By: Ai Mei
08.08.08 is considered an unforgettable date for Chinese entrepreneur, Li Ning. He was the last torch bearer who ignited the cauldron after being hoisted high into the air with cables and miming a run around the stadium. A day before the ceremony the last torch bearer was kept a secret and many assumed it would be basketball star Yao Ming, gold-medal hurdler Liu Xiang, or China’s first astronaut Yang Liwei.
According to Feng Jianzhong, deputy head of the General Administration of Sport, “Lighting the cauldron with the flame from Olympia is an immense honour and the most symbolic act of the ceremony. He/She must represent the image of China, communicate with the world, display the Olympic spirit, and be fully recognized by the public.”
Many of the locals favour Li Ning as their choice for sport apparels as it is more affordable compared to Nike or Adidas. Li Ning might not be the official sponsor for the Beijing Olympics but was strongly affiliated to it as seen by many local sports commentators,China’s diving and table tennis teams in Li Ning apparel. What you may find particularly funny is how Li Ning’s true embodiment of Chinese behaviour can be seen in his company logo – V-like stroke, similar to Nike’s “Swoosh”, and is accompanied by the slogan “Anything is possible”, which is reminiscent of Adidas’s “Impossible is nothing”.
After 18 years of hard work, Li Ning Company Limited has flourished as a publicly traded company and China’s largest sports retailer with 4,100 stores operating in China. According to Times Magazine, Li Ning has his eyes set on the worldwide market for affordable shoes, and has signed basketball legend Shaquille O’Neal as an ambassador.
I am sure in no time we will be able to spot Li Ning sport apparel being sold in our local sports stores.
Source: Wikipedia, Time.Com
Picture credits: Danwei.Org, IsaacWallStreet
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