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Posted on 02/21/2008 7:48:34 PM PST by blam
Spectators warn of chaos at Beijing Olympics
By Richard Spencer in Beijing
Last Updated: 2:02am GMT 22/02/2008
Foreign spectators at a key test event for the Beijing Olympics have questioned the city's readiness to host the Games in August.
Visitors from Britain, the Netherlands and elsewhere attending the event said the ticket allocation system broke down, officials excluded them from events arbitrarily and few allowances were made for disabled people.
There was chaos yesterday at the entrance to the World Diving championships in the "Water Cube", the showpiece swimming venue.
Long queues formed as scores of touts offered tickets at prices up to five times their face value under the noses of police officers and officials.
"I have followed my daughter to events around the world but I have never experienced anything like this," said a British parent, who asked not to be named.
The problems for the event, which is not only the world championships for the sport but decides qualification places for the Olympics, began two weeks ago. Advance tickets could be bought in China, but visitors from abroad could apply online from only 14 days in advance.
Several spectators from different countries said they were unable to book any tickets. They had to hope that they could get some on arrival.
Spectators were not allowed to go in through the entrance nearest the road, which was reserved for staff, and had to walk 400 yards round the venue to the other entrance.
Volunteers said they were not allowed to make exceptions for the disabled.
The competition manager, Yuan Haoren, was unavailable for interview yesterday.
However, spectators were impressed by the stunning venue and competitors said the events ran smoothly.
An American couple who live in Beijing, John and Heather Whitehead, said the mix-ups were not as serious as they had expected.
Mrs Whitehead said: "We attended the rowing test event and that was much worse."
Knowing that disable people are treated like untouchables in all the un civilized parts of Asia (e.g. everything besides Japan, S. Korea, mayyyyybe Taiwan) I am not surprised that the Red Chinese, arrogant Han Nazi bastards have no accomodations.
That part was earlier in the article:
Long queues formed as scores of touts offered tickets at prices up to five times their face value under the noses of police officers and officials.
Anybody in the U.S. who’s ever tried to get a third glass of water in a Chinese restaurant knows that the incidents in this article are typical examples of the Chinese version of “customer service”.
Hahah. If the rest of the world can’t see Chien-a (if you speak French, you’d know what this means) is a cesspool, then the world is doomed!
Of course, it being China and all.
Yuan was, however, available today for berating and beatings by Communist Party thugs for having this article make its way onto the web....
What? no accomodations (there's that word again :)) from communists?
If I were an athlete, I would refuse to compete in the Olympics.
Heck, try getting a single tiny glass of water for less than $3 at a German restaurant!
Straight up, they charge for a glass of water?
Regards
Just plain water with ice cubes in a glass isn't served in Europe, in my experience. They typically don't have ice-making machines in restaurants.
I specifically asked for water with ice and they brought me a glass they filled from the sink with ice that I think they chipped away from the inside of a refrigerator. The water in Holland was yellowish and tasted like clam juice. They're below sea level, of course.
Futile.
I have never done it, but I have been told that you can get "normal" water if you are persistent enough (they don't want to give it to you because they can only charge for carbonated water). Some tricks to help you get it is to claim you need to take a pill, or bring a dog with you to the restaurant (not uncommon in Germany) and say that your dog needs water, but quickly drink it before they notice :-)
I actually kind of prefer carbonated water - most of the time. For most soldiers, it's the opposite. It takes a while to get used to.
Europe's a nice place to visit and live in for a bit, but I would not want to permanently live here. You really begin to appreciate the United States when you are absent from it.
Thanks trooper.
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