
Cologne - On 8 August 2008 fired the starting shot for the gigantic game that has experienced the world ever. Padding instead of making a mess is predicted for the Chinese people finally want to show the country of the smile from his best side.
The Olympic costs amount to 23 billion euros for infrastructure and 3.6 billion for the organization.
But what about a year before the opening? The Cologne fencer Britta Heidemann (TSV Bayer Leverkusen) came last Friday, returned from a ten-day trip from Beijing. The 24-year-old is fluent in the language, studying Chinese regional studies and is a regular there since 1999.
What about in Beijing? Britta Heidemann: I have the entire Olympic Park in the north of Beijing, and looked'm very impressed. The site is in area as large as the Cologne suburb of Pulheim.
Look forward to the people that it soon goes off? "Yes, the Olympic Park alone, 1,000 workers are currently working in 50 sports and the Olympic village. Much is already finished, now Beijing is cleaning itself out properly. The workers will be fired on billboards in the city: "Still 100 days to work, then we will give the world the best Games." Was searched over 100,000 volunteers who have applied for 500,000 - the enthusiasm is huge.
They are almost like a star in China.Einige fans know me, because I speak Chinese very well. And many are on the European type, with blue eyes and blond hair. They often want to touch on the road my golden hair. In October, I'm even betting as a guest of the Chinese version of "Wetten, dass ..?" What bet I will assist as Wettpate, but I do not know yet.
Many Europeans feel that all Chinese look alike, how we distinguish between the athletes at the games look out for? You have exactly the face shape - there are already major differences. But the Chinese have the same problem with Europeans or North Americans - they say we all look like Claudia Schiffer or Brad Pitt.
The athletes are preparing for their competitions perfect before - often with a hard drill. What is the incentive? Unlike Germany, has been outdated now as the Olympic champion in China. Anyone who wins 2008 Gold work should not have much.
How does ticking the youth in China? For a few years, the Chinese are becoming more confident and more open. There are many who aspire to Western standards, they want to shop or hold parties. But there are still many who want to survive in competition against very many other rock hard and study. The maximum time to time go out to a karaoke bar.