Tag Archives: China Sports

Olympics

48 Weeks To Go: Counter-Attacks & Paralympic Prep

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I usually try and start with something other than the boycott news, but there’s been a marked change in the conversation this week – namely that the counter narrative from Beijing has begun. Global Times editor Hu Xijin tested the waters a week ago, with the threat that foreign countries would be punished if they boycotted the Games. He’s no longer the sole voice, with plenty of opportunities for interviews provided by the ongoing Two Sessions, China’s most important annual political meetings – the NPC and CPPCC.

Weekly Roundup

  • Counter attacks from Beijing
  • Boycott threats from around the world
  • Paralympics 1 year to go
  • Chengdu Olympic hopes dashed
  • Other features and stories in the build-up to 2022
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Olympics

Memories of the 2008 Beijing Olympics – and what happened next

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Ten years ago tonight, I had the privilege of witnessing one of the most dominant Olympic performances of our time, as Usain Bolt ran 9.69 in the men’s 100m final at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. But I nearly missed the race entirely – and much has changed in China’s sports scene over the ensuing decade.

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Motorsport

Introducing: Second Gear

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As the first of a new series of podcasts (and, soon, videocasts/TV shows) that I’ll be hosting with Sean Henshelwood, Second Gear aims to be an unvarnished look at the Asian motorsport scene. For all the undoubted opportunities of the Asian market, it sometimes feels like the sport doesn’t get out of second gear – hence the name – so in addition to all the latest news and analysis, we’ll also be talking about what needs to be done to take the sport to the next level.

Issues discussed on this episode include:

  1. Chinese Formula 1 Grand Prix:
  2. Liberty Media’s plans for a second Chinese race:
    • The issues with building a sustainable track in China capable of holding an F1 race
    • How soon could this realistically happen?
  3. Fernando Alonso announces plans to build 40 go kart tracks in China over the next five years:
    • Is it achievable?
    • Can it produce China’s first F1 star?

[Photo credit above: 6th GEAR]

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Column, Football

Why you should take headlines from China with a sack of salt

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The headlines from China that make their way into the sports sections of western media very often contain errors, falsehoods and sometimes just downright lies. Two rules of thumb: if it sounds too good to be true, it is; and be very, very careful with numbers. Here’s a selection of recent stories that have stretched the truth in various ways… 

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Ice Hockey

Hockey China Coach Digit Murphy on Team’s World Championship Prospects

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Last summer, the Canadian Women’s Hockey League (CWHL) announced that not one but two Chinese teams would join its ranks, based out of Shenzhen, but playing the majority of its games in North America, while also hosting games in China. The investment from the Kunlun Group, which also runs a men’s team in Russia’s KHL as well as other teams, meant that CWHL players were paid for the first time in their history. 

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Column, Football

Gov’t meddling in Chinese soccer, Pt 28: tattoo ban

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You may have heard by now about China’s ban on tattoos, first announced in January when “hip-hop elements” were deemed no longer suitable for TV, and now scrubbed from soccer, too (as detailed below). But though this forms part of a wider campaign, Chinese football has seen the government get involved all too often. 

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Ice Hockey

Interview: Zach Yuen, the face of Chinese ice hockey

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As part of a recent panel event at the Bookworm Festival in Beijing, I interviewed Zach Yuen, the first player of Chinese descent to be drafted by an NHL team (Winnipeg Jets, 2011) and current defenceman with the China-based Kunlun Red Star in the KHL. Though born and raised in Vancouver, Yuen could now qualify to play for China under IIHF rules and is one of a leading group of ethnically-Chinese foreigners who could represent China at the 2022 Olympics in Beijing. 

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General

The future direction of China’s sports policy

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Politics trumps everything in China, so when all the top leaders gather in Beijing for their annual meetings, it’s worth paying attention. Sports is not – it must be stressed – a top priority at the “Two Sessions” or Lianghui, but it does get a mention every now and then. Below are the relevant moments from the week’s major speeches, plus some attempts to read the tea leaves. 

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Column, Football, Motorsport

Xi to stay on, Wanda to get out, Tmall turns to F1 and more Milan misery

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Here’s a summary of what you can find in my weekly China Digest for SportBusiness:

Continue reading Xi to stay on, Wanda to get out, Tmall turns to F1 and more Milan misery →