Fans can expect something a little different at the Beijing Olympics. First, they have to accept they are in China and the rules there will be strict. They will be subject to ... ]]> Athletes at the Beijing Olympics can expect what every athlete has learned to expect from these events ever since international competition came about.

They can expect fierce competition, they can expect those countries with most funding and more facilities to do better. They can expect to win if they are the best, and to do poorly i

if they have not managed to train well.

Thankfully, they can also expect less cheating than say in the 1970s, and they can expect to be regularly dope tested whether they win or not. If they win they will be automatically dope tested after an event.

Athletes can also expect a certain level of camaraderie between each other. Competition is healthy but athletes from all countries understand what it is like to live and breath a sport so they will commiserate with the losers, feel jealous yet admire the winners and feel empathy when an athlete get injured. This is probably the biggest event of their careers and to have to withdraw due to injury is a painful experience.

Above all, athletes can expect a huge rush of adrenaline, many emotions and a sense of fierce national pride. They can also expect to find fans they never knew they had.

Fans can expect something a little different at the Beijing Olympics. First, they have to accept they are in China and the rules there will be strict. They will be subject to a barrage of propaganda from the CCP (Chinese Communist Party). They will be told how well China is doing, how its people are prosperous and secure, yet they will not have the freedom to wonder Beijing at will and certain areas will be strictly no-go areas for visiting fans.

They can expect to be amazed, disappointed, happy, sad, empathetic, proud and also angry at the athletes success and behavior. They will see feats of achievement, records broken, personal bests, real achievements from athletes not expected to do well and they will also see the difference between those countries that can train athletes well and those lacking in funds.

The fans will go away with a mixed bag of emotions as they will have witnessed probably the greatest sporting spectacle they will ever see, yet they will have been in a country whose record of human rights is one of the worst in the World.

They will be aware of protests, propaganda and government forced jollities. They will be aware of the seething mass of people that is Beijing and they will, perhaps a little sadly, be aware that they have been unwitting supporters by paying money for travel, hotels and goods, of one of the most oppressive regimes in the world.

They will perhaps have to accept that they have been subjected to a well oiled masquerade, one aimed at the wolrd’s media and designed to show this oppresive regime in the best lightpossible. They will hear nothing in China about ‘disappearances’, forced sterilisations, the plight of the Tibetan and Mogolian peoples.

Yet, for all the mixed feelings, if you asked them would they do it again, the most likely answer will be, ‘yes, in a heartbeat’.

Beijing and Shanghai REITs may provide opportunities for quick bucks. One can do good ... ]]> Investing In Chinese Real Estate Investment Trusts

One of the investment instruments is a Real Estate Investment Trust or REIT. One can control real estate through these. Thus is one does not have a large amount of money, he or she can still participate in the ownership of real estate through REITs. These can generate income and capital appreciation over a period of time.

Due to the ensuing Olympics in Beijing, China, there is an excellent opportunity to invest in China REITs for a short period and quick profits.

Till very recently China was quite a closed economy. Investment in Chinese real estate possible was possible only through Hong Kong companies. GZI REIT operating from Hong Kong was the first successful REIT to have established control over REITs in mainland China. Now others have followed.

There is a great demand for real estate in China and will be strong during coming years, more so during 2008. Moreover, China is opening up and its economy is booming. Chi8nese middle class is also on swelling. All this bodes well for real estate in China.

Two major areas where REITs are going to be lucrative are hotels and resorts. So investors may do well investing in these REITs. According to Beijing Tourism Bureau, there will be 110 new hotels coming up for accommodating about 550,000 guests during Beijing Olympics.

Beijing and Shanghai REITs may provide opportunities for quick bucks. One can do good even in the long run.

One needs to be clear about investment objectives in China REITs. For short run profits, Beijing Olympics provides a good outlet for excellent returns. These may continue to be so even in the long run though at a reduced rate.

While investing in Chinese markets, one has to be careful about certain conditions which are peculiar to China only. For example it is still not considered a transparent country. Its laws are obscure and complex. There are many language and cultural barriers. In view of these problems, it might be advisable to invest in Hong Kong or Singapore REITs which have a stake in real estate of mainland China. These are more open and subject to international law.

International investing provides a mechanism for diversification and a hedge against US recession. Therefore, China and other Asian countries need to be given serious attention.

All of these markets need to be researched and explored.

Beijing Games organisers announced last month that the stadium would not now be completed until next March, despite ... ]]> Bird’s Nest may end up with foreign company’s name

The “Bird Nest” national stadium, the centrepiece of the 2008 Beijing Olympics, could end up bearing the name of a foreign company, local media has reported.

The naming rights for the iconic 91,000-seater arena will be sold after the Olympics and there will be no bar to foreign companies bidding.

Domestic or foreign companies, both are ok , but they will also consider if the company can be accepted by Chinese people,they have already been talking with some companies.

It may not be accepted by the public but they have spent over a billion yuan ($129.4 million). It can’t be paid out without getting a retur.

The stadium would not be open for free after the Olympics as was the case in 1976 host city Montreal, although 20,000 to 30,000 visitors a day were expected.

The revenue from tickets, adverts, hotels, restaurants and other attaching commercial facilities still can’t cover the cost of the stadium’s maintenance … the most profitable part will be the title rights.

NSC, which is owned by China’s top state-owned enterprise CITIC Group, is in charge of building the stadium and running it until 2038.

The company has to pay 42 percent of the 3.13 billion yuan cost of building stadium with the government covering the remaining 58 percent.

Beijing Games organisers announced last month that the stadium would not now be completed until next March, despite officials having said it would be finished by the end of 2007.

The Beijing Olympics starts on August 8, 2008.