Beijing Olympics day 4

The Olympics are AMAZING. What can I say? Today I got to watch some men's water polo and white water kyaking. Tonight was kind of a slow night because the swimming and gymnastics were live so we had to wait until they actually happened. We saw the synchronized diving and the Chinese dominated yet again. Then we went to the pool. Michael Phelps won his 10th gold medal in the 200 meter butterfly and 11th in the 200 meter freestyle relay. Both were won easily and in world record time. An athlete like Michael Phelps is not likely to happen for a long time. Then it went to the women's gymnastics. USA put up an outstanding effort, very solid and hard routines but the Chinsese women were even MORE perfect and had harder things. China ended up with gold to match the men and USA got silver; they weren't very happy with their finish.

Nastia Liukin

USA Women's silver medal team

One thing that I've noticed is that when the Chinese athletes win it is gold or nothing; it is also for their country and not for themselves. China is so bent on positioning themselves as such a power in the Olympics. When athletes from the USA win they have country pride but they are more proud of their own achievements rather that what it means for their country.

It is scary the lengths that China will go toward making top athletes. The girls gymnastic teams are handpicked at age three. They are sent away to gyms and only get to see their parents once a year. The olympians are supposed to turn 16 years old in the year of the olympics but more than half of the chinsese team looks like they are 13 or 14. The Chinese claim they are 16 because their passports declare they are, but many people question the validity of this statement. Also, the Chinese men's gymnastic team is supposed to win at least 5 gold medals this olympics. Anything less will be failure.

Another statement on China and their overambition to present a certain "image" to the world. In the opening ceremonies a little 9 year old girl sang a song. News has come out saying she lip synched the words while a 7 year old girl actually sang. The 7 year old was deemed not "cute" enough to be the one in the actual performance; it was actually in the nation's "best interest" to have the best voice go with the best face. In the U.S. there would be a huge outcry to the unfairness of the thing, but the 7 year old says it was an honor just to sing for the opening ceremonies. There is also news that some of the fireworks were digitally added in for television effect. The Chinese weren't sure they would be able to be seen very well. I'm also guessing if China does not end up with the most total gold medals, not just medals, it will not be happy with that. I know that the U.S always has a kind of arrogance that we are the best and are going to win, but China is in a different way. I shouldn't talk though, if the U.S. men's basketball team gets less than gold it will be a failure. But it won't affect the U.S.'s status in the world quite like a similar situation would be for China. It will be interesting to hear how China views the olympics after they end...we shall see.

Jiang Yuyuan