A Critical Assessment of the Contribution of He Zhenliang to the Modern Olympic History of China. Issue 18 (26th April 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Zhang, Jie; Chen, Si
• Is Part Of: International journal of the history of sport. Volume 38:Issue 18(2021)
• Page Start: 1942
• Page End: 1958
• Publication Date: 2022-04-26
• Subjects: He Zhenliang -- Olympic Games -- Olympic bid -- Olympic culture -- Modern Olympics; Sports -- History -- Periodicals; Sports -- Social aspects -- Periodicals; Games -- Social aspects -- Periodicals; 306.483
• DOI: 10.1080/09523367.2021.2013205
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0952-3367

Abstract

Abstract: China has dreamt of hosting the Olympic Games for a hundred years, and He Zhenliang dedicated most of his professional and personal life to fulfilling this dream. Through a review of academic and policy literature, expert interviews, and historical analysis, this article aims to review He's achievements, particularly in respect of the two Beijing Bids to host the Summer Games of 2000 and 2008. He represented 'the voice of China' in the IOC and acted as a bridge by communicating China's progress to the world and promoting the spirit and culture of the Olympics within China. Although He won international acclaim, some of his actions were controversial and thus raised opposition among the Chinese. This paper outlined the nature of He's success and his influence at home and abroad. In particular it has sought to explain the clash between He Zhenliang and Yuan Weimin over bidding strategy and responsibility for success, as more than simply a clash of egos and personalities, but rather also as the product of a clash of administrative and management styles and approaches adopted in the western dominated context of the IOC and in China's political hierarchy; and of political systems and ideology in both locations.