First of all, one should say “congratulations” to Beijing as host of the Olympic Summer Games next year. This is a fantastic event and almost the whole globe will through a glance at China. Development and preparation of the venues are expected to be without any delay. Despite enormous costs, the construction and architecture of the Beijing National Stadium is a remarkable venture. Also public transport, e.g. the subway system and the international airport, is undergoing vast expansion. Regarding the above mentioned efforts one should really be looking forward to Beijing 2008. Moreover, China has the chance to present itself as a modern and self-confident country.
However, the Beijing Organizing Committee (BOCOG) has to deal with several issues such as pollution, protests, boycotts or broadcasting difficulties. Environmentally problems mostly concern the air quality and its effects on the athletes’ health. Beijing is considered as one of the world’s dirtiest cities and almost every day it disappears in a brownish haze. Although the BOCOG has initiated that dirty cars are no longer allowed to drive in the city and environmentally hazardous plants have been moved, citizens still complain about sore throats and allergic reactions. One should really worry about the pollution and whether this could be changed in the 316 days left.
Besides environment, politics is a severe issue. In China, the freedom of the press and human rights are still considered as an enormous concern by “Reporters Without Borders”. Amnesty International has reported that people were still sentenced to death for non-violent crimes such as drug offences or tax fraud in recent years. Additionally, there were many other violations of human rights like torture, repression of religious groups or violence against women. During the present Women’s World Cup in soccer reporters have confirmed that they have been spied on by governmental groups. All in all, it could be assumed that the frightened Olympic Spirit will turn away from the opening ceremony on August 8, 2008.
In conclusion, one can say that not even Beijing but China as a whole has to deal with a huge project. As named above, the Olympic Games are meant to be a tremendous construction work. This does not only affect the preparation of venues but even more ecological and political concerns. Primarily, human rights have to undergo a proceeding improvement during the next year and following decades. Hopefully, the Chinese Authorities are capable to handle this challenge.
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