Live From The Opening Ceremonies

The heat and humidity in the Bird’s Nest is unbearable. Everyone is sweating like marathon runners. Johnson & Johnson should have put deodorant in our goodie-bags! At least water was provided.

Other than the heat, the ceremony is great. The use of light is incredible and the Chinese people are keeping up the energy throughout the long parade of nations. Typically, by halfway through the excitement dies down. But not here! Since I don’t know the Chinese alphabet, I keep waiting for the U.S. team.

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The Two-Hour Journey to the Nest

GW student Stephanie Baldwin

The journey to the opening ceremony began at 3:30 p.m. by boarding the new Line 2 metro. We then transfered to Line 10 and exited to a checkpoint area where we had to show our tickets to move on to a massive security control center. There we spent an hour going through the security line, which included taking a photo and scanning in the ticket.
After this enjoyable experience we got back into a metro, dedicated just for ticket holders, finally heading to the Birds Nest. From here on out it was smooth sailing.

The Olympic Green is spectacular. Everywhere you look could be another photo. The Chinese actually had time to plant grass and trees around the venues, compared to Athens.

Diverting back to the security process, it was interesting that while going through the security process there was not one person providing instructions in English and just a few saying anything in Chinese. In Sydney and the Salt Lake Games, volunteers were posted on lifeguard stands making announcements and jokes to keep us all humored while waiting in line. Here, it was not until we finally made it to the Green that we heard English-speaking volunteers greeting us and providing directions. They even have some lifeguard stand with, who else, Aussies on the post.

Another thing about the security lines, as I got closer to the actual screening, I saw signs dedicated for people “without” bags. Unfortunately there was no way to read these small signs without super powers. Because of this, the “no bag” lines were filled with people with bags and as slow as the rest.

The Anticipation Builds Before Games’ Opening

The opening reception at the Olympians Reunion Center

Although the Games open tonight, it is still hard to find other non-Chinese Olympic spectators. With a city population of over 15 million, I guess I should not be surprised. Nike seems to have taken over the shopping area near Wangfuijing. Each Nike store is Olympic themed with life-sized mannequins and eye-catching exhibits, creating a major “wow” factor.

Word got out that I have opening ceremony tickets and the phone has been ringing non-stop trying to get me to sell them. Unfortunately, I am a true Olympic fan and would rather attend my 14th consecutive opening ceremony than build my children’s college fund. One offer was “Whatever you want.” That did get me to stop and think, but I didn’t sell out.

Thus far, no sign of people selling tickets on the street or elsewhere. All I have seen are people asking for tickets.

The opening reception at the Olympians Reunion Center was spectacular, filled with traditional Chinese entertainment and food. Anita DeFrantz was completely surprised when she was presented the Osaka Award for outstanding contribution to the Olympic movement. Additional celebrity attendees included Dick Fosbury (president of the World Olympians Association), Willie Banks (president of the U.S. Olympians Association), Dwight Stones and Prince Albert. Michael Lynch of Visa helped to open the center. Visa has long been a title sponsor of the Reunion Center, but this year elected only to sponsor the opening reception.

Ceo Wimmer (left) and Ben Sturner

This was a great opportunity for some of the GWU students to gain event experience. Volunteers Stephanie Baldwin, Editra Allen and Kelly Finn welcomed the guests.

It was fun to run into Ceo Wimmer and Ben Sturner, now with Leverage Agency, who are in Beijing seeking sponsors for the Bird’s Nest and Water Cube post-Olympics. The plan is to turn the Water Cube into an amusement-park type facility open to the public for a reasonable fee. Seems to me like a good sponsor opportunity to leverage the Olympic legacy and reach the millions of Chinese interested in swimming and entertainment.

Beijing's View: 'Olympics Good, Friends Around the World'

We continue our discussion with Lisa Delpy Neirotti, associate professor of tourism & sports management at George Washington University. Delpy Neirotti, who arrived in Beijing on Monday, has been to 13 Olympic Games.

This time around, she's leading a group of 28 students to China from Aug. 4-24. She gave us her initial thoughts of Beijing via e-mail yesterday.

What's the first thing that strikes you about Beijing?

Delpy Neirotti: The new airport is massive and architecturally striking. There were people to greet the media immediately outside the airplane door, not even at the gate. I breezed through customs, although two major United flights landed at the same time.

Much has been made about the air quality in Beijing. How do you find it to be and will it have an impact on the Games?

Delpy Neirotti: The air is cleaner than my last visit to Beijing in October of 2007, and far better than four years ago when lead gas was still being pumped. By late afternoon [yesterday], I could actually see blue skies. There is still an overcast feel, but by no means is it deadly for athletes.

Neirotti says the Beijing Olympic logo and Samsung  have a visual presence throughout the city.

What brand has emerged as having the most noticeable presence?

Delpy Neirotti: The Olympic brand is really what stands out. The slogan "One World One Dream" and the 2008 Beijing Olympic logo is everywhere. Beyond general Olympic branding, Coca-Cola and Samsung seem to stand out along with national sponsors, such as China Mobile and China Bank. Visa had a visitor kiosk at the airport distributing some maps. Compared to other Games, it seems as if commercialism is low key. I am waiting to see if all of the sponsors will have wrapped buses.

What is the initial buzz in the city around the Games?

Delpy Neirotti: It seems as if the local citizens are very excited about the Games. I asked one person about directions and he offered to take me there in his private car. The entire ride he kept saying in broken English, "Olympics good, friends around the world." I, of course, gave him a GW Olympic pin for his kind hospitality.

Neirotti compares subway crowds as being similar to rush hour in Washington, D.C., and New York.

How easy is it to get around?

Delpy Neirotti: Taxies are hit or miss in terms of getting a driver who can read the address of where you want to go (even though it is written in Chinese with a map showing the location). I was trying to get to a sponsor's five-star hotel and the driver tried to drop me off at the zoo, even though the directions and map clearly identified a hotel. The subways are crowded (same as rush hour in Washington, D.C., or New York City), but easy to figure out. The new line to the Olympic Green is very modern.

What has been most shocking and most surprising for you?

Delpy Neirotti: Thus far, the language has been the most frustrating part of the Olympic experience. The staff in our youth hostel seem to speak more English than employees at the five-star hotels, which could be a big problem for sponsor guests. I assume it will be this way at venues. Using some basic hand gestures does not even seem to help as they just look at you like you are crazy. With that said, I can say only two words in Mandarin — "hello" and "thank you" — so I do not have much room to complain.

Neirotti hopes street sweepers are being paid for their efforts.

Any other thoughts?

Delpy Neirotti: The torch relay for these Games has had to dramatically change. The length of each torch bearer is shorter and it is run in a secluded location (e.g., in a closed amusement park). With so many people in Beijing, all very interested in touching or feeling part of the Games, it could be a logistical and safety issue if streets were closed for the public to view. Unfortunately, I always felt this was one of the most exciting parts of the Games, seeing the torch run through the city and light up the faces and Olympic enthusiasm of the locals.

The city has definitely been beautified with flowers and Olympic "welcome" signage throughout. You can also see many street cleaners. Here is a photo of a street sweeper (above). The band around his arm said Olympic volunteer, but I certainly hope this person is being paid. Tonight starts all the parties. I will be attending Casa Brazil and Olympic Reunion Center openings.

Do you have a question for Lisa? If so, e-mail us at beijinggames@sportsbusinessdaily.com.