CHINA SPORTS MARKETING NEWSLETTER
Vol. 1, No.3-July 13, 2001
TOPICS THIS ISSUE:
- Eve of the Vote Provides Hope for the Future
- Support from Taiwan for Beijing Olympics
- Members of U.S. Congress Speak out on China's Olympic Bid
Eve of the Vote Provides Hope for the Future
Hours before the decision of where the 2008 Olympic games will take place, Beijing seems on the verge of a new future. By winning the bid to host the Olympic games for the first time in history, there is much to be gained for one of the last surviving communist powers. The country of China, and the communist government, will finally gain international acceptance. Beijing, and its citizens, stand to reap financial profits and benefit from a vast improvement in the local infrastructure. Chinese athletes and the Asian sports industry also are guaranteed a huge boost in sales and awareness. However, this all depends on which locale the International Olympic Committee (IOC) chooses.
China, a country zealous of everything from the former chairman Mao to the need for developing a country prepared for the future, has in the past been denied the chance to host the Olympic games. These denials were mostly based on a poor human rights record and lack of a modern infrastructure. To win the bid to host this international event will give the country much face, which is regarded very highly throughout Asia. Although Chinese politics and culture may have the impression of an inward-facing country, not willing to open to the prying eyes of Western media or the pervading ideals of global trends, gaining international acceptance is of utmost importance to Chinese leaders. By hosting the international sports event, China feels it can finally earn the international respect and acceptance that the communist-led nation has been denied in the past.
The brain of China, as Beijing is often referred to in relation to its provincial legs and arms, also is sure to gain greatly from winning an Olympic bid. An estimated US $20 Billion is ready to be invested into the future of the capital city. A new subway system holds the hope that the gray ceiling that envelopes the city due to traffic will eventually dissipate. New stadiums and waterways promise to replace the outdated rivers and provide prime locations for spectators. The continual drone of construction teams building newer and bigger buildings shows that the city is capable of creating buildings and infrastructure in a hurry.
Beijingers, together with their country and city, will also stand to gain directly from hosting the games. Optimistic government surveys show that 95% of the population supports the bid. This is hardly surprising as competing for the Olympics gives Beijing people the chance to participate in an international sphere they are not usually a part of. If they succeed in this bid, the benefits are great. They will be able to enjoy a cleaner city with an improved infrastructure. For the 17 days the Olympics are in Beijing, the investment that foreign spectators bring into the country will largely go to the service industry, which means directly into the pockets of service providers, mainly ordinary Chinese people, such as cooks and taxi drivers. Beijingers that will take the opportunity to learn English or another foreign language will also stand to profit from the funds that Olympic attendees bring in.
Chinese athletes and the Asian sports industry are also sure to progress at a fantastic rate once the IOC decision is released. Traditionally top performers in competitions such as diving, table-tennis and badminton, China is home to many great athletes. A favorable vote will afford Chinese people the chance to field a larger and more diverse team of athletes, and will surely create a new zeal for the next 7 years of rigorous training. The effect this will have on the sports industry within China and Asia will be tremendous. As the buying power of the average Chinese citizen grows and grows, the popularity of sports and sports-related industries is also sure to rise steadily for the next 7 years.
However, some critics point out that all the benefits depend on the result of the IOC vote, only a few scant hours from the time this newsletter is being prepared. This is only partially true, as Beijing is a city in transition, continually adapting to match the growth of the people who live here. Beijing will improve in the future, with or without a 2008 deadline. Winning the Olympic bid will just create a definitive timeline to create the "New Beijing, New Olympics" that the banners around the city proudly state.
Now, on the eve of the decision, tensions are high worldwide. However, Beijing is confident of winning the bid. After all, a lot of people worked very hard to make this bid the successful one. Even many foreigners are in support of China winning the privilege to host the games. Former U.S. Senator James R. Sasser, who served as ambassador to China from 1996 to 1999, has said: "The Olympics coming to China will further open up China's political system and I think further expose Chinese culture to the world. And I think that's a very healthy development." Peter Ueberroth, who led the successful 1984 Los Angeles Olympics, also touched on the same matter when he said: "The best part about the Olympic Games is the fact that they open the communication doors in a country so wide that they never can close, and that's the best thing for the Chinese people and for long-term world peace." With so many people in favor of Beijing hosting the 2008 Olympic games, and so many benefits ready to be had, by Western and Chinese people alike, it seems that the IOC members, in casting their vote in a few hours, should have an easy choice.
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Support from Taiwan for Beijing Olympics
Many Taiwanese are backing Beijing's bid to host the 2008 Olympic Games. This may be mainly because of the consideration that when China is preparing for to host the Olympics, it may be less tempted to exert aggression. Others support Beijing because of ethnic pride.
Mr. Wu Ching Kuo, Taiwan's representative in Moscow for the final vote of the 2008 Olympics host city, has expressed his positive attitude toward Beijing's success. He said: "China has never hosted the Games. 1.3 billion people have a very strong desire to host the games and they expect to succeed."
"Both Paris and Toronto have had the Olympic Games before. China is a large country with a huge population and very strong sports achievements. So I think it deserves to host the Games."
Even the pro-independence Democratic Progressive Party and President Chen Shui-bian have given their blessing to Beijing's drive.
Shen Fu Hsiung, a DPP legislator, said: "We hope that the PRC will succeed in getting such a good opportunity to put up a good show."
"If they got it, from now on and until the Games is over, we'll have a relatively peaceful time across the Strait."
Taiwan sports officials even have wished that Taiwan and China could share some of the events if Beijing wins this opportunity. For now, this is all speculation, due to the long-standing political differences between Mainland China and Taiwan.
(Source: Channel NewsAsia)
Members of U.S. Congress Speak out on China's Olympic Bid
The final vote on the site of the 2008 Olympic Games will be decided within a very short time. Most people concerned with this event are taking these last days to express their opinions.
Recently several members of the U.S. Congress made a last ditch effort to pass a resolution opposing China's bid for the Games on human rights grounds. Meanwhile, a handful of senators came out against the House resolution, insisting that politics and sports should not mix.
Rep. Tom Lantos argued that China's deplorable human rights record does not comply with the spirit of the Olympics. He also likened the choice of Beijing to the 1936 games held in Nazi Germany and the 1980 games held in the Soviet Union.
The House International Relations Committee overwhelmingly approved Lantos' resolution in March, which took the release of all political prisoners and the improvement of human rights as the prerequisite of a successful Beijing bid.
However, on the other hand, opposing voices are also quite strong. Sen. Patty Murray said: '' Just as Olympic athletes are not asking to write legislation, politicians should not be involved in the Olympic games''.
Until now, House Majority Leader Dick Armey has denied the intention of scheduling the resolution for floor debate this week.
(AP Worldstream)
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