Preparing for the Big Show

Tuesday, August 5, 2008

The 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing begin in just three days, and the Chinese government is rushing to get ready. The job is massive!

Cleaning up the city's polluted air, preparing facilities for the nearly 11,000 athletes and maintaining security are some of the efforts underway by Chinese officials, who want the event to be a big success.

There are lingering issues, however, and nobody knows how the Games, which begin Friday and end Aug. 24, will be affected.

Air Pollution

Beijing, home to 17 million people (that's more than Maryland, Virginia and the District combined), has long struggled with its air, made dirty by cars and factories.

China had promised that it would clean up the air for the Games, but efforts so far have failed to reduce the pollution to acceptable levels.

Athletes don't like to compete in polluted air because of the health risks. World record marathoner Haile Gebrselassie of Ethiopia has withdrawn from the Games, and some endurance events might be postponed because of the pollution concerns. Some athletes, including those from the United States, are being given air masks to wear in Beijing, though not while competing.

It's hard for athletes to know just what the dangers are because the Chinese government does not provide information about how much of each pollutant is in the air.

To try to clean up the smog, the government has taken a number of steps. They include:

· Ordering almost half of the city's 3.3 million cars off city streets.

· Shutting down factories.

· Putting more buses and subways into service.

· Halting all construction involving earth, stone and concrete.

Security

Officials are determined to stop any terrorist groups from disrupting the Games, as well as demonstrations by Chinese citizens who want to protest the communist government.

To maintain order, officials have:

· Set up roadside checkpoints.

· Tightened airport and subway security.

· Set up three official protest areas far from the main stadiums.

· Issued a manual advising residents what to do in the case of a terrorist attack.

Security officials have also taken tough steps in western China against a group fighting for independence for the Muslim Uighur people there. Three prisoners convicted of plotting to disrupt the Games were recently executed.

Some people say the security precautions are so intense that they could affect the sense of fun associated with the Olympics. Chinese officials say that keeping order is vital and that the Games will not be marred.

Cost of the Games

To help put on its best face, China has spent time and money to beautify Beijing. Dozens of new stadiums and other facilities have been built, including the huge National Stadium, also known as the "Bird's Nest."

To add color to the often drab city, Chinese workers have hidden construction sites behind huge murals in shades of blue and green. Many buildings have been modernized, and trees and bushes have been planted. And workers have been busy decorating historic Tiananmen Square in central Beijing with more than a million flower pots.

Beijing has promised that the 2008 Games will be the "Green Olympics."

The Chinese said they are using environmentally friendly technology to build event facilities, including solar power.

The government also has made it illegal, subject to a fine of nearly $1,500, for shop owners to give out plastic bags. Only bags that can be recycled will do.

China's total bill for hosting the Olympics is estimated to be about $42 billion, including a new airport terminal that cost $3 billion. Tune in for the two-week event to see if you think it was worth it!

-- Valerie Strauss