Dreams And Controversies: The Beijing Winter Olympics
The Lead
Wondery
3.9 • 2.2K Ratings
🗓️ 1 February 2022
⏱️ 28 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
The 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics are about to begin, and there has never been an Olympic Games like this before. Today, we dive into the political controversies around the host nation, China, including their atrocious record of human rights abuses, as well as their approach to staging the games during the pandemic. Then, on a happier note, we look at some the most interesting storylines and athletes on Team USA, including which athletes are likely to medal, and an early contender for heartwarming story of the Olympics. Our guests are Sean Fitz-Gerald, senior national writer for The Athletic, and Zack Pierce, managing editor for The Athletic Minnesota.
Sean Fitz-Gerald's story about China's grim shadow over the Games:
Zack Pierce's full rundown on Team USA:
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Transcript
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| 0:07.0 | Hi there, Wondry listeners. Hannah and Sruti here from TrueCram Podcast Redhanded. |
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| 0:46.0 | Well, there's never been an Olympics quite like the Beijing games in that we're talking about staging an optional sporting spectacle |
| 1:02.0 | under coronavirus pandemic conditions in a country that is a serial human rights abuser |
| 1:09.0 | that has long acted in ways that clash with the lofty principles that are enshrined in the Olympic charter |
| 1:15.0 | and that may well blunt the exciting zeitgeist of athlete activism that we've witnessed in recent years. |
| 1:23.0 | That's Professor Jules Boykoff of Pacific University talking about the spectacle that is about to begin in Beijing, China, |
| 1:30.0 | also known as the 2022 Winter Olympics. |
| 1:33.0 | Today, with the opening ceremony just days away, we're looking at the controversies around the host nation |
| 1:38.0 | and the challenges that COVID will present at the games. |
| 1:41.0 | Then, on a bit happier note, we dive into the stories and athletes to follow on Team USA, |
| 1:46.0 | including a speed skater who gave a per spot to a teammate. |
| 1:50.0 | Yeah, it's just the spirit of the Olympics and being a great teammate. |
| 1:54.0 | And yes, it's bigger than just me. It's Team USA. |
| 1:58.0 | From Wondering in the Athletic, I'm Otterskelto. |
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