Can of Fire

This is the "specially designed" lantern to carry the flame to the top of Mt. Everest.

"THE date for the ascent of the Olympic flame to Qomolangma, or Mount Everest, is still up in the air as the weather over the world's highest peak remains unfavorable.
....

The torch relay, ahead of the Games to open in Beijing on August 8, will include a flame ascent to Mt Qomolangma on the border of Nepal and China's Tibet.

It is separate from the one on the global run, which has reached Hong Kong.

Chinese weather authorities installed state-of-the-art observatories on Qomolangma this year in a bid to pinpoint the perfect ascent time." -Shanghai Daily.com




I just thing this is a really strange notion; I don't get it. They carry the fire to the top of Mt. Everest.....and then come back down.....and then what....? Why? WHAT DOES IT MEAN?

On the Logo

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hhADzoIvPEY

this is a video of the Kuala Lumpur relay, it's not incredibly exciting, but if you just watch the first 5 seconds they do a take on the logo, and I thought I should post it since we've been talking about it. I don't really know why it says parody though. I didn't see anything funny in it. Maybe I'm missing something? It does seem like it's supposed to be a pro-Tibet video, but at the same time presents the relay in a very unbiased way. Weird. Anyway, I just posted because they start off with a logo animation.

Kuala Lumpur Torch Relay Leg

http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2008/04/21/news/Olympic-Torch.php

From an international news source about the Kulala Lumpur leg of the torch relay. There were some protests interestingly enough from Japanese people who were attacked by Chinese supporters, but no one was seriously injured. There was also the odd single protester that was detained here or there, but for the most part it seems like the Malaysian part of the tour went rather smoothly. Most of the pictures I've found show lots of Chinese supporters waving flags and wearing red.

http://www.reuters.com/article/topNews/idUSSP11894820080421?feedType=RSS&feedName=topNews&pageNumber=3&virtualBrandChannel=0

This article talks about the preparation for the Kuala Lumpur portion and how the security was beefed up in anticipation, but there were less incidents than were expected. In this short article, the Embassy for the PRC recaps the torch relay in Malaysia with, of course, no mention of any of the protest incidents.

http://www.china-embassy.org/eng/xw/t427527.htm

I also read an article that i can't find now about how there were Falungong protesters outside the Chinese embassy before the torch relay which was sort of randomly thrown in the article since most articles have been about protesters for Tibet. From what I've read and seen from news reports, there were a few incidents but nothing like what occurred in France and there was an incredible turnout of Chinese supporters for the Kuala Lumpur portion of the relay. The Embassy also made an effort to bring more people from China to show support in Malaysia.

Torch relay at St.Petersburg

According to the main Olympics website, Chinese ambassador to Russia Liu Guchang said that the Olympic torch relay in St.Petersburg played a key role in promoting bilateral relations between China and Russia.

Why was this city confirmed as the third stop of the torch relay route outside the mainland of China?

The Chinese ambassador pointed out three reasons: 

1. The city of Moscow in Russia is the site where China successfully won the bid to play host to the Olympic Games on July 13, 2001, and Russia provided great support to China's success in winning the bid

2. Russia's Sochi will host the 2014 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, and 

3. Both countries have the same goal of hosting successful Olympics; and last but definitely not least, both countries are passionate about the coming of the Olympics.

'Come to terms' Talks

Richard McGregor in Beijing. "Controversy hurts foreign relations. " FT.com 26 Apr. 2008:all, Global. ProQuest. New School Digital Library. 29 Apr. 2008
There is considerable violent history concerning the issue of Tibet. Tibet has been under the control of the PRC since the 1950's. I quickly researched its background on Wiki and "according to the Save Tibet website, the Tibetan people are denied most rights guaranteed in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights including the rights to self-determination, freedom of speech, assembly, movement, expression, and travel. The Tibet Justice.org claims that according to UN Development Programme data, Tibet is ranked the lowest among China’s 31 provinces, and is ranked 153 out of the 160 countries on the Human Development Index." In 1959, there were large protests by the Tibetans in the city of Lhasa in attempts to dislodge themselves from Chinese rule, thousands of Tibetans were killed, protests have continued since, most recently in March of this past year, again in Lhasa. Beijing blames the Dalai Lama for instigating the riots. The Dalai Lama has made several requests to resume talks with the Chinese government and in light of recent protests over the Olympics, talks will take place. The Dalai Lama has stated on several occasions that he wishes to only allow for the preservation of the Tibetan culture. As stated on Wiki: "The Dalai Lama said in an interview with the South China Morning Post "We are willing to be part of the People's Republic of China, to have it govern and guarantee to preserve our Tibetan culture, spirituality and our environment." According to the article I found from the Financial Times in London, "It is hoped that through contact and consultation, the Dalai side will take credible moves to stop activities aimed at splitting China, plotting and inciting violence and disrupting and sabotaging the Beijing Olympic games so as to create conditions for talks."

http://www.beijingolympicsfan.com/category/fashion/

I think that this is genius,  and fact that it is a ode to china by Gucci, which really invokes historical china and china in today. 

Beijing Mascots

I found a cartoon 'episode' featuring the Beijing mascots, I've never seen this sort of promotion before in previous Olympics.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=KMY7njZKmdk&feature=related
Maybe we can talk about this in class, I'm interested to know if this is a pre- or post- series to promote the mascots.

Sickeningly Cute

Beijing Mascots in action:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=97KBJ9Xs1F0

NIKE Beijing 1984 Line

http://www.lefigaro.fr/actualites/flamme-olympique.php

" border="0">la flame tend les relations la coree et  la chine- 

The Olympic Games as an opportunity to sell sneakers world wide.

I found an article from the Wall Street Journal entitled"Sportswear With Designs on China; Nike and Adidas Go Local, Betting Pride Over Games Will Sell More-Asian Styles" (http://online.wsj.com/public/article/SB120595163750449205.html?mod=blog)
The article is basically about the weak attempts of sportwear conglomerates to eastern-up their products in order to ride the nationalism wave that’s about to come in this August with the Beijing Olympics. So of course everything is red and yellow, features Chinese characters, is covered in ancient swirling "lucky cloud" patterns dragons, fans, and nothing is original or uniquely designed. Nike has even played up the 1980's style to commemorate the 1984 Olympics where China was permitted to participate under Communist rule. And of course, Nike reported higher profits because people can’t resist a branded version of their culture. This is a quote from the Wall Street Journal concerning the role of huge companies in visualizing China, I just thought the last line of the quote was particularly interesting:
"The companies "will do whatever they can to tell the story, 'we were the partner in China's greatest sporting moment,'" says Terry Rhoads, managing director of Zou Marketing, a Shanghai-based sports-marketing firm. "It's a huge battle."
-Lured by this prospect, "Nike and Adidas are pulling out all the stops trying to localize their products," he says." "

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2003-08/03/content_1008011.htm

beijinweg uanveils 2008 Olympic game logo

http://www.rsf.org/rubrique.php3?id_rubrique=174

"reporters without borders, for press freedom". It sad that the last snippets of news regarding the olympics just focuses on the impending violence and political input and has little regard for the design aspect or for the actual games themselves. It is all counter productive though it definitely keep China in the limelight, though in a somewhat disillusioned and negative light. 

Tibetan activists condemn beijing olympics- 13 mar 08

china daily

www.chinadaily.com

http://youtube.com/watch?v=nK4AMz3flMo

Canberra

Youtube video concerning security spending for the torch relay in Canberra: http://youtube.com/watch?v=jpfzRYV44WA

New York Times Article:
"Minor Protests as Olympic Relay Reaches Australia" http://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/24/world/asia/24relay.html?_r=1&scp=2&sq=canberra+2008&st=nyt&oref=slogin

I did a little bit of visual research, I apologize that it was searching world broadcasts on Youtube, but either way... the torch passed through the Australian capital of Canberra on April 24th. As far as the protests go, and as a comparison to Paris, London, and San Francisco... it was rather uneventful. Australia, according to a French news broadcast I found, spent a total of two million dollars in security for the event. The Australians did not allow for the ‘blue track suited Chinese security officers near the torch". Instead they depended entirely on their own Australian police force. According to the Times article I’ve posted, the number of Chinese supporters seemed to outnumber the supporters for a "free Tibet" despite the sky-writers attempts to voice his/her opinion. There were minor activist attempts to disrupt the event; minor scuffles, Tibetan supporters lighting a Chinese flag on fire, and a quickly moved 'sit down protest' in front of the runner.

Evictions in Beijing

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MBb1h5GhuTA&feature=user
I found this clip on Youtube, it is a news broadcast from ABC News addressing the construction that is taking place in preparation for the Olympic games in Beijing. I am always skeptical about how the news portrays certain stories; issues tend to be softened or hardened depending on the view of the broadcasters. While the story is only heard through the voice of the oppressed (we do not have the benefit of hearing the governments perspective), it is still pretty horrifying. According to the Center on Housing Rights and Evictions 13,000 individuals have been removed from their homes each month with an estimated 1.5 million individuals by the time the games begin in August 2008. The only quote from Beijing officials claims that only 6,000 individuals have been moved from their homes... only. I find it really disturbing that the fanfare around a huge commercial event can over shadow the most basic of human rights.

australia torch relay

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080424/ap_on_re_au_an/olympic_torch

just a bit about the relay

SAN FRANCISCO PROTESTS THE TORCH!

http://youtube.com/watch?v=WH2H4xSagSw
http://gridskipper.com/378310/san-francisco-torch-run-more-suspenseful-than-lost-and-law--order-combined
http://cbs5.com/local/tibetan.protest.torch.2.695077.html

The Olympics which is several weeks away is already creating an uproar in the United States. The torch relay which started on March 24 is on its way to San Francisco the only North American destination. Apparently the locals are going up and arms about the relay and is protesting against the 2008 Olympics. As you look through the crowds you can see the banners stating “FREE TIBET” there are even bridge workers deploying large scale banners stating that Tibet must be free. Local news cbs5 states “a crowd of hundreds chanted "Free Tibet now'' and "Chinese government out of Tibet,'' while many gripped signs reading "We Will Rise Up Until Tibet Is Free'' and "China Stop The Killings in Tibet.'' Apparently China is illegally occupying Tibet in which they are exercising their power on the small Buddhist country. Many feel that this event (the Olympics) could rally the whole world to force China to return the sovereign state back to its people. So far it is working according to cbs5 the Olympic committee will be meeting to discuss whether to suspend the remaining international stretch of the Beijing Olympic torch relay because of widespread protests

Protests halt Paris torch relay early - Yahoo! News

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080407/ap_on_re_eu/olympic_torch

You may see the whole Olympic torch relay route at the following website:

http://torchrelay.beijing2008.cn/en/


Jilly