Beijing Olympics 08 Thread

[Choleric]

So what do you guys think so far?

What are you looking forward too/enjoying?

What did you guys think of the Opening Ceremonies?

Anyways post any news, results, interesting stories, or just discuss here.

[Hypersonic]

Been watching the Swimming and Gymnastics.

I'm looking forward to the track and field events.

Opening ceremony was amazing ....wish I was there

[Monster]

The last time I watched any Olympics event was 8 years ago when it was held in Sydney. I have been watching the swimming since this is the sport Aussies are best at, and I watched a bit of gymnastics, volleyball (indoor and beach), and basketball. All great and amazing to watch.

[Alfie]

Obviously I'm looking forward to see a clean sweep from Phelps, and otherwise I'll stay glued to the gymnastics broadcasts!
I might watch BMX as well.

[The Diva]

MUST SEE! Gymnastics and the END of the marathons

Loved the opening, nicely choreographed.

[Hypersonic]

China's version of Milli Vanilli


Yang Peiyi (left) was the real singer. Lin Miaoke (right) did the lip-syncing.


BEIJING (AFP) — The little girl who starred at the Olympic opening ceremony was miming and only put on stage because the real singer was not considered attractive enough, the show's musical director said.

Pigtailed Lin Miaoke was selected to appear because of her cute appearance and had not sung a note, Chen Qigang, the general music designer of the ceremony, said in an interview with a state broadcaster.

Photographs of Lin in a bright red party dress were published in newspapers and websites all over the world and the official China Daily hailed her as a rising star on Tuesday.

But Chen said the girl whose voice was actually heard by the 91,000 capacity crowd at the main Olympic stadium was in fact seven-year-old Yang Peiyi, who has a chubby face and uneven teeth.

"The reason why little Yang was not chosen to appear was because we wanted to project the right image, we were thinking about what was best for the nation," Chen said in the interview that appeared briefly on the popular news website Sina.com on Tuesday before it was wiped from the Internet.

Lin was seen to perform the patriotic song "Ode to the Motherland" as China's national flag was carried into the stadium, a key moment in the three hour opening ceremony.

"The reason was for the national interest. The child on camera should be flawless in image, internal feelings, and expression," he said.

"Lin Miaoke is excellent in those aspects. But in terms of voice, Yang Peiyi is perfect, each member of our team agreed," he said.

[Choleric]

Originally Posted by Hypersonic

China's version of Milli Vanilli


Yang Peiyi (left) was the real singer. Lin Miaoke (right) did the lip-syncing.


BEIJING (AFP) — The little girl who starred at the Olympic opening ceremony was miming and only put on stage because the real singer was not considered attractive enough, the show's musical director said.

Pigtailed Lin Miaoke was selected to appear because of her cute appearance and had not sung a note, Chen Qigang, the general music designer of the ceremony, said in an interview with a state broadcaster.

Photographs of Lin in a bright red party dress were published in newspapers and websites all over the world and the official China Daily hailed her as a rising star on Tuesday.

But Chen said the girl whose voice was actually heard by the 91,000 capacity crowd at the main Olympic stadium was in fact seven-year-old Yang Peiyi, who has a chubby face and uneven teeth.

"The reason why little Yang was not chosen to appear was because we wanted to project the right image, we were thinking about what was best for the nation," Chen said in the interview that appeared briefly on the popular news website Sina.com on Tuesday before it was wiped from the Internet.

Lin was seen to perform the patriotic song "Ode to the Motherland" as China's national flag was carried into the stadium, a key moment in the three hour opening ceremony.

"The reason was for the national interest. The child on camera should be flawless in image, internal feelings, and expression," he said.

"Lin Miaoke is excellent in those aspects. But in terms of voice, Yang Peiyi is perfect, each member of our team agreed," he said.

Add that onto the fake fireworks...

[Hypersonic]

^ I feel sad for that little girl .....imagine being told you're not attractive enough to represent your country -- I don't understand it, she looks like a cute little girl -- it's just nasty ....and I thought Communism was about treating everybody equally -- LOL (my little joke there)

[Choleric]

You'd think with over a billion people they'd be able to find someone who is 'attractive' and can sing...

[Monster]

Well I feel sorry for that little girl, but I don't blame the Chinese government for this though, it is the same everywhere around the world, pretty girls gets preferential treatment over the less pretty ones.

BTW what is the deal with the fake fireworks and the blue screen of death, I have only heard about it on the radio but nothing on TV or newspaper.