euro|topics - The games are up

Main focus of Monday, August 25, 2008

The games are up

The Olympic Games came to an end yesterday in Beijing. The Chinese leadership had been roundly criticised in the run-up to the games for their disregard for human rights. During the event itself, however, international government representatives were much more reserved in their protest. The European press takes stock.

El Mundo - Spain

China is the victor at the Olympic Games and the West the loser, writes the Spanish newspaper El Mundo: "The 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing are already history, and they represent an undeniable success for China ... and its totalitarian regime. Beijing has achieved what it wanted: to show the world its economic miracle, to present its visiting card as a superpower and to definitively displace Japan as the major protagonist in Asia. ... But a bitter aftertaste remains in the wake of the glamour and exuberance of the sporting event, along with a vague feeling that the West has been defeated. The Olympic Committee maintained that the games would promote freedom in the country. But nothing of the sort has happened. .. The flame has been extinguished in the Bird's Nest, however it remains to be seen if the torch of freedom will burn enduringly in China. The facts indicate the contrary." (25/08/2008)

Le Figaro - France

According to the leading article in Le Figaro newspaper, with the Olympic Games China has shown the world that it has become a major economic power even without Western democracy: "Beijing has demonstrated its ability to mobilise the human and material resources necessary for such a gigantic enterprise. ... But what about the political criteria? The priority of the Chinese authorities was to suppress protest of any kind. ... The Chinese Communist Party has delighted in the presence of a majority of foreign heads of government, without making the slightest concession to human rights. ... China has disappointed the hopes of those who thought that in bestowing the country the honour of organising the event, it would open to the world and develop toward democracy. But no. ... China has no need to import our political system to prevail as an industrial and economic power." (23/08/2008)

Newsweek Polska - Poland

The news magazine Newsweek Polska believes the Olympic Games helped China open up to the world: "The world is wondering if the Olympic Games will change China at all. Nothing happens quickly and painlessly there. But today a new generation is having its say - people who were born after 1980, when the state to all intents and purposes forbid families from having more than one child. These young people are well situated and well educated, and for them Mao is more a pop icon than a charismatic chairman. In the 16 days of the Olympic Games the young Chinese opened up to foreigners and came much closer to the outside world. ... They will now do much to ensure that things remain that way." (25/08/2008)

Dnevnik - Slovenia

With the next Olympic Games to be held in London the Olympic flame will be returning to Europe. According to Dejan Kresnik, commentator for the daily Dnevnik, the British organisers face a huge task over the next four years: 2When the curtain fell on an Olympics of superlatives in Beijing yesterday, the headaches began for the organisers in London. ... The fears of the London organisers are justified, because a repeat of Beijing would be a 'mission impossible'. After Beijing broke all the records with a budget of 43 billion euros, the calls for more rational games are growing louder in the UK. The Mayor of London is convinced that the 2012 Games will be even more spectacular. If that is their goal they will have to work extremely hard!" (25/08/2008)

» To the complete press review of Monday, August 25, 2008

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