It is reported that China will complete Asia's longest roller coaster by the beginning of October 2004, in readiness for the Beijing 2008 Olympics.
The roller coaster has a track over 800 metres long, and is based the Shijingshan Amusement Park.
I understand that it cost around $6M, and is up to 33 metres high, that's one hell of a ride!
Saturday, September 11, 2004
Friday, September 10, 2004
Bird's Nest
I understand that work on the $0.6M "bird's nest", the new Olympic TV tower in Beijing, has been halted.
It seems that cuts in funding for the Games have caused designers to reconsider their plans.
The official explanation is, that fears of traffic congestion are the main reasons for the delay in construction.
It seems that cuts in funding for the Games have caused designers to reconsider their plans.
The official explanation is, that fears of traffic congestion are the main reasons for the delay in construction.
Thursday, September 09, 2004
Political Tosh
In the dying embers of the 2004 Olympics we see a fine example of political tosh.
It seems that the Iranian government has been greatly pleased by the fact that the Iranian judo champion, Arash Miresmaeili, did not fight an Israeli opponent in the first round of the under 66kg judo competition of the Olympics.
Much like the ostrich with its head in the sand, the Iranians do not recognise Israel. Therefore, by definition, how could they fight a representative from a country that doesn't exist?
All clear?
This, show of "principle", allegedly cost the Iranian a gold medal. To reward him for his "principled" stand, the Iranian government has awarded him $125K; the ceremony was shown on Iranian TV.
However, there is one small problem with this show of "principle"; it seems that Miresmaeili was over the 66kg limit, and would not have been able to fight anyway.
Sometimes the lies and posturing of countries and politicians just make me feel like retching.
It seems that the Iranian government has been greatly pleased by the fact that the Iranian judo champion, Arash Miresmaeili, did not fight an Israeli opponent in the first round of the under 66kg judo competition of the Olympics.
Much like the ostrich with its head in the sand, the Iranians do not recognise Israel. Therefore, by definition, how could they fight a representative from a country that doesn't exist?
All clear?
This, show of "principle", allegedly cost the Iranian a gold medal. To reward him for his "principled" stand, the Iranian government has awarded him $125K; the ceremony was shown on Iranian TV.
However, there is one small problem with this show of "principle"; it seems that Miresmaeili was over the 66kg limit, and would not have been able to fight anyway.
Sometimes the lies and posturing of countries and politicians just make me feel like retching.
Wednesday, September 08, 2004
Frugal Games
It seems that talk of the 2008 Olympics in Beijing being the most expensive and elaborate ever, may be premature.
It is reported that Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao, has called for there to be budget cuts. He is calling the 2008 Games "the Frugal Games".
Olympic construction projects will be reduced from 10 to 5, and others will be reduced in size.
The Beijing city government now says it will reduce new construction projects by half, from 10 to five, and scale back the size of others.
Among the cuts are plans to build a hotel, offices and shopping mall at the Wukesong centre.
Building plans are reportedly being postponed from 2004 to 2005.
It is reported that Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao, has called for there to be budget cuts. He is calling the 2008 Games "the Frugal Games".
Olympic construction projects will be reduced from 10 to 5, and others will be reduced in size.
The Beijing city government now says it will reduce new construction projects by half, from 10 to five, and scale back the size of others.
Among the cuts are plans to build a hotel, offices and shopping mall at the Wukesong centre.
Building plans are reportedly being postponed from 2004 to 2005.
Tuesday, September 07, 2004
Hands in The Till
It is some four years until the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing. However, there are already accusations of impropriety regarding money.
It is reported that some of the money allocated for Olympic construction, may be being "nicked" by certain nefarious individuals.
I understand that the Chinese State Auditing Commission, which is highly respected for its professionalism and integrity, is about to investigate the matter.
The story seems to be the good old "officials on junkets" one; namely, officials and other individuals find reasons to tour cities that have held the Olympics in the past in order to "learn".
Needless to say, they don't use their own money, but that which has been allocated to pay for the construction.
It seems that the accusations go back to 2000, when certain individuals from Beijing went to Sydney on a "learning exercise". Athens, also hosted a very large group of Chinese officials during the 2004 Olympics.
The excuse, "how can we learn, if we do not see?", runs a little thin; when individuals from provincial towns, with no connection to the forthcoming Games in Beijing, take a "jolly". An additional problem, it seems, with these trips is that some of the provincial visitors cannot speak English; hence severely limiting "their learning experience".
Needless to say it is the poor old Chinese tax payer who has to fund these "jollies".
It is reported that some of the money allocated for Olympic construction, may be being "nicked" by certain nefarious individuals.
I understand that the Chinese State Auditing Commission, which is highly respected for its professionalism and integrity, is about to investigate the matter.
The story seems to be the good old "officials on junkets" one; namely, officials and other individuals find reasons to tour cities that have held the Olympics in the past in order to "learn".
Needless to say, they don't use their own money, but that which has been allocated to pay for the construction.
It seems that the accusations go back to 2000, when certain individuals from Beijing went to Sydney on a "learning exercise". Athens, also hosted a very large group of Chinese officials during the 2004 Olympics.
The excuse, "how can we learn, if we do not see?", runs a little thin; when individuals from provincial towns, with no connection to the forthcoming Games in Beijing, take a "jolly". An additional problem, it seems, with these trips is that some of the provincial visitors cannot speak English; hence severely limiting "their learning experience".
Needless to say it is the poor old Chinese tax payer who has to fund these "jollies".
Monday, September 06, 2004
Filthy Lucre
Those of you who thought that the $12BN expenditure by Greece, on the 2004 Olympic Games, was a "tad excessive" should take a deep breath.
It seems that China intends to spend a stonking $35BN, on the 2008 Games being hosted in Beijing, now that's what I call serious money!
The Chinese, it seems, intend to do "the full monty" and build; roads, subways and another airport.
The costs of the Games rise each time for a number of reasons:
That being said, there are some rewards to be had; if the host country doesn't "cock it up". I understand, for example, that Athens earned $1.5Bn from the sale of the TV rights; together with another $1.2Bn from those health conscience companies Coke and McDonald's.
The motto of the Games is in fact:
"Mo Money!, Mo Money!, Mo Money!"
It seems that China intends to spend a stonking $35BN, on the 2008 Games being hosted in Beijing, now that's what I call serious money!
The Chinese, it seems, intend to do "the full monty" and build; roads, subways and another airport.
The costs of the Games rise each time for a number of reasons:
- The host country's ego in trying to outdo the previous Games
- An increase in the number of events considered to be Olympic sports. I understand that the ancient, and noble, "sport" of darts is being considered for inclusion
- Increased security costs
- The costs of bribing, oops sorry, "bidding" for the Games
That being said, there are some rewards to be had; if the host country doesn't "cock it up". I understand, for example, that Athens earned $1.5Bn from the sale of the TV rights; together with another $1.2Bn from those health conscience companies Coke and McDonald's.
The motto of the Games is in fact:
"Mo Money!, Mo Money!, Mo Money!"
Sunday, September 05, 2004
A Small Statistic
Mr Yuan Weiming, director of the State Sports General Administration (SSGA) of China, has done some sums.
He has worked out, and I have no idea how, that for each gold medal won at Athens; China spent around $40M to $100M investing in the training etc.
Wouldn't it have been easier, and cheaper, just to mine the gold instead?
He has worked out, and I have no idea how, that for each gold medal won at Athens; China spent around $40M to $100M investing in the training etc.
Wouldn't it have been easier, and cheaper, just to mine the gold instead?
Environmental Aspects of 2004 Panned
Worldwide environmental groups have panned the Athens Olympics 2004, for being environmentally worse than Sydney's Games in 2000.
Greenpeace noted, without deliberate irony, that it was surprised at the lack of solar energy used in the Athens Games; given the amount of sunshine Greece enjoys.
The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) noted that, efforts must now be made to undo the environmental damage done by the Games.
Needless to say the International Olympic Committee (IOC), don't seem to be too bothered; their prime concern is the money made from sponsorship deals.
Greenpeace noted, without deliberate irony, that it was surprised at the lack of solar energy used in the Athens Games; given the amount of sunshine Greece enjoys.
The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) noted that, efforts must now be made to undo the environmental damage done by the Games.
Needless to say the International Olympic Committee (IOC), don't seem to be too bothered; their prime concern is the money made from sponsorship deals.
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