After a century of national aspirations, China’s ascent into an international power has influenced its athletes’ training to win gold medals during the Olympics. A professor and former athlete offers insight into how Chinese athletes have prepared for the Summer Games on NewsHour.

Watch a panel discussion on Thirteen Forum about “The Beijing Games and Olympian Human Rights Challenges” (Originally presented 6/18/08).

When Beijing first sought to host the Olympics, China was still recovering from the upheavals of Maoist rule and adapting to a market revolution. Today, in a time of rapid transition in China, human rights have emerged as a central concern around the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Thirteen Forum’s panel of experts discuss how China’s leaders are managing the Olympic process and the internal and external pressures for reform.

NewsHour
Additional Coverage:
“China Prepares for 2008 Olympics,” August 8, 2008.
“Slide Show: Olympic Stadiums Around the Globe,” May 16, 2008.
“Interactive: Compare Life in Olympic Host Cities,” May 16, 2008.