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By JFK Miller
Just 200 days away from the Olympics brings this piece of unbridled jingoism from China’s premier news source:
“BEIJING, Jan. 21 (Xinhua) -- Just 200 days away, the Beijing Olympics is poised to be the most memorable Games in history.”
Now that’s not what you call “managing expectations.” Most memorable? Don’t you think it’d be safer to downplay expectations just a teeny-weeny bit? What if the Olympics turn out to really not that memorable, or, heaven forbid, colossally forgettable?
We noticed this headline further down the Xinhua homepage:
“Beijing trying best to ensure safe Olympic Games.”
Now that’s more like it. “Trying best” leaves a little leeway in case things screw up. If the Germans had only said they were “trying best” at Munich…
Then this:
“China has waited almost 100 years for the Olympic Games and sees the Aug. 8-24 sports spectacle as an opportunity to showcase itself to the world.”
One hundred years is an awfully long time. Too long, in fact, for the rest of the world, which has been waiting, er, approximately four years. Since the last Olympics, basically. One hundred years is longer than the wait for Godfather III. Or Indiana Jones IV. Speaking of which, we imagine the trailer to Steven Spielberg’s opening ceremony would go something like this:
FADE IN to John Williams’ rousing pastoral score over the roar of an ecstatic crowd…
Voice over:
“In a world gone (sports) mad…”
“One man…”
“One mission...”
“One race…”
“Ramblin’ Entertainment presents…”
“A Steven Spielberg Olympics…”
“Directed by Steven Spielberg (and Zhang Yimou)…”
“Produced by Steven Spielberg (and Zhang Yimou)…”
Cue Silence. FADE TO BLACK.
FADE IN to a lonely, solitary running shoe...
Voice over:
“An Olympics one hundred years in the making…”
FADE IN…
“Beijing 2008.”
FADE OUT…
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With their glorious, pulsing black-and-white crowds, the Adidas ads remind me of another German Olympics.
For best effect, watch the ads on Youtube with the Ride of the Valkyries blaring in the background.
I am shocked that China would make such a claim. Of course when you think about it, which Olympics hasn't claimed it would be the best ever? It seems to me you'd be an idiot not to claim that beforehand. We have a word for it. Its called marketing. Anyway, the modern Olympics have become an orgasm of exceptionalism and self promotion for the participating athletes and the host nations, and the trans-national corporations that sponsor them. Next thing you'll tell me is that at this Olympics amateurs will be paid!! Post some reasonable criticisms of the games rather than this petty sniping. This is just hater blather. Plus the comparisons to Hitler's games are getting rather tiresome. If you really equate pre-war Deutschland and present day China what are doing here economically enabling them? As for the Addidas ads I would wager there were lots of western cooks in that creative kitchen. Are they Nazis too? I realize this is 'just a funny blog post' but can't we have a bit more substantiative content? Vapid, cynical musings like this come across better over a couple of Budweisers with your world weary mates at the expat bar.
I think you're the one who's been drinking. The "Hitler games" (as you so ably put it) took place in Berlin in '36. Munich was '72. You should know, they made a movie about it and everything :)
Read the first comment. I was referring to that. That's what the "as for" alludes to. As for getting history from films, I remember the Munich Olympics because I watched them live on TV. Ever heard of Curt Gowdy? (Caution US reference...) The hostage taking and subsequent botched 'escape/rescue' was bloodcurdling and real. I doubt a movie could ever really match it. If you'd care to address my criticism of the ideas in your post rather than my delivery I'd be interested in hearing it. Also I didn't actually accuse you of drinking, but then you're subtle enough to have tumbled to that, eh?
>Which Olympics hasn't claimed it would be the best ever?
I don't know of a single one. Where's your evidence?
>Next thing you'll tell me is that at this Olympics amateurs will be paid!
No, I won't be saying any such thing.
>Post some reasonable criticisms of the games rather than this petty sniping.
Why?
>Hitler games.
Be honest and own up to your error. You were clearly referring to Berlin in '36 ("Hitler's games," "pre-war Deutschland," "Nazis").
>Also I didn't actually accuse you of drinking.
Accuse away. I love drinking.
Comment # 1 by ShangHighRoller;
"With their glorious, pulsing black-and-white crowds, the Adidas ads remind me of another German Olympics."
It seems obvious to me that he is referring to the Berlin Olympics of 1936, i.e. the 'Hitler' Olympics. Perhaps a bit heavy handed reaction on my part but serial overuse of the Nazi comparison gets my goat, whether its used to describe China or, say, Bush or Ahmadenijad (sic). Sorry to disappoint.
Your position is made very clear by your answer to;
"Post some reasonable criticisms of the games rather than this petty sniping.
Why?"
Why indeed.