Wait a Minute...The Chinese Cheated?

For Olympic Gold? Ok - silver? Did they stoop so low as to cheat for shameful Olympic bronze? Nope - they went so far in their quest for Olympic Glory and the opportunity to present a modern, polished China that they fudged the Opening Ceremonies. Dont believe such a dastardly allegation could be true?

BBC broke the story, so it's got to be true. You can see the whole article here.

Apparently, the little girl who was "signing" Ode to the Motherland, was faking the whole time. Not surprising - I said at least twice as I watched this eerily smiling little girl that she was clearly faking it, but I thought at least it was her voice on tape. But no - they took another, uglier girl who had a better voice (pictured right) and used her voice and the pretty girl's face (pictured left). Their rationale was that it was "in the best interests of the country."

VS.

They also fudged some of the fireworks as well. The 29 giant steps from Tiananmen Square - which were awesome, by the way - were done the night before to ensure perfection and a taped version was presented as happening live at the Opening Ceremonies.

The following interpretive poem on the subject, entitled The Rape and Degradation of Ancient Custom: How to Turn a Blind Eye Through Sport, was submitted by my brother-in-law, Dave. I thank him for bringing this to my attention.

The 'footage' display produced before the big day?
Shenanigans! Shenanigans! Shenanigans!
That little girl wasn't singing you say?
Shenanigans! Shenanigans! Shenanigans!
The sky is grey from smoke not smog?
Shenanigans! Shenanigans! Shenanigans!
You have a list of human rights violations seven miles long?
Shenanigans! Shenanigans! Shenanigans!
The judges they scored under much duress?
Shenanigans! Shenanigans! Shenanigans!
How much must we find out before you confess?
Shenanigans! Shenanigans! Shenanigans!

To win over the West is easy you see,
knowledge isn't power, it's money and greed.

Should Vancouver 2010 be worried about topping the Chinese? Hardly - we have two years to tape it, perfect it, add in our CG effects and images, and when they say we faked it - hell, it was in the best interests of the country.