Coming into the 2014 Paralympic Games, China had amassed an impressive 326 gold, 259 silver, and 198 bronze medals 1984-2012, but all 783 of them had come in the Summer Games. The best result at a Winter Games had been a fifth place finish by Peng Yuanyuan in the women’s 5km cross-country classic style standing in Vancouver four years ago.
Stephon Marbury could be in line for a second statue in Beijing. Having missed most of the season through injury, he has inspired the Beijing Ducks in the CBA playoffs, leading them into a finals showdown against the Xinjiang Flying Tigers after a 3-2 series win against the Guangdong Southern Tigers.
Continue reading Weekly Wrap: Marbury dominates, and China’s 783-0 streak could end
After David Beckham’s year-long ambassadorial role for the CSL – during which he had increasingly little to do with football – he is set to return to Beijing next month for a slew of other engagements.
For all the back-slapping about the CSL’s new title sponsor – a four-year deal with Ping An Insurance worth 150 million per year – in reality it’s just the latest in a long list of short-sighted moves by Chinese football authorities.
我敢打赌最近没多少人听说过冬季残奥会。其实如果大多数中国人知道残奥会这件事，才会让我大吃一惊。的确，近日来太多的新闻充斥各媒体的头条，但这些只不过是政府、媒体、记者们漠视残奥会的借口。
The Chinese Super League season kicked off this past weekend, and goals were few and far between. Ominously, though, the top of the table is already occupied by Guangzhou Evergrande…
That’s Online (also in the print versions) has a nice profile of Darci Liu, China’s first and so far only female professional surfer, who, amazingly, only learnt to swim at the age of 18: Continue reading Sports round-up: CSL, surfing, golf, tennis and the invisible Paralympics
Paralympic action starts today in Sochi with China’s 10-strong contingent looking to claim the country’s first ever Winter Paralympic medal. Five of the 10 form the curling team, which finished third at the World Championships in both 2012 and 2013, so a medal is a definite possibility. The other five are cross-country skiers: no red hot favorites, but results have been improving and a podium finish is not out of the question.
Hong Kong hairdresser-turned-businessman and Birmingham City owner Carson Yeung Ka-sing was sentenced to six years in jail on Friday afternoon, after being found guilty of money laundering earlier in the week. Yeung’s story has been front page news in Hong Kong, with his colorful career encompassing everything from cutting Jackie Chan’s hair to meeting with Jia Qinglin – number 4 in Hu Jintao’s cabinet – and washing money for notorious triad bosses.
Here, belatedly, is one of my appearances on BBC World during the Sochi Olympics, talking to presenter Sarah Stone live via Skype. The first part is a little outdated as it talks about China’s medals and prospects (at that time), but the section from 1:38 on Beijing’s bid for the 2022 Olympic Games is still relevant.
Continue reading China Sports Insider Ep. 4 – Beijing’s Olympic bid
Hong Kong businessman Carson Yeung Ka-sing, the Birmingham City owner, has been a very naughty boy. Here’s the summary:
Between 2001 and 2007 Yeung and his father reported no income but HK$721 million (US$ 93 million) somehow found its way into their five bank accounts. Yeung said he made some money working as a hairdresser to HK’s rich and famous, and then invested and gambled his way to riches (while keeping little or no documentation of any transactions). After a 53-day trial, the judge concluded Yeung was a liar and a money launderer, mixed up with triad bosses and other lovely people.
Continue reading Crops and Bobbers: Birmingham City and the Hong Kong hairdresser
