Abstract
The Chinese treated the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games as a spectacle that reestablished China’s strength on the international stage. In order to relieve the historical shame of the Century of Humiliation from Chinese historical memory, the Chinese felt the need to both win and host international sporting events. To showcase a “New China,” the Chinese modernized Beijing’s transportation infrastructure, attempted to reform the manners of its citizens, and sought to dominate the medal count of the sporting events in order to broadcast the image of a newly strengthened, modern nation to the international community. The political motivations of the CCP led the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games to be utilized as a spectacle to promote the image of “New China, Great Olympics,” and showcase Chinese national strength on an international stage.
Recommended Citation
Garrity, Thomas F.
(2017)
"“New China, Great Olympics”: A Historical Study of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games as a Spectacle that Promoted Chinese National Strength on an International Stage,"
Proceedings of GREAT Day: Vol. 2016, Article 13.
Available at:
https://knightscholar.geneseo.edu/proceedings-of-great-day/vol2016/iss1/13