Beijing 2008 blog: Opportunity spotting

23 Jul Beijing 2008 blog: Opportunity spotting

On the eve of what should have been the 2020 Olympic Games in Japan, here is the first in series of blogs recalling Chris Green’s time as editor of the Official Beijing 2008 Games website – the last time the games were held in Asia – and what I learned from the experience.

Part 1 – Opportunity spotting

It was billed as the greatest show on earth – the biggest, boldest, most ambitious Olympic Games ever held – and hugely significant in China’s progress as a modern post-Maoist state.

I edited the biggest ever live sports website attracting up to 70 million visitors a day. The question I get asked most is – how did you get the gig?

My answer is usually a simple one. Opportunity. Making your own luck by being positive and proactive. The truth is more convoluted, of course.

In November 2007, I was invited to be tournament correspondent of the World Wushu Championships – a pre-Olympic test event held at Beijing’s Olympic Park.

“What’s Wushu?” I hear you cry. “And why would you be asked to cover it?”

Wushu is the national sport of China and a balance of two main disciplines:

– A fascinating fighting style based on kung fu, held in a circular two-level ring – which means competitors of all shape and sizes can take on one another – for example, a diminutive kickboxer versus a large sumo wrestler;

– Graceful martial arts kata movements in ceremonial robes performed in a large area with mock swords (the banning of real ones had been a source of recent controversy among purists as the sport sought wider acceptance).

I had reported on Wushu at the Asian Games in Qatar in 2006 so, if you like, I was in pole position – but it still seemed a ridiculous proposition to fly into a country of 1.3 billion people who live and breathe wushu as part of their daily lives armed only with my sketchy notes and memories. But you can add intrigue to opportunity.

I had actively chosen to cover combat sports at the Asian Games, largely because I wanted to find out more about them and I had a bit of a heads-up as I had studied karate in the past.

If I hadn’t had that initial intrigue, I wouldn’t have been headhunted by the World Wushu / Beijing 2008 Games’ organisers.

Equally, I could have turned down the opportunity to work on this low-key sports event. It was only 10 days’ work and I had plenty of other work on at the time. Yet I reasoned 10 days in Beijing – seven working, three for sightseeing – was okay.

What I discovered was a great bunch of folks to work with and it proved to be a great experience. It was also a less touristy time of year to visit the Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square, etc.

Why I REALLY went was to find out who I needed to meet to ask about the prospects of going back the following summer to work on the Olympic Games.

Fortunately, that opportunity fell in my lap. As luck would have it, the head of communications at the Games had also gone to Goldsmiths’ College where I had studied radio journalism – ironically just about the only time my postgrad qualification ever came in useful – in a communist country on a faraway continent. Explain that?

In fact, she came looking for me so when I hear the word Wushu I always think = opportunity and the chance to play a key role in the greatest show on earth.

I was invited back the following May as sports correspondent on the Official Beijing 2008 Olympic Games website.

A breeze in prospect – all I had to do was write a daily preview and review during Games-time, and draft an article on the main stars of the show – notable names, teams, counties and so forth. Oh, and provide some training for a fairly inexperienced team of fellow writers.

Or so I thought…

The designated Games website editor – a fellow Brit, walked out after a week.

I assumed I would be booted out too. We’d come as a pair and shared the same accommodation. But rather than get the sack I was promoted.

The next few months would be among the best experiences of my life.

Chris Green edited the English version of the Official 2008 Beijing 2008 Olympic Games website. An award-winning author and broadcaster, Chris is managing partner of Chris Green Media, a media consultant and media trainer.