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Beijing is in the final preparations for the Olympic Games. (Image: China News Service)
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In the homestretch: A month before the Olympics
"We believe you did not deserve it. We believe in the ability of the local government to call upon all human resources to deal with it” Hein Verbruggen referring to algae outbreak in Qingdao, on CRI Nordic
"It is actions now, not words, that count. The organizers need to deliver the services expected by the various stakeholders." Giselle Davies, IOC spokesperson on the Washington Post
With the Olympics barely a month away, all eyes are understandably turned to China. Officials say that all the venues are complete and China is living up to the commitments it made when it was awarded the bid. Are there still major concerns that need to be resolved?
Perhaps the major concern for Olympic organizers now is the unexpected appearance of green algae off the coast of Qingdao. The city is hosting the sailing competitions for the Olympics. An official with the International Olympic Committee said that China has done everything it can to correct the situation, a CRI Nordic report says. Local officials, according to the Guardian, have said that the site will be algae-free before the end of the week.
Another issue concerning media coverage of the Games appears to have been settled, the Sports Illustrated writes. The IOC, the Beijing Organizing Committee and media representatives have ironed out an agreement regarding free movement of satellite trucks, access to venues and frequency allocation, among others.
In any international event of magnitude and especially one of such scale as the Olympics, security remains a top concern. China.org writes that the military is prepared to ensure a safe Olympic Games come August.
Whether it is through opening their homes to provide accommodation to providing translation services around-the-clock for visitors, the Chinese people seem eager to show the world that they can make the 2008 Beijing Olympics a success.
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| China | Europe | North-America | From elsewhere |
|---|---|---|---|
| Algae Outbreak in Olympics Sailing Venue "Unavoidable Natural Disaster" CRI Nordic - 9th July 2008 The algae outbreak off the coast of this Olympic co-host city was "unavoidable," Hein Verbruggen, International Olympics Committee coordination commission chairman, has said. At one-month mark, China making final Games preparations Xinhua - 9th July 2008 With just 30 days until the Olympics opens, officials gathered here on Wednesday to review preparations for the event, with security and stadium management as priorities. Last month countdown – We are ready! China Daily - 8th July 2008 With only 31 days left before the opening ceremonies of the 2008 Beijing Olympics, China is ready to welcome the largest ever number of visitors during the 16-day Games. Multi-lingual service ready for Olympics People's Daily - 7th July 2008 Language will not be a issue during the Beijing Olympics. Interpreters will be prepared to offer services in 44 languages by telephone around the clock for nearly two months. Military in position to ensure safe Olympics China.org.cn - 11th July 2008 A security official with the upcoming Beijing Olympics said in Beijing on Thursday that troops from the People's Liberation Army (PLA) were in position to ensure the safety of the Games. |
Beijing moves to stop vice industry staining Games AFP - 10th July 2008 The crackdown has closed up many of the most notorious bars and other prostitution centres. Is China's approach to the Olympics too strict? BBC - 8th July 2008 With just one month to go before the start of the Beijing Olympic Games, China says it is ready. Chinese homes open their doors to Olympic tourists Reuters - 8th July 2008 For many of the tourists expected to descend on Beijing for next month's Olympics, an authentic Chinese home may be where the heart is. Olympic sailing venue algae-free by July 10, says official Guardian - 7th July 2008 Thousands of Chinese troops and volunteers should clear unsightly algae from competition areas at the Qingdao Olympic sailing venue by Thursday, an official said. A un mois des JO, la Chine se veut rassurante France-Info.com - 8th July 2008 Les autorités chinoises l’affirment : les installations sont prêtes, la pollution sous contrôle et la sécurité assurée... Kina viser jernnæven op til OL Berlingske Tidende - 7th July 2008 Beijing har indledt en kampagne, der skal »værne om social harmoni og stabilitet« op til OL i august. Luften i Beijing er møgbeskidt JP - 8th July 2008 Forureningen i den kinesiske hovedstad og OL-by overstiger WHOs grænser med flere hundrede procent, viser ny undersøgelse. |
Beijing scrambles to clear the air CBC, Canada - 8th July 2008 Two surface-to-air missiles sit pointed towards the sky near the Bird's Nest in Beijing, ready to shoot down airborne attacks. The sky above them is grey and heavy with smog. IOC, television reach accord on coverage Sports Illustrated - 9th July 2008 Chinese organizers, under pressure from global broadcasters and the IOC, apparently have lifted some restrictions on TV crews for the Beijing Olympics. China's Pre-Olympics Media Clampdown Business Week - 7th July 2008 Human Rights Watch reports Beijing wants favorable coverage from media outlets in exchange for credentials to cover the Summer Games China Scrambles on Construction, Pollution to Meet Olympic Deadlines Wall Street Journal - 8th July 2008 Just one month before the Aug. 8 opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympics at the city's new National Stadium, numerous hurdles remain for organizers. Among the biggest: Worries about persistent pollution cloud the horizon, prompting the closing of scores of factories. |
Beijing opens Olympic media centres Bangkok Post - 7th July 2008 Organizers of the 2008 Olympics on Tuesday opened three media centres for the games, promising to allow live broadcasts from anywhere in the city and full access to the internet. China bids to make 2008 Games a triumph WWOS, Australia - 9th July 2008 Will Beijing's Olympics, already the most politicised in a quarter of a century, turn out to be a public relations disaster or triumph? |
