What’s the connection? None actually. But at The Place (Dongdaqiao Lu) the Coke people set up a special Olympic center to receive the normal crowd. Seems it was very popular as the performances were always solid sold out in advance.

The Danes had another great idea, the renamed The Den: “The Den Mark”. It is officially their meeting place but anybody is welcome. The pub is well known – as a sports bar but also as a pick-up night spot. But right now, the “extra activities” have been shut down by the police. If you want to have the “extra” fun you’ll have to wait the Games are over. Can’t have it all.

I first went to the Belgian embassy where we were able to watch the Belgium – Nigeria football match, thanks to BARCO. Renaat Morel was there to pump up our spirits with Belgian beer.
No luck, Belgium was beaten to pulp by Nigeria, 4 to 1. I even did not watch the sorry end, went home, changed into a Brazilian T-shirt and headed for the match Brazil – Argentina in Gongti.
The crowd was huge, security checks rather smooth, buying a drink was easier. But the instant replay was still broken and the Chinese LED screen sucks.
The crowd (over 50,000) was divided between Brazil and Argentina. Chinese fans enough but not exactly with a Brazilian passion. At least, you feel safe.

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Going to my CCTV9 interview I made these shots of the oh so cute VW cars (the New Beatle) and the dressing up of some buildings.


Call it the Olympic spirit. And the sky was, yes, BLUE.

China is in shock with the sudden withdrawal of Liu Xiang, one of the greatest idols. Sad really but our Chinese friends should show understanding, he has been under tremendous pressure. He remains a great athlete and we all wish him a speedy recovery.
Till now the Games are going rather well, the attention being focused on what it is supposed to be: a sports event. Many records are shattered and the performance of Michael Phelps and the whole incredible team of our Jamaican friends are just marvelous.
I am now hooked myself on watching the Games late at night on TV. The coverage is a bit poor at times with the narrow focus on the great great great Chinese. Too little attention for the more modest athletes and countries. Also reflected in the way China counts the ranking: gold medals count, the rest never mind. The USA rather counts the total medals (in their favor) and I think this is fair for the athletes. In China a silver or bronze medal is sometimes regarded as a “loss of face”.

We Belgians are now crossing fingers for the football. Our poor country is not doing so well overall. No medals yet. OK, we are small but I see smaller countries getting medals. What is wrong with us? Where are our cyclists? Are we so crappy?
As for the expectations that China will be more open because of the Olympics, I am not impressed at all. The Internet even today remains censored. Still no way to directly reach Marianne’s blog (see her blog link under my favorites).
The press here remains very muted and nothing “not nice” can be reported. Sad but not a surprise for me.
But things filter out. Like the real bad behavior of the Chinese football team against Belgium – Chinese bloggers called it “The Chinese team just won two red medals” – one being for Tan Wangsong kicking a Belgian player with his foot into his “private parts”. So, as bloggers said, they are confounding martial arts and football.
And the story about the famous dancer hurt during rehearsal for the Opening Ceremony – she is now paralyzed. The media were asked not to report it but eventually the news came out. Press freedom? You must be joking.
OK, we could be worse off. The world is afraid of the “military threat of China”. Better watch the Russians coz those guys really scare the hell out of me.
And the nightlife here, though limited in part is still roaring. Foreigners seem to have a good time.
All under a gorgeous blue sky, no pollution, not steamy hot anymore.
Just as I told you long time ago.