Summer Olympics News » Opening Ceremony

China dubbed little girl’s voice at Beijing Opening Ceremony

Jill Manty — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 15:43:23 +0000

Remember the cute little girl in the red dress who sang “Ode to the Motherland” at the Opening Ceremony? Well, she didn’t really sing the song. Apparently, the little girl whose voice was used, Yang Peiyi, wasn’t cute enough. It was deemed bad for China’s image to show a little girl with crooked teeth.

Now, I realize this type of thing is done all the time in performances. Audrey Hepburn’s voice was dubbed for “My Fair Lady”, for example. But something about passing over a child for crooked teeth just seems, well, wrong.

You can read more about the situation and see pictures of both girls here. Personally, I think they’re both cute as can be.

Opening Ceremony Footprints Computer Generated

Jill Manty — Sun, 10 Aug 2008 18:52:09 +0000

Media sources revealed today that the stunning footprint fireworks seen in the televised Opening Ceremony were inserted into the tape utilizing computer graphics. There were actual fireworks, but the organizers of the ceremony weren’t sure they could safely be captured on film by a helicopter camera. It took a year to create the effect so that it would be undetectable to the viewing audience. So, what do you think? Does it make it any less spectacular because it was a computer graphic?

Did you watch the opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympics?

Jill Manty — Sun, 10 Aug 2008 13:26:48 +0000

A lot of you did. And, even more interesting, more of you recorded it to watch later than didn’t watch at all. With American Idol-like stats, I suppose it’s not surprising that so many of you answered that you would be watching.

Will you be watching the opening ceremony tonight?
Yes: 76% (93)
No: 11% (14)
Not tonight, but I’m recording it.: 12% (15)
Total Votes : 122

Replay of NBC Olympic Opening Ceremony Broadcast

Jill Manty — Sun, 10 Aug 2008 03:04:44 +0000

You can view a recording of the Opening Ceremony by visiting NBCOlympics.com. The video did not work for me in Internet Explorer. I had to open it in Firefox. You might have to look around a little bit to find it.

One thing that is not on there in full is the really cool and slightly intimidating drumming at the beginning of the ceremony. For that, try this link.

Beijing Olympics Opening Ceremony Pre-show Just Started

Jill Manty — Sat, 09 Aug 2008 00:01:18 +0000

It seems that NBC will be in usual form. Even the pre-show was full of inspiring instrumentals and serious voiceovers. But at the same time some of it does manage to pull at the heartstrings (maybe I’m just overly sentimental).

I’m off for the evening, but I’ll be back with results and my take on the opening ceremony tomorrow night. Please leave your thoughts on the opening ceremony below, including any questions that may arise.

In the meantime, in case you won’t be watching, for some reason, below I’m posting fireworks from the opening ceremony and the lighting of the torch.

Preview of Beijing Olympics Opening Ceremonies

Jill Manty — Fri, 08 Aug 2008 13:35:35 +0000

If you just can’t wait for tonight, a few You Tube videos are already showing footage. So, if you want a sneak peek, watch the videos below.

Lopez Lomong to serve as flag bearer for U.S. team at Beijing Opening Ceremony

Jill Manty — Wed, 06 Aug 2008 19:03:51 +0000

Yesterday, I wrote a post about ten U.S. athletes to watch. One of those I mentioned was the Sudanese “lost boy” Lopez Lomong. Now the whole world will be watching Lopez, as he has been chosen by his fellow teammates to carry the U.S. flag at the Opening Ceremonies this Friday in Beijing. I’m very excited by this choice and can’t wait to see him lead in the U.S. team.

Here’s an interview with Lopez from the track and field Olympic Trials:

Six Days Until Beijing Summer Olympics

Jill Manty — Sun, 03 Aug 2008 17:42:41 +0000

There are only six days until the Opening Ceremonies for the Beijing Summer Olympics. Beijing officials are gearing up for the Opening Ceremonies with rehearsals that have been shrouded in secrecy. They can’t hide the fireworks, though.

Bush Will Attend Beijing Opening Ceremonies

Jill Manty — Sun, 06 Jul 2008 17:38:13 +0000

George Bush has chosen to attend the Opening Ceremonies of the Beijing Olympics despite calls from human rights activists for him to join other foreign leaders in a boycott of the Beijing Olympics Opening Ceremony. Is attending the right decision? It’s a really complex issue. My gut reaction is that he shouldn’t go. But then I’ve talked to people much more in the know on Chinese issues, and they agree that it wouldn’t make a positive difference and might, in fact, lessen future opportunities to make a difference. What do you think? Are the Summer Olympic Games the proper venue for world leaders to make a point to China about human rights?

2008 Summer Olympics Theme Song

George Manty — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 01:52:58 +0000

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 Will Skip Open Ceremonies Of 2008 Summer Olympics

George Manty — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 03:19:36 +0000

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.