We've had The Fake House and then The Fake Yard, but has anyone noticed that we seem to have The Fake China? I'm no expert and I know every country puts its best foot forward for the Olympics, but there is an undercurrent evident as we watch the Olympics that is ruining some of the enjoyment for me. Here are a few things that are bothering me:
1) They take children at a young age, often 3 years old, away from their parents if they show talent in Olympic sports. They might get to see their parents once or twice a year. And the worst part is that I heard one gymnast called her parents when she was a teenager and said she wanted to quit and come home, and her parents absolutely refused and said she had to stick with it so THEIR lives could be improved. This is not a family friendly country!
2) The regimen for their athletes in training includes no fun and includes lots of pressure. It sounds horrible to me. When one of their athletes loses, I feel sorry for them because I am sure they are going to be in a lot of trouble and their families will suffer as well. All of the Chinese athletes have smiles that look fake, like they have to remember: Oh, yeah, my coaches told me to smile. (I also realize smiling is a cultural thing as well, but they don't seem to know how to show real joy.)
3) I understand that access for reporters has not been what was promised. I have read articles about all the problems the press is encountering. It makes you wonder what are they trying to hide?
4) They have touted an area where protestors can protest. But this area has been empty of protestors the entire Olympics which the Chinese are proud to report. Real story: Anyone who wants to protest has to show up in person and fill out a lot of forms. They are promptly arrested and held in jail for a minimum of 30 days.
5) Many ( I have no idea of how many thousands) of people had their homes, yes THEIR HOMES, buldozed without any compensation, so they could build all these Olympic venues. Doesn't anyone feel badly competing in a stadium that left thousands homeless?
6) And then I just read an article about the hardships including injuries and heatstroke the performers in the Opening Ceremonies had to suffer. Here's a quote from the article about one rehearsal: "The students were kept on their feet for most of the 51-hour rehearsal with little food and rest and no shelter from a downpour." For three months one group practiced for 16 hours a day for three months while they lived in a restricted army camp.
It's just too much for me!
I guess I'm feeling especially thankful to live in our country with all of its problems. We are truly blessed. Let's hope it won't be long before we can take the gospel to China. They need to be able to live without fear and with some REAL joy!!
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