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Unsung Heroines of Beijing's Olympics Bid

Beijingers need no reminding of the huge, ongoing efforts and commitment by members of the city's 2008 Olympics bid comittee, BOBICO, to bring the Games to the Chinese capital. The nature of news being what it is, numerous men on the committee have become high-profile -- mantles they did not seek but which inevitably "come with the job", as it were.

Far less in the public eye have been the equality dedicated and hardworking women members of the committee.They too spare no effort in trying to make theirs and other Beijing people's great dream come true, and are of one voice when the proudly proclaim:" We are really privileged and lucky to be part of the team bidding for the Olympic Games. We know that Beijing people and everyone else in China are as us in their dream of hosting the 2008 Games."

Beijing This Month's Li Wen spoke to some of BOBICO's female members.

Wang Hui
Facing tough questioning by foreign media correspondents at a Ministry of Foreign Affairs reception, Wang Hui, the 45-year-old deputy director of BOBICO's Press & Publicity Department, and executive deputy director of Beijing Information Office, was as calm as usual. "Maybe you think it's only Beijing's business to bid for the Olympics, but I think it is also yours. If Beijing succeeds, your stories will become 'hot', and you will become the most welcome of reporters. I am sure no one wants to lose such a chance, and it's just before your eyes."

Holding such an important and challenging post, Wang needs to be "on her toes" when handling astute questions from foreign reporters. "I have to let them feel the greatness of Beijing, and [for them to] accept our views," she said.

Having for 20 years worked in the media and mass communications, Wang has notched up impressive experience. Even today, Beijing TV Station still transmits programs she initiated during the decade she worked there. Almost all the programs she made there won national awards, including Chinese Mothers and Foreigners Sing Chinese Songs. The latter saw her voted among the 10 best Chinese TV producers.
"I am an idealist," she said. "People say I put one-hundred-and-twenty percent of my energy into my work. I always feel I want to create [programs] of deep impact and influence."

In 1999 she directed a live program showing singer/actor Ke Shouliang's stunt in riding his motor-cycle over the Yellow River's Hukou Falls. It was BTV's first attempt at screening such a spectacular "outside" event live. Even the TV logistics were impressive, for Wang led a team of more than 100, and drove 500 kilometers, to ensure the dangerous event was properly handled. The result was a 10-minute documentary, despite all the complicated preparations and coordination necessary.
"I always have impulsive feelings, and eagerness to create works full of actions," Wang said. She has certainly brought great creative drive in rising to her latest challenge --bidding for the Olympics.

HUANG YAN
As the heads of 28 international sports federations inspected Beijing's existing and planned facilities for 2008, one woman among a vir- tual battalion of local men was responsible for telling the sports bosses all they needed to know in English. She was Huang Yan, leader of BOBICO's Construction & Project Planning Committee, the team in charge of designing stadiums of Olympics standard.

"It's really a challenge," she admitted "Not only the location must be right, but equally the functioning of a venue must be considered." Huang's daily schedule is always tight as she checks designs, has numerous discussions with experts, and peruses seemingly countless documents related to sports and their international sandards.
Huang graduated from Nanjing in 1986, having majored in architecture. Until 1992 she worked as a designer at the Beijing City Planning and Design Institute. "In those six years I worked with all my might, from the very front," Huang recalled. But still not satisfied with her education, she used her own money to further her architectural studies in Belgium for two years. Last year she spent six months in the United States for extra study, and today she is deputy director of Beijing Planning Commission.

Although a professional architect, Huang had relatively little experience in sports stadium design, so to be prepared for the inspections by international sports officials she devoted herself to a "crash course" in all aspects of sports venues and facilities. "Now I'm a half-expert in sports too," Huang laughed. While her job inevitably brings strain, she remains optimistic about the future.

"History chose me; I didn't choose history. But one has to be prepared at all times for anything," said the 36-year-old Huang, who has a child aged three. "I really want to say sorry to my daughter because at present I have little or no time to take full motherly care of her."

At the time of interview, it was still not possible for Huang to relax and find more time for her family. Her BOBICO job had to come first, for she was among the key people who had to make presentations to the visiting IOC Commission last month.

LU SHENGRONG
With her soft, slow voice and gentle manner, it's hard to believe that Lu is known as the "iron lady" in world badminton circles. Not only was she the first woman to chair the International Badminton Federation, she was the first to be appointed to the post twice. Her other positions include membership of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and chairperson of the International Badminton Council.

"To hold the 2008 Olympic Games [in Beijing] is my biggest as well as only expectation," said the 60-year-old, who remains as energetic as many of her younger colleagues at BOBICO. For Beijing's last bid, in 1993 to host the 2000 Olympics, Lu worked in the bid committee's External Relations Department. "It's a pity we lost. I was the one choked with tears on the flight back to Beijing, as television viewers saw."

A graduate of Beijing Foreign Languages University, Lu first worked for the National Women's Fedreation. In 1972, she was among translators assigned to a conference of the Asian Olympics Federation. The end of the conference coincided with the Chinese badminton team going overseas for a competition. Lu was selected as their interpreter because of her excellent English. Afterwards she was moved to a position with the National Sports General Administration of China. "I did not chase after this chance; chance itself knocked on my door," said Lu.

She was complimented by Primo Nebiolo, former chairman of the administration's track and field committee, who said: "I have never seen such a committee member as Lu. She devotes herself completely to the development of badminton, while never thinking of any benefits to herself."

YUAN BIN
In her role as deputy director of BOBICO's External Relations Department, it is Yuan Bin's job to communicate with all manner of people. Which is why committee colleagues have dubbed her the body's "diplomat".

Her role was primarily responsibility for the accommodation of the IOC Commission's inspectors during their February visit. Just prior to their arrival in the city, she told Beijing This Month: "I will tell them about Beijing and our efforts, most importantly to convey that Beijingers are really eager to hold this international event." Like Lu Shengrong, Yuan has twice participated in Olympic-bid activities.

In the past decade, Yuan has also been involved in most of big sports events in Beijing, including 11th Asian Games in 1990; the Far East and Pacific Games for the Disabled in 1991; and the Ethnic Minorities Sports Games in 1999. "I am really lucky to again be part of the team, and to bid for the Olympic Games in this new century."

Between her BOBICO duties, Yuan still has to find the time to check the homework of her 13-year-old son. Yuan has never seen herself as a strong career woman, though she was regarded so by close colleagues because she concedes that she is never 100 percent satisfied with herself and her work. "I always strive to be the best."

ZHAO YUXIN
Deputy director of BOBICO's Sports & Venues Department, softly spoken Zhao personifies the typical southern China woman with her elegant gestures and bearing. It is somewhat startling to recall that she has 20 years' gymnastic experience and, currently, is deputy director of the Sports Management Center of the State Sports General Administration of China, and vice-chairman of the China Gymnastics Association.

Zhao started to work for BOBICO in January 2000. She finds every day there to be meaningful because she is able to use her knowledge of, and reflect her love for, the Olympics and its movement. Recently she organized the reception and accommodation of the heads of 28 international sports federations when they came to Beijing to inspect existing and planned facilities. Zhao is also responsible for the research of Beijing's bid report.

"Our department has a very united team," she said. "Most of our members are professionals from different areas in world sports. Now we have much to learn as we face a tremendous challenge. Many of my former colleagues often call me and want to play a part and contribute to our efforts. There are many people supporting us." Zhao says she was much moved by her son's teacher, who volunteered to help the lad's study and even to do her housework.

Zhao majored in gymnastics at Beijing Sports College in 1996. Since then her career has never been away from gymnastics. She has been a judge for an international acrobatics and gymnastics competition, and a member of the International Acrobatic and Gymnastics Federation.