1) http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/08/12/world/main4344591.shtml

2) http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/World-News/Beijing-Olympics-Opening-Ceremony-Faked-Firework-Footprints-Added-For-TV/Article/200808215075291


After reading the two articles, I found it difficult to convince myself if the actions the ceremony organizers took were justifiable.
It all started when the global television audience realized that of the series of giant footprints outlined in fireworks proceeded through the night sky from Tiananmen Square to the Bird's Nest stadium, some were actually prerecorded, digitally enhanced and computer animated.
That piece of shocking news was followed by another. Nine year old Lin Miaoke who shocked millions with her singing was actually lip-synching "Ode to the Motherland" by seven year old Yang Peiyi.
I believe that the reason for having a last minute swap to match one girl's face with another's voice was to ensure that the child on camera should be flawless in image, internal feelings and expression. I think Lin Miaoke has all those aspects covered, but we should never forget about the seven year old who sang behind the scenes.
The same goes for the spectecular fireworks. To say that we were surprised would be an understatement. Stunned viewers, not to mention myself, thought they were watching the string of fireworks filmed from above by a helicopter. However in reality we were watching a 3D graphics sequence that took almost a year to produce. It even included a 'camera shake' to mimic the effect of filming from a helicopter.
It is evident that with these two incidents China is extremely eager to present a flawless Olympics image to the world, and the country's quest for perfection apparently includes its children. If the ceremony organizers’ main objective was to present China in the best way possible, I would say that they have succeeded admirably. However, even though they have done their job well, I am not sure if they have done it right.
It is definitely understandable that organizers would prefer the girl who has the looks, looks good on screen and has a good grasp of the song to perform, but what about the actual singer? I can imagine how Yang’s parents would feel when the organizers told them at the last minute that their child could not perform because she was not good-looking enough, even though she was extremely capable.
Many people would argue that many singers lip synch, and this was the case at the 2002 Opening Ceremonies of the winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, when the entire Mormon Tabernacle Choir lip synched. However I believed that they were lip synching their own songs and singing, and they had to do so as they would not be able to perform at their best in the cold night air, and not because of their looks.
Therefore in my opinion I believe it is unfair to the seven year old girl, who was not given the credit for her outstanding voice. Furthermore, even though on the whole the ceremony was a spectacular event, it led us into believing it is grander than it actually is.
To conclude, I appreciate the fact that China is definitely trying to put its best foot forward, but a little skeptical as to why they have to lie about it.