A recent poll of New Yorkers, showed that they overwhelmingly support the city's efforts to host the 2012 Olympics. However, the majority oppose building the $1.7BN stadium necessary to lure the Summer Games.
The poll, conducted by Quinnipiac University, asked if they supported the construction of a new stadium; 56% of New Yorkers said no.
In Manhattan, where the stadium would rise above the Hudson River, 64% opposed the construction while 27% supported it.
When asked about hosting the Summer Games, 63% said yes and just 30% said no.
The results are of course illogical, without the stadium New York does not get to host the Games.
It seems to be a case of having your cake, and eating it.
Friday, March 04, 2005
Thursday, March 03, 2005
Japan To Terminate Aid
It is reported that Japan plans to terminate its main aid to China by 2008, when Beijing is to host the Olympic Games.
This is in light of China's growing economic and military power.
Tokyo will gradually reduce the amount of low-interest yen loans, which account for some 90 percent of Japanese aid to China; pahsing them out completely by the 2008 Olympics.
Since 1980, Japan's yen loans to China have exceeded $29BN for projects including; the building of highways, airports, sewage systems and other infrastructure.
Japan has now concluded that Beijing will no longer need the cheap loans, they will divert resources to Africa.
Grants and technical assistance accounted for some 10 percent of Japan's total aid to China in the year to March 2004.
Calls for ending Japanese aid to China have increased, as their rleations become more strained.
China has been angered by Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi's pilgrimages to a Tokyo shrine that honors Japan's World War II dead, including those convicted for war crimes committed during Japan's occupation of China.
This is in light of China's growing economic and military power.
Tokyo will gradually reduce the amount of low-interest yen loans, which account for some 90 percent of Japanese aid to China; pahsing them out completely by the 2008 Olympics.
Since 1980, Japan's yen loans to China have exceeded $29BN for projects including; the building of highways, airports, sewage systems and other infrastructure.
Japan has now concluded that Beijing will no longer need the cheap loans, they will divert resources to Africa.
Grants and technical assistance accounted for some 10 percent of Japan's total aid to China in the year to March 2004.
Calls for ending Japanese aid to China have increased, as their rleations become more strained.
China has been angered by Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi's pilgrimages to a Tokyo shrine that honors Japan's World War II dead, including those convicted for war crimes committed during Japan's occupation of China.
Wednesday, March 02, 2005
Lest We Forget
In case anyone has forgotten about the "dynamic duo" of Greek sprinting, Costas Kenteris and Katerina Thanou, it is reported that the Greek sports authorities have postponed by two weeks the judgement on them for missing doping tests.
They were expected to learn their fate by the end of February, but late evidence from them has pushed the date back.
A decision is now expected by around mid-March.
The athletes, who withdrew from the Athens Olympics days before they were scheduled to race in front of a home crowd, have been suspended by the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) for missing the three tests, including the one scheduled for Athens.
The IAAF said the sprinters had failed to provide samples for tests in Tel Aviv, Chicago and Athens and ordered SEGAS to hold a disciplinary inquiry.
The athletes also face a criminal hearing in Greece over the missed drugs tests and have been charged with faking a motorcycle accident on the day of the Athens test, which led to them spending four days in hospital.
It seems that there seem to have been some new documents, submitted by the (athletes) lawyers, which are now being evaluated.
It was not clear what this new evidence is.
They were expected to learn their fate by the end of February, but late evidence from them has pushed the date back.
A decision is now expected by around mid-March.
The athletes, who withdrew from the Athens Olympics days before they were scheduled to race in front of a home crowd, have been suspended by the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) for missing the three tests, including the one scheduled for Athens.
The IAAF said the sprinters had failed to provide samples for tests in Tel Aviv, Chicago and Athens and ordered SEGAS to hold a disciplinary inquiry.
The athletes also face a criminal hearing in Greece over the missed drugs tests and have been charged with faking a motorcycle accident on the day of the Athens test, which led to them spending four days in hospital.
It seems that there seem to have been some new documents, submitted by the (athletes) lawyers, which are now being evaluated.
It was not clear what this new evidence is.
Tuesday, March 01, 2005
Beijing Looks for Ideas
It is reported that the Beijing Olympic organisers are seeking ideas to inspire a team designing the opening and closing ceremonies of the 2008 Summer Games.
The Beijing Organizing Committee of the Olympic Games will collect ideas up until July 31, committee officials told a press conference.
They are looking for ideas that could turn the opening and closing ceremonies of the Beijing games, which are to emphasize technology, the environment and peace, into "wonders."
Quote:
"The ocean-themed opening ceremony of the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games and the one inspired by the ancient Greek mythology of the 2004 Athens Games struck high marks around the globe, and the world is anxiously waiting to see what Beijing, a center of ancient oriental civilization, will present during the 2008 Games,".
The ceremonies proposed "should help to spread the Olympic spirit, create a jubilant atmosphere for the games and a homecoming feeling for all the participants."
"The proposals should visualize the concepts of 'Green Olympics,' 'High-Tech Olympics' and 'People's Olympics,' and interpret the rich connotations of 'harmony' and 'peace' that the idea of 'People's Olympics' tries to convey to the whole world."
Any individual or institution can submit a proposal, but non-Chinese applicants must form "consortiums" with Chinese citizens or organizations, the committee said.
It said all applicants must sign legal documents for transfer of intellectual property rights, and there will be no payment given to those whose ideas are chosen.
The Beijing Organizing Committee of the Olympic Games will collect ideas up until July 31, committee officials told a press conference.
They are looking for ideas that could turn the opening and closing ceremonies of the Beijing games, which are to emphasize technology, the environment and peace, into "wonders."
Quote:
"The ocean-themed opening ceremony of the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games and the one inspired by the ancient Greek mythology of the 2004 Athens Games struck high marks around the globe, and the world is anxiously waiting to see what Beijing, a center of ancient oriental civilization, will present during the 2008 Games,".
The ceremonies proposed "should help to spread the Olympic spirit, create a jubilant atmosphere for the games and a homecoming feeling for all the participants."
"The proposals should visualize the concepts of 'Green Olympics,' 'High-Tech Olympics' and 'People's Olympics,' and interpret the rich connotations of 'harmony' and 'peace' that the idea of 'People's Olympics' tries to convey to the whole world."
Any individual or institution can submit a proposal, but non-Chinese applicants must form "consortiums" with Chinese citizens or organizations, the committee said.
It said all applicants must sign legal documents for transfer of intellectual property rights, and there will be no payment given to those whose ideas are chosen.
Monday, February 28, 2005
Arabic Language Olympics
In order to promote Arabic language education in Japan, the Arabic Language Olympics was held recently in Tokyo.
Students of the Arabic Islamic Institute in Tokyo and Arabic language learners took part in calligraphy, typing, speech and poem-reading competitions at the school.
The school, affiliated with Saudi Arabian Embassy, held the annual event for the second time to strengthen cultural exchanges between Saudi Arabia and Japan. Saudi Arabian Ambassador Faisal Hassan Trad was present at the event.
The school, established in 1982, currently has about 140 students. It has sent 26 volunteers to the 2005 Special Olympics World Winter Games in Nagano, in which about 200 athletes from 11 countries in the Middle East and North Africa are participating. They will work as interpreters and assist the athletes.
The school also offers classes in Arabic calligraphy, in which bamboo sticks are used, in addition to its day and evening language courses.
Students of the Arabic Islamic Institute in Tokyo and Arabic language learners took part in calligraphy, typing, speech and poem-reading competitions at the school.
The school, affiliated with Saudi Arabian Embassy, held the annual event for the second time to strengthen cultural exchanges between Saudi Arabia and Japan. Saudi Arabian Ambassador Faisal Hassan Trad was present at the event.
The school, established in 1982, currently has about 140 students. It has sent 26 volunteers to the 2005 Special Olympics World Winter Games in Nagano, in which about 200 athletes from 11 countries in the Middle East and North Africa are participating. They will work as interpreters and assist the athletes.
The school also offers classes in Arabic calligraphy, in which bamboo sticks are used, in addition to its day and evening language courses.
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