Tickets for the 2008 Summer Olympics in China have sold out for all the events being held in Beijing. The only tickets left are for some of the football (soccer to us Americans) matches being played outside of Beijing.
So, if you were planning on going to the Olympics this year I hope you already bought your tickets. The tickets sold out a month earlier than expected, which is pretty amazing considering all the controversy surrounding this years Olympic games.
Just in time for the 2008 Summer Olympics, Amnesty International UK has released a video which depicts the torture of Olympic cartoon characters. I was given the following press release about the new campaign. My only only comment is that parents should watch the video for themselves before letting your kids watch it.
Here is the press release:
CHINA OLYMPICS: CARTOON CHARACTER TORTURED IN NEW AMNESTY FILM MARKING 100-DAY COUNTDOWN
With 100 days to go until the Beijing Olympics, Amnesty International today (30 April) launched the first in a series of four hard-hitting animated films highlighting human rights abuses linked to the Chinese authorities hosting of the Games, in particular the risks of peacefully protesting in China.
The first 40-second film, called Torchure, shows a cute, animated character being brutally beaten with an electro-shock baton by Chinese security forces for protesting about human rights. The baton is then handed to another character, who uses it to light the Olympic flame at Beijing’s Olympic stadium.
Amnesty is campaigning for Ye Guozhu, imprisoned and reportedly tortured with electro-shock batons after he protested at forced evictions in Beijing. Ye Guozhu’s home and family restaurant had been bulldozed to make way for Olympics construction.
The organisation hopes the online films will encourage people in the UK and around the world – including in China – to find out what is really happening behind the grandeur of China’s new Olympic venues, and to join Amnesty’s campaign at www.amnesty.org.uk/china for much needed human rights reforms in the country. The new website enables people to send campaigning letters and emails, share content or even to start their own blog. Amnesty is also releasing a new booklet accompanying the film, showing ‘the two faces of the Beijing Olympics’.
Amnesty International UK Campaigns Director Tim Hancock said:
“Amnesty is not against the Games but we want people to know what else is happening in China – including the silencing of critics and peaceful protesters – and to join our campaign for urgent human rights reforms.
“People who speak out about human rights in China are being persecuted and locked up ahead of the Olympics. Torture is commonplace. Right now we’re demanding the release of Ye Guozhu, who was arrested and tortured just for protesting when his home was bulldozed to make way for Olympics venues.
“The Chinese authorities promised when bidding for the Olympics that hosting the Games would improve human rights. Rather than honour these promises, the government has cracked down on dissent more rigorously than before.”
Yasmeen Ismail of Sweetworld TV, the animator behind the films, is half Chinese and spent many summer school holidays in Hong Kong. During these family trips she became influenced by ‘Hello Kitty’ and other ‘kawaii’ characters. She said:
“With animation you can create a lot of emotion. The characters in the Amnesty China campaign are quite innocent and cuddly. When something horrific happens the impact is greater because you have built up a bond with them.
“These characters just want to have a good time and express themselves freely. They are like children playing a game and the ‘policeman’ comes over and spoils it all.
“Working on this project with Amnesty has really opened my eyes to China’s situation. I feel angry, fired up and helpless all at the same time. I feel sad for the Chinese people and disturbed by their government.”
See the first film and join Amnesty’s campaign at www.amnesty.org.uk/china
The Beijing Forbidden palace housed 24 of China’s emperors prior to the end of imperial rule in 1911. It has been undergoing major restoration efforts that are on schedule to be completed by 2020. State media has reported that many of the key areas will be ready for tourists just in time for the 2008 Summer Olympics opening ceremonies.
Pretty cool news for those of you who are heading out to see the Olympics live this year.
March 10th was the deadline for submitting a song to be used as the theme song for the 2008 Biejing Summer Olympics. Over 50,000 songs have been submitted. They are looking for 25 songs for the main Summer Olympic Games, and 10 songs for the Paralympics games.
“Chris Babida” was already named as the theme song for the the 2008 Summer Olympics torch relay, and “I am a Star” by Emil Chau was named as the song to be played for the Olympic volunteers. One song in particular has been getting A LOT of attention, Giorgio Moroder and Kong Xiangdong’s “Forever Friends”. Moroder has already written two Olympic theme song, this would be his third to make it in the Olympics.
Here is a nice rendition of the song by CoCo Lee:
British Prime Minister Gordon Brown announced that he will be skipping the opening ceremony for the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing China. Although, he did say that he will attend the closing ceremonies.
Other major world leaders are considering skipping the games. German Chancellor Angela Merkel has already announced that he is not going to attend the opening ceremonies.
The next step is for countries to start announcing they will boycott the Olympics. I hope that doesn’t happen, but I can certainly understand why countries would boycott the 2008 olympics.
Do you wonder what route the Olympic Torch is taking in 2008?
Well, I just found out that you can track it’s path and find out exactly where it is today, by visiting the Google Maps Olympic Torch relay page.
From the map you can see where the torch is, where it was and where it is going.
Pretty Cool, huh?
I just came across this hilarious news article.
Here are my two favorite quotes from the article:
Chinese President Hu Jintao issued a statement stating that the People’s Republic of China will not send a team to Beijing to participate in the Olympics. Jintao cited China’s poor record on human rights and the environment as primary reasons.
United States President George W. Bush remarked, “Cool! More medals for Americans!”
So funny! Click here to read the rest of the spoof article on China’s boycott of the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics.
The United States State Department released an Olympic “fact sheet” that discussed some of the dangers of the Beijing Olympics. One of the most interesting warnings was about Chinese government surveillance. The department’s Bureau of Consular Affairs said:
“All hotel rooms and offices are considered to be subject to on-site or remote technical monitoring at all times.. Hotel rooms, residences and offices may be accessed at any time without the occupant’s consent or knowledge.”
You can read more about the warning here.
I guess Big Brother is even more prevalent in China than in the US, or is it?
If you are looking for the 2008 Summer Olympics Schedule I just created a page with that has a list of all the events scheduled.
You can click here to see the current schedule for the 2008 Olympic Games.
I just created a new page on this website called, “2008 Summer Olympics Facts“.
I plan on keeping it up to date with fun facts about the upcoming 2008 Summer Olympics.
Officially known as the National Aquatics Center, the Watercube is a truly beautiful building. We posted a video about the construction of the Watercube and several other venues back in April. The completed product was revealed Monday. Below is a video about the unveiling.
Shawn Johnson won’t be an official member of the U.S. Gymnastics Olympic Team until the Olympic trials in June. But as the reigning world champion, it’s hard to imagine she won’t make the team. I recently read a nice profile on Shawn that I though I’d share with you all.
