This boy stole the show at 2008 Beijing Olympics Opening Ceremony
August 9, 2008 by Grace Ibay
Filed under Diseases & Conditions
Tonight I just finished watching the Opening Ceremony of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games. The show was spectacular! The Chinese outdid themselves and went way out to deliver this magnificent showcase of talent and history.
But the best thing about tonight’s Olympic event is not the show. It’s a little boy named Lin Hao. He’s quite the national hero! But his presence also caused some stormy controversy!
The nine-year old Lin Hao is a survivor of the Sichuan earthquake last month that killed more than 70,000 people. The second-grader was buried in the rubble that was his school but he managed to get out. And then he crawled back into the pile and got two of his classmates out. When he was later asked why he did that, the boy innocently said that he was class monitor leader, and that it’s his responsibility to look after his classmates. That little boy is standing much taller than the big man who carried the Chinese flag.
There is something else about this Olympics that Chinese bloggers are talking about. Not by accident, the tiny flag that Lin Hao is waving is upside down. It’s an international nautical distress signal. It’s a cry for help. And someone thought of sending that message out at the Opening Ceremony of the Beijing Olympics.
Aw, poor kid. I hope he’s gets enough support over the years so that this doesn’t leave nightmares.
What an amazing boy.
Wow, what a story! I have goosebumps. I watched the opening ceremonies until about 3/4 the way through. Got tired, and now I’m sorry I went to sleep! Thanks for sharing.
you guys r so cute that you can image a flag to such a degree, even it was held by a little boy.
“There is something else about this Olympics that Chinese bloggers are talking about… ”
The web site you are referring to is by a well known anti-Chinese-government organization Falun Gong. Of course its comments are negative.
Let’s just celebrate his life. I’m thinking a 9-year-old (by the Gregorian calendar) doesn’t know nautical distress signals. And if he does, I can’t think of a better person to send one – someone who has witnessed horrific death and destruction, most of us can only imagine.
I think the upside-down flag was clearly symbolic, and a very thoughtful move for China. It was likely meant as a sign that they are finally willing to let the world in to see the distress they are experiencing in the wake of the earthquake, asking the international community to help and letting them in. This is a huge step forward in China’s participation in the international community. It demonstrates that they realize asking for help when in distress is more important than an outward show of strength. Yao Ming and Lin Hao contrast immense strength with the need for the help of others that all people and nations need to balance.
what was missing, of course, was any commentary that the flag was upside down (on purpose or otherwise). Did no one notify the networks of this symbolism?
Did the world media turn a blind eye to this international distress signal? The flag in little Lin Hoa’s hand was unmatched in continuous air time in the most world viewed segment of the Olympics. China had agreed, in being awarded the games, to allow for peaceful protest. Over 70 organizations did apply, none were granted and 37 groups arrested. Shame on all who allow this to go on under their watch. Lin Hoa, most probably unwittingly, the most successful, if not the only form of demonstration in a more than perfection ceremony. Someone let Speilberg know “the kids are alright”.
Also shame on actions taken by Russia troops in Ossetia, Abkhazia on the Black Sea and in Darfur in Africa obviously timed with the world’s pre-occupation with the Olympiad. The invasion of Afghanistan prompted an Olympic boycott and this time Putin did not even lose his seat. The International Olympic Committee has four choices;
1. Blind and blinded that they created a distraction and a public hiding place for criminals.
2. Spineless
3. Fraudulent and unethical
4. Complicit