Going to the Beijing Olympics? BOCOG has some Tips for You

BOCOG has released a list of 57 rules for foreigners visiting China to attend the Beijing Olympics this Summer. Remember this is a communist country we are talking about. When I was in Beijing in September I saw a military presence unlike I had ever seen in a foreign country I have visited. The list of rules can be found here. Which rules caught my eye? At cultural sports and other large-scale mass activities is it possible to display slogans banners and other articles? China prohibits the display of insulting slogans banners and other articles at sports grounds and prohibits the display at Games venues of any religious political or ethnic slogans banners and other items. What regulations does China have on behavior that insults the national flag or national emblems? Criminal liability will be pursued according to the law for the following acts: willful burning damaging soiling defacing trampling and other methods of insulting the national flag and national emblems on public occasions. (And when they say criminal liability" they mean they'll lock you up in a dark cell somewhere never to be heard from again). The six types of foreigners not welcome include: 1. People who have been deported or prohibited from entering China by the Chinese government. 2. Those who are suspected might commit acts of terrorism violence or subversion after entering China. 3. Those who are suspected might engage in smuggling drug dealing or prostitution after entering China. 4. Those suffering from mental disorders or insanity sexually transmitted diseases tuberculosis or other infectious diseases. 5. Those who cannot guarantee their ability to support themselves financially while in China. 6. Those who are suspected might engage in any acts that threaten the security or interests of China. (Number 6 will be an interesting one. Because the Chinese government is absolutely paranoid and have strict media censorship policies it will be interesting to see how they handle foreign media who may be critical of China - the human rights policies foreign policies or even the pollution. Will these journalists be thrown out of the country or will the censors let them express their opinions?) And pimps and terrorists beware - here's another rule handed out by BOCOG (This is surprising because most countries welcome pimps and terrorists with open arms): Overseas visitors suspected of working in the sex trade of smuggling drugs or belonging to a terrorist organization will not be allowed to enter China during the 2008 Beijing Olympics organizers of the Games said today. Since I spent two weeks in China last September let me give you a few rules of my own if you plan on attending the Olympics this summer: 1.) Under NO circumstance should you drink the water. If you are staying at a decent hotel they will provide you with two bottles of clean water every day. If you take medication or even for brushing your teeth use this water and not the tap water. Its also important to remember that if you eat things like fruit or salad those items have been washed with tap water and will likely make you sick. 2.) Get your proper immunizations before you leave for China. 3.) No matter what you hear trust me when I tell you the pollution is terrible. If you aren't going to bring a mask try to spend as little time outdoors breathing that air as possible. Trust me.........if you knew the particles that make up the air in China you'd probably hold your breath for a few weeks. 4.) If you are staying in a hotel and you don't speak Chinese get to know your concierge. Have them give you business cards for the hotel. These cards have the name and address of the hotel in Chinese on one side and in English on the other side. Carry these cards with you at all times so you know the information for your hotel and so you can hand the card to your driver so he/she knows exactly where to take you. Otherwise you'll spend a lot of time trying to explain where you're staying and could wind up in the wrong place. 5.) Hike the Great Wall. If you're going all the way to China you HAVE to hike the Great Wall. Its truly a religious experience. 6.) Make sure your cell phone has international service. If not buy calling cards to take with you on your trip. 7.) Its hot and humid in China during August so pack the appropriate clothes. Make sure to have at least one pair of comfortable shoes as you'll likely be doing a lot of walking. 8.) Have patience. If you think its tough to get around in NYC LA Chicago or San Francisco you ain't seen nothing yet. It takes forever to get anywhere in the Beijing traffic. Unless you plan on joining the thousands of people who ride their bikes to get around you've got some long bus cab or car rides ahead. I was on a bus with Yao Ming when I was in China and we had a police escort. Even one of China's most recognizable citizens combined with a police escort couldn't make a dent in the Beijing traffic jams. (As a sidenote I wouldn't recommend renting a car and driving yourself around under ANY circumstances). 9.) If you are traveling via plane within the country to do some sight seeing don't be surprised when the person next to you sparks up on the plane. That's right I thought I was back in the 1970's when someone next to me lit a cigarette and started puffing away on the plane. Nasty. 10.) Be careful what you eat. Food in China is very different from food in Western parts of the world. There's some good food but if you think that American Chinese food resembles authentic Chinese food you'll be in for a big surprise. And don't be surprised to see duck dog and cat offered up. Those selections didn't appeal to me and they might not appeal to you. Find a place where you can trust the food and don't be afraid to visit that place more than once - better than getting sick and being down for the count in a foreign country. 11.) Tell your bank you are going to China. If not they'll likely shut off your ATM access as they'll think someone stole your card and is taking money from your account. Give your bank the approval beforehand so that doesn't happen. Otherwise you may find yourself stranded with no cash for things like cab rides. I'm staying put this August and can't say I regret the decision one bit. I had a great time last September but will happy to watch the Olympics and the politics surrounding the Olympics unfold from afar. We'll devote plenty of talk to the Olympics on Sports Business Radio in the coming months and in August though so you'll be very clued in to what's going on over there.           "

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