A lot you won’t read in the local media as they have strict guidelines about what they can write (the “21-point regulation on taboo topics for Olympic coverage”). So, all is perfect in Beijing, all are happy with the Opening ceremony, blablabla, the usual propaganda. Anything deemed negative or “bad” for the image gets promptly removed.
Like this as reported by the SCMP (see in the comment the China Daily version about Lin Miaoke!):
“The picture-perfect young singer who enchanted viewers during the Beijing Olympics’ opening ceremony on Friday was lip-synching a song performed by another girl who had been dropped from appearing because she was adjudged not attractive enough.
Chen Qigang, chief musical director of the extravaganza, disclosed in several interviews with state media that the little girl in the red dress, Lin Miaoke, lip-synched Ode to the Motherland and the voice belonged to another girl, Yang Peiyi.”
Or, the hoopla around foreigners who could stay in “Chinese families”. Remember what I wrote about that? Well, figures released at an internal Beijing Tourism Bureau meeting last week show that of the 600 or so host families selected in late June, only two have had bookings – one by a European couple and the other by a TV reporter. (source: SCMP)
Or, the fact that apparently most of the massive fireworks shown on TV and “life” screens were actually computer-generated. Oops. Reported the SCMP: “Wang Wei , spokesman for the Games organisers, also confirmed that the 29 giant footprint fireworks seen in the live broadcast of the opening ceremony were computer-generated. The fireworks were fired on the night, but viewers at home or watching the giant screens in the “Bird’s Nest” were seeing computer graphics – only the last footprint was captured live.”
According to the local bureaucrats, there are many empty seats in the venues “because of the rain, because of last minute change of ideas”, whatever. Nonsense. I know so many foreigners enthusiastic about China who failed to get a visa, failed to find any ticket. Sorry guys, Beijing does NOT welcome you. But now, while CCTV very well avoids to show the empty seats, foreign media report about the whole sections either empty or quickly filled by volunteers. While foreigners and others fume about it and scalpers run around in full view of the police. Prices are often ten times the face value. Sad really, Beijing is missing a big opportunity to please China lovers. TOP sponsors seem not to be amused either as reported in the media already:
12 August 2008 – Empty seats present problem for BOCOG
Source: sportbusiness.com
Organisers of the Beijing Olympics have admitted that they are using volunteers to fill empty seats at competition venues, UK newspaper the Guardian reports.
Despite claims from the Beijing Organising Committee (BOCOG) that all 6.8 million tickets for the Games had been sold, the failure of ticket holders to attend events has meant seats have been available at most venues. There have also been a large numbers of yellow-shirted “cheerleaders” present at some events – recruited to create an atmosphere and to prevent the embarrassing spectacle of empty seats appearing on television.
Vice-president of BOCOG, Wang Wei, said that they had been recruited by venue managers to fill seats. “We are concerned about the fact we do not have full stadia,” he said. “We think it is due to the weather, the humidity and then the rain, and on the first couple of days there were not many spectators who showed up.
“There are also reserved seats for the Olympic family that have not been taken up, the preliminary rounds are sometimes not attended, and people at other events have tickets for the whole day and do not attend the every event.”
The situation is thought to have angered some IOC sponsors whose exhibition pavilions have been deserted.
What did you expect when people abroad were refused visas and tickets?

Today, grey skies in Beijing but a lot fresher and a clear sky after yesterday’s downpour.
I saw the football match Belgium – China, 2 – 0 for Belgium. Let’s cross fingers our small country finally wins any medal. We are easily happy. Even bronze is cool.
Also saw the basketball game China – USA, the Chinese team had little chance against the giant US players but Yao Ming and his team did not bad at all under the circumstances. President Bush also watched the game at the Wukesong Stadium.
And no folks. I don’t have any tickets for any competition till now and what I watch is on TV. Yes, a bit sad with the chaotic ticket sales. I don’t feel like buying from the scalpers.
Here the best pics I could make on the evening of the Opening Ceremony, see earlier entry about that long night.
Pics were shot from two locations:
– “Olympic Business District” – run by BOCOG, on Beichen Dong Lu
– Pangu Plaza – on Beichen Xi Lu
You will see on the pics the two shooting locations used for the life program of RTBF, some nice views of the Bird’s Nest and Watercube. Pictured also is Philippe Rogge.

Let’s say I am proud to have been part of the government team to work on those two venues – the National Stadium and the National Aquatics Center. They are gorgeous and Beijing can be proud, they are great landmarks for a metropolis and I don’t agree with the critics that Beijing “wasted money”.

It’s unlikely you will read the real reaction from the Chinese public. There is strong criticism from the Chinese public but their reactions are promptly removed from websites, generating further protests. So, expect nothing but praise in the local media. All are happy and positive.
For some Chinese it was great indeed and most foreigners I met were overly positive. A bit like it was for the Athens closing ceremony: foreigners happy, Chinese not at all (for the Chinese performance).
Now why was the weather so bad? We were expecting rain in the afternoon to clean and cool the air. They fired something like thousand rockets before the clouds reached Beijing, bringing heavy rain in other areas. During the ceremony at one point the staff were preparing raincoats for the people as they feared a coming downpour – that never reached the Bird’s Nest.
I guess you’ll never read about that either. And there are more interesting stories…

It was a looooong day for me, starting before 4pm in the hotel of RTBF. The adventure of joining the Belgian TV was in part a disappointment, planning was poor and we nearly failed to starting shooting at the location near the Bird’s Nest. The diva François De Brigode cannot handle any pressure and thinks he is the super star needing everybody’s attention but once on the air pops up a seducing smile. Except for some brief sights of the impressive panorama of the Bird’s Nest and Watercube I missed the Opening Ceremony, ending up spending a miserable night until 3am, mostly in a shabby office without windows, no decent seating. But it was nice to meet Philippe Rogge (chef de mission, Belgian Olympic Team) who was the ultimate example of patience. I had to listen to CRI 91.5 on my mobile to know what was going on.
As for the Ceremony, opinions greatly differ. Some found it fantastic and impressive. Some found it disappointing and blame Zhang Yimou for a bad job – I agree at least in part. All this flying around, come on, we’ve seen that dozens of time, the first time it was Whaw!, but after a couple of times… Many of the acts were nothing special for those of us who are used to this type of performance. Often boring and with some hilarious hick-ups that will quickly disappear from the repeats on TV after some editing. Like the little girl yawning and poking her nose. In all I found the opening ceremony of the International Athletics in Chaoyang, a few years ago, even better. And they were all flying around in the air too. China can do great shows, so the real Chinese public is extra demanding.
The weather was just horrible. Pollution at levels close to 100, poor visibility. Officially over 600 people suffered a heath stroke in the sauna stadium. Chaos all around in the area as the normal people tried to have a glimpse of the fireworks but were kept very far and left disappointed.
It will be interesting to read more in the Chinese media. Of course not the official ones, neither for once the SCMP that paints a sugar-coated picture. Talk to some Chinese officials I know and they were mostly disappointed.
Not to mention the extreme case of ambush marketing in the history of the Olympics. Li Ning flying around to light the cauldron. Adidas must be fuming. What a bad idea, what genius came up with that? Li Ning is a great person but it was like Mr. Nike snubbing Adidas. (“Li Ning” is also a company, competing directly with Adidas and Nike).
Pics will follow in due time. Haven’t slept much and have to run out.

Friday morning 11am in Beijing, the sky is gray, the World Trade Center Tower 3 is nowhere to be seen. On my balcony it’s sticky, over 30C. But little or no dust. Unlucky Beijing really, pollution levels (API) have been going up and were yesterday around 100. We all hope there will be some rain in the afternoon to cool down the city, wash away the fog.
Yesterday I went to the opening of the Holland Heineken House, a very select crowd so it was not packed and it was great to have a tour of the facilities before they become off limits for people like me. They did a great job really. Hein Verbruggen was there, well hidden from the public. I did not feel I should talk with him as he would probably tell me (again) the air was fine in Beijing. As for the BOIC, nothing much from that corner. Never mind the Belgian team and all those people flocking around. They only contacted in the past to get something solved and then disappeared. Well, to their credit they just offered us tickets for some of the Games and I will be one of the lucky ones. Sunday evening I will join the Aussies. Sunday lunch I will join the French community with all the big shots in town from French countries. I guess Belgium will not be there.
I also had my first ride on Metro Line 10. Great, very modern and pleasant.
In the evening I watched Shanghai TV, a more than 2 hour program on the history of the Olympics, as seen by China. I was the only foreigner interviewed… The producer promised the DVD, hopefully I’ll get it. This follows the 15 min. footage about me last Monday on CCTV2 (will be shown again on Sunday, on CCTV4). Included me running on the treadmill in California Fitness and the usual interviews. They also called me a “party animal”. How they have this impression I don’t know. Maybe because I went to Tango, Suzie Wong, 1949 1/5, China Doll, The Den(mark) and others recently? Well, looks like the nightlife here is still going strong, at least in some discos and bars. Clubbing goes on. No panic.
Today will be a long day (and night). I will join the crew of RTBF (Belgian French TV) as from 4pm till 1am, we will be in two locations next to the Bird’s Nest and Watercube, in TV studios. Life interviews are planned (for the news over there in Belgium) and I should be on air except I fall asleep, I get drunk (unlikely), I did not get a drink to wake up (likely), we are stopped by the dozens of security screenings, or any other Act of God.
So, I might not see much of the Opening Ceremony except the fireworks. As I saw most of it already anyway, no big worry. Anyway it will be shown over and over again.
Wish Beijing luck, as well as all of us here. Sorry for not posting some of the nice pics I have… too busy… Later…