The waiting is over, the Beijing Games have begun and as usual there is the hope this will be the “best Olympics ever” — certainly from the hosts.
This was former International Olympic Committee president Juan Antonio Samaranch’s traditional assessment at the conclusion of most Games under his watch.
Though Jacques Rogge did not crown the Athens Games in 2004 with the “best ever” laurel wreath, he will be under pressure to do so here. He has already called the Olympic Village the best ever.
PHOTO: AFP
Simply put, the organizers have spent so much money and expended such great effort on being the perfect hosts anything less will be seen as failure.
Jeff Ruffolo, a senior advisor to the Beijing organizers (BOCOG) was bullish about the prospects of a “transcendent” Games on the eve of the Opening ceremony.
“You’ve got to give China credit. The hardware is fantastic. It’s got the absolute best facilities from the Bird’s Nest to Water Cube, to the shooting range and tennis courts,” said the American, who has covered four Olympics as a broadcaster for NBC.
While admitting there were problems, Ruffolo said this was the nature of the Olympic beast.
“I think we will get a pass with the weather and no one controls the crazies,” Ruffolo said of protesters in Tiananmen and outside the Bird’s Nest.
“The Internet is another pass,” because journalists are now able to access sites, he said.
“If it all works, this will be the greatest Games ever. China will win the world over — one dumpling at a time,” he said.
Hsu Cheng-hao moved to China this year and is working as a creative manager for a major Taiwanese construction company.
He has been looking forward to the Games and has managed to get tickets through friends for baseball and taekwondo, both events that Taiwan has a chance to shine in.
“Previously the Games always seemed far away. Obviously, China is close to Taiwan and I’m working here so I can be more involved,” Hsu said. “There’s a great atmosphere. I think it’s the right time and right place to hold the Olympics.”
The Taiwanese delegation has been drifting in to Beijing in batches, led by the weightlifting and sailing teams last Thursday.
They have been settling in to the Olympic Village, mixing with other athletes and getting a sight of mega stars, like tennis player Roger Federer and basketball’s Kobe Bryant, who have visited the Village, though they are staying elsewhere.
Local media have been quoting team members as saying they “feel at home” and unlike other Olympics have been enjoying the Chinese food on offer.
On Wednesday, Chef de Mission Tsai Szu-chueh raised the Chinese Taipei flag in the Village and said the 80-member team would be hoping to raise the bar and win more than two gold medals in Beijing.
“We will not only repeat the glory in Athens, that’s not enough,” Tsai said.
“John Hancock” is the Taipei Times’ correspondent for the Beijing Olympics.
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