As the Olympics wind down in London, there can be little doubt in anyone's mind that this Olympics is about politics. How else can one explain the string of smears against Chinese athletes and their performances - coming from unexpected sources such as the prestigious journal of Nature - all in the name of "science and objectivity" - as well as expected sources such as the NY … [Read more...] about The Political Olympics
Ye Shiwen
Nature apologizes to readers and Ye Shiwen
If there is anything that the British should be the most proud of, it is their establishment of the science peer review process. Because of it, science research work are inspired to be top notch and published works stand scrutiny. This culture has taken root firmly in America and other developed countries. Developing countries like China are too working to have it ingrained. … [Read more...] about Nature apologizes to readers and Ye Shiwen
Ye Shiwen follow-up: media scorecard (BBC & New York Times)
First, let me emphasize that I don’t believe or even suspect the 800m freestyle Olympic gold medal winner Kathie Ledecky is doping. Yes, she came from nowhere (ranked #55 in 2011) and had a huge one-year improvement (4.2%), but these aren’t unheard of for teenagers. For example, the 2004 200m backstroke gold medal winner, Zimbabwean Kristy Coventry had the similar trajectory … [Read more...] about Ye Shiwen follow-up: media scorecard (BBC & New York Times)
The Guardian bitterly fights tarnished image from propagating Leonard’s lame accusation over Ye Shiwen
Seeing Phelps and other Olympians defend Ye Shiwen against wild accusations by Leonard has given the Chinese hope that China and the West can see eye to eye on issues. While Leonard's accusations were problematic, the true culprit in this whole affair are in fact the British and American media, for they were the ones to glorify and propagate that seemingly racist charge. For … [Read more...] about The Guardian bitterly fights tarnished image from propagating Leonard’s lame accusation over Ye Shiwen
The politics of the Olympics, more unfounded unfair criticisms
One of my favorite Western reporters in China is Rob Schmitz of the Marketplace program from American Public Media. (In contrast to propagandist variety like Andrew Jacobs who once wrote for the New York Times that China was banning the jasmine flower.) Today, I must take exception to a narrative he offered about Yang Yu and Wang Xiaoli for being disqualified from throwing … [Read more...] about The politics of the Olympics, more unfounded unfair criticisms