Specially designed masks would blunt smog—and irk hosts
Wall Street Journal Jul 21, 08 11:34 CDT
(Newser)
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To protect its athletes from Beijing’s polluted air, the US Olympic Committee has secretly developed a mask for them to wear during next month’s Games, the Wall Street Journal reports. But if the 600-plus American Olympians decide to wear the high-tech filter, they risk insulting their Chinese hosts—not to mention looking like geeks.
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Beijing's African residents targeted as part of pre-Olympic crackdown
Globe and Mail Jul 21, 08 10:17 CDT
(Newser)
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African residents of Beijing say they are facing growing harassment from police ahead of the Olympics, reports the Globe and Mail . Bar owners near the city's Workers Stadium have reportedly been ordered not to serve "black people or Mongolians." The groups have been targeted as part of China's crackdown on groups it sees as potential troublemakers.
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Chinese government clamping down on media access ahead of games
New York Times Jul 21, 08 3:07 CDT
(Newser)
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NBC paid a record $900 million to cover the Beijing Olympics, but it and other networks are already nervous about how much Chinese officials will actually allow them to cover, reports the New York Times . If political protests erupt, networks will also face the dilemma of covering them and angering the Chinese—or ignoring them and facing charges of censorship from the West. Reporters are already facing intimidation and harassment.
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Officials scramble to clean the air for athletes
Reuters Jul 20, 08 5:34 CDT
(Newser)
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Beijing has launched tough new anti-pollution measures this week in a bid to clean the air for Olympic athletes in time for the games. Officials expect to force nearly half of the city's 3.3 million cars off the road, which will drive commuters onto already-crowded public transport, Reuters reports. "It will bring some real difficulties in transportation for ordinary people," warned a driver.
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Director's Darfur protest stunt may run afoul of Beijing leadership
Hollywood Reporter Jul 18, 08 4:33 PM CDT
(Newser)
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Steven Spielberg or his films could be banned from China under the new rules barring artists seen as a threat to national sovereignty, the Hollywood Reporter notes. Spielberg rankled Chinese leadership when he publicly withdrew from an artistic advisory board for the Beijing Olympics in protest of the nation’s trade arrangements with Sudan.
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Building frenzy before Olympics may have overestimated demand
Wall Street Journal Jul 18, 08 12:55 PM CDT
(Newser)
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Beijing’s newest construction binge may lead to a glut of rooms as hoteliers race to finish new properties before the Olympic Games begin in August, the Wall Street Journal reports. When the Games open, Beijing will have 50 five-star hotels, more than double the total of five years ago. While three-quarters of those rooms are booked, fewer than half the rooms at four-stars are reserved.
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Protests, incendiary artists will not be allowed in the country, the new rules say
New York Times Jul 18, 08 9:35 CDT
(Newser)
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Entertainers deemed a threat to China’s sovereignty will not be allowed to perform in the country, the New York Times reports. The Ministry of Culture warned it will conduct background checks and ban those who “advocate obscenity or feudalism and superstition” or "take part in activities that harm our nation’s sovereignty." The ban is the newest in a string of policies aimed at curbing political dissent prior to the Beijing Olympics in August.
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Amputee not selected for relay team
Associated Press Jul 18, 08 9:22 CDT
(AP)
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Double-amputee sprinter Oscar Pistorius was not chosen today to be on South Africa's Olympic team for Beijing. After failing to qualify for the 400 meters earlier, Pistorius was left off the 1,600-meter relay team, the AP reports. Four other South Africans had faster times, and two others were chosen as alternates.
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Beijing leaders hope
to head off protests
in Hong Kong
Associated Press Jul 18, 08 7:59 CDT
(AP)
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Tibetan flags will be banned from all Olympic equestrian events in Hong Kong under rules aimed at heading off political protests inside competition venues, organizers said today. While China has tightened visa restrictions to keep out protesters during the Olympics, activists could demonstrate in Hong Kong, which grants visa-free access to citizens of many Western countries.
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Team's hopes for a gold medal in trouble now
Democrat and Chronicle Jul 17, 08 6:01 PM CDT
(Newser)
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The US women's soccer team's hopes for a gold medal in Beijing took a devastating blow yesterday when star Abby Wambach broke her leg in an exhibition match. Wambach, the team's leading scorer, underwent a two-hour surgery today that went "perfectly, beautifully," her mother told the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle . Wambach, though, will have to be a spectator for the Beijing Games.
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South Africa can still pick him for relay
by defying panel
Associated Press Jul 16, 08 6:11 PM CDT
(AP)
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Double-amputee sprinter Oscar Pistorius fell short of the 400-meter qualifying time for the Olympics today, though his lifetime best run could yet get him to Beijing in the relay. The 21-year-old South African shrugged off the pre-race distraction of threatening legal action against the IAAF and finished third in his heat in 46.25 seconds. Though shy of the qualifying standard of 45.55, it was 11 hundredths faster than his previous best.
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Lawyers threaten after IAAF rep urges Olympic exclusion over safety
New York Times Jul 16, 08 2:02 PM CDT
(Newser)
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Lawyers for double-amputee sprinter Oscar Pistorius responded aggressively after a track and field official recommended South Africa exclude him from its Olympic relay squad "for reasons of safety," the New York Times reports. Pistorius, 23, “reserves all rights and remedies” if track's governing body doesn't retract, noting that a sports court has affirmed Pistorius right to run—if he qualifies or is selected.
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Organizing committee lists dos and don'ts
for spectators
Times (UK) Jul 14, 08 7:45 PM CDT
(Newser)
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Organizers of the Beijing Olympics released their "Spectators' House Rules" today, aiming to keep order during the August Games as well as protect the hosts from embarrassing incidents, the London Times reports. For starters, babies are discouraged but not forbidden. Other dos and don'ts: Permitted: Umbrellas ("In Beijing we prefer to avoid the sunlight," says an organizing committee official) Small quantities of lip gloss, fountain pens, and sunscreen
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