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Beijing, China will host the 2008 Olympics

July 13, 2001
Web posted at: 6:32 PM EDT (2232 GMT)

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Curriculum connections: Social Studies, Current Issues

Overview: The International Olympic Committee has announced that the 2008 Olympics will be hosted in Beijing, China, in spite of its poor human rights record. Should Beijing, China, be allowed to host the Olympics? Challenge students to identify both the benefits and drawbacks of having the Olympics in Beijing.

Objectives
Students will be able to:

Identify both benefits and drawbacks of Beijing hosting the 2008 Olympics.
Compose a letter to the IOC President either in support of or opposition to Beijing hosting the Olympics, based upon reasons from research.

Standards
National Council for the Social Studies
VII Production, distribution and consumption, grades nine -12
High school students need to develop economic perspectives and deeper understanding of key economic concepts and processes through systematic study of a range of economic and sociopolitical systems, with particular emphasis on the examination of domestic and global economic policy options related to matters such as health care, resource use, unemployment, and trade.

Materials
CNNfyi.com article "Beijing celebrates Olympic vote"
Internet access
Maps or globe

Partner Resources

From Harcourt:Olympic Games: Bring the Medal Race into the Classroom

Suggested time
One class period

Procedure
1. Locate Beijing on a map or a globe. Inform the students that China is the world's most populous nation with 1.3 billion people. Then ask: Do you think that the large population will have an affect on the Olympics? Explain.
2. Have students read the CNNfyi.com article "Beijing celebrates Olympic vote" and ask the following:

Why were fireworks lighting up the sky in Beijing? Who is Juan Antonio Samaranch? What were the other four cities nominated for the 2008 Olympics? Do you think that Beijing's earlier failed bid had an effect on its successful attempt for the 2008 Olympics? Discuss.
What controversy did many feel should have kept China from winning the Olympic bid? Do you think China's poor human rights record should have been considered when determining the host city? Explain. To which improvements has Beijing committed itself? Does it make sense for cities to spend extra money in improvements and infrastructure in order to host the Olympics? Discuss.

3. Inform students that Amnesty International's 40th annual report said the U.S. and Chinese records on human rights are worsening. Schulz also cited deteriorating human rights conditions in China -- the world leader in state-sanctioned executions -- despite increased trade with the West. "There are about 230,000 people in prison without trial in China, and there are hundreds of people being tortured in (Chinese-ruled) Tibet," Schulz said. "What is certainly true is that there's no evidence that the trade ties have resulted in a significant improvement in China."
4. Brainstorm with the students both the advantages and the disadvantages of Beijing hosting the 2008 Olympics on the board. Guide them to consider reasons beyond those of human rights. Ask students to pair up. Have each pair select one advantage or disadvantage from the list created on the board. Direct each pair to present detailed reasons why their selection is an advantage or disadvantage to the class.
5. After each pair has presented their evidence, discuss how each reason influences peoples' attitudes towards Beijing hosting the 2008 Olympics. Then ask: Do the benefits of having the 2008 Olympics in Beijing outweigh the drawbacks?

Assessment
Have each student write a letter to IOC President Juan Antonio Samaranch supporting or opposing the decision for Beijing to host the 2008 Olympics, based upon class discussions.

Accommodations
Interpersonal
Students can predict how Americans (or, if they are not in the U.S., how citizens in their country) feel about having the Olympics in Beijing after the controversy surrounding the U.S. spy plane. If possible, have students survey people of different age groups and graph their responses to having the Olympics in Beijing.