- Title: CHINA: 100-day Olympic countdown is marked with mass performances
- Date: 1st May 2008
- Summary: GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS SITTING IN FRONT OF SIGN OF READING "100 DAYS COUNTDOWN" POLICE AUDIENCE WATCHING LARGE CROWD OF PEOPLE RUNNING FOR MARATHON PEOPLE RUNNING PEOPLE WAVING FLAGS AND RUNNING (SOUNDBITE) (Mandarin) UNIDENTIFIED MARATHON PARTICIPANT SAYING: "We feel furious about it. All the Chinese people, people from the world support the Olympics. For those who advocate for Tibet independence, honestly speaking, ask them to look at the development of Beijing, of China, it is very good. As a member of the science community, we all support the Games, very much."
- Embargoed: 16th May 2008 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: China
- Country: China
- Topics: Sports
- Reuters ID: LVACAN8LDQ1BVXK4WAV8TWW8AHZ6
- Story Text: China marked 100 days to the start of the Beijing Olympic Games on Wednesday (April 30) with songs, a mass run and prayers, as the torch arrived back on Chinese soil after a tumultuous world tour.
Unlike run-ups to recent Olympics, Beijing's preparations for the Games, which begin on August 8, have kept to plan and some stadiums and infrastructure have even been completed ahead of schedule.
The city has spent $35-$40 billion on improved infrastructure, including a new airport terminal and subway lines, as well as $2.1 billion to cover the cost of running the Games.
But over the past few months the city's smooth preparations have been overshadowed by the torch relay's troubled journey around the globe, with protesters, especially in London, Paris and San Francisco, targeting China's human rights record, in particular its policies on Tibet.
Wednesday's festivities in Beijing started off under a hazy sky with a run around the Olympic Green by 10,000 Beijing residents, part of China's promise to make the Games a "People's Olympics".
Security in Beijing has been noticeably stepped-up following last month's anti-Chinese protests in Tibet, the troubled torch relay and China's assertion that it has broken up terrorist plots to attack the Games.
China has blamed Tibet's spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, and his government-in-exile for plotting the riots. The Dalai Lama denies the accusation.
China has also lashed out at human rights groups and some European and U.S. politicians who have, in China's words, tried to politicise the Games and raised the prospect of an Olympic boycott in light of the crackdown on protests in Tibet.
Chinese people, who have been generally enthusiastic about the Beijing Games and see the event as a sign of the country's national pride, say the Olympic boycott is unacceptable.
"We feel furious about it. All the Chinese people, people from the world support the Olympics. For those who advocate for Tibet independence, honestly speaking, ask them to look at the development of Beijing, of China, it is very good. As a member of the science community, we all support the Games, very much," one participant of Wednesday's celebrations said.
A local man at the mass marathon event also urged the government to ensure Olympic organisation would be flawless.
"I hope the Games can be organised in a better way, even better than we expected, especially now, when we are here, we found out there is not enough toilets. So I hope when we organise activities like these, we should be more considerate and do not allow any mistakes to happen," said Lang Ni, a retired worker.
The event involved over 2000 participants, ranging from retired workers and disabled people to children, who were performing Chinese folk arts, a variety of dances and Tai Chi.
A delegate of Beijing's disabled group said she hoped the Games would bring more awareness to disabled people's living standards and help make their lives easier in the capital.
"I hope the Games can help improve the facilities for disabled people, and offer more convenience for our lives." said Ms. Teng, who was performing in her wheelchair.
Meanwhile, as the countdown clock moves to double digits, the city is desperate to prevent a repeat of the one-year countdown, when Free Tibet activists scaled the Great Wall, smog smothered Beijing and torrential rain brought parts of the capital to a standstill. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
- Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2011. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
- Usage Terms/Restrictions: None