Aug. 16, 2008

Some of my Final Thoughts on Beijing before returned to my beloved home in the USA!

Michael Phelps will today win his 8th Gold Medal and be assured as putting on the greatest performance in the history of the Olympic Games but for many nations the Olympic experience only lasts a minute for the Event but a lifetime for the participation.

Nedim Nisic represents the ideal of the Olympic Games! The IOC states that it is not about the medal count but about all nations coming together in peace and representing the best of mankind. Nedim represents that definition in every way. Coming from an emerging country out of war with only one swimmer he did his best and it was the best performance from his country. Having visited him in the Olympic Village it is amazing to see these great athletes, fit and in teriffic shape, interacting together as one people. The priority of Nedim was to represent himself, Cleveland State and his country well not just in the swimming pool but at the Opening Ceremoney and all other functions.

I asked Nedim, "what is the greatest moment of your experience here in Beijing?" He said "entering the Birds Nest Stadium at the Opening Ceremony with the noise, vibrations, sites and crowd cheering as one". He said is was impossible to describe that awesome experience in words.

My wife Carol spent a month teaching in Beijing in 2000 and says that it is beyond belief to see the tranformation of the city. From a third world appearance of being drab, grey, dark to a colorful modern city that is cosmopolitan with the great cities of the world. It is the just the Olympic venues but the entire city much bigger that the state of Ohio in population and an imense area. Every highway planted with flowers,beautifu parks with unique sculptures, every building with banners and not a scrap of trash anywhere. There seems like a thousant sky scrappers and very modern with more going up. We took the subway, buses and taxis all over the city and it was easy to get around.

There is not doubt that this is a totalatarian government. I wonder what has happened to the poor and sick people that you see in every major city on the world. Where are the beggars, the bazars, the homeless and the deprived. They have been displaced and are perhaps in compounds or no longer alive? Carol said the common areas used to stink and be covered with spit, etc. and now they are spotless.There are typically bicycles, bumper to bumper cars , and loud noise. Now it is quiet and orderly. China has worked hard at making sure that everything looks great! If you go down the back alleys you see dilapidated old buildings. The architecture is foreboding and imposing.

The people of China are happy, disciplined, hard working and polite. They are experiencing the greatest modern era of their contry and their standard of living is getting better every day. But make no mistake, the USA has won the cultural war! Our movies, music, dress, and mannerisms are copied by their people. Our cororations are everywhere. There are McDonald's, KFC, Mickey Mouse and american jeans throughout the city. They admire Americans and want to talk to you. The ordinary Chinese in Beijing have cell phones, computers, and other modern devices. Their transportation is superb.

All eight of the Olympics have been different and superb. None are our favorites but this one is spectacular and enlightening on a misunderstood country and culture by Americans.

I love America and am so appreciative of being in a country that helps so many others.I will be back to CSU soon in my 35th year of helping others to be their best! It is the American way.

Regards and good wishes from Beijing!

Wally Morton
Cleveland State University
Head Swimming Coach
Director of Competitive Aquatics