Olympics in China and US

1. Olympics is a big deal in China, TV viewership shot out of roofs, if not millions disappear from the streets, at least some 10 thousands stay home watching openings, and games that Chinese athletes compete. In the US, most viewed event during the whole Olympics is the opening ceremony, so people got a chance to know other nations’ names.

2. It is to US business’s interests to draw people’s attention to the games, global companies such as Coco cola and McDonald hope you watch the TV commercials. It is to Chinese government’s interests to the Olympics, so people won’t pay much attention to domestic issues.

3. How much worth a medal is? People are shocked to know that in China, the government hands out bonus to athletes who get medals, and different price tags for gold, sliver or brown. It is unheard of in both the US and Japan, where athletes got money from endorsements from companies, so, extremely popular athletes such as Michelle Kwan, even never got (will never get) a gold medal in Olympics, she made 2-3 million dollars, more than many less popular gold medalist.