Has the Olympics hurt China's image more than it has helped it?

Question

I keep hearing on the news that the Chinese want to show the world this new China, not the one that chased after people with tanks 20 years ago. But has the Olympics helped or hurt them? From the beginning there have been problems like China's pollution problems and human rights issues. And now there are facts like that the Chinese government had a girl lip singing to another girl who wasn't pretty enough for the opening ceremony. There's also the issues of their women's gymnastics, who months ago were reported as being 14 and 13 in other competitions and do not meet the age requirements. Many of the athletes, like the gymnastic girls, are forced into training and the games by the government.

So my question is, have the Olympics helped China's image, or just strengthened it's communist image or even made it worst?

Answer 1

Depends on where you live

Answer 2

See pictures of these controversies here:

http://snapolympics.com/v/controversial/

Answer 3

it's really boring reading all these unimaginative circular arguments on china. if you have a point to prove, try using examples beyond things that have been repeated 2000 times! u know i can count with 5 fingers the points made against china. 1. The fireworks 2. the girl 3. the gymnasts 4. human rights 5. pollution.

and specifically to do with olympics, only the first 3. so its 3 main points being repeated over and over again. 3 issues of little significance to justify simplistic, ignoramus and biased views against the country hosting the olympics.

also, look up the word 'communism' in dictionary and see if it means 'dogma of cheating to take over the world' like ppl here seem to like to insinuate. communism is a socio-political ideal, not an excuse to justify your meanness.  

Answer 4

I do believe 2 or 3 of them are well under 16 and if they had followed the rules we would have faced a team with lower Difficulty Values and probably won the gold.

Still, I don't think its accurate to say the US has Juniors that are equal to the Chinese Olympians. We have some FANTASTIC juniors but their A scores are the same or lower than our Seniors, and with the excellent execution of the Chinese, it comes down to difficulty.

Our younger girls with the hardest difficulty don't have that textbook execution yet, because we don't train the way they do (THANK GOD) from the age of 3 in camps away from their familes.

Let's put it in perspective -- if it takes cheating and lost childhoods to win team gold, I'd rather have a silver any day.

Answer 5

Depends on what you think about oppression, cheating, xenophobia, and militant nationalism fueled by a national inferiority complex.

Answer 6

Human rights were not part of Olympic-related controversy. They were brought in by opportunistic pro-Tibetans.

I think it has helped China. Regardless of what people think about them, you cannot help but be impressed by their athletes. Have you seen the diving? It's unreal! The Chinese are amazing!

Answer 7

Maybe America has projected a very ugly image of China on their media. But certainly internationally, it has showed that China is strong economically.

Answer 8

I think it has hurt China.

Wonderful fireworks.....Too bad some were fakes..

Wonderful girl singing.  Too bad the real singer was "too ugly" to be on TV according to Chinese beauty standards so they had a model lip sink it.

Wonderful gymnasts.  Too bad they are underage and are winning by cheating.    In fact,  this has generated a new term that is already spreading into American slang.....a "China Cheat" is one who presents a false age in order to qualify for something...

China should be proud of its addition to American slang and for presenting the best "false flag" Olympics ever done..

Answer 9

It helped for about 4 hours in all its opening ceremony's glory, then one by one, the fakeries and problems are revealed, showing China's true colours. Judging by the people I know, their opinions and mine, I say China's making itself look like a fool.

Not to mention the strong censorships the visitors had experienced 1st hand, or the attacking of journalists. Yes, it is quite fortunate they didn't bring out the tanks to settle the matters (that'd ruin the Olympic spirit a bit, eh?) and resorted to bare fists and guns. Such dignified manners.

And whats with the menacing looking soldiers patrolling around with those rifles?! Sheesh-kebabs..!? O.o

Answer 10

i think they have hurt them.

i think they were good for them at first, a chance for them to show off, but i think that in the end they were bad for them.

they are trying to show off to the west, and be perfect, but one thing that they have over us is all the history and the ancient culture.  

all the historic dances and costumes.  that is what is amazing about their culture.

Answer 11

I don't think the Olympics necessarily hurt China's image, but maybe opened opportunities for future generations of China. Many Chinese people learned English just for this event. With this maybe we can have better communication with China for future improvements.

Don't forget, this is a different country which means different customs and perspectives.