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First of all, this is not to discriminate against Chinese (I, myself am part Chinese).

With the all the recent news about the tainted dog food, lead-contaminated paint, slack security measures for exports, lack of quality control, jaw-dropping statistics, etc.; I've come to think that the '08 Olympics is simply a disaster in the making.

Yes, China is indeed trying to clean up their act (they did execute the health minister, and the ceo of the company that mattel outsourced to manufacture their products committed suicide) and building magnificent structures and touting new, stricter environmental policies, but the thing really comes down to the health factor.

Can the thousands/millions of athletes that descend to Beijing for the Olympics be guaranteed safe conditions? Already in multiple newspapers (NYT, Times, etc.) articles have been published now and quite a while ago citing that Beijing lacks quality fresh drinking water. The Chinese government is pouring billions into funding a canal to the already polluted beyond compare Yellow River in a desperate attempt to channel drinking water to the capital. According to the NYT "500 million lack access to safe drinking water." If the Chinese government cannot ensure that their own people cannot have access the most basic necessity, how can they provide QUALITY food and accommodations for the millions of international athletes?

"Environmental woes that might be considered catastrophic in some countries can seem commonplace in China: industrial cities where people rarely see the sun; children killed or sickened by lead poisoning or other types of local pollution; a coastline so swamped by algal red tides that large sections of the ocean no longer sustain marine life."

The most disturbing statistic is simply the ever degrading quality of air. Beijing's air quality is the 2nd worst in the worlds', with Cairo having the worst. According to the Chinese National Bureau of Statistics, Beijing’s average PM level was 141 (40 PM is considered safe in the EU, and 50 PM here in the USA).

Frankly after reading all the news reports, I believe that the '08 Olympics is a disaster in the making. Lest a miracle that will suddenly fix all the wrongdoings occurs, I predict something will go terribly wrong at the 2008 Olympics.

We cannot deny that China is a growing dragon. But, can the Chinese themselves control their dragon?

*Note: Statistics have been gathered from various online newspapers and magazines*
Edited by Beta9, 26 August 2007 - 07:24.

Having gone to Beijing myself, I'd like to say it's not that bad, the air was actually breathable and that the water itself looked and tasted like water. If you're worried, buy some bottled water and masks. Nothings stopping you from doing that.

500 million people in China not having drinking water is simply a exaggeration, mixing up the country-wide facts with a city-wide scale preparation.

China is trying to get some positive PR. Kinda Like the 1936 Olympics in NAZI Germany....

well just cuz it was held in Germany when Hitler was on power it doesnt mean it was a disaster

No it was completed very efficiently, with Nazi salutes and everything.

I'm worried that it could go wrong, but any problem that is know about now can be solved by the Chinese government, they dont have rules so if a group is a problem they are forceably moved.

The air quality is a concern, i wonder how many athlete will have asthma attacks?

 TehKiller, on 27 Aug 2007, 11:24, said:

I did not say it was going to be a disaster I'm just saying theres a reason it's being held in Beijing.

ok my bad i misunderstood what u said...anyway i think u cant compete on Olympics if u have an astma so the quality of air is not such of big prob and as for water....water is water except that it aint the water in which u add god knows what substances to purify it

I don't expect any ajor problems. Unless the Olympics are boycotted for China's not so good „human rights” record. But then again the US and other Western countries aren't saints either.

there are a lot of overtly frightening statistics that SOUND awful but really, on the ground, aren't terrible.

i spent two weeks in cairo this spring, and i have to say, if the pollution in beijing is anywhere close to as bad that's my only concern. when you breath in in some parts of cairo you can FEEL the pollutants hitting your throat and you can TASTE them on your tounge. there are giant smoldering rubbish-piles in peoples front yards. garbage literally lines the streets and canals. There is not always a garbage pickup, sometimes three weeks go by without a pickup. everyone smokes. cars don't have catalytic converters. sewage and industrial slurry often feed directly into the nile. yet, at the same time, it's not half bad (if you survive)! :nurse:

AFAIK, Beijing isn't even close to Cairo in pollution, so that shouldn't be the problem, but like most very big cities it does occasionally have smoggy days, 19th century London style.

Oh good, watching the hundred metres through pea soupers will be fun.