he still has the bottle somewhere?

GeneChing
07-29-2008, 04:07 PM
There's a pic of me drinking Jackie Chan soda in front of Shaolin Temple. I didn't save the can.

Check this out: Olympics 2008 Monkey Movie - BBC Sport (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yr5ZWYRaAyw)

Wong Ying Home
08-08-2008, 09:18 AM
Simply outstanding a breath taking opening ceremony

monkeyfoot
08-08-2008, 03:08 PM
Yea I was at work and managed to sneak the Live Stream on for 10 or so minutes, just so happened to be the Wushu bit.

I thought I would watch the whole thing in the evening when it was on, but BBC only played highlights (and this was JUST from the countdown). Gotta say I am gutted to have missed it, I should have stayed off work and gone to Trafalgar Square to watch it.

I know its early, but does anyone know where I can watch this awesome event in full!


C

Yum Cha
08-08-2008, 03:47 PM
I found a scary parallel to the '36 Olympics in Berlin

firepalm
08-08-2008, 07:49 PM
Fan freaking tastic! Bravo! It was an opening ceremony that will never be rivalled! Only China can pull this off! Bravo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:)

The Willow Sword
08-08-2008, 09:41 PM
free tibet

The Willow Sword
08-09-2008, 06:38 AM
http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/wire/sns-ap-oly-china-american-killed,1,439541.story


What a GREAT start to the opening of the games in such a friendly and accomodating Land:confused::rolleyes::(

Peace? TWS

SPJ
08-09-2008, 07:11 AM
It was like

ooh, wow, aah--

:D:)

SPJ
08-09-2008, 07:34 AM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6HM6hIuJFxo

for people missed it.

some high lites from south korea tv.

:)

TenTigers
08-09-2008, 07:43 AM
the American commentators referred to the wu-shu as "Kuhrotty"
dumb.
Then again, my Mom still calls my Kwoon, a Karate School.



In the words of Chalie Brown,"AUGHHH!!":eek:

David Jamieson
08-09-2008, 09:12 AM
free tibet


Free Iraq

(goes both ways. but in short, America has no place meddling in Chinas internal strife, especially when it is clear that they are adapting and changing faster tahn was thought possible considering they are 1.3 Billion people!)

WinterPalm
08-09-2008, 03:49 PM
No country actively engaged in the occupation of another country should be allowed to compete or host the games.

The end.

Oso
08-09-2008, 06:03 PM
http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/wire/sns-ap-oly-china-american-killed,1,439541.story


What a GREAT start to the opening of the games in such a friendly and accomodating Land:confused::rolleyes::(

Peace? TWS

yea, no ****...wonder what will come out as the motive.

SPJ
08-09-2008, 06:10 PM
So all my friends were talking about it.

The russian president, japanese prime minister, president bush, french president---

were all there.

I said, well, they were there to support their athletes and teams.

they were also there to show that they recognise the importance of good or stronger relations with China both economically and politically.

HOWEVER;

they are not necessarily supporting CPC either in domestic condition or foreign policy.

such as freedom of speech, religion, tibet or xin jiang independence, or africa policy etc etc.

--

SPJ
08-09-2008, 06:18 PM
I think Zhang Yi Mou did a good job.

in showcasing the Chinese history, culture, and philosophy of harmony or he.

he painted that we have to be smart and work together to make a greener planet for all the children of 56 or 58 ethnics chinese and children of the world with big baby face posters and images.

just as Zheng He explored the seven seas with junks.

chinese would explore the space with tai kon ren/naut.

we have only one planet or living space.

let us be in harmony or he with the nature, with all chinese ethnics and with all the people in the world.

so we build a better environment for children of china and the rest of the world.

--

there were absolutely no political propaganda for cpc rules or cpc accomplishments etc

--

Zhang yi mou just painted a future and an idea, that chinese people and people of the rest world would persue for the benefit of future generation.

--

harmony with nature and harmony with people==

or he.

---

:)

ngokfei
08-09-2008, 06:21 PM
Now thats the way to run a 1/2 time program at the super bowl.

oh, wait a second they didn't have to pay them.............:p

yes from all reports its a modern take on Nazi Germany 1936 olympic propaganda, I been chatting with individuals over there who can't believe the amount of "Chinese Storm Troopers" just about everywhere.

The modified shaolin/taiji was pretty good, I must admit.

What this I heard about an athlete's family member being killed this morning?
shot stabbed????:eek:

And did you get a load of the anti-aircraft missles stationed outside the stadium, would make me safe:eek:

anyhow I got my souvenier package in yesterday, nice Cap, flag, pin and a fan. What they didn't send me the mascot series dolls, now I'm pizzed.

Oh by the way, China being one of the biggest law breakers regarding pirating and copyright infringement, you wouldn't believe the tag that comes with the Cap and that it has a security strip thread inbeded in the logo. Now I'm nervous, what is it really:confused:

Well tonight is the mens gymnastics, any news on when the combat sports will be taking place - they forgot to send me a Schedule:mad:

Boxing, Judo, Taekwondo, etc.
Oh yea saw some of the fencing, wasn't impressed at all.

peace

rogue
08-09-2008, 06:23 PM
so we built a better environment for children of china and the rest of the world.

Say what?:eek:

SPJ
08-09-2008, 08:17 PM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CWLI7EbCq3g&feature=related

it took zhang yi mou 2 years to prepare the opening and closing ceremonies.

:cool:

SPJ
08-09-2008, 08:19 PM
Zhang yi mou was heavily criticised for the anthen 2004 closing.

so he promised that no more big red latern, no miniskirts etc etc.

no "westernized" chinese stuff.

:)

zhugeliang
08-09-2008, 08:48 PM
SPJ

Is there a youtube of the 8 minute Athens closing which Zhang Yimou planned? I don't think I've ever seen it.

Wood Dragon
08-09-2008, 11:45 PM
It did have a bit of a threatening motif, in parts.

At one point (probably when the goose-stepping troops showed up to snatch the flag from the kids), I half-expected the floor of the stadium to retract and an ICBM to launch....

BoulderDawg
08-10-2008, 06:14 AM
I thought the opening ceremonies could have been better.

Don't get me wrong, In the use of technology and choreographing thousands of people they got an A+ however I just did not see a lot of creativity. It went pretty much as I thought is would go: Shoot off 20 million dollars worth of fireworks, display advance technology like the rolling scroll, use a lot of children and talk about how China is such a fun loving country.

I thnk the worse was the lighting of the touch. Let's string some guy up like in a cheap Kung Fu move and have him run though midair.

I though the dancers painting the mural and the atheletes walking through the ink pad to create the rainbow effect was probably the best part.

On a side note: I watched Mike Phelps win a gold medal last night and then be awarded his medal. I was wondering what music they were using for the national athem. I could barely recognize it. It was the worse version of the national anthem I believe I've ever heard....plus they cut it short!:D

David Jamieson
08-10-2008, 07:13 AM
I found a scary parallel to the '36 Olympics in Berlin

Other than the fervent nationalism and militarism displayed, what parallels?

Oh wait...yeah, never mind. lol

SPJ
08-10-2008, 07:40 AM
dun want to turn this into a political thread, but

here is a clip of the opening of 1936.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ievWXjssU_Y

1. marching of athletes and not walking

2. salute to the fuhrer.

3. ---

SPJ
08-10-2008, 07:46 AM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gNKlxcqLKcM&feature=related

and this.

--

SPJ
08-10-2008, 07:57 AM
SPJ

Is there a youtube of the 8 minute Athens closing which Zhang Yimou planned? I don't think I've ever seen it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yPWY9b4HM_I&feature=related

:)

David Jamieson
08-10-2008, 07:58 AM
well, i personally think that every Olympics has been usurped by the petty tyrants of governance pretty much since the beginning.

athletes and what they do have zero to do with a nation or it's foibles or great acts, and yet, every politician, regardless of country, consistently and always uses these games as another form of propaganda and lying to present their country in a different light than that of which it really is.

China is behaving no differently, but I would say they are hiding more than they are showing and it is weird how everyone is playing along in this most highly politicized and propaganda based games since the '36 games and hence the parallels drawn.

It can't be escaped for the sake of trying to wash over the iniquities of China's behaviours as a country and it's treatment of it's own people.

David Jamieson
08-10-2008, 08:01 AM
One thing about the olympics is that it brings to the front of mind the cultural differences and the stupidity of humanity in it's unending greed and need to be one up from other humans based on arbitrary borders drawn on paper.

there is no one world one dream and those are stupid and empty words to throw out when the fundamental behaviours are unchanged.

You cannot merely paint a broken thing and consider it not broken because the paint is hiding the flaw.

Black Jack II
08-10-2008, 08:58 AM
This Olympic season is a total joke. It is an workout in collective hypocrisy.

If you take a look at the Olympic creed, the most important aspect, is just to take part and not just to win, it's about the struggle of the moment and to have fought well.

Having it in China is just a total handjob of a bigger yuck-yuck joke. This Olympics was hijacked by a totalitarian **** hole regime in an effort to showcase the arrival of China as an up and coming economic player.

A player who only survives because of the money pumped into it by America business and government interests. Pull back the cash and it comes crashing down.

Same as the 1936 summer Olympics in Berlin and the 1936 Winter Olympics in Garmisch-Partenkirchen were used by the Nazis to show the strength of their order for the benefit of domestic and foreign observers. Same as the Soviet Union did in the 1980 Moscow Summer Olympics to extol the non-realistic merits of Soviet Communism.

Same old same old.

SPJ
08-10-2008, 11:45 AM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tr46ApMFXzk&feature=related

free tibet

a fact or a view?

:confused::eek:

SPJ
08-10-2008, 11:56 AM
Say what?:eek:

It is really a apolitical show.

in the beginning, the drumming is anouncing that we start something/activity to the heaven/god.

the scroll is a record or something written.

it showed historical tidbits that China was open, such as tang dynasty open to budhhism, silk road to trade, travel to india for buddhist sutra--, zheng he to explore the seven seas to trade and collect info or find a silk road on the sea, since the road on the land was blocked by mongolians, and moslem states--

--

the future.

the white sheet of paper, let us start a new future.

we paint the water and mountain shan shui (nature), the smiley sun

and steps of athletes from many nations of the world.

let us work together and be in harmony with nature, and among people.

--

let us do this for the sake of the children.

we start with 56 ethnic chinese and then the rest of the world.

harmony or he is the theme.

--

SPJ
08-10-2008, 11:59 AM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pMWT6CBaAtQ&feature=related

true tibet

a fact or a view?

:confused::eek:

TaichiMantis
08-10-2008, 12:43 PM
No country actively engaged in the occupation of another country should be allowed to compete or host the games.

The end.

Then bye-bye USA!:rolleyes:

Wood Dragon
08-10-2008, 09:47 PM
Then bye-bye USA!:rolleyes:

Also, the Allied Nations occupying Germany and Japan during the postwar era should have been banned from the '48 and '52 Games, too.

Context, schmontext!

mkriii
08-11-2008, 07:24 AM
I didn't know exactly where to put this thread so if I put it in the wrong place please forgive me. I was watching the womens gymnastics last night and I felt so bad for the three girls that messes up. The one girl on the balance beam fell and then the girl on the spring vault didn't land correctly and fell and the third girl on the uneven bars that missed the bar and fell flat on her back. Think of all the hours of hard training that they put in. It'as kinda the same with us martial artists that train so hard and put in all this time into a form and then when it comes time to perform you forget a section of it or you don't land a kick right and fall. It's so disappointing inside when you don't succeed at something you've worked so hard at. What about the Romanians?......They haven't been doing good as of late either. The commentators were saying that the gymnastic events were always thier best thing but this new generation are to soft and don't have what it takes anymore (intensity). At one time almost all Romanian gymnasts wanted to be like Nadia Comaneci but thats not true anymore.

http://www.infoplease.com/biography/var/nadiacomaneci.html

What did you all think of the gymnastics?

:)

SPJ
08-11-2008, 07:40 AM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BHXw4gBo4mA

1. agreed that olympics are plaqued with politics of hosting and participating countries.

romania no longer supported gym events, India is like never a big fan for the games,--

2. however, may be we just put aside domestic and foreign agenda or whatever political strifes and struggles and pause them for a while.

3. let the games be the biggest events for the athletes, the endeavor of an individual, --

let athletes have their moments.

while we have all the rest of time to persue whatever collective ideas, or what we think the world or each country should be run.

--

even God rested on the seventh day or sunday after creating the whole universe.

--

:D;)

SPJ
08-11-2008, 07:46 AM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qAorxMlUZTo&feature=related

so we "summon the heroes"

or athletes to compete in the games.

:)

SPJ
08-11-2008, 07:50 AM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sySgVl40xS8&feature=related

call upon heroes.

at the centennial olympic park fountain.

:cool:

SPJ
08-11-2008, 08:03 AM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sQgpCts5Dbg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WbX_QD7-Kbk&feature=related

interesting tapes.

from Mao inviting ping pong

---

rebuilding from the wreckage of cultural revolution post mao.

--


to hosting olympic games today.

China and the world both have moved a long way since then.

:cool:

SPJ
08-11-2008, 08:12 AM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s7VE26-Qs1A

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=17rLJK3VKsI

---

GeneChing
08-11-2008, 09:25 AM
...check out our article The Martial Arts Master of Ceremonies By Chen Xinghua and Chi Chien in our 2008 July/August issue (http://ezine.kungfumagazine.com/magazine/article.php?article=769).

SPJ
08-11-2008, 09:42 AM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s7VE26-Qs1A

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=17rLJK3VKsI

---

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xi0cdhGfB3o&NR=1

a tribute.

:cool:

SPJ
08-11-2008, 09:57 AM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xi0cdhGfB3o&NR=1

a tribute.

:cool:

to some, games are about winning and losing.

to some, games are about friendship first, and wining second.

to one chinese and one american, games are friendship first and friendship second still.

When Mao saw, the picture of one Chinese and one American ping pong player exchanged gifts at Tokyo.

Mao invited US ping pong team to visit China.

and that started the contact between PRC and US.

--

This is my favorite tale of Ping pong diplomacy.

--

:cool:

SPJ
08-11-2008, 11:07 AM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tkscO3dh23s&feature=related

back to the topic.

:D;)

SimonM
08-11-2008, 11:13 AM
yea, no ****...wonder what will come out as the motive.

Since it appears that the killer jumped off the drum tower to his own death shortly afterward it's unlikely we will ever know.

We were camping when the opening ceremonies happened but we got my folks to tape it. The commentator on CBC, the trogldite from Hockey Night in Canada who usually apes for Don Cherry and whose name I forget, made a total ass of himself with some of his assinine and occasionally plain wrong comments. My wife didn't like the costumes on the drummers.... haven't seen the wushu yet.

Have to say the fireworks have been something very special. The footprints were great.

The Willow Sword
08-11-2008, 01:00 PM
http://www.redstateupdate.com/navigation?id=57864


;):D TWS

SPJ
08-11-2008, 03:06 PM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GNIPns30pEU&feature=related

1948, 1952, 1956

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1_-sH94QWoQ&feature=related

1960,1964

tales of torch relay.

:)

SimonM
08-12-2008, 06:40 AM
Saw the rest of teh opening ceremonies yesterday. Too many commercials.

That being said two other comments:

CBC referred to all the Wushu as Taijiquan... chalk another one up for the idiots at CBC sports not knowing their ass from a hole in the ground.

The torch lighting was absolutely spectacular.

SPJ
08-12-2008, 07:05 AM
I was talking with friends about it over the weekend.

I like only the beginning, b/c they are hitting the drums and also looked at the sky/heaven/god.

Chinese used to revere or pay respect to heaven/god/nature.

then the rulers/kings took heaven's place.

then the emperors took heaven's place for over 2200 years.

then the political party--

--

if a people may respect the heaven/nature/god

and do whatever is necessary or consistent with human, heaven and earth.

and be in harmony in three or san he.

that would be the ideal way or path or steps.

--

that is why I like Zhang Yi Mou's opening ceremonies.

the history parts, children representing, exploring space, etc are ok.

but the drum beating is the best.

--

:D;)

David Jamieson
08-12-2008, 08:51 AM
China is having difficulty giving up the ideas of the old ways. That is apparent with all the news coming from there that isn't related to the sports.

-the murder in the drum tower
-the arrests of protesters for applying to protest (police double cross)
-the military presence
-the water starvation of the surrounding areas to keep up appearances
-the displacement of people for accommodation of the tourists and games
-the crackdowns all over the country and the subsequent shooting and imprisonment of people

and so on.

Yes China is changing, but are they only changing a mask? Seems like it. The country still functions as a communist dictatorship with severe impediments on the population in regards to freedom of thought and movement.

SimonM
08-12-2008, 09:03 AM
China is having difficulty giving up the ideas of the old ways. That is apparent with all the news coming from there that isn't related to the sports.

-the murder in the drum tower


To be fair the Chinese government can't really be blamed for this one, especially considering point 3, the guy was a lone nut who attacked a stranger.

This is not common in China but it can happen anywhere on earth. Surprisingly RD hasn't tried to use it as a topic for criticizing the self defense techniques of the murdered victims yet.



-the arrests of protesters for applying to protest (police double cross)


Preliminary reports. I read the sun media article on that topic just now and, to be blunt, an annonymous source running cloak and dagger routines at the forbidden palace isn't exactly the most credible source. Reserving judgement on this until some evidence is brought to my attention one way or the other.



-the military presence


After Atlanta I don't think anyone is going to fault a host city for being security conscious. Now, mind, Beijing has been a bit over the top security wise. Still would you rather a less safe games?

Security was tightened more after the stabbing at the drum tower.



-the water starvation of the surrounding areas to keep up appearances


That one is new to me. But not surprising. China is not a water rich country and the olympics are using a lot of water.



-the displacement of people for accommodation of the tourists and games


Yeah, China has to fix this problem. Displacement of people is the biggest cause fo discontent within the country at this time. It's a much more serious problem for stability than Tibet and Xinjiang will most likely ever be.



-the crackdowns all over the country and the subsequent shooting and imprisonment of people


I don't believe in the death penalty but...

if you huck grenades into a police station in a police state your family can expect to get a bill for 1 bullet (copper).



Yes China is changing, but are they only changing a mask? Seems like it. The country still functions as a communist dictatorship with severe impediments on the population in regards to freedom of thought and movement.

China is NOT a communist dictatorship. China is a capitalist dictatorship.

GeneChing
08-12-2008, 10:40 AM
I've been thrilled to see so much fencing in the NBC coverage. The USA women's sweep was awesome. There's so much discussion of the Bird's Nest and the Water Cube, but the Beijing Olympic park also has a Fencing hall, and it's a spectacular showcase for the sport.

There's some nice video here:

China's Zhong takes sabre gold (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/olympics/fencing/7556593.stm)

China won Olympic gold in the men's individual sabre final when Zhong Man beat France's Nicolas Lopez 15-9.

Five-time world champion Stanislav Pozdniakov lost to Lopez early on while Athens champion Aldo Montano of Italy lost 15-14 to Spain's Jorge Pina.

"It's a dream come true. I'm very happy and moved," said Zhong.

Britain's Alex O'Connell went out in the first round after he lost 15-14 to Nikolay Kovalev of Russia in a desperately close contest.

Zhong hopes his gold medal, China's first in fencing for more than two decades, may finally silence complaints from his parents that he has grown up uncivilised because of the long hours he spends training.

The swordsman hoped to be a basketball player until a fencing coach in his southern hometown spotted his potential.

But his unhappy parents opposed the training because they feared his education was suffering.

"They were worried my 'cultural level' was slipping," he said, using a common Chinese term for all-round education and manners.

"I guess I have made up for my shortcomings in other ways now. I'll have time to study later," said the 25-year-old.

China has become a force in fencing. When China re-entered the games in L.A. in '84, Jujie Luan took gold in Women's foil, astonishing the world in what has been a European and Russian dominated sport. America is making amazing headway too. I'm looking forward to Gerek Meinhardt's event. He's under coach Greg Massialas, a former teammate of mine from SJSU. Greg was a generation before me, but I knew him. Never could put a touch on that man. He was so far out of my league, it was absurd.

SimonM
08-12-2008, 11:59 AM
I don't have cable. My family is supposed to be taping Fencing and Judo for me.

Here's hoping CBC coverage of events is better than their coverage of the opening ceremonies.

Great show, terrible, terrible coverage.

WinterPalm
08-12-2008, 03:42 PM
Then bye-bye USA!:rolleyes:

Sadly Canada as well.:(

Sadly way too many nations.

David Jamieson
08-12-2008, 06:00 PM
probably more now that even western leaders feel entitled to such behaviours.

pdf108
08-12-2008, 06:27 PM
hello, this is my first time come here, in this website, i know a lot of kungfu, very good. i will introduce a wonderful wudang kungfu website:

www.daoistkungfu.com

SPJ
08-12-2008, 06:36 PM
I think that 2008 people playing tai chi in a formation of a solid circle is cool.

:)

SPJ
08-12-2008, 06:43 PM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BXUvCjHCiXg

Tai Chi statues at exhibit at bei jing univ.

way cool.

the sculptor and designer are from taiwan.

:cool:

BoulderDawg
08-12-2008, 09:15 PM
I don't understand why in swimming the world record is broken in about every race. This is not true in track and field. Tonight I've seen 4 races and all have been world records. This can't happen forever.

Mr Punch
08-13-2008, 05:23 AM
that is why I like Zhang Yi Mou's opening ceremonies.

the history parts, children representing, exploring space, etc are ok.

but the drum beating is the best...Yeah, at least two for just that song... :rolleyes: OK, I can buy the CG fireworks (NBC CGed a fire in a grate for the Atlanta Olympics too, but at least they weren't passing it off as real and live, unlike the fireworks - though like I said, I can buy it simply because as they said it may have been difficult to catch the actual ones on film, though at least they did actually do the real ones - though it's still a bit cheeky), but using a cuter kid to lipsynch the beautifully voiced one because the singer's teeth are a bit crooked is pretty friggin low.

BTW, thoroughly enjoying the judo until some disgrace of my countrymen called Gordon (today's 90 kg) smothered the Uzbek's attempts to get all kinds of throws on him for the first four minutes or so and then complained when the Uzbek smothered just a couple of his after the Uzbek had scored... and then complained to the judges even after the bout was finished. ****ing poor sportsmanship, and very bad judo. Still, glad he lost. Brits really really **** me off sometimes. Every time we **** up some sport we blame the rules, the ref, or someone else. **** should've trained harder and tried the odd technique having got kuzushi instead of throwing his legs out like a spastic puppet.

As for the politics - who cares? The Olympics has always been a ludicrous big show. The world championships in most sports is always less political. And sure China shouldn't have got it, but it's forcing them to confront some issues and bringing some of their problems to a head anyway, so good.

I'd love to see it go back to basics, preferably before my country burdens the next generation with even more debt trying to outdo China's ****ing opening ceremony (which I thoroughly enjoyed BTW), but since even my nation of cheapskate stiffs have already spent a ludicrous amount on publicity, the bid and a vomitously lacking-in-taste logo, it's too late.

They should just make it athletics, gymnastics, swimming and martial sports and get rid of all the rest of the synchronised beach pantsball nonsense.

CFT
08-13-2008, 05:37 AM
They should just make it athletics, gymnastics, swimming and martial sports and get rid of all the rest of the synchronised beach pantsball nonsense.That would rule out rowing ... where would the UK be without that stalwart?

I broadly agree though, especially those established sports which already have a professional structure and are awash with money, e.g. soccer/football, basketball, baseball, tennis.

I was reading a Sunday newspaper and one of the unofficial events in the 1900 Olympics was poodle clipping!

http://news.bbc.co.uk/cbbcnews/hi/newsid_7490000/newsid_7496200/7496278.stm

Mr Punch
08-13-2008, 05:46 AM
That would rule out rowing ... where would the UK be without that stalwart?Can't remember how much exactly but I read we'd spent 40 odd million of lottery and government money training this year's crop of athletes: that 90 kg judo guy today was seriously a ****ing disgrace in technique and attitude, and what bright spark thought of putting a 14 year-old diver in there? Get rid of the ****ing money, and bring back hard training. Look at our national football and cricket teams: good at partying and being media wh0res and primadonnas but rarely ****ing deliver the goods. Overpaid slags the lot of them, and now the babying of the Olympiads...!? Compare it with say Joe Calzaghe who trains with worn equipment in a ****ty shack with his da.

We do a good job in rowing, but that's not why I'd keep it in: something like Grecian Olympian arts should stay.


I broadly agree though, especially those established sports which already have a professional structure and are awash with money, e.g. soccer/football, basketball, baseball, tennis.Yeah, that's what I mean: they could all go. And I like watching things like basketball and volleyball, but it's not really Olympian to me. And I'm speechless about beach mother****ing volleyball :mad::mad::mad:.

unkokusai
08-13-2008, 06:22 AM
That would rule out rowing ...




Wouldn't that be a martial sport?

Seppukku
08-13-2008, 06:28 AM
A message to all Olympians and the people that think they're remarkable:

TaichiMantis
08-13-2008, 06:31 AM
When does TKD start?


Beijing, China (Sports Network) - Ronda Rousey became the first-ever American woman to win an Olympic medal in judo, as she earned bronze Wednesday in middleweight competition at the Beijing Games.

Rousey defeated Germany's Annett Boehm in the first of two bronze medal matches and will share the third-place prize with Edith Bosch of the Netherlands.

"I know it won't hurt, but it will take a lot more than this to make judo big in the USA," said Rousey, who was a silver medalist at the 2007 world championships.

mkriii
08-13-2008, 06:33 AM
Look at our national football and cricket teams: good at partying and being media wh0res and primadonnas but rarely ****ing deliver the goods. Overpaid slags the lot of them, and now the babying of the Olympiads...!? Compare it with say Joe Calzaghe who trains with worn equipment in a ****ty shack with his da.
[/color].

Cricket? What the F****. Who fives a rats a** about cricket. Thats an English game isn't it?

I felt so bad for Sacramone when she fell off the balance beam last night. She looked like she was going to cry. Then she steped out of bounds on the floor routine. Just wasn't her night.

MasterKiller
08-13-2008, 06:39 AM
I don't understand why in swimming the world record is broken in about every race. This is not true in track and field. Tonight I've seen 4 races and all have been world records. This can't happen forever.

That's because you can't design a suit to make someone run faster, but you can design a suit to make someone swim faster.

golden arhat
08-13-2008, 06:48 AM
i havent watched any of it so far
could someone send me the link where i can watch the full opening ceremony i cant find it anywhere.


i agree with mr. punch football basket ball volley ball curling tennis are all unnecessary for the olympics they have their own structure and world championships


the thing that takes the **** tho, is that people can no longer enter by themselves under the olympic banner, and have to be on a certain country's team which makes it far more about politics when it should really be about sportsmanship.

mkriii
08-13-2008, 06:59 AM
When does TKD start?

the 19th of August.

Mr Punch
08-13-2008, 07:10 AM
Cricket? What the F****. Who fives a rats a** about cricket. Thats an English game isn't it?At least try and follow an argument.

mkriii
08-13-2008, 07:16 AM
At least try and follow an argument.

I'm following the arguement. I'm just saying isn't cricket one of those games that those bloody English snooty people play?

mkriii
08-13-2008, 07:16 AM
At least try and follow an argument.

I'm following the arguement. I'm just saying isn't cricket one of those games that those bloody English snooty people play? :D

CFT
08-13-2008, 07:27 AM
Wouldn't that be a martial sport?Don't see how, unless you count it as viking/greek warriors rowing over to invade another country ... ?

Then equestrian sports should qualify equally, even if show jumping does look a bit soft.

CFT
08-13-2008, 07:32 AM
I'm following the argument. I'm just saying isn't cricket one of those games that those bloody English snooty people play? :DYes, but don't forget about India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, South Africa, West Indies, Australia, New Zealand.

mkriii
08-13-2008, 07:34 AM
Don't see how, unless you count it as viking/greek warriors rowing over to invade another country ... ?

Then equestrian sports should qualify equally, even if show jumping does look a bit soft.

The Equestrian Games are coming to my home town (Lexington, Ky). People from all over the world will be in Lexington.

mkriii
08-13-2008, 07:36 AM
Yes, but don't forget about India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, South Africa, West Indies, Australia, New Zealand.

the only countries you mentioned that are worth a hill of beans in my oppinon are Australia and India.

SPJ
08-13-2008, 07:45 AM
http://results.beijing2008.cn/WRM/ENG/INF/GL/95A/GL0000000.shtml

metal counts.

personally, I think the US women gym is the best team, even thou mistakes cost them the cold medal and they are settled for the silver.

--

even the best team or athletes may have a bad day

--

:cool:

SPJ
08-13-2008, 07:48 AM
http://results.beijing2008.cn/WRM/ENG/Schedule/index.shtml

for people like to know about schedules and events.

:)

CFT
08-13-2008, 08:06 AM
the only countries you mentioned that are worth a hill of beans in my opinon are Australia and India.What do you mean by that?

golden arhat
08-13-2008, 08:54 AM
oh my god

how can one guy be so retarded


yes english people play cricket it is by no means snooty it also has nothing to with what he said
its to do with the excesses of our sports policies.

and like a million other countries play and follow cricket, australians new zealanders indians etc
and most are bigger fans than english people.

and what the hell do you mean by india and australia are the only ones worth anything?
do you mean in cricket? becuase then surely you would have to follow cricket to have such an opinion?

or do you mean just in general which i believe qualifies you as a racist bigot
but we've all seen and found that to be true before so i wouldnt put that past you.

wanker

Mr Punch
08-13-2008, 09:13 AM
What do you mean by that?


oh my god

how can one guy be so ...
wanker
Chill with it. He's just jerking chains. You know, like the village idiot in the stocks.

CFT
08-13-2008, 09:22 AM
Chill with it. He's just jerking chains. You know, like the village idiot in the stocks.I just noticed his location ... figures :rolleyes:

GeneChing
08-13-2008, 09:56 AM
I've never watched so much TV and read so much in such a short period. All the Beijing coverage is fascinating. I'm getting tired of the NBC coverage - they've been trying to focus on a few stories and sacrificed the rest. Typical. I've had enough of rowing and beach volleyball. I've never been a big fan of beach volleyball. Why do the girls wear skimpy bikinis and the guys wear baggy t-shirts and shorts? And what's up with the horrid surf music? Moreso, why doesn't NBS show the bikini-clad cheerleaders between matches? And there's just too much coverage of Phelps. Sure, the most golds ever, that's cool, but must we dwell on every single moment? And what was up with the panda porn segment last night? OK, end of rant. I'm actually enjoying it all. They showed a lot of fencing, even in the ads, so I'm happier about this coverage than in years past.

Here's an article from a few weeks ago that I meant to post. I keep meaning to look up maoer bao bei.

Getting kicks, hits
(http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/08/04/BURA11DVIB.DTL&hw=jiang+lu+xia&sn=001&sc=1000)Jiang Lu Xia
On a lark a year ago, Jiang Lu Xia posted a video demonstrating her skills in wushu, China's traditional martial arts form. Since then, the 22-year-old's videos have drawn hundreds of millions of views on sites like 56.com and Tudou.

Known online as Maoer bao bei, which means "precious kitten," Jiang has become a minor celebrity in China, known for her trademark cat-shaped, sharp-eared pendant she wears that doubles as a weapon. Most of her 3- or 4-minute clips are set to songs like Mariah Carey's "Hero" and feature the petite, toned athlete as she kicks, punches, performs acrobatic flips, teaches self-defense moves and demonstrates different weapons, sometimes in a dorm room sandwiched between two bunk beds.

Jiang said she hopes to draw more people to wushu through her videos.

"I want everyone to know that wushu is not as mysterious as people think, and that it's not hard to learn," she said. "I want people to be interested in wushu, and I want them to realize that wushu can be part of their daily life."

- Ellen Lee

Pork Chop
08-13-2008, 10:03 AM
That's because you can't design a suit to make someone run faster, but you can design a suit to make someone swim faster.

Well actually, good track shoes do make a bit of difference; but not on the level of the speed suits.
I haven't tried one yet, but my coach was describing her experience in one and it sounded like a powerlifting suit - 15 to 20 min to pull on, skin tight.

I know there's a huge difference between a run of the mill bathing suit and a speedo or a jammer (knee-length speedo). I figure the speed suit's a similar difference in experience.

CFT
08-13-2008, 10:13 AM
I was reading something this weekend about aerodynamic socks and elbow pads from Nike that some athletes might be wearing.

SPJ
08-13-2008, 01:34 PM
but using a cuter kid to lipsynch the beautifully voiced one because the singer's teeth are a bit crooked is pretty friggin low.


Yes, Zhang Yi Mou is heavily criticized on the internet.

Zhang is from a farmer family. He should not pick a better look ---

--

but both are little heroin's of China.

one is presenting her smiling face/look.

the other is presenting her angelic voice or voice from heaven, tian lai.

--

Zhang said it is for the "image" of a country or interests--

--

actually, the look of the singer is not that bad at all.

however, the girl that lip sync, she used to play a role in TV show princess of pearl string or huan zhu ge ge with Zhao Wei.

Zhao Wei played in Shaolin soccer and "red cliff".

she was picked from many and many girl candidates.

--

agreed that it should not be a fake person singing.

--

:D;)

SPJ
08-13-2008, 01:45 PM
There is a girl that will dance for the silk road in the opening ceremony.

10 days before the opening, she fell and paralyzed from chest down.

so what we saw in the opening was a substitute.

Zhang Yi Mou visited her in the hospital.

She still smiled for the reporters.

--

She said she has no regrets. It is all for the benefit/interests of a country.

--

mucho respects.

--

GeneChing
08-13-2008, 04:37 PM
I can't resist posting this (http://www.theonion.com/content/node/83463) here. ;)

GeneChing
08-13-2008, 06:09 PM
Some pics on the site. For more on Wang Xiaolin, see Wang Xiaolin on the Future of Wushu By Gigi Oh with Gene Ching in our 2008 January/February issue. (http://ezine.kungfumagazine.com/magazine/article.php?article=738)

Press conference: Wushu Tournament Beijing 2008 (http://en.beijing2008.cn/live/pressconference/mpc/n214505175.shtml)
Updated:2008-08-05 13:55:55
Press conference: Wushu Tournament Beijing 2008
Related story: Wushu Tournament Beijing 2008 to begin August 21
Date/Time: 2:00 p.m., Tuesday, August 5
Venue: Main Press Conference (MPC)

Sun Weide

Ladies and gentlemen, good afternoon. Welcome to today's press conference. The topic for today is Wushu Tournament Beijing 2008. Our guests are: Wang Xiaolin, secretary general of International Wushu Federation (IWUF), president of Chinese Wushu Association, director General of Wushu Administrative Center of General Administration of Sport; Wang Yulong, chairman of Technical Committee of IWUF, vice president of Chinese Wushu Association; Chen Guorong, chairman of Technical Committee of Wushu Federation of Asia, vice president of Chinese Wushu Association; Jin Xiaobing, competition director of Wushu Tournament Beijing 2008; Li Yuqi, deputy director & general secretary of Olympic Sports Center Precinct; and Wu Zhaoyang, deputy venue manager(Media) of Olympic Sports Center Operational Team.

We welcome the team who will compete for Wushu Tournament to have a presentation.

Wang Xiaolin

Ladies and gentlemen, good afternoon. On behalf of the International Wushu Federation and Chinese Wushu Association, I would like to express my appreciation for coming here on the press conference despite your busy schedule. Now I will give you some briefing on the Wushu Tournament Beijing 2008. The Wushu Tournament Beijing 2008 has been approved by IOC and is going to be hosted by BOCOG and International Wushu Federation (IWUF). It is organized by Beijing Wushu Association. The official name is Wushu Tournament Beijing 2008.

The upcoming "Wushu Tournament Beijing 2008" will be held at the Olympic Sports Center Gymnasium from August 21 to 24. There will be 10 gold medals for taolu and 5 gold medals for sanshou.

The taolu events are: Men's Changquan, Nanquan & Nangun all-round, Taijiquan & Taijijian all-round, Daoshu & Gunshu all-round, Jianshu & Qiangshu all-round; Women's Changquan, Nanquan & Nandao all-round, Taijiquan & Taijijian all-round, Daoshu & Gunshu all-round, Jianshu & Qiangshu all-round. The sanshou events are: Men's 56kg, 70kg, and 85kg; Women's 52kg and 60kg.

There will be 128 men and women athletes from 43 countries and regions all over the world, as well as 55 officials. They are the top 6 place winners of taolu and top 8 place winners of sanshou of the 9th World Wushu Championships in 2007. Over 1,300 athletes from 89 countries and regions took part in the 9th World Wushu Championships. Among128 athletes, there are 20 wild cards holders. In order to allow more countries and regions to obtain gold medals and achieve good competition results, the IWUF made the decision that each country or region may enter at most 8 events for the total of 15 competition events.

The head of taolu event will be Madam Chen Huikun, the chief coach is Mr. Tang Lingtai.

I will be the head, and the deputy heads are Mr. Wang Yulong and Mr. Chen Guorong. Another deputy head is not here because of other arrangements.

Now I would take this opportunity to the name athletes of the delegations, Mr. Yuan Xiaochao, Zhao Qingjian, Wu Yanan; for women taolu athletes are: Ma Lingjuan, Lin Fan, and Cui Wenjuan.

Chinese athletes will participate in Men's Changquan, Men's Daoshu, Taijiquan all-round, Taijijian all-round, Women's Jianshu, Qiangshu all-round, Nanquan, Nandao all-round, and Taijiquan & Taijijian all-round, Men's and Women's sanshou 50 kilograms and 52 kilograms. The Chinese team can only participate in the above mentioned eight events.

The preparation work has been finished. All countries and athletes are preparing for the event. The athletes, coaches and referee as well as officials from International Wushu Federation are due to arrive in Beijing on August 18. The referees are all international referees selected by International Wushu Federation. The international foreign referees count for 70&#37; of the referees of the event.

Wushu Tournament Beijing 2008 is embodiment of eastern and western cultural, as well as the concept of "People's Olympics". We are convinced that with the support of BOCOG and International Wushu Federation as well as from media friends, this competition is going to be a complete success. Thank you very much.

Sun Weide

Thank you for the brief briefing. Now the floor is open.

Kyodo News

I would like to ask the athletes participating the tournament. Are they staying in the Olympic Village? If they don't, it is unprecedented. How would you assess it?

Wang Xiaolin

The athletes will not be here until August 18. Now it is only the 5th. There is about two weeks of time. As for the lodging for the athletes, we are still doing the arrangements. I don't have any confirmed news. In a short time we will have the information of their lodging.

China Youth Daily

You mentioned earlier that this tournament is an exchange of the Chinese and western culture. So do you suppose there will be other similar events?

Wang Xiaolin

I think everybody knows that Wushu has thousand of years of history in China. The core thought of Wushu is about harmony. Beside Wushu Tournament Beijing 2008, we also organized some excellent Wushu athletes who will perform for the athletes in the Olympic Village. Moreover, there will be performances of Wushu in other venues. I think competition is one thing. But through Wushu Tournament Beijing 2008, it will promote the exchange of western and Chinese culture further and this is a very good showcase. This is very important. I also believe that through Wushu Tournament Beijing 2008 and the entire related Wushu exhibit, I believe the foreign friends will further understand China. Thank you.

Yomiuri

I would like to have a follow up question. Do you think these athletes are going to be moving in the Olympic Village? What are their identities going in and out the Olympic venues?

Wang Xiaolin

During my briefing, I talked about it. Please note that this tournament will be hosted by BOCOG and IWUF and also hosted by Chinese Wushu Association. The athletes will not be reported until 2 weeks from now. So we don't even know the lounging arrangements. We are still negotiating with the related agencies. So in this regard, as being the president of Chinese Wushu Association, I don't even know where the athletes will be staying. We are still making arrangements. As for the identity of the athletes, since Wushu is not a formal competition or event of the Beijing Olympics, these athletes has been protected through the nice Wushu championship and by the IWUF, and the tournament will be hosted by Chinese Wushu Association, which actually send the invitation to the Wushu athletes. When they arrive in Beijing, we will give them special IDs in accordance to the Wushu rules. Thank you.

Beijing Daily

For Mr. Wang. Could you tell me the proportion of the all the Wushu athletes and then the 20 wild cards holders and could you please tell us some information about them and where they are from?

Wang Xiaolin

This is the first time I provide the numbers. I mentioned earlier that there will be 8 Chinese athletes, 6 for taolu and 2 for sanshou. There are 128 athletes in total aside from the 8 Chinese athletes. The specifics are as follows:

Athletes from Europe are 28. Athletes from America are 14. There 7 from Africa, 2 from Oceania, 77 from Asia. Among the 77, there are 8 Chinese.

As for the wild card holders, on March 8, we had a technical meeting of the IWUF and we talked about the rules and the principles of the wild cards. The wild cards are mainly given to the athletes who did not win the first 6 places of the 9th World Wushu Championships. The reason why we give these wild cards is for more athletes to participate. Each country can only used one wild card. So 20 wild cards are distributed to 20 countries and regions. This is decision by IWUF which has been praised by everybody. This can promote the development of Wushu in the world.

GeneChing
08-14-2008, 08:42 AM
I don't have cable or satellite or anything beyond rabbit ears, but at midnight, Telemundo and MBC (a Korean broadcast) provides much more well rounded coverage than NBC. I love HD broadcasts.


FENCING (http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/08/14/SPIF12A993.DTL&hw=gerek&sn=001&sc=1000)
Little Point In Feeling Bad
Janny Hu, Chronicle Staff Writer
Thursday, August 14, 2008

(08-14) 04:00 PDT Beijing -- Gerek Meinhardt wasn't exactly dejected after his Olympics came to an end Tuesday night. In the past week, San Francisco's fencing prodigy has marched in Opening Ceremonies, gotten his picture taken with his favorite NBA stars and even made fencing history.

Not bad for someone who turned 18 just two weeks ago.

"It's been a little confusing, actually," Meinhardt said of his whirlwind experience. "I had to find a good medium with having fun and focusing for the event at the same time because it's hard.

"You just walk around, and it's really exciting."

As the youngest U.S. male athlete in Beijing - and the youngest fencer in U.S. Olympic history - Meinhardt at least roamed without any real weight on his shoulders.

He arrived on the Olympic stage about four years earlier than expected and was the lone American competing in men's individual foil, a discipline the U.S. hasn't medaled in since 1960.

Meinhardt said his goal was simply to make it to the round of 16, and he did so in dominating fashion. Ranked 13th in the world, the teenager beat Egypt's Mostafa Nagaty 15-3 in the opening bout before falling to China's Zhu Jun 15-9 at the Fencing Hall of the National Convention Center.

According to coach Greg Massialas, Meinhardt was at least four years younger than any other competitor in the field. And in a sport where athletes typically peak in their 30s, Meinhardt is already looking forward to what's ahead.

"I have a lot more years than these guys left, so there's no pressure on me," Meinhardt said. "The next Olympics is one where I'll have a little more pressure, because hopefully, I'll be a bigger contender for a medal. Right here, I'm just out having fun."

Meinhardt, who trains under the three-time Olympian Massialas at Halberstadt Fencers' Club in the Mission, had more than a dozen friends and relatives rooting him on in Beijing.

Though they couldn't compete with the thousands of Chinese fans in the stands, they were vocal enough for Meinhardt to hear through his massive, beekeeper-like helmet.

Meinhardt, who became the youngest national champion in history as a 16-year-old in 2007, will attend Notre Dame on a fencing scholarship this fall. There, he'll have memories of the Beijing Games to share with his classmates.

"Just the atmosphere and everything," Meinhardt said. "Hopefully I'll qualify for the next (Olympics). I'll be older, closer to the age of these guys, and, hopefully, I can bring better stuff and be stronger."

As for the American women's sweep of saber, check out the Italians in the Women's Foil final. 3 in the top 4, with Valentina Vezzali winning her THIRD individual gold medal. She is unbelievable. Helene Meyer, move over; Vezzali is now the best that is and ever was.


Olympics-Fencing-Vezzali in trance and dance to win Italy's gold (http://www.reuters.com/article/olympicsNews/idUSPEK25210920080811)

By Gelu Sulugiuc BEIJING, Aug 11 (Reuters) - A sleepless night did not stop Valentina Vezzali from achieving laser-like focus and scoring twice in the last 41 seconds to come from behind and win a record third Olympic women's individual foil gold.

"There are moments when you are actually in a trance," the Italian said on Monday. "All you know is that you are there and you have your opponent."

Vezzali charged South Korean Nam Hyun-hee and tied the score at 5, then pounced again with four seconds left for the winning hit.

"It's as if the two of you are dancing," the 34-year-old world number one said. "I was completely isolated from the rest of the world. What came out was simply natural."

It was Vezzali's third consecutive individual Olympic gold, more than any other fencer. She also won silver in Atlanta in 1996, as well as two team foil gold medals.

"When you're afraid and start thinking about it, that's when you get hit," she said. "This was an extremely good match full of strong emotions."

Vezzali, who is an assistant police officer and a celebrity at home despite fencing's relatively low profile, said she felt under enormous pressure to win a third individual gold.

"I didn't sleep all night, I just lay there listening to my heart beating," she said.

According to one opponent, it did not show.

"Today she was really untouchable," said fellow Italian Margherita Granbassi, who lost to Vezzali in the semi-finals. Granbassi won the bronze at the expense of 1992 gold medallist and five-time Olympian Giovanna Trillini, another Italian.

Vezzali, who also has won five individual world championships, continued to dominate the event after giving birth to a son, Pietro, in 2005 and undergoing knee surgery in 2006.

She dedicated the victory to Pietro. Since she arrived in Beijing she has worn a T-shirt with his face on it under her fencing vest in training sessions.

"When I left he asked me for a medal," she said. "He is too young to understand gold, silver and bronze. But here is the medal and I'm proud of it. In life it's important to stand up to challenges and this is what I will teach my son."

In the grand KFM forum tradition of sword hotties (http://ezine.kungfumagazine.com/forum/showthread.php?t=41007), here's the real thing - Valentina Vezzali (http://www.federscherma.it/immagini/news/Valentina%20Vezzali%201D.jpg)

MightyB
08-14-2008, 01:02 PM
Mongolian wrestling makes its mark in Olympic Judo:

http://sports.yahoo.com/olympics/beijing/judo/news?slug=ap-jud-roundup&prov=ap&type=lgns

"BEIJING (AP)—Mongolia won its first-ever Olympic gold with a victory in judo and China collected its second on the mats after two Japanese contenders crashed with first-round losses Thursday.

Mongolia got its gold medal from Tuvshinbayar Naidan, who defeated Kazakhstan’s Askhat Zhitkeyev in the men’s 100-kilogram class.

"The first thing I thought of was my parents and my coach,” said Naidan, who bolsters his judo with elements of traditional Mongolian wrestling. Mongolia has won medals in wrestling, boxing, shooting and judo in previous games, but never a gold.

Naidan marked a big upset over Athens Olympic champion Keiji Suzuki of Japan in his opening bout. He scored a waza ari with just under two minutes remaining in the final, then added on two yuko to seal the victory."

lkfmdc
08-14-2008, 01:06 PM
Mongolia has won medals in wrestling, boxing, shooting and judo in previous games, but never a gold.



I love how a country's culture and history still provide inspiration in the modern age...

SPJ
08-15-2008, 06:24 AM
personally, I think the US women gym is the best team, even thou mistakes cost them the cold medal and they are settled for the silver.

--

even the best team or athletes may have a bad day

--

:cool:


http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/O/OLY_GYM_WOMENS_ALL_AROUND?SITE=JRC&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT

yes. as expected.

Nastia and Shawn secured gold and bronze.

If you are good, it will show.

--

:cool:

mkriii
08-15-2008, 06:43 AM
I was so happy for Nastia & Shawn. Shawn did what she had to do to win the Silver. She was amazing. Nastia was so happy she looked like she was going to cry. Congrats to both of them.

GeneChing
08-15-2008, 09:54 AM
My wife said it was cool though. :o

Catch that piece on the logo? Here's a little rebuttal (http://peace1314.blogspot.com/2008/07/beijing-2008-olympic-never-watch-never.html). ;)

Here's a nice piece by Arthur Rosenfeld. He's written for us in the past, most recently in our 2007 September/October issue (http://ezine.kungfumagazine.com/magazine/article.php?article=720) (see Chen Style Taijiquan) but he also did one of our earliest e-zine articles - The Fisherman. (http://ezine.kungfumagazine.com/ezine/article.php?article=209)


Ronda Rousey Makes American History (http://www.basilandspice.com/display/ShowJournal?moduleId=1070760&categoryId=260633)
Posted on Aug 14, 2008 by Registered CommenterEditor in Olympic, Athlete, Rosenfeld, Arthur, Ronda Rousey, Bronze, Judo, Wushu, Taekwondo, Martial Arts | CommentsPost a Comment
Arthur Rosenfeld is an authority on the spiritual dimensions of Eastern thinking for a Western world. A novelist, martial arts master and philosopher, Rosenfeld is a contributor to national magazines, including Vogue, Vanity Fair, and Parade, has been seen on Fox News and other networks, and heard on numerous national radio programs. He has written The Truth About Chronic Pain and several novels.

Arthur Rosenfeld--

Ronda Rousey has taken the bronze in the women's judo competition. She is the first U.S. woman to medal in the sport, since its inception in 1992. Rousey is the daughter of the 1984 World Champion AnnMaria DeBars (Burns). She is one of only ten Americans who has ever won a medal in an Olympic judo competition.

All over Asia, young men and women have competed to climb to the top of their martial sports and earn places on their national judo, taekwondo, wushu other Olympic teams. This year, all the more because the competition is in Beijing, more folks are noticing these arts, but in truth they've been quietly played for quite some time now, pursued by their devotees and followed by their fans, mostly but not only in Asian countries. The range and scale of the martial offerings in Beijing this year certainly seems to eclipse past games, and has me thinking about the difference between arts and sports, and what these august traditions, once the province of elite warriors and princes, have become.

Ronda Rousey
As an admirer, enthusiast, practitioner and teacher part of me feels like a kid in a candy store. The performances are exuberant, the talent magnificent, the level of play as high as it gets. The other part of me, though, mourns the passing over of the deep philosophies these arts used to represent when they were about the taking or preserving of life rather than sport, and when proficiency of practice, real mastery, required soul-searching and deprivation and obeisance to a code of conduct that has become rather more about video games and movies than anything real.

Are these marvelous sports? They are indeed, and to excel at them may well require more pure athletic talent and mental discipline than to do the same in any other physical practice. But the arts, that convergence of tradition and medicine and body mechanics and culture and history and philosophy and code--I fear those will be missing from the games, and the arts represented there, reduced to sport, may be a bit the poorer for it. Still, exposure brings new devotees, and there are still real masters out there in the world.

Here's hoping young athletes, excited by what they see in competition, come one day to find those masters and plumb the depths of these magnificent traditions.

GeneChing
08-18-2008, 10:59 AM
"The secret of the team's success?" said Shelly-Ann Fraser (http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/08/17/SPAD12CS4V.DTL), the newly crowned Olympic women's 100-meter champion. "Reggae power."

I haven't been this Olympic proud since the Lithuanian basketball bronze in Barcelona...;)


Sunday, August 17, 2008
Padilla: Medal hope for Team Philippines (http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/bag/2008/08/17/sports/padilla.medal.hope.for.team.philippines.html)
By Nars Padilla

AS TIME ticks away, the medal hope and aspiration for our country to win a medal or two of any color in the ongoing XXIX World Olympics in Beijing is being blown away by the four winds. Only taekwondo jins Marie Antonette Rivero and Thomslee Go remain on the RP saddle in our quest for the illusive Olympic medals. Boxer Harry Tanamor our top medal hunter was defeated by Cuban trained Manyo Plange of Ghana last Wednesday. It was a big blow for the RP Team which pinned so much confidence and hope on Tanamor. Even the Illustrated Sports magazine, the international boxing bible earlier predicted that Tanamor will settle for the silver medal in the final encounter in his class.

Visit the Beijing Olympics 2008 blog

Well, in sports, "the ball is always round! It either triumph or pain for the protagonist!" Better trained and more prepared athletes from other countries just left behind their shadows the Pinoys in shooting, archery, swimming, diving, weightlifting and boxing. Let's see what will happen in athletics (long jump) where Henry Dagmil and Merestella Torres are entered. Of course, all is not yet lost! Our tricksters and taekwondo jins might spell the difference.

As of press time, the Chinese dragons in the games are spewing fire practically in the 29 disciplines in the sports arena. They are out to prove to the world that China has come of age in sports development. And I agree! In just a short span of time, China, which has been dubbed as a sleeping giant for centuries, is now a world power to contain with, not only in sports but likewise in its progressive economy including its unprecedented infrastructure programs. The Beijing game is also showcasing the Peoples Republic of China (PROC) as the cradle of ancient Oriental culture and arts and more importantly a modern global community with advanced state of the art technology. This is China today as I see it.

As of yesterday, China is up the scoreboard with 23 gold medals, eight silvers and five bronzes, a total of 35. The United States powerhouse is far behind with 14-12-18 or a sum of 44. Consider that in the medal race to the top only the gold haul counts except when there is a tie then the silvers come to th3e scenario as a tiebreaker. Of the 14 U.S. gold medals, six come from the record-breaking individual and team performances of Michael Phelps in six swimming events. Two more gold medals are expected to crowd the victorious achievements of the 23-year old American mega-superstar who I would like to call the "Shark," Phelps is the most bemedalled athlete in the history of the Olympic Games. He has at the moment an enviable record collection of 15 gold medals and two more are on the way. What a guy!

Only heaven knows who can par off or break his records. And when.

Three of the best mixed martial arts warriors from our fair city spearheaded by UC wushu coach Mark Sangyao will display their prowess in the URCC (Universal Reality Combat Championship) 14-bout card billed at the New Ynares Center in Manila on August 29.

Sangyao, former bantamweight champion of the Philippines, will take on Lino Tagacay from the Philippine Army in the man event. At stake is the super fight URCC RP national crown. Tagacay was a former member of the RP national boxing training pool while Sangyao aside from being one of the best in the wushu ring in several Southeast Asian Games series in recent years boasts of a URCC credential, dotted with all wins and no loss scorecard.

According to Edward Folayang who will act as the coach for the Baguio team, Joel Amurao will defend his URCC RP national pinweight title against Ari "Tiger" Zarco of Manila, also a veteran prizefighter.

Amurao is the "Pinoy URCC" edition topman in the division. The third man in the cast is George Lusadan who will match skills against Saring Illar a Manilanian, also in the pinweight division. Sangyao who is the only international Pilipino referee-coach in wushu expressed optimism that Team Baguio will bring home added pride and glory after the tournament.

"We trained very hard for the fight. We are ready to rumble," Sangyao said.

Incidentally, Amurao is a graduating office administration student at UC while Lusadan is a political science graduate from the same institution. At this point in time, Sportscope would like to wish the boys good luck! I am confident the trio will shine and glitter on centerstage.

The 2008 Baguio-Benguet Educational Athletic League (BBEAL) will showcase its grand opening day pageantry and games at the University of the Cordilleras (UC) gym on August 23. BBEAL known in the Cordillera as the most colorful sportsfest in the collegiate arena is hosted by the University of the Philippines Baguio (UPB) headed by Chancellor Dr. Priscilla Macansantos with Dr. Epifania Claur, UPB athletic director as the BBEAL Commissioner. The opening rites scheduled at 9 a.m. will be graced by key City Government officials led by Congressman Mauricio Domogan, guest of honor and speaker and school heads within the BBEAL family.

Cheer and dance demonstration by a select core of participants from several universities in the city and Benguet will add flourish and flavor to the morning program. A series of basketball and volleyball games will kick off the sports offering immediately after the program. Chancellor Macansantos said UPB is honored to host this year's BBEAL especially so that the University of the Philippines is observing its centennial anniversary celebration this year.

Shaolinlueb
08-18-2008, 09:59 PM
china's training their atheletes for 8 hours a day since they are young is finally paying off. they have 39 gold medals this year. WOW. but i kinda :rolleyes: at their methods and say about time, they got enough people.

monkeyfoot
08-19-2008, 05:41 AM
I never got a chance to watch this ceremony in full. Is there anywhere that you know of where I can rewatch it.

I've been looking for ages and cant find anything more than highlights!

Craig

SPJ
08-19-2008, 07:04 AM
there is a dvd for sale.

maybe check out at bookstores in Chinatown.

:)

xcakid
08-19-2008, 09:35 AM
bit torrent

GeneChing
08-19-2008, 10:29 AM
All this late night watching is killing me. And this is our deadline crunch period.

Still haven't seen any TKD, but hoping the Lopez family will garner some attention of NBC...

Family passion has kids living Olympic dream (http://www.insidebayarea.com/olympics/ci_10240122)
Wire services
Article Last Updated: 08/19/2008 01:36:07 AM PDT

BEIJING — Julio Lopez came to the U.S. from Nicaragua in 1972 with a passion for martial-arts movies and a dream to give his children opportunities he never had.

On Sunday mornings, the four Lopez kids would join dad in the family room of their Sugar Land, Texas, home to watch episodes of "Kung Fu Theater" and movies featuring martial-arts legends Bruce Lee and Chuck Norris.

A father's passion was passed on, yet Julio says even he never could have envisioned those lazy mornings would lead to all his children being in Beijing as members of the U.S. Olympic taekwondo team; Steven, Mark and Diana as gold-medal contenders and oldest son Jean as coach. It's the first time in 104 years that three siblings have competed for the U.S. at the same Games.

"I didn't have the time (for martial arts) when I was young, but my passion all the time, I keep it," said Julio, sitting with his wife, Ondina, during an interview at a Beijing nightclub. "I think I realized my dreams with them. It feels like it's happening to someone else. We pinch ourselves to see if it's true."

For Ondina, the visit to China marks the first time she's been outside the U.S. or South America.

"She said, 'If all three of you make the Olympics, then I'll go,' " said Steven, 29, who won gold medals in 2000 and 2004. "I'm not sure if in the back of her mind it was too far-fetched of an idea that she thought she wouldn't have to go, or if it was a motivational factor for us to all make it. Either way, she kept her end of the bargain."

Mark, in the 75-kilogram class, and Diana, at 57 kilograms, will be in action Thursday, while Steven competes the following day in the 84-kilogram division.

That the Lopez kids got into taekwondo at all was a bit of luck, says Jean, who won a silver medal at the 1995 world championships before turning to coaching.

Around the corner from the family home was a school that advertised karate on its sign, but taught taekwondo, a Korean form of martial arts that emphasizes powerful kicking techniques. Julio wanted Jean to join, to learn a sport he loved and never had a chance to practice. He also saw it as an opportunity to instill in his son discipline, focus and a respect for self and others.

After Jean started, the other Lopez kids followed and success came quickly. While they played other sports, the individual aspect of taekwondo appealed to the family's competitive and combative nature.

Shaolinlueb
08-19-2008, 12:11 PM
how about not watching it at all? free tibet! wooooooO!!!! pwnzerz`!!Sliajljwef,snvhervlknl!!!!

SPJ
08-19-2008, 07:19 PM
I was very tired from work.

I kind of sleepy.

But watched the whole thing on NBC.

I like the drum beating in the beginning. It started with showing our reverance to the heaven/nature/god.

I also like the printing blocks. I read that, they are PLA soldiers under them, they have to pee in their pants for practicing the whole thing with no pee pee breaks.


--

2008 people practicing Tai Chi was

--

other than these, I kind of yawning.

:D

SPJ
08-19-2008, 07:23 PM
Yes, China is garnering most of the gold medals.

but with a great price.

I am kind of against herding kids and training them. growing up with no parents and relatives.

kind of cruel, come to think of it.

--

:D;)

Shaolinlueb
08-19-2008, 07:30 PM
the gymnastics judging is awful and the chinese are exploiting it. no way nastia lost those uneven bars.

GeneChing
08-20-2008, 09:43 AM
I missed Henry's finals match. I'm going to have to search that one out on the web. I haven't seen any free style wrestling at all yet. :(


Chinatown gets a lift from Beijing Olympics (http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/08/20/MNC612DSGN.DTL)
Meredith May, Chronicle Staff Writer
Wednesday, August 20, 2008

"China Moves Past the Americans with 39 Olympic Gold Medals," the headline screamed.

It was undeniable. There it was, in big, red, block characters, under the portraits of women's trampoline gold medalist Wenna He and men's table tennis champions Lin Ma, Hao Wang and Liqin Wang.

"China has been trying to (host the Olympics) for years," said Lin as she fetched another stack of newspapers from behind the counter. "This is more than great!"

By midafternoon Tuesday, the Chinese gold medal count had surged to 43 - and China was just three shy of the United States in total medals.

While the Chinese athletes are winning the competitions they have traditionally dominated - such as diving, table tennis and gymnastics - they also are pulling some shockers. China won gold in the women's rowing pair, women's freestyle 72-kilogram wrestling and men's individual sabre in fencing.

Such performances have Chinatown puffing with pride, from shopkeepers to bar patrons to older men who gather for card games in Portsmouth Square. Not only has China put on one of the most breathtaking opening ceremonies of any Olympiad, it has organized the event with immaculate efficiency and proved its athletic prowess.

San Francisco, which has 744,041 residents, has a large Chinese and Chinese American population - 152,042 total, according to 2006 U.S. census data.

At Li Po ****tails on Grant Avenue, crowds have formed after work each day since the games began, customers lining up several rows deep to cheer the Americans and the Chinese on the big screen, said the bartender, who declined to give her name.

"You'd be surprised how many tourists come in here and still think Chinese wear long dresses and pull their cows down the sides of the road," she said. "This is giving China a chance to show everybody how advanced it is."

Lane Louie, who moved to San Francisco 40 years ago from Guangzhou, said he roots for both countries. His customers at Louie Brothers Book Store on Washington Street linger a little longer than usual to talk about the Olympics, he said.

"People are chuckling at the medal count, that although the Chinese have the most gold medals of any country, NBC always puts the Americans on top because they add the total medals," he said.

With 1.3 billion people, China should be able to train and groom the best athletes just based on pure numbers, he said.

But Louie isn't sure China will be able to stay on the gold pedestal much longer as the games go into their final four days.

"Maybe when track and field is over, the Americans will edge back on top," he said.

If Daniel Lo, who sells purses and candy behind the counter at Sweet Mart across the street from Portsmouth Square, seems a little sleepier than usual, it's because he is.

Every night, he tunes to the Olympics and can't leave the couch until 2 or 3 a.m.

He was elated when his favorite athlete, synchronized diving competitor Jingjing Guo, defended her gold title. And he was crushed when China's only track superstar, Liu Xiang, limped out of the 110-meter dash.

And like just about everyone, he adored swimming phenom Michael Phelps of the United States.

"Everyone is learning a little more about China by watching these games," said Lo, who played volleyball and ran the 400-meter relay as a college student in Hong Kong.

Maybe the Chinese are learning a bit about themselves, too, he said.

"They are experiencing clean air," he said, referring to the Chinese government's efforts to clean Beijing's notoriously dirty air before the Olympics by shutting down nearby factories and ordering half the cars off the road.

"Maybe that's helping them win. Hopefully they will have more respect for the environment when this is all over," he said.

The Beijing Olympics: Are They A Trap? (http://www.theonion.com/content/video/the_beijing_olympics_are_they_a?utm_source=EMTF_On ion)

Special Olympics Update - Controversies (http://www.thedailyshow.com/video/index.jhtml?videoId=179222&title=special-olympics-update)

Shaolinlueb
08-20-2008, 10:23 AM
at the special olympics the first 14 rows are handicap parking :D

1bad65
08-20-2008, 11:20 AM
the gymnastics judging is awful and the chinese are exploiting it. no way nastia lost those uneven bars.

And most of the female Chinese gymnasts are underage anyway. The judged events in these Olympics are a disgrace. They could have just saved everyone time and money and just gave the Chinese 90&#37; of those Gold Medals and not even bothered holding the events.

SPJ
08-20-2008, 12:59 PM
Yes.

Liukin is the best with Shawn closely behind.

medals or no medals.

favorism from judges or not.

everybody knows that it is the time for their glories.

:)