Olympic Feng Shui 2008

If you haven’t been following the 2008 Olympic Games you’re missing out on some of the greatest stories and events of our time.

Since the Olympic Games are being held in Beijing I’m going to focus much of this article on some of the people and culture of China.

Interesting, Veeeerrrry Interesting…

Here are some interesting perspectives on Feng Shui and the Olympics

The Olympic Torch faced great opposition, could Feng Shui knowledge have prevented it? http://fengshui168.wordpress.com/2008/04/07/feng-shui-2008-%E2%80%93-disturbance-of-energy-of-olympic-flame/

Was Feng Shui behind the commencing of the 2008 Olympic Games? Hmmmmmm, it started on the 8^th day of the 8^th month in 2008 at 8:08 p.m. so what? http://fengshuiseminars.wordpress.com/2008/02/07/feng-shui-for-2008-and-olympic-%E2%80%93-money-is-everywhere-and-make-sure-you-feng-shui-your-house/

Was the Beijing Olympic Stadium “coincidentally” constructed in-line with Feng Shui? You decide. http://www.onlinechineseastrology.com/content-detail.aspx?ID=149

Let the Games Begin!

As a huge basketball fan, I’ll start off with Yao Ming who plays at the Center position for China and stands a whopping 7 feet 5 inches (7’ 5”) tall. Yao is from a family of Olympians and “basketballers.” He is big, yet agile, and has a decent outside shot making him an all-round player and a tremendous threat to any opponent.

In the first game, of their division, they faced the unparalleled and highly talented United States all-pro team, affectionately called the Dream Team. Not phased by the battle ahead of them China and specifically Yao Ming didn’t disappoint their home-town fans as Yao scored the first basket to open the competition - and it was a 3-Point shot! The most difficult shot in the game.

In the end the U.S. Dream Team ran away with the win, but China showed great ability and kept the game very close and competitive for the most part. My hat goes off to the entire Chinese team who all played at the “Olympic Level.”

 

Fantastic at Fifty and still Fencing!

Next up is a truly magnificent story of a 1984 young Chinese Gold Medalist in fencing who immigrated to Edmonton, started a family and came out of retirement to represent Canada in the 2008 Olympics at 50 years of age!

That’s right, I’m talking about Jujie Luan who’s 50 and that’s not a typo.

I watched her first match and my heart was instantly knit together with hers. Jujie Luan’s enthusiasm for the sport was expressed with every lance and every point scored as she advanced to the second round.

However, in the second round Jujie Luan faced a younger, but experienced fencer from Hungary named Aida Mohamed whose speed and agility proved to be too much to overcome. Jujie Luan was subsequently eliminated from competition, but she truly shone as a genuine competitor in her sport. She has gained the love and respect of many. Even her husband deserves great respect I am sure he sacrificed a lot so that Jujie Luan would qualify and compete at a stellar level.

 

Higher, Stronger, Faster!

Last but not least is yesterdays August 11^th, 2008 Men’s Gymnastic competition. All the athletes showed their best even though a few mistakes were made. Three teams and their related circumstances particularly stood out for me. The US was competing without two of their best athletes, due to injury, and was not expected to make it to the podium; the home team, China, although favourites, having captured the world titles in 2003, 2006 and 2007, but typically under-performed at the Olympic Games; and then there is Japan the returning Gold Medalists with all their great athletes a definite favourite expected to compete for the Gold again this year along with Germany who is also expected to contend for a place on the podium.

However, entering into the final round there were many surprises. The U.S. team was in SECOND PLACE with JAPAN languishing in THIRD! Germany was struggling and would not be a contender for a medal, but that’s not all…China was not only leading the pack, but the gold medal was essentially theirs to lose. China didn’t disappoint as they went on to perform with greatness, showed exceptional focus, determination, courage and incredible confidence.

U.S. fell to third as they finished off the competition on their weakest events. However, while dropping to third there was another great performance by Team U.S.A.’s Sasha Artemev as the anchor man on the pommel horse. The speed, the twists and twirls had me on the edge of my sofa! I couldn’t believe this was the same guy who was originally excluded from the team because of his propensity to fall off the horse. WOW!

 

Golden Tears

In the end, China’s team and coaching staff did everything right, especially when they chose as their final athlete on the high bar, a young Zou Kai; someone who in an earlier competition made a costly error due to inexperience. Amidst all the pressure of the Olympic games, the gold medal on the line and being a part of the “home team” Zou Kai performed an amazing routine and sealed the “gold victory” with a tremendous dismount and THUD as he “stuck” his landing! I HONESTLY CRIED.

I don’t know if Feng Shui played a roll or not, but just to be sure, I think I’ll take this “golden” opportunity to pick up some Feng Shui art for my health, wealth and happiness!

www.PictureYourWalls.com