It’s been awhile, Real World PR readers, and much apologies for the lack of posts in the last few months. Graduating college, PR job searching, PR job starting and moving to a new city can really take it out of you. But, enough about that — Let’s dive head first into one of the hottest public relations issues facing the world right now: The 2008 Beijing Olympics.
Image courtesy of living-chinese-symbols.com
Much controversy, questioning and skepticism has surrounded the lead-up to 08.08.08. Now that we’re a week into it, is there an answer to that ever-burning question, “can public relations save the Beijing Olympics?”
According to Phil Gomes’ Web log, Phil’s Blogservations, “No amount of PR—no matter how carefully or strategically applied—will help a faulty or underperforming product in the long term.”
Is this the mentality surrounding public relations concerning the 2008 Olympics? Is it reigning true? Depends how you look at it, I say.
Human rights issues proved to be one of the major concerns in the weeks leading up to the Opening Ceremony. Public relations, media coverage, optimism, even hope couldn’t help the wave of grief following the tragic loss of U.S. men’s volleyball coach, Todd Bachman. Bachman was stabbed and killed; apparently victim of a random attack by a Chinese man who then jumped 130-feet, taking his own life.
According to the U.S. men’s volleyball team, they do not feel any “less safe,” in the city of over 14 million and would proceed in their usual fashion following the tragedy, (olympics.thestar.com.)
This tragic event has been magnified, following the wave of concern regarding China’s human rights issues and how the Chinese government would handle such issues.
Call me a blind optimist, but random acts of violence occur in Canada, Romania, even the United States. Not to shadow the horrible devastation of this tragedy, it just may be important to notice the unexpected positives appearing throughout the Beijing games.
There may simply be something to show for seeing the United States Women’s gymnastics squad taping their wrists and chalking their hands side-by-side with China’s Women’s gymnastics team. Smiles plastered on their faces, athletic competition the only rivalry to show.
Perhaps, the Visa commercials said it best, “Go World.” Human rights issues, cultural differences, environmental concerns, and government questioning will always loom overhead. But maybe, just maybe, a sporting event so promising and historical as the Olympic Games can overshadow our differences and we can all cheer the world for accomplishments and grace.
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