An Olympic Appetizer

I finally had the chance to see the future Olympic site of the 2008 Beijing’s summer games. I had a meeting some clients and it just so happened that their office was on the 25th floor of a building adjacent to the already famous and so called “Bird’s Nest”. I was all excited when I first saw it emerge from the horizon while driving towards it in a taxi cab. It truly was gigantic.
After my meeting and dinner, I came as close as I could to it. The proportionally large construction site surrounding it was of course boarded by a construction fence. However I was able to find a section of it that was temporarily down. I, of course, took advantage of that to take many photos. This was an incredibly unique so ‘’avant-garde” structure that it almost seemed unreal. It gave the impression of being in a Sci-Fi movie. I was not able to touch it to verify if whether or not it was a mirage but that day will come...
Immediately juxtaposed to the Olympic site, there was yet another mega habitation complex still being built for the most part. I went in to take a break from the sand flurries. Apparently sand storms are rather common in Beijing. There I met a young Chinese man who was somehow in working on the marketing aspect of this project. From him I learn many interesting figures. The nicest of these apartments are supposedly amongst the most expensive real-estates in Asia and selling at 10 000 US dollars per square meter. So if any of are interested, you can buy yourself one of these penthouse suites for a reasonable 7 million dollars and I could point you to the right people. If that is still a bit too shabby for you, the roof is reserved for a few big two stories tall self contained suits with and interior open air court ward and swimming pool. Those are not for sale since their value is simply too difficult to estimate. They are thus only for rent at the staggering amount of approximately 140 million per year. Apparently one of those is already reserved for one of Bill Gates daughters who want to come here to learn mandarin next year.

Amongst all these rather ludicrous figures, the one the surprised me the most concerns the “life expectancy” of the Olympic Stadium. Only 50 years. After which, it will be destroyed. I’ m no expert concerning these matters but it seems to me that it’s really short for a building that will most likely cost several billions. But then, if we compare with Montreal’s Olympic Stadium which could very well end up with a similar destiny, maybe 50 years is “normal” for such structures.

It was at the same place but a few days later, that was held the 2008 Beijing Marathon. I got up before dawn in order to get there on time to witness the start. I arrived early and confident, as prescribed, but at the wrong place. Bu the time I realised that, after all it was my first time and I didn’t really know what to expect, I was rather late. I had 20 minutes to get 5 km further. I jumped in a taxi and after that ran the rest of the way. Once arrived and out of breath I was in for a bad surprise. A special accreditation was need in to get close to the start line, and of course I should have known. Thankfully, just before the actual start, I turned around and saw an old pick-up truck full of well equipped (and accredited) photographers ready to follow the action. I went towards them with a huge smile and camera in hand. That’s all it took to get onboard. I could not believe my chance I was on the front row, so to speak. It was a dodgy ride but how exiting.





















To my own amusement, but at the expense of the other photographers, the truck suddenly broke down half way into the race. Quite embarrassing really... They picked us up in a minibus full of what seemed to be officials. They forbid us to open the windows for some unknown reason and it didn’t please everyone. Sometimes it’s better not to try to understand. As for me well, I considered myself lucky enough to be there at all.
















So thanks to that minibus, I was able to go through the first security gate. For the others, I simply kept close to another (accredited) photographer, looked confidant, and kept my camera high and my stare away from those of the numerous security guards and police man. That way I was able to sneak my way in to the finish line inside a stadium through several security gates. Other photographers told me that they had difficulty going through even with their accreditation pass. Strangely, the stadium was almost completely empty. There again, it’s better not to try to understand. Finally, I was able to immortalise the radiating huge smile of intense satisfaction of Nephat Kinyanjui, from Kenya, as he first crossed the finish line.