wOw's Beijing Olympics Blog | 08/08/2008 3:45 pm

First Gold Medals Go to Beijing Cops

By Junling Cui

Editor’s Note: Meet Junling Cui, our exclusive wOw Woman on the scene in Beijing. For the Olympics, wowOwow goes right to the source for an insider’s perspective on the news coming out of Beijing. Joyce will be reporting from both the women’s perspective and from the point of view of a Chinese national, on all things Olympics — from the athletes’ stories to the social impact of the games.

Finally, finally, finally.

We have cut through the tense, gloomy gray exterior (both figuratively and literally) that Beijing has been for the last few days, and had some fun (not that you could tell, admittedly, from the ridiculously stoic visages of our country’s leadership. Those guys need to relax, at least for a minute). As the opening ceremonies unfurled in front of 91,000 in the Bird’s Nest, choreographed by China’s most famous film director, Zhang Yimou ("Raise the Red Lantern," "Ju Dou," "Red Sorghum") – thousands upon thousands more of us gathered out in the streets, in front of big screens that had been set up in various spots throughout the city. I’m a Shanghai native, but went to college here in Beijing, then spent the next five years working as a producer for CCTV, China’s state-owned television network.

We can finally relax now, it's finally here.

Several of my college friends rode their bikes and gathered not far from the Bird’s Nest and watched on a big screen set up for the occasion. One of them was a friend who now lives in Chicago. She flew all the way back just for the occasion, and was struck by the crowds she mingled with tonight. It was relaxed and cheerful — but low-key, not raucous. We had waited so long for this night. One of my friends said, "We can finally relax now, it’s finally here."

Compare this to the reaction in Beijing seven years ago, in the summer of 2001, when the IOC awarded Beijing the games. Now THAT was raucous. The celebration was explosive. Tens of thousands jammed the city and screamed their lungs out, making as much noise as possible. I was riding that evening in my ex-boyfriend’s car — and I honked the horn so many times it eventually broke. My ex-boyfriend was not pleased. The car was a Mercedes. (Although that was not the reason we broke up.)

Tonight wasn’t like that. Yes, there was a heavy police presence, but they didn’t hassle anybody that we saw. Many of the police, if they had a view of one of the outdoor big screens, watched the over the top (but stunning) "Zhang show" like everyone else. Then we stood and watched the interminable procession of teams entering the stadium—"Hooray Mauritius!" one of my friends bellowed jokingly. How relaxed were we? Even Japan got a cheer from the assembled throngs.

But there was no hysteria; no full-throated, throbbing nationalists, as far as I could see. This has been a tough year for China. The winter was unusually bad; then Tibet; then the tumultuous Torch Relay; then the earthquake in Sichuan. That put everything in its proper perspective. Sure, we were ready for opening night of the Olympics — ready to have a bit of fun and ready, really, to get on with it.

The Games, finally, have begun. Now let the sports — those that athletes play for fun and for profit — begin. We’ll be cheering, just like everyone else, everywhere else.

Read more about: Beijing, Joyce, Olympics
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15 Reader Comments (so far…) Sign In or Register to comment

Dona Howlett

So anxious for the Television show tonight here on the west coast at 7:30 pm
Of course I will be using my TEVO………in case I want to watch something spectacular over again.

My chinese friend watched the rehersals on Chinese TV last week. She said it was going to be really beautiful.

Enjoy America…………we can’t do anything about the Politics today.

Again I wish all the athletes good luck.

Just a few hours until my party starts……………..waiting for my guest to arrive.

By Dona Howlett on 08/08/2008 3:23 pm
Diana T

Dona,
How many people are coming over?

By Diana T on 08/08/2008 5:42 pm
Dona Howlett

Diana,
Just 10……….small group. I have a big 62 inch HDTV……………so it will be fun.
Wish you were here.

By Dona Howlett on 08/08/2008 6:51 pm
Diana T

The extravaganza will be fantastic on a TV that large!
Let us know how it went.

By Diana T on 08/08/2008 7:38 pm
Josie Sullivan

I cannot imagine what it must have been like to be there. I am watching the end of the Olympic opening right now (CST) and I must say that Beijing put on quite a show. It was amazing!
Sichuan must have thrown them into such sadness. Many blessings to all of the athletes from all countries! May you be strong and steadfast in your competition.

By Josie Sullivan on 08/08/2008 11:40 pm
C A Rose

Josie, I agree. The ceremony is just wrapping up here in AZ. I actually wrote what I thought was a very clever comment and then accidently deleted it…which sucks! I can’t remember what I wrote now! I think my last comment was something like…I wish the world would take a time out from wars, killing, raping, and destroying humanity, if only for the Olympic Games. Couldn’t we allow all these hopeful young athletes who have spent their entire lives training to compete be able to do so in peace…please?

By C A Rose on 08/09/2008 1:45 am
Frannie Em

Junling Cui

Just watched the opening ceremonies and I was so impressed with China’s accomplishment. The ceremony was over the top amazing. The 15,000 young men and women who performed were wonderful and represented China Beautifully. You must all be satisfied. This was my all time favorite Olympics Opening Ceremony. Thank you, it was beautiful. My favorite part was the drums in the beginning. The precision was incredible. Their families deserve to be proud.

By Frannie Em on 08/09/2008 2:01 am
C A Rose

Ok, the opening ceremony just wrapped up. How in the world did that Chinese six gold medal athlete from the LA Games (1984?) do that floating run around that entire stadium?!?! I’m outta breath from watching him. And, aren’t we fortunate that the Chinese took gunpowder and mastered the art of creating fireworks!

By C A Rose on 08/09/2008 2:02 am
Dona Howlett

Well girls my Olympic party just broke up………..eveyone’s gone home.

That was the best Olympic Opening I’ve seen and I’ve seen all of them since they started being Televised. I said to my Chinese friend who just left………There are a group of people somewhere who are thinking Wow those Chinese have sure made it hard on us (The Next Olympic host’)
I agree with Bob Costa. They should just retire the trophy for the best…………
Anyone who missed this show missed the best performance of a lifetime.
I especially liked the beginning……Drums……….the sound, the people. It just kept getting better and better until the final lighting of the Olympic Torch. I kept wondering during the opening ‘where is the Torch tower’?
Well what a surprise, that walk in Air was spectacular.

What a show……………I had a great Party………food was good, party guest fun and the Show was out of this World. Wish all of you could have been here with me.

By Dona Howlett on 08/09/2008 4:11 am
C A Rose

Dona, It is 2AM here in AZ and they are replaying the entire Opening Ceremony all night.

By C A Rose on 08/09/2008 5:08 am
Dona Howlett

Yes, I know.
I tevo’d the first show. I know I will want to watch portions of it again.
What did you think of it CA Rose?

By Dona Howlett on 08/09/2008 6:54 am
Elisabeth S

Dona-et al,
That really was wonderful and beautiful and just what the games should be about. I agree Dona-let’s forget all the politics (everywhere) and just enjoy and hope that this may promote peace elsewhere. Wish we could have been at your party-we were in spirit. Maybe WOW will put up a two week thread so we could chat about the Olympics. That would be fun.

By Elisabeth S on 08/09/2008 10:12 am
Chari Bonagua

Wonderful opening. Since Beijing and I share the same time zone, I saw the opening’s full glory without losing any sleep.

By Chari Bonagua on 08/09/2008 10:57 am
Ulla

It was a fun/beautiful Opening Ceremony … I have always loved Zhang Yimou’s films, so this was another great achievement!
… nevertheless, I have also joined the Tibetan Youth Congress in remembering Tibet and joining their declaration of 8/8 to 8/15 as Tibetan Flag Week (a flag which is not allowed to be flown in China …) and I have now the gorgeous Tibetan flag outside my window … the Tibetan community of NY and NJ had a beautiful, peaceful, meditative demonstration on Thursday night here in New York City’s Union Sq.

By Ulla on 08/09/2008 12:38 pm
Dorothy S

Beautiful, powerful, awesome, inspiring…..give me a thesaurus cuz I need more words! :)

The age of China has officially dawned. It is easy to respect such an intelligent and hard-working population. A bit scary to my little U.S. patch, but thankfully China’s government considers the US a friend.

By Dorothy S on 08/09/2008 7:24 pm
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