Olympic Opening Ceremonies
Well I watched the Olympic opening ceremonies, just to see what 300 million dollars get you, and well it was impressive - the big membrane screen, the unison / precision of the actors, the actual stadium, etc - but it was still felt to me like the total control of the central government played through it. It seems sports took a backseat to politics in this one.
The NBC commentator who helped Matt and Bob - a NBC Chinese analyst / bureau worker of some sort - said way to many times - “all the Chinese people watching will understand this” or “the Chinese will see the significance of this” , or other similar statement for my taste. When did the opening ceremonies of the Olympics become about telling the people of the host nation about itself. Even more when did the opening ceremonies become about projecting political power.
The analyst’s statements reinforced my view that the opening ceremonies were largely about the Chinese government expressing it’s power, control, and vision to the world and it’s citizens. The analyst seemed to only have praise for the Chinese government and all they do. It got so bad that even Matt and Bob had to step in and add a few things that “challenged” the comments of the analyst and the images / opinions being portrayed. Adding to the power trip when more were the political statements about managing resources, the environment, etc … issues which China has been one of the worst offenders in … yet it was played like China was the innovator not the laggard.
At times I was waiting for an accidental shot of green uniformed guards just out of camera range with AK’s ready to “correct” any mistakes on the stage. This thing just felt so political and came across as a statement both the Chinese citizens and the world that China, and it’s government, is to be feared and respected. Atlanta, Sydney and Athens certainly did not feel that way. Sports really took a back seat to politics and power this time. That is unfortunate as the effects, the work, the technology, the artisans, the artisanship, etc was truly amazing. China puts on a good show, it is just unfortunate that the show was so biased to self and so slanted away from sportsmanship and hope.
