For the first time in Olympic history someone has made a countdown event. On the day that marked the Olympics less than a year bombastic television, radio and newspapers have written or proclaimed thousands of words about what China has done to prepare for these Games. The cheerful attitude, as well as the constant repetition of the key concept that people should approach the big day is perfectly exemplified by this official video .

The same day, but I doubt that you read something , a small group of Canadians decided to show their ignorance of the situation in Tibet (sarcastically) exposing a giant "F ree T Ibet" in English and Chinese on the Great Wall. Repatriated after a night of interrogation.

The same day, Reporters Without Borders has set up a test in Beijing ( English | Italian ) made ​​a press conference on the violation of individual freedoms in China, and then they come out in front of the building that houses the Organizing Committee of Beijing Olympics (BOCOG) carrying signs with handcuffs instead of the Olympic rings. Detained for a few hours, were expelled the next day.

Now, although it is obvious that these are not merely exploit foreigners who speak to anyone, it is also crystal clear that those who organized these events not involving Chinese citizens, perhaps because they were already in the country, and probably would not be expelled but jailed for a year and reeducated. However, although no protests for trifles such as human rights, there are some people who look to the point, for example, the forced relocation of people who live near areas affected Olympic urban development. Meanwhile, across the Sea of China, the Taipei Times comes out with this article , just to add some 'spice to the relationship between the brothers separated. Always the same day, on the other side of Tibet, in India , ten thousand Tibetans gather in protest of human rights.

From the environmental side, the meteorological office sends rain check regularly to test the effectiveness of rainfall in eliminating pollution. Anyway, someone begins to wonder whether the Chinese authorities will be able to control everything . For the record, the pollution in Beijing is usually more than double (and sometimes three times, it happens ten times) of our highest alert level. Number plate, new metro lines, new buses. They are doing something, even though many believe it is too late and you will go to emergency measures rather than structural.

These are the facts (as reported by hostile Western media, of course), I personally believe that there will be many such events during the Olympics, and at the same time that the Chinese will find a way to resolve them without too much fuss (the hawks do not expect reporters jailed so). I also believe that the Olympics that will be topped off with this news, daily updates and pollution, as I am convinced that here in China, the Chinese will be marginally affected by this. The game is never achieve the critical mass of protest, and in a country with a billion and half people the number is considerable. Certainly, the 2008 Olympics will be remembered for years to come, how it is early to tell. Sure, it would be nice to the Chinese that despite years of construction ( acquatics center | bird 's nest | CCTV tower to name a few), make-up and logistical preparations pass into second place to the athletes who arrive a day before the race to do not breathe too much air, or notes for the umpteenth press conference to protest agency al'ultima next gold medal.

I remember when they organized the conference for AIESEC. All behind the logistics, coffee breaks, the latest gadget, sponsorship of bottles. Of course, all these things are a good infrastructure, but it's fun, is the event, is the attitude of the people you meet that makes the difference. The Olympics are an AIESEC conference, but if even a small part of the same dynamics worked, I would worry me a Chinese.