Beijing Then, 2008 Olympics, And Now

Then and Now: Beijing's 2008 Olympic venue
China spent billions on infrastructure for the Beijing Olympics and it is still putting some of it to good use, like using the $500 million "Bird's Nest" for big events. But other venues that contributed to more than $40 billion in Olympic spending in 2008 have been deserted or demolished. -- By Erick Galindo

THEN: Fireworks explode over the National Stadium, also known as the Bird's Nest, during a rehearsal for the opening ceremony of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games at the Olympic Green in Beijing, July 16, 2008. (Photo by Jason Lee/Reuters)

NOW: Workers remove rubbish from the canal running past the National Stadium, also known as the "Bird's Nest", which was the venue for the athletics and the opening and closing ceremonies of the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing March 23, 2012. The gigantic infrastructure built for the Beijing Olympics is now used for cultural and sports events. (Photo by David Gray/Reuters)

THEN: Workers clean a pool of water outside the National Aquatics Centre, also known as the Water Cube, in Beijing on July 29, 2008. The product of design and engineering harmony, and a rising power's desire to announce itself to the world, the 'Water Cube' hosted the swimming, diving and synchronized swimming competitions during the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. (Photo by Claro Cortes IV/Reuters)

NOW: A worker looks up at the honeycomb-shaped walls of the National Aquatics Center, also known as the "Water Cube", which was the venue for the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games swimming and diving competitions in Beijing March 27, 2012. The structure is now used for large cultural sports and events. (Photo by David Gray/Reuters)

THEN: Japan players bow to fans after their bronze medal baseball game against the U.S. at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games August 23, 2008. The U.S. defeated Japan to take the bronze medal. (Photos by Issei Kato/Reuters)

NOW: A sign stands at a deserted field showing where the stadium for the 2008 Olympic Games baseball competition once stood in central Beijing March 30, 2012. (Photo by David Gray/Reuters)

NOW: A dog sits atop glass plates at a deserted field that was once part of the stadium where the 2008 Olympic Games baseball competition was held in central Beijing March 30, 2012. (Photo by David Gray/Reuters)

THEN: Chinese (R) and Hungarian teams compete during their men's kayak four K4 1000m heat of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games at Shunyi Olympic Rowing-Canoeing Park north of Beijing, August 18, 2008. (Photo by Darren Whiteside/Reuters)

NOW: The deserted and unmaintained former venue for the kayaking competition of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, can be seen onthe outskirts of Beijing March 27, 2012. (Photo by David Gray/Reuters)

NOW: A security guard tries to find the puncture in the inner-tube of his bicycle tire by immersing it in the deserted and unmaintained former course for the kayaking competition of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, located on the outskirts of Beijing March 27, 2012. (Photo by David Gray/Reuters)
MTW-There were a total of 25 then and now photographs. I believe this is enough for you to get the point. Even the things which are made in China for China, it is all still a bunch of shit- or, a polished turd for the eyes of the World in ’08. F-China. Obama just gave them a 5 billion dollar I-635 highway contract- a Chinese Company- to build a Texas road, while we are in a financial and employment nightmare. I suppose Mr. Obama/Soetoro calls this “insourcing”. After these pictures, do we want China to half-ass their way through our infrastructure, when American Companies- who did not build their businesses- are in desperate need of just this kind of work? No More Obama!
GOD BLESS YOU ALL.
Posted by Michael T. Wayne- A Little Crazy