Amazing Olympics
While the two big towers looming behind the big air ski jump may look like that of a nuclear power plant, it's actually a historic part of Beijing that was repurposed to help improve air quality.
As detailed by NPR, the event takes place in a district of Beijing called Shougang. The area used to be one of the largest steel and iron mills in all of China. However, it shut down shortly after the 2008 Summer Olympics and has since been repurposed.
In 2010, Shougang officially closed in Beijing. The pollution and noise were just too much. Beijing had a choice - demolish or clean up and renovate the old mill. They chose the latter.
Wow! What a concept! In Chicago, we just move polluters from wealthy, white communities to poorer Black and Latino ones.
The massive concrete silos where workers once stored metal ores and coal are now sleek office spaces, and other parts have been converted into snow-making facilities.
The silos aren't just used as office spaces and snow-making facilities. Some have been converted into museums and restaurants to attract tourists. One will even become a wedding venue.
I’ve got a Leslie Jones…
If you’re not tuned into Leslie Jones (@Lesdoggg), former SNL cast member and writer, doing commentary from the Olympic games, you are not having nearly as much fun as I am.
Where’s Peng?
IOC says 'We answered the question, 'Where is Peng Shuai?'"
"You could see it in her appearances that she is enjoying the Games, enjoying being among athletes and the public and this is why we are continuing to have this contact." — Reuters
A reminder…
Amid the current climate of cold-war fever which intensifies national chauvinism, war, racism, cheating, doping, and medal-counting, it’s important to remind ourselves that the Olympics were never intended to promote competition among nations.
The Olympic Charter is very clear about that, noting that “the Olympics are competitions between athletes in individual or team events and not between countries.” (Olympic Charter, Chapter 1, Rule 6)