Watching Olympics

Of China's 1.3 billion people very few witnessed the Olympic Games first hand. The immense build up had started from the day Beijing's candidacy was approved and as the opening ceremony approached the anticipation was feverish. Yet once the torch was lit the streets throughout the country went quiet as people stayed home to witness China's great achievements on TV.

Travelling throughout China during the 18 days of the 2008 Olympic Games, D J Clark set out to discover why this sporting event was so important for the Chinese. Through the journey he investigates China's history of showcasing to the world and contextualises the sporting event within a broader understanding of the country's growing belief in its international standing.