BOCOG Issues Cheering Guidelines For Fans To Follow During Games
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BOCOG Training Several Squads To Teach
Chinese Spectators How To Cheer Properly |
China's ruling Communist party and BOCOG have "issued the official guideline on Olympics cheering to ensure crowds clap properly during the summer games," according to Mure Dickie of the FINANCIAL TIMES. The guideline is "designed to help spectators cheer in a 'smooth and civilised manner,'" and the four-step method "reflects government efforts to use the hosting of the Olympics as an opportunity to add impetus to long-standing drives to clamp down on bad habits such as unsporting conduct, spitting and queue-jumping." The method was "designed by a team of experts, involves rhythmic clapping, a double thumbs-up and raising of the spectators' clenched fists." The clapping process is to be "accompanied by the chanting of the phrase 'Olympics ... add oil! China ... add oil!' -- a slogan more freely translated as 'Go Olympics! Go China!' -- but officials say that other nations can be substituted for China when appropriate." To promote the clapping method there will be "unified training" for the 800,000 students who will receive tickets for the Games, with youth delegates taking a public oath to "spread the Olympic spirit" to surrounding spectators (FINANCIAL TIMES, 6/8).
CHEER LEADERS: DAILY VARIETY's Clifford Coonan wrote the four-part Olympic cheer will be "taught at schools, promoted on TV, and instructions will be available as part of a poster campaign." Beijing officials said that "civilized cheering done according to strict and detailed instructions will be the order of the day." The "Let's Go" cheer will be officially used to "fire up the national team," but it can also be used to "inspire other countries." BOCOG has "taken on no less than 30 cheering squads who will show spectators" how the cheer is done. The reaction among online commentators "has been mixed." Online commenter Da Menya said, "I've just learned the cheer. But I feel a little bit foolish." Another online commenter, who gave his name as Xiao Shang, said, "I am always amazed at the government's ability to take the fun out of anything" (DAILY VARIETY, 6/7).
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