Beijing Games Reveal Internet's Limitations

China Olympics 2008: Television Still Delivers a Better Experience and Bigger Financial Returns

Posted by David Wolf on 08.25.08 @ 07:09 AM

When the Olympics began nearly three weeks ago, I wondered whether the internet had doomed television coverage of the Olympics. Today, I have the answer. Hell, no.

No More Clean Air and No More CNN

Beijingers Hope Some Improvements to Their City Will Remain

Posted by Chien Hwang on 08.25.08 @ 12:57 AM

As the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games come to an end and Beijing returns to normal, I can't help but feel a bit emotional. I will truly miss these games, and I'm not just talking about the sports event. I will miss the way this city looked and behaved over these past two weeks.

The Underdog Comes Out On Top

Chinese Are More Puzzled Than Pompous About Their Pile Of Gold

Posted by P.t. Black on 08.24.08 @ 12:18 AM

Bravo! China's Olympians performed brilliantly. I traveled a bit last week outside of Beijing, and no matter where I went (Guangzhou, Wuhan, Shanghai) there always seemed to be a television screen with a smiling Chinese athlete leaning over to accept a gold medal. People have been glued to the screens around the country, and lustily cheered on their athletes.

An Olympic Village...or a Potemkin Village?

The World May Not Buy the Image Of New China Presented At the Games

Posted by Richard Burger on 08.24.08 @ 12:17 AM

Today they will lock down the Olympic Green, which won't open again until September when the Paralympic Games begin. Now that things have begun to quiet down, I've had a chance to reflect on the challenges of handling PR during the games and at how well China has challenged its own PR during the past month.

Sponsors Turn Beijing Into a Party Town

As the Games Wind Down, the City's Nightlife Takes Off

Posted by Chien Hwang on 08.22.08 @ 01:51 AM

The Olympic Games have brought more than fancy new sports venues to Beijing. They have also introduced some great party venues. Bars and clubs all over town are hopping with international celebrities and super-athletes, often hosted by sponsors. Adidas, for example, kicked off the Olympics with a "Black and Gold" party attended by sports legends Maurice Green and Ian Thorpe.

Olympic Beach Babes

Cheerleaders Encourage Chinese to Get More Involved In Sports for the First Time

Posted by Ray Ally on 08.22.08 @ 01:23 AM

Watching beach volleyball on a bright sunny day in Beijing you could almost think you had been transported to Rio or Sydney's Bondi beach. This was especially true when Beijing's own bikini-clad cheerleaders came out to play and gave an otherwise serious sporting event a carnival atmosphere. During every rest break for the volleyball players, the cheerleaders entertained the crowd by dancing to rock music.

Liu's Future: Comeback Kid or Fading Star?

The Hurdler's Injury May Hurt More Than His Sports Career

Posted by Chien Hwang on 08.19.08 @ 05:23 AM

Liu Xiang's shocking decision to pull out of the qualifying heat for 110 meter hurdles event was big news. In the hours afterward, China won three more gold medals, but Liu Xiang remained the primary topic of discussion and speculation. It literally changed the mood of the games here in China.

The King Is Out. Long Live the King.

Heartbroken Chinese, Including Many Sponsors, Watch Liu Xiang Exit Olympics

Posted by Greg Paull on 08.18.08 @ 07:50 AM

In a devastating turn of events for China, one of the mainland's biggest sports celebrities pulled out of the Olympic Games today. Liu Xiang was unable to compete in a qualifying heat for the men's 110-meter hurdles because of an injury to his right foot. Liu may not be a household name in the U.S. or Europe, but inside China, he is a star. He won the 110-meter hurdle race in Athens in 2004. For the past four years, the entire country has counted on him pulling off the same feat this week in Beijing.

Selling Phelps: Not in China

The Swimmer's Triumph Will Not Translate Into Sponsorship Deals in the Mainland

Posted by David Wolf on 08.18.08 @ 07:07 AM

Since Michael Phelps scored the sixth of his eventual eight gold medals here at the Beijing Games, I have heard several people -- all very experienced marketers, and all non-Chinese -- suggest that Michael Phelps has a golden career ahead of him here in China doing product endorsements. They're wrong.

Beijing's United Nations

Challenges Like Communication Overcome With Smiles

Posted by Kevin Tressler on 08.17.08 @ 11:07 PM

I've had quite a few fascinating experiences over the last few days at the games through people-watching around Beijing, hanging out at the Olympic Green and spending time with the athletes in their temporary home, the Olympic Village. The games represented a unique idea when they were conceived at the end of the 19th century, bringing the world together in peace, friendship and harmony. That goal is more than evident today. The athletes hang out with each other at the village, desperately trying to communicate.