Some random news about Beijing Olympics 2008…
Liu Xiang leaving the track
Liu Xiang quits
World and Olympic champion Liu Xiang has withdrew from the 110m hurdle event following a right foot injury.
Liu’s appearance was in doubt when it was reported last weekend that he was suffering from a sore Achilles tendon, but he showed up for the qualifying heat anyway.
The 90,000 crowd at the Beijing National Stadium didn’t manage to catch Liu Xiang in real action though, as he quit after a false start (by another hurdler), limping out of the race track into the tunnel. The Chinese are generally disappointed, but showing plenty of support for the iconic athlete.
Liu Xiang was China’s best (and probably the only) hope for a gold medal at the track and field event.
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Another day to go before the opening ceremony of Beijing Olympics. Some random news and information about Olympics and happenings in Beijing…
The game has started
The women’s soccer tournament of the Beijing Olympics kicked off at 17:00 Beijing time on Wednesday, two days before the opening ceremony. It’s common for soccer (and some other team sports) to start the games earlier.
Women soccer game, Germany vs Brazil, ended 0-0 (Image from
Xinhuanet)
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Korean TV network SBS has seriously dampen its global reputation for leaking footage of a rehearsal for next Friday’s opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympics.
From what I understand… global media is now allowed to move freely in some venues to familiarise with the environment and to test their equipments, but the crews are required to sign confidentiality agreements to not reveal any specific details about the ceremony.
The Beijing Olympics organizing committee and the International Olympic Committee have both expressed their disappointment over the breach of rules, but didn’t mention anything about sanctioning SBS from the Beijing Games. It’s generally believed that SBS will walk away with a warning.
Chinese press and netizens are mostly unhappy about the leak, saying that it was spoiling the secrecy and excitement of the show. There are minor voices though, that there is no big deal with the issue and resembling it to movie teasers which could raise more interest for the opening ceremony.
KBS and MBC, other two Korean TV networks that share the Olympic broadcast rights with SBS, have both criticised SBS for their act. Western media is standing neutral on this matter though; with some opportunistic tabloids taking chances to leak ‘the leaked footage’.
Update – SBS have apologised to IOC and Beijing officials two days after the incident. They are barred from covering the opening show as punishment. [via Coolsmurf]
