Looks like the race is on!
Sign me up!
“I ain’t going to play Sun City!” ----- L. Steven
I thought it was an Hainan Island which is a tourist destination in Southern China. I would think that the air quality is quite good. Comparing the air on Hainan Island to Beijing is like comparing air quality in Idaho to LA.
Dev
I have just returned from a recent trip that encompassed most of the Eastern Coast of China, and the further south I went the better the air. Hainan Island is pure fresh air indeed. No troubles. This should be a very interesting event from a logistics standpoint. You want to qualify for Hawaii-- here is your chance-- there is probably going to be a few weeks to fill this one up.
So, this makes it attempt number 3 for IM China. I hope they pull it off, but I wouldn’t count on it.
The Chinese government changes it’s mind for any damn reason, so this would be no surprise. Remember, they are a superior country to all others (in their own minds at least) - they have that right.
If the government supports it, it could be a good race.
If the government doesn’t, it could get cancelled 2 seconds before the gun. Heck, they got your money, so get out gringo
Me, I’ll never go back to China anytime soon.
The Chinese government changes it’s mind for any damn reason, so this would be no surprise. Remember, they are a superior country to all others (in their own minds at least) - they have that right.
If the government supports it, it could be a good race.
If the government doesn’t, it could get cancelled 2 seconds before the gun. Heck, they got your money, so get out gringo
Me, I’ll never go back to China anytime soon.
Nothing like a good bit of racism on your part.If only the rest of the world could be as perfect as your country who buy the way feel a certain superiority toward the rest of the planet.Please tell me how it is the Govenrment of China that gets your entry fee when the race is being organised by a non-Chinese company.I guess you believe they will cancel the Olympics as well.Maybe you could send in your troops to make sure that the American interests in Ironman are kept up to your standard.By the way,it's Gwailo in Southern China not Gringo you ignorant fool!
The Chinese government changes it’s mind for any damn reason, so this would be no surprise. Remember, they are a superior country to all others (in their own minds at least) - they have that right.
If the government supports it, it could be a good race.
If the government doesn’t, it could get cancelled 2 seconds before the gun. Heck, they got your money, so get out gringo
Me, I’ll never go back to China anytime soon.
Nothing like a good bit of racism on your part.If only the rest of the world could be as perfect as your country who buy the way feel a certain superiority toward the rest of the planet.Please tell me how it is the Govenrment of China that gets your entry fee when the race is being organised by a non-Chinese company.I guess you believe they will cancel the Olympics as well.Maybe you could send in your troops to make sure that the American interests in Ironman are kept up to your standard.By the way,it’s Gwailo in Southern China not Gringo you ignorant fool!
Racism on my part, no. Simple observation of history and current events. This is an entirely common theme with the Chinese - to ignore contracts and the damage it will do to others - if it doesn’t hurt them, who cares. If it is not convinent to carry out a contract, break it. The corruption is rampant and their contempt for all races not Chinese is the norm. The last time I was in China was, well, the last time I will. Except maybe Hong Kong, to see how that social experiment has gone. I’ve heard they have ruined it.
I agree, China does not deserve the Olympics, for so many reasons, but that’s another rant entirely. Nor does the US, IMHO because of the rampant pimping of all things sports which degrades it to the point where the sport is lost and the marketing is king.
I never said “my” country was any better. “My” country is littered with slimebag lawyers who will sue your ass off because you’re too stupid to know coffee is hot and you shouldn’t spill it on your lap. We also have our own corruption. And, yes we make entirely stupid decisions by a few that make an impact on the rest of globe, making the rest of the world hate us.
Gwailo vs Gringo - ok, I agree I’m an ignorant fool. I have much to learn. How about you? Sounds like you have a bit of racism against the US… Hmmmm… are the pot or the kettle?
You've won me over with the lawyer rant.That's great.All countries have good and bad but I have yet to visit a county that I refuse to go back to despite politics or bad personal experiences.Generally the governments of counties do not reflect the society that they govern and that for sure is why I actually like travelling in the U.S.For the record I was born and raised in Hong Kong,my family lived in H.K and Tianjin,China for the best part of 35 years.My eldest brother is married to a girl from Wuhan and has a house and relatives there now.My sister went to University there and was in Tiananmin Square with her Chinese Uni mates over the three days when all the crap went down in 1989.My other brother married a lovely American girl from Chicago and now lives in Austin where they have a nice little Aussie/American family whom I love to visit.The only tiny element of predjudice I have is that my sister now speaks like friggin Celine Dion after living in Montreal for 12 years.That I can't accept!
1 Generally the governments of counties do not reflect the society that they govern … 2 my sister now speaks like friggin Celine Dion after living in Montreal for 12 years.That I can’t accept!
- So Very True. I swear I haven’t declared war on ANY country this week. Not a single one!
- My regrets on that!!! LMAO
I really do hope that events like IM and Olympics help the Chinese Government (how’s that for clarification?) break away from some of their anti-international traditions (like ignoring contracts). But I fear that’s like asking an american lawyer to work for free 
But me, I will not sign up for IM China for the concern that it might be cancelled, moved, delayed, changed, or whatever at the last minute. The Type A american in me can’t handle that. So I will vote with my dollar there and visit another venue.
Have you been back to HK in last 5ish years? 3 friends, all who had been there BEFORE the handover/handback (I was there before) and then back since - all said it was a very changed place. They couldn’t decide if it was “typical urban decay” or “Chinese Government meddling” but they no longer found it the wonderful metropolis they had before.
zhong guo means middle or center country right? I don’t think that’s referring to geographics alone.
zhong guo means middle or center country right? I don’t think that’s referring to geographics alone.
You are quite right.I ancient Chinese history they did believe that China was the center of all civilization.I believe the term was "Middle Kingdom".Most ancient civilizations belived that they were the center of the world but if they had the internet back them they would realise that ST is in fact the center of the world. ;)
"I never said “my” country was any better. “My” country is littered with slimebag lawyers who will sue your ass off because you’re too stupid to know coffee is hot and you shouldn’t spill it on your lap. We also have our own corruption. And, yes we make entirely stupid decisions by a few that make an impact on the rest of globe, making the rest of the world hate us. "
I guess you are the type that goes by headlines only. Did you even read the case of the coffee? Is it fair to buy something that will cause 3rd degree burns within 10 seconds and they did not disclose that? No other company had their coffee at that temperature. None. I think you should read the case histories.
Hey guys, no country of government is perfect. I am replying to Shawn’s post because I too hope they can pull it off after try number 3. But the reply in general is to the other posters hammering out who is more racist and which country is better etc etc.
The reality is this. In many countries you cannot hold a triathlon without the Race Director getting a license from the National federation…which generally falls under the ITU umbrella…so by now you are getting the link…WTC comes in and wants to put down a race…if by the back door someone in the ITU wants to shut the thing down, all they have to do is go to the “Country X Federation rep” and request that the race license/permit be pulled. I’m not saying that this is what happened the 2 previous times, but it is always a possibility.
The good news is that the WTC-ITU seems to be on slightly better terms. All the IMNA races and Kona are USAT sanctioned and USAT falls under the ITU…this is a good thing for the sport.
I hope it translates to IM China actually happening.
While I would love to do this race, I do not have huge computrainer tolerance and an April 20th race means I have to get all the big biking done by April 6th…that’s about the time I take off my XC skis and actually put the bike on the road.
Maybe when I retire I can take 4 months in warmer climes from Jan-Apr and do IMNZ and IM China…by then it should be well established.
The Chinese government changes it’s mind for any damn reason, so this would be no surprise. Remember, they are a superior country to all others (in their own minds at least) - they have that right.
This is too funny… It must be preserved.
Thank you Comrade Dev! I love moral equivalance arguements! Hey, If you don’t mind being a puppet for the chicoms leading up to the Olympics. More power to you! Plus if the Kona slots are easy, BONUS!
Well, I don’t trust the Chinese government any more than the proability of an ice cube remaining frozen for 10 hours on the side of the road on Hainan Island in 100 degree heat, however, the bottom line in China is that if the government official is on side (in this case the local China Tri Federation dude), then the thing will happen…if he is pissed, he could just as easily cancel this thing 2 min before the starting gun as someone else mentioned.
zhong guo means middle or center country right? I don’t think that’s referring to geographics alone.
You are quite right.I ancient Chinese history they did believe that China was the center of all civilization.I believe the term was "Middle Kingdom".Most ancient civilizations belived that they were the center of the world but if they had the internet back them they would realise that ST is in fact the center of the world. ;)
Post of the day!
Hey, I’m still pissed that the chicoms moved the '08 triathlon and beach volleyball venues from Tianamen Square. That would have been great! Let’s do the race and hit a resort in Cuba for some r&r on the way home.
How is this going to impact the creation of Ironman Yellowknife
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