The Beijing Games and national identity building in China

摘要

@@ Introduction: The successful stage of the Olympic Games in 2008 changed China's image virtually overnight. How the national identity of China was constructed through the Games, what is the relationship between the Olympics and national identity deserves serious consideration. Methods: Based on governmental documents, media reports, literature reviews and interviews to volunteers and staff of the Games, this paper attempts to examine the complicated relationship between the Beijing Games and national identity building through the analysis of Olympic bid, Chinese pursuit for Olympic power and the changed and changing national identity of China in the global era.