Since when did Chinese fans start acting like Philly fans?
Booing, spitting and general anger towards an opposition are all traits I thought Philly sports fans led the world in.
Until I read this story from the AFP.
It seems in recent years that Chinese fans are becoming incresingly harder to control, and some authorities are scared that their bad behavior may overshadow the Olympics.
According to the story, millions of dollars have been spent to try and teach Chinese fans how to "cheer" properly.
The concern is such that specialized coaches have been running daily courses for firms here teaching workers about behavior during the Games, including how and when to cheer.
"We win, we cheer; you win, we boo -- that's not right," said Zhai Yue, a veteran sports journalist, at one of the sessions.
I'm all for good sportsmanship, and I don't think any athlete deserves to be spit on. But, in this case, I think as long as Chinese fans can remain slightly civil, they should be allowed to do whatever they want.
I actually think it would be refreshing in some ways to hear Chinese fans boo somebody like Kobe Bryant at the Olympics. The Chinese government wants the entire world to believe that they run a model country. They want you to think that everybody is always happy, and there are never any problems.
Of course, that's not the case.
If you started hearing boos at the Olympics, it might make people realize that China is full of different personalities, not just the ones the government wants you to see.
