Slippery Slopes of Olympism

2008 quadrennium summer Olympic Games in Beijing has come to an end after 16 days of intensive competition of over 10,000 athletes in 302 events in 28 sports. It is time to reflect upon this arguably biggest and most expensive international event – the total cost of hosting the Beijing Olympics is estimated to be over 40 billion dollars when all public infrastructure investments are included.

First, the top controversies of the 2008 Beijing Games:

In the opening ceremony, three stories topped the news: a)lip sync by the 9-year old girl Lin Miaoke in the stadium of the song “Ode to the Motherland" which was actually performed by the 7-year Yang Peiyi, b)the 29 giant footprints fireworks which was faked with pre-recorded and computer-generated graphics, c)kids representing the 56 ethnic groups carried the national flag turned out to be all Hans, the most dominant group that accounts for over 90% of the Chinese population.

While I appreciate the pursuits of visual perfection in arts, music, filmmaking and marketing, these are poor judgment calls by the world famous Director YiMou Zhang and other decision makers involved. No question that Olympics ceremony performances are indeed entertainment and the shows were spectacular. However the sense of fair play is so important to the games that one must not overdo it. I have to say Director Zhang (or someone above him) got carried away a little too far as he became increasingly obsessed with the visual and cinematographic effects, judging from his recent works. Why can’t we acknowledge and celebrate the imperfections of human and nature? Don’t we all have enough illusions in our overly commercialized lives?

For the games, the most covered and talked-about controversy is the accusation that China’s women gymnastics team has several athletes whose age are under 16, the required minimum age for the competitions by FIG (Fédération Internationale de Gymnastique). While FIG and IOC are investigating the alleged violations, it is interesting to note the emotional aspects and biases of this controversy by some media reports. To begin with, many reports appear to be less interested in the principles and the rationales behind the changes of age requirements over the years (protecting the physical and mental health of youth) than for self-interests. It all started as U.S. team is very competitive but has been slightly edged by the Chinese team when counting medals and recent performances.

For more subjectively judged sports like gymnastics, there is no lack of major controversies in the history of Olympics. The suspicion and flame reached its peak when Nastia Liukin of U.S. lost the gold medal to He Kexin in the Parallel Bar event under FIG’s tie breaking rule while she appeared to make fewer mistakes to the naked and untrained eyes like mine (and NBC’s commentators). The ignorance of the tie-breaking rule has certainly added fuel to the flame as reporters and commentators scrambled to find out how it works and declared it does not make sense without knowing the science of it (while this tiebreaker is not the only choice but it does make sense based on Statistics considerations). At one point, NBC’s anchor Bob Costas was misstating that tiebreaker of Vault was easier to understand when citing the case where that gold medal was won by Leszek Blanik of Poland over France's Thomas Bouhail in a tie. But who cares about what happens with Poland and France?

With so much attention being paid by so many, and thus the media, to the medal counts, the stars, stories, controversies, records, etc, it is worthwhile to take a step back and refresh ourselves the history and the goal and spirit of modern Olympics that was revived by Pierre de Coubertin in 1894. It is stated in the Olympic Charter, the Fundamental Principles of Olympism are:

1. Olympism is a philosophy of life, exalting and combining in a balanced whole the qualities of body, will and mind. Blending sport with culture and education, Olympism seeks to create a way of life based on the joy of effort, the educational value of good example and respect for universal fundamental ethical principles.

2. The goal of Olympism is to place sport at the service of the harmonious development of man, with a view to promoting a peaceful society concerned with the preservation of human dignity.

3. The Olympic Movement is the concerted, organised, universal and permanent action, carried out under the supreme authority of the IOC, of all individuals and entities who are inspired by the values of Olympism. It covers the five continents. It reaches its peak with the bringing together of the world’s athletes at the great sports festival, the Olympic Games. Its symbol is five interlaced rings.

4. The practice of sport is a human right. Every individual must have the possibility of practicing sport, without discrimination of any kind and in the Olympic spirit, which requires mutual understanding with a spirit of friendship, solidarity and fair play. The organisation, administration and management of sport must be controlled by independent sports organisations.

5. Any form of discrimination with regard to a country or a person on grounds of race, religion, politics, gender or otherwise is incompatible with belonging to the Olympic Movement.

6. Belonging to the Olympic Movement requires compliance with the Olympic Charter and recognition by the IOC.

The key idea is thus the promotion of a harmony and peaceful world (between countries) with ethical principles through the joys, solidarity, and friendships developed in free practice of sports and festivals of fair competitions. To realize the Olympic movement, organization and material support is required. There are three key organizations: the International Olympic Committee (IOC), the International Federations and the 205 National Olympic Committees. Thus it is a given that geopolitical boundaries and powers need to be recognized to resolve many of the political issues and challenges; not unlike what some United Nations organizations face.

The next issue is what is a fair play and leveled playing field when different nations have distinct social, political, and economic status and systems? Prior to 1986, professional athletes like NBA players were not allowed to participate. The argument for adopting the change had to do with the dominance of the performance in 70’s and 80’s by communist bloc countries led by Soviet Union where Olympians were trained full time as a career sponsored by governments. What is the difference between sponsorship by corporations vs. by government? Recall that Article 6 of the Olympic charter stipulates that “The Olympic Games are competitions between athletes in individual or team events and not between countries.” Nevertheless with the success of Olympics, each country is serious about winning as much as they can.

This brings us to the most serious challenge that is financial resource. Let us face it: financial health is a pre-requisite for any movement to be viable and sustaining. IOC now generates over 4 billion dollars of revenue quadrennially. The largest revenue sources, not surprisingly, come from broadcast rights (50%) and sponsorship (40%). For example, NBC paid almost $900 million dollars for the rights of broadcasting the Beijing Olympics in US. It went as far as time-shifting the programs including the opening and closing ceremonies to prime time so that it can maximize its revenue from filling those advertisement slots. Further, you can see clearly logos of many global corporate sponsors from Coca Cola to Nike are everywhere including many athletes’ apparel. No wonder until now, one out of the five rings/continents had yet to host Olympic games and you can guess which one it is.

This development would not surprise anyone as further commercialization and merchandizing seems inevitable when capitalism is increasingly popular and the trend towards to globalization appears to be unstoppable.

Interestingly, in Beijing Olympics you can find may athletes represent countries other than their homeland for a variety of reasons, ranging from business to an opportunity to be in Olympics. Becky Hammon, an excellent American WNBA player who is on Russia’s women basketball team that won the bronze medal and was called a traitor by some although U.S. women basketball team did not select her. Bernard Lagat, a long distance runner on U.S. Team was from Kenya and had sparked a similar controversy in Kenya as Hammon when he had to make a choice. Henry Cejudo, 55 Kg freestyle wrestling gold medallist is a Los Angeles-born son of illegal immigrant parents from Mexico. I certainly hope his mother will not get into trouble with ICE (Immigration and Custom Enforcement) now the spot light is on. On the other hand, Liang Chow, the coach of gold medal gymnasts Shawn Johnson was from China. Same as Lang Ping, head coach of U.S. Women Volleyball team that just won the silver medal. This is not unique to U.S. Many countries including China has employed best Olympics coaches for their teams in various sports. After all, there is no fundamental difference between sports and other business when you consider the talents and monetary issues. How and when should nation’s interests (definition?) come before individual athlete’s in sports?

In all, Beijing Olympics has brought us fabulous entertainment and exciting sporting events with the best of the best; it is entertaining and inspirational. I believe open access, exchanges and communications is always a better policy than isolation and boycotting. We may not be able to solve any social political ills overnight through events like Olympic Games that require delicate balance of sportsmanship, international politics and economics. But Beijing Olympics, like the previous ones, surely has open further the hearts and minds of billions and billions of people throughout the world. That is the invaluable contribution of Olympism!

Talk to you soon!

Summer Olympics and China’s Challenge with Ethnic Minorities

The long awaited Summer 2008 Beijing Olympics is about to begin in 2 days. For quite some time, security concerns have been in many people’s mind. Not dissimilar to some previous Olympics, there have been many attempts and incidents by some to get attention of world media on various political issues of ethnic minorities with Chinese government. The most serious ones thus far have been the violent protests and crackdowns in Tibet’s (aka Tibet Autonomous Region) capital Lhasa back on March 14 and the attack that killed 16 border patrol police officers in Kashgar city of Xinjiang (aka XinJiang Uyghur Autonomous Region) only two days ago on August 4.

Everyone is familiar with the Olympic emblem of 5 rings (in blue, yellow, black, green, red). Designed in 1913, it symbolizes and promotes harmony and healthy competition of people from the world in all 5 inhabited continents. Coincidentally, for the first 16 years of the Republic since the overthrow of the Qing Dynasty in 1911, China’s national flag was a 5 colored stripes one, symbolizing “All Ethnic Groups Under One Union”; the five were: Han 漢 (red), Manchu 滿(yellow), Mongol 蒙(blue), Hui 回(white), and Tibetan 藏(black). Now one hundred years later, how far has it progressed? you may ask.

Today, China’s population is approximately 1.3 billions out of which 1.1 billions (92%) are Han Chinese. There are about 11 millions Manchus, 6 millions Mongols, 9 millions Huis, and 6 millions Tibetans; each represents less than 1% of the total population. Of course, one needs to look a lot deeper into the history, demography, etc. Historically, Han has been the most dominating ethnic group in central China and continues to do so. Manchus, originated and based in northeastern part of the country, at one time overtook the Ming Dynasty (of Han), found the Qing Dynasty and ruled China from 1644 till 1912 despite the fact they were outnumbered by Hans over 300 to 1. Although historians have continued to debate how and why Manchus successfully ruled China for so long, there is no dispute that sinicization or assimilation with Hans did take place during its rule.

500 years earlier before the Manchus’, Genghis Khan led Mongols and found the Mongol Empire that at its peak, stretched between Moscow and South China Sea as the largest contiguous empire in history. Although Genghis Khan himself did not conquer the whole China, his grandson Kublai Khan did and the Yuan Dynasty by Mongols ruled China for almost 100 years from 1271 till 1368. But in this case, assimilation with Hans did not go through its full course then. Outer Mongolia eventually proclaimed independence in 1924 with Soviets’ manipulation and intervention which remained a satellite state of the Soviet Union till 1992 when it became a democratic country known as Mongolia. Although there are about 6 millions of Mongols live in various part of China (that is about twice the number of Mongols in Mongolia), they spread across northern and western regions with a major concentration in Mongol autonomous region (also referred to as Inner Mongolia), accounting for about 17% compared to 79% of Han Chinese there.

Tibetan people, on the other hand, has been roaming on high plateau in the backdrop of Himalayas and observing the Tibetan Buddhism for over 1500 years. As one of the most isolated, mythical, feudal and theocratic entities in the world till 50 years ago, there have been a lot of fascinations and interests by Western world (and Hollywood! see movies like Lost Horizon, 7 Years in Tibet and Kundun) about Tibet. Adding to the “excitement”, since the 1959 exile to India of the current (reincarnated) 14th Dalai Lama who serves as both the civil and religion head, Tibet Government in Exile and many Tibetans have been seeking the independence of Tibet including neighboring areas of Tibet Autonomous Region where there are significant Tibetan populations.

Today, there are almost 3 millions of Tibetans living in Tibet Autonomous Region that account for almost 93% of the population there. Chinese government has been encouraging settlements from other parts of China (primarily by Han people) and maintained a tight control over the region. The power conflict is obvious: nationalistic, single Communist Party controlled China that promotes state atheism against pro-Tibet Independence movement that desires preservation of Tibetan culture, political powers and religious practice. Given the non-violent approach by Dali Lama and teachings of Tibetan Buddhism, the movement has been largely peaceful. It is however not clear how much longer some of the younger generations will remain patient with such an approach as evident from recent violent protests.

Hui, sometimes referred to as Chinese Muslims, are more identified by their common Islamic customs and religion practice than particular physical features. Hui people have diverse origins and long history of migration and integration, starting with Arab and Persian merchants settled in South East China back in 7^th century and later those from central Asia in 13^th century when Mongols ruled the Eurasia. There have been more cooperation than confrontations between Hui and Han people in general.

This brings us to another major Islamic ethnic group – the Uyghurs that are concentrated in Southern XinJiang 新疆 (means “New Territory”). Their Turkic language and Caucasian feature made it un-mistakenly non-Han. To give you some idea about its people and culture, the hit movie The Kite Runner was shot in fact in Kashgar, an oasis city in XinJiang on the ancient Silk Road, due to its resemblance to Kabul and safety concerns of Afghanistan.

Today, XinJiang, or more precisely XinJiang Uyghur Autonomous Region, is the largest administrative area of China that spans about 1/6 of the size of the country. It locates in Western China and enjoys an important strategic position not to mention its rich natural resources including oil reserves. It is south of Russia, north of Tibet Autonomous Region, west of Mongolia, and is bordered to a few central Asia countries including Kazakhstan, Krygyzstan, Tajikistan, Pakistan, and Afghanstan. Of almost 20 millions people, there are about 9 millions (or 45% of the population) Uyghurs. Han Chinese followed right behind (41%) due to aggressive settlement policy by the Communist China government since 1949 (prior to which Uyghur population was over 75% of the whole population). As usual, there is a whole spectrum of lovely Uyghur people. For decades, there have been however some militant and religious extremists who subscribe to Islamic fundamentalist’s cause and seek to create an independent Uyghur nation in XinJiang; thus a preeminent security threat to the Beijing Olympics more so compared to Tibetan. The attack the other day in Kashgar serves as a reminder.

Why should we be surprised by all these? While I do not condone violence, I can imagine the frustration of minority groups or the weak, be it religious, ethnic, racial, economic, or by any other physical or abstract attributes. Sustained frustration can lead to desperation that can lead to violence; the spiral has been repeated daily everywhere in varying degrees and speed throughout the history of mankind. The problems that China has had and is facing with ethnic minorities are fundamentally no different from those with any other nations. Unfortunately there are no known or obvious solutions that would make everyone happy and meet all ideals.

The reality is that the history is being written everyday by everyone although some are arguably more influential than others. Minorities need to move forward aggressively to avoid being isolated and marginalized economically, thus the distinct possibility of ethnocide. It is however the responsibility of the majority in power to provide genuine helps and resources to make sure the minorities prosper and succeed as a member of the family that can only be good for everyone. What is the point of belonging to the same nation when you don’t treat each other like an equal fellow citizen?

Talk to you soon!

A Quintessential New Jerseyan and American

I have been living in New Jersey longer than I had in Taiwan where I spent my first 24 and formative years of my life. While Taiwan will always have a special place in my heart and memory, I can’t say I don’t have some feeling of belongings about New Jersey where we work and raised our kids. Chinese have had a custom to ask people about their ancestral hometown 祖籍when first met. For one, it helps to identify connections and social networks quickly in a vast country if you happen to come from the same hometown. In U.S. on the other hand, as a young nation of immigrants and being more mobile, it seems much less often to hear conversations about people’s hometown.

New Jersey is one of the oldest (one of the original 13 founding states), smallest (less than 70 miles by 150 miles, ranked 47^th), but most densely populated states (ranked 1^st). With its diversity and long history, it seems difficult to stereotype New Jersey and its people although there have been a few jokes about it. One came to mind is a political satire when the former New Jersey Governor Christine Whitman was appointed the Administer of EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) by President George W. Bush in 2001. That gives you some idea of the negative environmental image of New Jersey.

Much of the peculiarity of New Jersey and its people may be attributed to its proximity at north to New York City cross the Hudson River. It has been serving, among other things, as a daily and seasonal refuge and retreat to the bustling and fast paced large city life. Yet at the same time, especially in the western, central and southern part of the state, it is rich in farms, natural reserves, scattered factories and office parks. The net result is like the crests and troughs of waves; New Jersey is the state of troughs.

New Jersey has had its share of famous citizens such as great inventor Thomas Edison, ingenious physicist Albert Einstein, celebrated poet Alan Ginsberg, and the only non-consecutive termed President Grover Cleveland. However if you ask me who is the most representative New Jerseyan, I would pick Bruce Springsteen, a 58 years old legendary Pop singer and song writer.

Bruce Springsteen was born and grew up in Freehold Borough, a historical town that is 7 miles south of where we live and due west of it, one of the largest land battles – Battle of Monmouth - took place 230 years ago during the American Revolution. With an incredible 40 years career and huge fans behind him, he doesn’t seem to be slowing down a bit. Only last Sunday, CBS 60 Minutes aired an updated story of Bruce Springsteen in which several highlights of his life were shared including his response to the “anti-war” labeling of his latest album Magic and why he considers “Silence is Unpatriotic”.

Bruce Springsteen’s music defined blue-collar rock or Heartland rock. Raised in a struggling hard-working family of loving parents with expectations, growing up not doing that well in schools with experience of 60s' racial unrest, he searched his own identities and communicated it through his music. His 1975 claim to fame and forever popular song Born to Run captures youngsters’ desire of breaking out, grasping in the stifling air that we all lived through sometimes in our life. His Oscar winning song Street of Philadelphia in the wonderful 1994 film Philadelphia was very much a part of battles against discrimination of AIDS patients. Bruce Springsteen continues to write and sing about protest. He wrote in one of his latest songs Last to Die “…Who'll be the last to die for a mistake, The last to die for a mistake. Whose blood will spill, whose heart will break. Who'll be the last to die…”, echoing then-young Vietnam veteran John Kerry's testimony about the Vietnam War at the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on April 22, 1971 (which might have cost him his 2004 presidential election 33 years later, but without regret). “How Do You Ask a Man to be the Last Man to Die for a Mistake?"

What sets Bruce Spingsteen apart from most other rock stars though is his strong and deep bond with his root that he had never parted far or long. His final leg of the year long Magic Tour started last Sunday night from the Giant Stadium in Meadowland, New Jersey. Over 55,000 fans showed up in all ages, among them, professionals, blue collar and working class folks. Welcome home (again), Boss! Here is his 2007 live performance at the Rockefeller Plaza Center of his 1985 song My Hometown with the E-street Band - his perennial New Jersey musician friends of decades including his wife. Enjoy it and talk to you soon!

My Hometown

I was eight years old and running with a dime in my hand
Into the bus stop to pick up a paper for my old man
I'd sit on his lap in that big old Buick and steer as we drove through town
He'd tousle my hair and say son take a good look around this is your hometown
This is your hometown
This is your hometown
This is your hometown

In '65 tension was running high at my high school
There was a lot of fights between the black and white
There was nothing you could do
Two cars at a light on a Saturday night in the back seat there was a gun
Words were passed in a shotgun blast
Troubled times had come to my hometown
My hometown
My hometown
My hometown

Now Main Street's whitewashed windows and vacant stores
Seems like there ain't nobody wants to come down here no more
They're closing down the textile mill across the railroad tracks
Foreman says these jobs are going boys and they ain't coming back to your
hometown
Your hometown
Your hometown
Your hometown

Last night me and Kate we laid in bed
talking about getting out
Packing up our bags maybe heading south
I'm thirty-five we got a boy of our own now
Last night I sat him up behind the wheel and said son take a good look around, this is your hometown