[BEIJING 08] Opening Ceremony
Ambrose Aban
Chief Blogger, QueerGam
In just a few hours (5am PT, Friday) the whole universe will come to Beijing as China open its doors for the millions of us. Along with President Hu Jintao's speech "One World, One Dream", signifies a clear intention to make more progressive changes, China today finally came out -- in the greatest of style. The Bird's Nest, its national stadium is most breathtaking and its national aquatic center, the Water Cube is most magnificent infrastructure and design we've ever seen.
Face to watch for: 14yo British diver, Tom Daley, is ready to rock the Water Cube
We all have been waiting to be dazzled and mesmerized by the most anticipated display of crazy scramble of colors, sight, and sound from Beijing. Yet in the pomp and pageantry, the circumstances, the sport and the spectacle, we still expect China to address the serious issues that remain -- building a stable relationship with Taiwan, enabling Tibetan cultural and religious independence, addressing its serious pollution problems, respecting human rights and individual freedoms.
Right, Liu Xiang, China's top sportsman, won gold in the 100M Men Hurdles in Athens.
Meanwhile, The People’s Republic of China has poured considerable resources to build up its sports system in an effort to compete on the international level. China finished third in total medals and second in golds. Xiang, who won gold in Athens in the 110-meter hurdles, is the nation’s most beloved and famous athlete and the epitome of this movement. At 6-2, he is a formidable competitor whom the Chinese see as proof that their athletes can compete in any competition. He will be spurred on by sold-out crowds and the hopes of a nation that goes 1.3 billion strong and make the usually anonymous 110 hurdles possibly the most watched event of these Olympics.
Gorgeous Jason Kidd (right)and Lebron James, U.S. top basketball players (and Kobe Bryant)are expected to dazzle millions in Beijing.
WHAT WE CAN EXPECT FROM PHELPS AND THE GANG IN BEIJING:
Six American men have qualified for multiple individual events in Beijing. Michael Phelps won all five races he entered at the trials, Vanderkaay and Ryan Lochte each made three events, while Garrett Weber-Gale, Larsen Jensen and Aaron Peirsol qualified in two each. Once the three relay swims are added in, their combined possible medal count in Beijing could reach 24. The American men, who during the trials posted the best international times, have lived up to the hype as potentially the best U.S. men’s Olympic team ever assembled.
Ambrose Aban
Chief Blogger, QueerGam
In just a few hours (5am PT, Friday) the whole universe will come to Beijing as China open its doors for the millions of us. Along with President Hu Jintao's speech "One World, One Dream", signifies a clear intention to make more progressive changes, China today finally came out -- in the greatest of style. The Bird's Nest, its national stadium is most breathtaking and its national aquatic center, the Water Cube is most magnificent infrastructure and design we've ever seen.
Face to watch for: 14yo British diver, Tom Daley, is ready to rock the Water Cube
We all have been waiting to be dazzled and mesmerized by the most anticipated display of crazy scramble of colors, sight, and sound from Beijing. Yet in the pomp and pageantry, the circumstances, the sport and the spectacle, we still expect China to address the serious issues that remain -- building a stable relationship with Taiwan, enabling Tibetan cultural and religious independence, addressing its serious pollution problems, respecting human rights and individual freedoms.
Right, Liu Xiang, China's top sportsman, won gold in the 100M Men Hurdles in Athens.
Meanwhile, The People’s Republic of China has poured considerable resources to build up its sports system in an effort to compete on the international level. China finished third in total medals and second in golds. Xiang, who won gold in Athens in the 110-meter hurdles, is the nation’s most beloved and famous athlete and the epitome of this movement. At 6-2, he is a formidable competitor whom the Chinese see as proof that their athletes can compete in any competition. He will be spurred on by sold-out crowds and the hopes of a nation that goes 1.3 billion strong and make the usually anonymous 110 hurdles possibly the most watched event of these Olympics.
Gorgeous Jason Kidd (right)and Lebron James, U.S. top basketball players (and Kobe Bryant)are expected to dazzle millions in Beijing.
WHAT WE CAN EXPECT FROM PHELPS AND THE GANG IN BEIJING:
Six American men have qualified for multiple individual events in Beijing. Michael Phelps won all five races he entered at the trials, Vanderkaay and Ryan Lochte each made three events, while Garrett Weber-Gale, Larsen Jensen and Aaron Peirsol qualified in two each. Once the three relay swims are added in, their combined possible medal count in Beijing could reach 24. The American men, who during the trials posted the best international times, have lived up to the hype as potentially the best U.S. men’s Olympic team ever assembled.