Inside Sport's Olympic preparations
is back and we’re doing something we’ve never done before by going overseas to kick off the new series with Gabby, Matt Pinsent and in Beijing for a special Olympic programme.
We’re in the process of stitching all the different pieces together in the edit suites as I write this but already I can see just what a surprising place Beijing is.
We’ve all seen pictures of the Forbidden City, the Great Wall and the exotic food – Tanni ate scorpions from one street food stall - but there are also amazing new skyscrapers, millions of cars instead of bikes and, just like any British city, a chain of pizza restaurants.
You’ll get a really good idea of what this fast changing city is like if you watch Inside Sport next Wednesday (20 February, Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ ONE, 10.50pm), but we’ve also taken a look at some of the .
What steps are the Chinese authorities taking to make sure a doesn’t mar the Games? Will many athletes fear? And, in a country that traditionally hasn’t valued the disabled, will they be able to host a successful Paralympic Games?
Talking to Matthew after he came back, he said he had been struck by how much easier it was now rather than a few years ago to operate as a journalist in Beijing. The Chinese have had to bring in new, more relaxed rules for foreign journalists this year but even so, there were still an awful lot of soldiers and officials trying to stop us filming various things.
The Chinese are also making a huge effort to educate their people in the ways of the West. We met Mr Spit – the official whose job it is to tell off people who spit in public and explain to them that foreigners ! Meanwhile, adverts urge the population to smile when they see a Westerner and taxi drivers have been told to make sure their cabs are sweet smelling .
I don't think the people of Beijing have quite clocked what is about to hit them - thousands and thousands of foreigners, athletes, fans and officials - all descending on the city in a tidal wave in August. What effect this will have, nobody quite knows.
Finally, as you sit reading this at home or at work, spare a thought for those logging on in China. They won’t be able to read this as the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ News and Sport website is banned.
INSIDE SPORT OLYMPIC SPECIAL, Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ ONE, WEDNESDAY 20 FEBRUARY, 2250 GMT, REPEATED 1310, SATURDAY 23 FEBRUARY, Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ ONE.
INSIDE SPORT RETURNS TO ITS REGULAR SLOT ON MONDAY 25 FEBRUARY, Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ ONE, 2320.
