Professor Jin Yuanpu, executive director of the Humanistic Olympics Studies Centre (HOSC) of Renmin University of China, set up a research centre on October 21, 2000, to study vital issues related to the Olympic Movement and its legacy.

The research areas include preparations for the successful hosting of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, local and global influences of the Olympic Movement, and the spreading of the Olympic spirit among Chinese people through publications, lectures, mass media and on-campus education.

Of all the research projects, the Olympic Games Global Impact (OGGI) programme is the most important one, Jin said.

In order to evaluate the social, environmental, cultural, and economic impact of the Olympic Games on the host city and the rest of the world in general, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has enacted the OGGI programme, a long-term project that will continue through the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games.

The project requires the host city to submit an evaluation report two years after the event is completed.

The report, which will be Chapter Four of the Summary of the Olympic Games, will be kept by the IOC as a cultural legacy.

"Because of the programme's importance, the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games Organizing Committee invited a number of Chinese universities to bid for the job of directing the programme," Jin said. "And the committee finally chose Renmin University of China to mastermind the project."

The setting down of the history of each Olympic Games is a massive job, and is a new undertaking for the IOC. It will start with the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, Jin said.

Philippe Blanchard, International Olympic Committee (IOC) Information Management director, praised the HOSC for its effective work both with the OGGI project and in other areas.

During the Second International Forum for the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, Blanchard made a speech about the IOC's collaboration with universities through the Olympic Games Global Impact (OGGI) programme.

"Judging from its previous work and the successful hosting of this international forum, the HOSC has displayed its strength and potential as a think tank for Beijing that will ensure well-planned and executed preparations for the 2008 Summer Games," he said.

"The Olympics promote not only sports, but also social improvement, and world peace. In-depth and practical studies concerning the Games' cultural significance are very important," Blanchard said.

He believes that HOSC can play an even greater role in providing information and personnel training for the Beijing 2008 Olympics.

In his view, of all legacies of the Games, the human legacy is the most important. "Undoubtedly, studies of the Olympic culture, its human legacy, and new designs and directions for the host cities of the future, will also become part of the Olympic legacy," he said.

But, "above all," he added, "the hosting of the Games has to be in line with the whole city's sustainable and harmonious development in the long run." "This is what the modern Olympics needs, and this is also what the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games can contribute to the Olympic legacy."

As a state-level key academic centre with a down-to-earth approach, HOSC has outlined a blueprint for its development in the coming years, to better serve the "high-tech Olympics," "people's Olympics" and "green Olympics" in 2008 in Beijing, according to Jin.

High-tech preparation

In addition to the ongoing OGGI programme, on top of HOSC's agenda are a HD (High Definition) Digital Production Research programme for Olympic Applications, the volunteer training programme for the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, the English language training programme for the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, the security training and research programme for the 2008 Olympic Games, and Olympic Youth Camps.

All these programmes will be conducted in collaboration with sports industry professionals and education and research institutions from home and abroad, Jin announced.

"The Olympics is not just a sports event; rather, it is a multi-dimensional cultural activity to be presented to and appreciated by the entire international community," said Theresa Chang-whei Jen, a professor with the Wharton School of Business, and deputy director of the International Programme of the College Board of the United States.

"We want everyone in China to participate; therefore, we need to ensure that every Chinese is well prepared to welcome and enjoy this event. In other words, this is the perfect opportunity to raise the global vision of the entire country and to equip our people with the ability to lead.

"It takes rigorous and effective training to enhance the qualities of leadership and global vision of every Chinese, especially the young generations. Everyone should be proficient and communicative, and able to communicate and exchange thoughts with people from other parts of the world effectively, with a sense of national pride, and a deep love for Chinese culture and tradition."

To do so, people, sports professionals and average Chinese alike, need to be trained so they are able to think, argue, compare, take view points, and to take pride in interacting with other people from around the world and to contribute to Olympic culture, she said.

The HOSC of Renmin University of China is in a perfect position to take the lead in organizing multi-layer training programmes and to bring together international and domestic scholars and educators who can then provide their expertise and talent to promote this global action, she said.

Digital Olympics

Another speaker at the forum was Steven Bonica, former vice-president of advanced technology research and development of the National Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) in the United States.

He was in charge of broadcasting for NBC at the Atlanta and Sydney Olympic Games.

Bonica outlined the steps that Beijing needs to take to meet its short-term and long-term requirements.

Beijing needs to partner with leading global companies as China extends its high-definition data and cable television services, he suggested.

Broadcasters will deliver the Olympics to over 3.5 billion people worldwide. Nine out of every 10 households that watch television are expected to tune into the Olympic broadcasts at some point, Bonica said.

"The wide use of digital high definition television technology will ensure top quality production, transmission and broadcasting of the events at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games."

The Beijing 2008 Olympic Games will be much more than just an international sports event. The Games will also be an international media event, attracting the attention of approximately 12,000 overseas journalists and at least 4 billion sports fans from about 200 countries and regions around the world.

"It is no doubt a golden opportunity for China to show its best side to the whole world," Ross Kallen said in his forum speech.

Kallen is a veteran digital media artist, and chief technology officer of the American Academy of Arts.

His view was shared by HOSC deputy director Hu Bo.

"The high definition, digital and real time broadcasting of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, which many hope will be the best and most memorable Games so far, will help promote worldwide understanding of the unique and splendid Chinese culture," said Hu.

For example, the opening and closing ceremonies of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games must be engaging, impressive expressions of welcome, joy and pride, with the finest visuals, music, sound, and dance performances, all enhanced by the most advanced digital media technology.

However, "How to achieve this ambitious goal remains an urgent technological and cultural issue to be discussed and taken care of," said Hu, who is also the director and producer of a new film production entitled "Samaranch."

He suggested that "the preparation work for the Games can be used as a catalyst to boost China's digital radio, television, film and media industries."

It is widely acknowledged that the emergence of digital media arts and technology has torn down the wall between professional filmmakers and non-professional film art enthusiasts, Hu said.

Kallen predicted, "If China gets started right now, it is not too late for it to cultivate a new generation of digital artists and broadcasters who will not only serve the 2008 Olympic Games but also the future of China's television, film and media industries."

He said training programmes must allow students to have "hands-on" experience so that they learn a craft by creating projects, not just through studying film theory or attending lectures.

In China's film and television industry, at least 60,000 digital staff reportedly need to be trained for the Olympic Games.

Source: China Daily