Clic

Funny Games?

Estoy empezando a pensar por donde he meterme el espíritu olímpico. Quizá espere al 24 de agosto para tomar una decisión aunque a día de hoy, cuando ni siquiera han dado comienzo oficialmente los Juegos, puedo decir que estoy hasta el gorro, harta, desbordada y jodidamente desilusionada.

Pero no me malinterpretéis, que el trabajo va que ni pintao, no podría ir mejor! Si a mi lo que más me jode de todo esto Jacques Rogge se ha salido con la suya, el COI se ha llenado los bolsillos de maos (billetes de 100 yuanes)y a la vez ha desbordado los corazones de los chinos de esperanzas e ilusiones falsas, vagas y superficiales. Beijing 2008, One World, One Dream!! Y yo me parto, me mondo y me troncho. Porque muchos Juegos y muchas historias pero al final de lo único que se habla aquí es de las extremas medidas de seguridad, la falta de libertad de expresión y de la mierda de tiempo que hace. Un ejemplo: llevo una semana una semana con tos y mi flema es negra. No fumo y puede que tenga podrida el alma pero no los pulmones. ¿Alguien se lo explica? Otro ejemplo:

BEIJING: Police shove danish crew at ticket buying area, break camera

JULY 25, 2008: Beijing police manhandled a Danish television journalist and his Chinese assistant, knocking their camera to the ground and breaking it as the team tried to cover the crowds lined upto buy tickets during the last round of Olympic ticket sales.

DR Asia Bureau Chief Jan Larsen said the crew's camera and monopod were broken; they could not resume filming after police shoved them away from the media zone around the ticket-buying area. Larsen said the interference took place as crowds began to get angry overchaos in the queues, and was one of several reported incidents of police tussling with media who were trying to cover the ticket sales.

"It was the usual conduct of the police in situations where things get out of control," said Larsen, who observed that authoritieswere trying to stop TV media from filming the situation "rather than finding solutions to the chaos that was emerging."

HK photographer arrested amid ticket chaos Staff Reporters

6:30 PM,July 25,2008

South China Morning Post photographer Felix Wong was arrested on Friday as chaos broke out on the final day of ticket sales for the Olympic Games in Beijing. Wong was kept in custody during the afternoon but later released. Wong was involved in a scuffle with police officers before being arrested as police forcibly removed journalists filming and photographing chaotic scenes as thousands queued for tickets. Wong and a reporter from a Hong Kong-based television network were among several journalists and photographers from the city who were forced to leave a restricted media interview area at the Olympics Sports Centre Gymnasium on Friday.

The television news reporter claimed a mainland police officer had used unnecessary force on him, local media reported. Wong said he had also been hit by a police officer. The chaotic series of incidents occurred on Friday morning when more than 10,000 people were queuing outside a square in front of the Olympics Sports Centre Gymnasium. TVB Pearl news Chinese Police beat interrupt Hong Kong Journalists photographer Reporter interview 2008 Beijing Olympic Games ticket sales chaos

Y ahora que alguien me diga qué está pasando. Se supone que unos Juegos son para la unión de culturas, para difundir el deporte y joder! divertirse un poco no???? Pues NO. Aquí ni conciertos, ni bares, ni discotecas, ni IMPROVISACIÓN. Con deciros que ni las villas olímpicas donde van a vivir los deportistas tienen algún espacio lúdico o de ocio. Ninguno!! Teniendo en cuenta que Atenas contaba con piscina y un bar... Dios mío, ya me imagino a la selección brasileña de fútbol subiéndose por las paredes y a Ronaldihno incándole el diente a la pobre chica de la limpieza. Buf!
Esta ciudad se está hundiendo en la miseria. Mucha banderita, muchas flores y plantitas, mucha pintura en spray para disimular los desconchones de cada pared y cada farola. Pero es lo de siempre. Un parche para un descosido. Y los que estamos aquí desde hace tiempo soñando con un cambio DE VERDAD, nos hemos dado un canto en los dientes. Y bien fuerte. Me paran cada dos por tres para pedirme el pasaporte y mi acreditación. Me registran las bolsas pensando que mi trípode es un fusil K43... Me pareceré a Nikita?? Que vale, me parece bien que estén preocupados por la seguridad pero os juro están sobrepasando cualquier límite.

Hoy mismo, grabando en un parque junto al Workers Stadium, había un guarda de seguridad cada 100 metros!!! Lo más fuerte es que no superaban los 22 años y, por supuesto, no te dejaban grabar lo que a ellos les parecía negativo. Lo más frustrante de todo es que mientras estás realizando tu trabajo te viene el pringao de turno, sin identificar, sin uniforme o llevando una simple camiseta que pone Security y me toca la cámara. Me pone la dichosa mano en el objetivo y suelta "NO, NO". Claro, dile al chino "Y tú quien coño eres para negarme que grabe???". Por desgracia mi asistente no está conmigo en todo momento aunque me haya enseñado a decir "Muéstrame tu acreditación" así que ya os podéis imaginar el panorama. Al final, desesperado por intentar entenderte decides desistir e irte a tu casa para tumbarte en el sofá con el aire acondicionado a tope.

Es triste y a mi me duele más que nadie decir estas palabras, pero hace seis meses deseaba que estos Juegos hicieran prosperar a China en todos los sentidos.; ahora, en cambio, no tengo nada claro que esto sea positivo ni para ellos ni para la imagen que tiene el mundo de este país.

Espero que me equivoque. (Fotos: AP y Getty Images)

Os dejo un repor interesante.

Fun may be a casualty of Beijing's effort for a perfect Olympic Games

By Mark Magnier, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer July 26, 2008

BEIJING -- The Chinese have worked overtime to get all their checklists ticked, buildings built and security secured in the lead-up to the 2008 Olympics. But something seems to have happened on the way to the arena: They forgot the fun.Fearful of political protests or terrorist attacks, Beijing feels increasingly battened down as the Aug. 8 opening ceremony approaches, leading some wags to predict a "fun-free" or "killjoy" Games. Many of the best things about Beijing, the little corners, the characters, the outdoor cafe tables, are being nibbled away by omnipresent police and neighborhood snoops in security overdrive.

Every Olympics host city has its own style, but the atmospherics at the last two Games have set a high standard to match. Revelers attending the 2004 Athens Games partied till dawn at street and beach venues replete with big bonfires, flowing ouzo and impromptu concerts. Organizers of the Sydney 2000 Games hired street musicians and jugglers to perform outside venues, and invited those without tickets to picnic beside huge outdoor Olympic viewing screens.In China, however, tight visa policies have discouraged international visitors and pushed some longtime foreign residents out of the country, even as the government has banned most outdoor gatherings and told bar owners to close early.

A plan by the 2012 host city London to throw a party in a downtown park was nixed. Officials have even forbidden picnic umbrellas in some districts, apparently fearful that terrorists or unruly protesters might lurk beneath the prosaic folds.Authorities have also suspended outdoor music festivals, discouraged foreign entertainers and required Chinese, as well as foreign, bands to have their lyrics vetted. Encores must be approved in advance."For the government, fun is not part of the plan," said Wang Feng, a professor of sociology at UC Irvine, who has just returned from Beijing. "What's most important is not having any problems."The threat of terrorism is a serious concern for any host of an international event, especially one that's welcoming 80 world leaders.

But playing host is also a balancing act. Going overboard with security carries the risk of undermining the Olympic spirit, alienating visitors and, in this case, tarnishing China's impressive preparations funded by billion-dollar budgets."They seem so paranoid," said Ann Murphy, a law professor at Gonzaga University in Spokane, Wash. "I think they're so afraid of shadows, they're missing the whole point."Murphy, whose yearlong tenure as a Fulbright scholar in Beijing just ended, said that numerous times this month her family was visited or interrogated by police, airport security, neighborhood watch groups and housing managers."We were laughing that it was like being stalked," she said. "We loved the people and the country, but the government really scared us."Even sponsors and corporate heavyweights find their blood pressure rising. Paul French, Shanghai-based founder of Access Asia, said the consumer marketing firm canceled a $500,000 party for a major international client after Chinese authorities barred outdoor venues, frustrated top executives seeking visas and made it clear that it would be difficult for athletes to leave the Olympic Village for meet-and-greet events."It just became one nightmare after the other," he said.

"It's just not worth the hassle."Many of the rules handed down are vague and only verbally communicated, making it extremely difficult to plan with confidence, said another organizer who declined to be identified for fear of even tougher enforcement."You can't see the bruises on my head," he said. "I've been saying a prayer every night."Police this month issued a detailed list of restrictions on spectators. These include sleeping outdoors, wearing clothing with "identical designs" -- presumably a step that might in the government's eye hint at a cause or political movement -- or unfurling banners, even if they just say "Go USA!" or "Go China!" Violators face 15 days in jail and a $70 fine.

The Culture Ministry has also been busy. A handful of dance clubs and bars have been closed, mostly around Worker's Stadium. Karaoke clubs have been told to add transparent glass to private rooms under a so-called "Sunshine Project." And earlier this month, the ministry announced a ban on all foreign entertainers who have ever "threatened the national sovereignty" of China. The action came after singer Bjork shouted "Tibet! Tibet!" during a concert in March in Shanghai.China says it's just enforcing its existing standards, including visa restrictions and a 2 a.m. bar closing"We do want to have a festive atmosphere at venues," insisted Liu Shaowu, security director for the Beijing Olympic Committee. "Most of our measures are in line with past Games practices."But others disagree."It's really a shame," said Tom Pattinson, editor of Time Out, an entertainment listings magazine, whose July issue for Beijing lists the best bars and nightspots. "Beijing had really bloomed in the past 18 months, but the next few months will be dull."

Part of the disconnect may be China's view of fun, some said. China has long been a food culture, built around eating lavishly with a close-knit group. For many people older than 40, the idea of going out to a bar and mixing with strangers, especially foreigners, is not particularly attractive."The notion of a multiracial globalized party, which much of the outside world sees as the Olympic spirit -- they don't get it," said French, the consumer marketer. "The idea of black and white people with their arms around each other kissing a policeman is not going to work."

In another security move, the government has pushed many internal migrants and disgruntled petitioners out of Beijing and put activists in detention or under house arrest.

Australia, which had the luxury of acting as host in the pre-9/11 era, took a different approach, said David Richmond, former chief executive of the 2000 Sydney Olympics. For nearly a year, organizers met with potential protesters, including Aboriginal groups, to address their concerns and even set up Olympic displays that showcased their history and culture. Many foreign protesters ultimately put down their signs after a few days, Richmond said, as they got caught up in the spirit of fun.Panos Livadas, a Greek government spokesman and past Olympic crisis-team member, said he warned China that with the job of being Games host comes criticism. But if visitors enjoy themselves, he said, the nation reaps huge long-term tourism and trade dividends."Having people come and have a good time is important," he said. "And we know how to do it."

Behind China's clampdown, said political analysts, is a top-down, criticism-wary government nearly as fearful of a Tibet or Falun Gong protester as it is of a terrorist incident."Even though China says the Olympics shouldn't be politicized, many Chinese find that funny given that people over 40 or 50 years old have been indoctrinated that everything is politics," said Joseph Cheng, a political scientist at the City University of Hong Kong. "The model is 'Nothing should go wrong, don't take any chances, stability over everything.' "In addition, officials' main experience in organizing large events is buttoned-up Communist Party meetings in a system that offers little incentive to temper directives with some common sense.

"They're used to controlling huge numbers of people but not in a way that's always open or inviting," said Tom Lansner, who teaches international media at Columbia University. "You never get much credit for sticking your neck out."Hong Huang, blogger and editor of iLook Magazine, said Olympic organizers weren't terribly concerned about street parties or hoi polloi."China is one of the most elite societies you can imagine and if you're part of the Olympics, you're part of the elite," Hong said. "It's a way to say 'We've made it, we're the new hot kids on the block.' "Hong has had her identity checked several times while walking on the streets, and her neighborhood now requires residents to "volunteer" their time watching for suspicious people."This is all going to make people feel that we're somehow still living in a police state, which is unfortunate," she added.

"I felt we moved beyond that, but to revert to that, it's too bad."Some, however, predict restrictions will ease once the Games are underway and officials are able to relax a bit."Even if you don't have fun at the bars, people can go elsewhere," said Jim Boyce, author of a blog on Beijing’s wine and night life activities."Most visitors will be thrilled to eat some Peking duck and go to the Great Wall. Barring a disaster, they'll leave with a good impression."

mark.magnier@latimes.com

Al borde de uno mismo

Existen días en los que estás perdida. Por dentro y por fuera. También existen semanas, quincenas o incluso meses. Y no te encuentras, y no sabes por qué. Y caes en un agujero del que no puedes salir por mucho que alces la cabeza y veas la esperanza como ese puntito de luz allá a lo lejos. No puedes saltar, ni escalar, ni tan siquiera gritar. Estás ahí sola, en silencio, y ves desde tu agujerito como pasa la vida. Tu vida.

Entonces alguien te coje la mano y tira de ti. Con fuerza, con brío. Pero tu no puedes levantarte de tu agujero por mucho que sepas que esa persona quiere que salgas de ahí. Te pesan los brazos, el culo, las piernas, los párpados... El alma. Crees que está todo perdido, que la vida puede seguir sin ti, que el show puede continuar sin que haga falta que tú estés en él. Ni como protagonista ni tan siquiera como atrezzo. Y te dejas llevar, destensas los músculos y te dejas arrastrar hasta la luz por esas manos fuertes que te aferran a la vida. Al amor.

Y un día abres los ojos y allí estás, donde empezaste, en el borde del agujero. Con la oscuridad a tus pies y rezando para no caer. Nunca más.

30 días

El día de mi cumpleaños y 30 días para los Juegos Olímpicos. Menuda cuenta atrás que me espera... Qué pesadilla. Sólo hay una noticia que me ha alegrado el día y con la que me he sentido orgullosa de llevar seis meses en Pekín.

Human Rights Watch adelanta problemas para la prensa en los Juegos Olímpicos

HONG KONG.- El visado no será suficiente garantía para informar con libertad en China durante los Juegos Olímpicos. Los 25.000 periodistas acreditados para esta cita tendrán problemas para ejercer su profesión, según adelanta en un informe la organización de derechos humanos Human Rights Watch (HRW) ha mostrado su inquietud por el riesgo que afrontan los informadores extranjeros y chinos.

El estudio 'Zonas prohibidas de China. El cierre del Tíbet y de otras áreas sensibles a la prensa', presentado en el Club de Corresponsales Extranjeros de Hong Kong, subraya lo difícil que es informar en China durante 2008, el año olímpico y el riesgo que corren también las fuentes que informan de temas "sensibles".

"En un momento en el que la libertad de expresión debería estar en su nivel más alto (en China)", dice el informe de HRW, esta organización denuncia la expulsión y exclusión de los corresponsales extranjeros del Tíbet tras las revueltas de marzo, así como la violación de unas regulaciones temporales que, desde comienzos de 2007, daban una mayor libertad de movimiento a los periodistas extranjeros.

También insiste en las amenazas y el acoso que sufren los informadores, "independientemente del medio o de la nacionalidad", debido a la "demonización de los medios extranjeros", espoleada por el aparato mediático central, ha señalado en Hong Kong Sophie Richardson, editora del informe.

HRW estima que unos 25.000 periodistas cubrirán los Juegos Olímpicos de Pekín, pero, según Richardson, incluso para aquellos que hayan conseguido visado y acreditación la tarea de informar será difícil en función de los temas.

En concreto, quedan "excluidos" de la lista de temas las protestas, las entrevistas con disidentes y activistas de derechos humanos que estén en el candelero y las peticiones de campesinos que se desplacen a Pekín en búsqueda de una salida a los abusos que vean cometidos contra ellos a nivel local.

"Nos parecen inaceptables los riesgos a los que se somete un periodista (en China) para ejercer su trabajo", ha apuntado Richardson, quien ha añadido que les "preocupa que muchas de las historias importantes no puedan ser contadas por la peligrosidad" que entraña escribirlas.
Una peligrosidad que no sólo sufren los periodistas extranjeros, sino también los chinos, y, por extensión, las fuentes de la información, por lo que HRW ha pedido extremar el cuidado y la responsabilidad para garantizar la seguridad de estas últimas.

Para la editora del informe, más que insistir sobre el boicot de los Juegos Olímpicos, lo "apropiado es hacer que el Gobierno chino cumpla su palabra", entre otras cuestiones, en lo que referente a la libertad de prensa, una "promesa específica" que hizo al Comité Olímpico Internacional en su carrera por albergar los Juegos.

...........

Que se agarren los periodistas estrellita que vienen de Madrid a cubrir los Juegos y que, por ahorrar costes, aterrizan en esta ciudad a sólo dos días de su comienzo. Que se preparen los que, creyéndose más listos que nadie, piensan que es fácil trabajar en este país.

Como dice la dichosa cancioncilla de Beijing 2008.... We're reaaaadyyyy!!!