Yesterday, due to airline-related issues, I arrived at the Qingdao Olympic Sailing Center just in time for … the sunset. Problems aside, it’s a gorgeous facility that – I’m told – will be opened up to the people of Qingdao after the games. I’ll have the chance to view today’s competition and medal ceremonies, and…
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Pride doesn’t equal confidence.
[File Under: What You Missed During the Olympics] Whatever else it may have buoyed, these Olympics have done nothing for China’s ailing stocks markets. On Monday, while most of China was busy being shocked by Liu Xiang’s dramatic pull-back, the nation’s investors were selling, as the Shanghai Composite drop another 5.89% to a nineteen month…
Shake Your Hips.
I think that I’ve blogged quite enough about Shanghai’s Olympic soccer matches, so – barring something really interesting happening at tomorrow’s men’s semi – this will be the last. And we’re going out with a bang. Here’s the background: Last year, Germany blanked the far more entertaining Brazilians, 2-0, in the Women’s World Cup final.…
Empty Olympic seats? I’ll show you empty seats.
Recently, lots of blogging and reporting about the empty seats at events up in Beijing. Well, down here in Shanghai we like to do things bigger – or, more empty, if you will. Case in point: A photo taken three minutes into this evening’s women’s soccer semi-final between Brazil and Germany. Just to be clear:…
Maradona in Shanghai Stadium? Jia you!
For foreign visitors not intimately familiar with the modern history of Chinese soccer fandom, the unabashed enthusiasm (not to mention face paint, hats, jerseys, and flags) that the local fans have shown for Argentina’s national team during the last week of Olympic group play at Shanghai Stadium has been nothing short of surreal. Argentina, by…
All Bets Are Off
Regular readers of this blog know that earlier this week I spent a couple of days in Hong Kong at the Olympic equestrian events. The Atlantic has just posted my dispatch from that trip, “All Bets Are Off,” along with a few photos. And for those of you feeling Olympic fatigue, but still in need…
Why it matters if a gymnast is 14.
For what it’s worth, I have a feeling that the simmering controversey over whether or not the Chinese “women’s” gymnastics team has underage members is going to build into something much bigger, and possibly devolve into something ugly. The “why” was provided by Zhong Hongliang, a spokesman for the gymnastics team, who had this to…
Chinese Security Begets Shanghai Hospitality.
Last month, in advance of the Olympics, the Chinese civil aviation authorities implemented many of the same (sometimes silly) post-9/11 airport security restrictions that have plagued US travelers for nearly six years. Among these is a ban on cigarette lighters enforced at the security check. US fliers will be familiar with the routine: arrive at…
Hot Dogs and Marching Bands: Images from HK’s Olympics
As promised, some additional photos and commentary from Hong Kong’s Olympic equestrian venue in Shatin. Overall, it’s a lovely venue, and the events – based upon one night’s sample – are extremely well-run and organized. I haven’t yet been up to Beijing, but compared to the soccer matches at Shanghai Stadium, the Hong Kong equestrian…
Equestrian Goes Late
It’s 2:20 AM as I write this in Hong Kong, and I’m just back to my hotel. Equestrian went until 12:30 AM, not including the medal ceremonies and victory laps. I’ll have much, much more to say about the venue, the facility, the superior food concessions, the free gifts for spectators, and the impressive logistics.…