Today, we had lunch in the picturesque Ritan Park, which is one of the three designated protest areas. There was, of course, not a protester in sight. Not much visible security, either. Presumably the authorities already know full well that there won't be any protesters.
In the evening we went to the Worker's Gymnasium to watch the boxing. After Thursday's torrential rain, the sky was utterly clear, with scudding white clouds and views of the mountains in the distance. This was the view in the early evening – not a whiff of pollution.
This is so different from the pall of smog that usually covers the sky.
After half an hour sitting there not knowing what was going on, we had to Google the rules of boxing, after which things became a little clearer. The crowd was interested if not excited….until Zou Shiming appeared. Suddenly, the stadium developed powerful lungs, yelling 'Jia you, jia you!' I wouldn't have liked to be Zou's opponent who, as if to rub salt in the wound, was French (the most hated nation if you are a Chinese nationalist.) But then I wouldn't have much liked to be Zou either – the weight of expectation on these athletes is palpable. Several who have not done as well as expected have collapsed in tears. They are told that the only thing worth having is a gold. Anyway, the crowd loved Zou.
Especially when he beat (literally) his French opponent.
