Tag Archives: Anta

40 Weeks To Go: Cotton Socks, Robotaxis & Tchaikovsky

It’s really quite extraordinary that there are only 40 weeks to go until the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing and yet we still have no idea what it’s going to look like, or even who will be there. Ticketing has yet to start, sponsors have little idea what they can do – and we won’t have answers to any of these questions (and more) for several more months at least.

But that is the COVID reality. For one of the most meticulously planned events in the world, flexibility has become a necessary. It’s unsettling, but in the context of the rest of the global headlines, it’s still fairly inconsequential.

The IOC has its hands overflowing with Tokyo logistics right now, but it’s already taking center stage for Beijing, with allegations of suppliers sourcing from Xinjiang and suppressions of freedom over the Rule 50 refresh. The fun continues…

Weekly Roundup

  • IOC in cotton debate over Anta uniforms
  • Chinese athletes skew IOC protest poll on Rule 50
  • FIS Presidential candidate pumps China’s tires
  • Russian anthem to be replaced by Tchaikovsky
  • More boycott news from around the world
  • Other features and stories in the build-up to Beijing 2022
Continue reading 40 Weeks To Go: Cotton Socks, Robotaxis & Tchaikovsky

Nanjing Youth Olympics: worth the fuss?

With the Nanjing Youth Olympic Games (YOG) drawing to a close earlier this week after receiving little to none global attention, the few people who were watching have been debating the merits of the spectacle. In general, those who were there appear to have been won over by the Chinese penchant for ‘Bigger is Better’, while those who weren’t were more than happy to pile on.

Nanjing YOG1 Continue reading Nanjing Youth Olympics: worth the fuss?

Brooklyn Nets, Sacramento Kings heading to China

The NBA’s Global Games schedule is out for 2014 and the upshot for Chinese fans is this: Nets vs Kings in Shanghai on October 12, before the same teams play in Beijing on October 15.

NBA presseason game Beijing China 2013 Continue reading Brooklyn Nets, Sacramento Kings heading to China

Star swimmer waxes lyrical in Beijing

Waxworks in China can either be good – like this one of Li Na in Wuhan – or very, very bad – like this one of Vladimir Putin in Fuzhou. Fortunately, Madame Tussauds’ latest creation of swimmer Ye Shiwen falls into the former category and gets a solid 8 out of 10 on the official China Sports Insider waxometer.

Ye Shiwen waxwork in Beijing Madame Tussauds Continue reading Star swimmer waxes lyrical in Beijing

Stephon Marbury signs new three-year contract with Beijing Ducks

Stephon Marbury – the American despised at home, but loved in China – has signed a new contract with the Beijing Ducks that will keep him in the capital until 2017. The man is so popular here that they built him a statue and he’s even been touted as a future national team coach for China. Below is an extract from this week’s Sports Talk column:

Marbury thanked his fans on his Weibo page after the contract extension was announced
Marbury thanked his fans on his Weibo page after the contract extension was announced

Continue reading Stephon Marbury signs new three-year contract with Beijing Ducks

Zou Shiming: China’s next Yao Ming?

Zou Shiming is a man with a thousand names this week. Known variously by his growing international entourage as Zoo, Zow, Zoe, Joe, Joo and Jow (and that’s before we even get to his given name), the boxer courteously responds to all and sundry with an infectious smile, and willingly answers the same questions over and over again, always giving full and thoughtful soundbites.

ImageIt’s this understated charm that may actually turn out to be more useful to Zou and his team than his boxing talents, which, after winning three Olympic medals (2 gold, 1 bronze), are already legendary.

Continue reading Zou Shiming: China’s next Yao Ming?