Beijing Hotels Rise to Greet 2008 Olympians

January 7th, 2010
by Efrenn Larson

China is one of the world’s emerging superpowers and has lately made her presence felt in the international arena as she was chosen to host the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics. Held every four years, the Olympics is participated in by about 120 countries, with groups battling it out in several sports, from swimming to diving, from track-and-field to javelin throwing, from basketball to soccer, you name it.

After being selected to host the 2008 Summer Olympics, Beijing did not waste time in selecting the site where future participants will stay and where most of the events will be played. Both the city and the national government gathered the best team of engineers, architects and landscape designers to jumpstart this magnanimous project which would definitely pour in big investments to the country. Aside from this, international hospitality industries started to set up their branches of Beijing hotels in anticipation of the visitor surge to be brought by the event.

The government planned to use a site wide enough to put the various stadiums and complexes in one place. By doing such, travel time will be significantly reduced, thereby increasing the players’ productivity. The Olympic Green was the name chosen for the site. In there, thirty-one sporting venues can be seen. It is situated at the north end of the central axis of Beijing.

The Olympic Green is accessible to most of the hotels in Beijing since it is well within the city’s cultural and business districts, where thousands of tourists and businessmen flock to. Many significant sporting venues are located within the green. The biggest of these is the Beijing National Stadium. The building’s design was inspired by Chinese ceramics, which depicted intricacy and beauty rolled into one. Also called the ‘Bird’s Nest,’ it hosted 91,000 spectators during the opening and closing ceremonies, as well as in the football and athletics finals.

Another exceptional edifice is the Beijing National Aquatics Center, famously known as the ‘Water Cube. Based on the structure of soap bubbles, it consisted of air-filled pockets made with translucent plastic which illuminate with different colors at night. This was the venue for synchronized swimming, diving and swimming competitions.

Nicknamed ‘The Fan’ due to its design resembling a traditional Chinese holding fan, The Beijing National Indoor Stadium, hosted Artistic Gymnastics, Tramp lining and Handball events. Another structure within the Green is the Convention Center, a 270,000 square-meter structure which was used for the Modern Pentathlon and Fencing. It also served as the International Broadcast Center where the press covered the entire games.

The Beijing Olympic Village was the temporary home of the athletes. It resembles some of the hotels in Beijing since it is made up of twenty-two six-storey buildings and twenty nine-storey buildings.

During this time, Beijing hotels were at sky-high, having good occupancy rates continuing for months. The city and the country were the stars of the show. Indeed, the 2008 Summer Olympics was a coming-out-party for China and its people. For a nation once dubbed the Sleeping Dragon, she has now finally awakened!

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Designing A Comfortable Mascot Costume to Wear During the Games

December 1st, 2009
by Adriana Noton

When hearing the word “Mascot”, the majority of people think about sports and a silly giant chicken walking around. The person donning the Mascot Costume is seen during the game, but most of us don’t think about what is involved in the design a comfortable mascot costume.

Mascots are so commonplace that they have their own fan base. These fans cheer them on when they enter the stage or field. Even the teams are associated with the mascot.

Most mascots are there for entertainment. They may come out before the game, during a break or to entertain the crowd. There are those who go to the events just for the mascot. If the game isn’t going to good for the team, mascots are able to rally the fans and create a fun atmosphere. Their behavior is so outrageous sometimes that the fans remember them more than they do plays of the game.

Mascot costumes are heavy and not well ventilated. While the person inside seems to move around easily, when the costume is made, the person who is going to wear it has to be taken into consideration.

Teams with larger budgets often spend more money on the costumes to have them made out of a light weight material so the person inside can breathe easier. The construction of the costume will also affect how easily the person is able to move around and how long it can be worn. The person who becomes a mascot must possess strength, and agility to be able to perform the job.

When designing a mascot costume, the climate conditions should be considered. The costume should allow for the adding or removing of material according to the weather to keep the mascot warm or cool.

Fiberglass is often used to build the head because it is light weight. Also take into account the persons need to be able to see.

The body can be made out of a variety of materials; like cotton, polyester or denim. Battery operated fans can be added to the construction of the suit to cool the person inside.

Make sure to reach an agreement for the construction of the costume that includes the material and the design. Make sure that it is guaranteed to be an original. You want your team or school’s mascot costume to be unique. Be sure to include that the team or school will own all the rights to the design. The colors should coincide with the team or school colors to make the mascot more identifiable.

The supplies that you are going to need, if you are building the costume yourself are the same that you are going to use for any sewing project. Take into consideration that the costume has to be large enough to let air flow around the person wearing it; use polyester fill to give the costume a larger than life appearance; to make it easier to get in and out of the costume, use Velcro. The head of the costume can be made from fiberglass and cardboard for the head.

Hydration is important to those who are mascots. Several people may be needed according to the size of the event. All mascots need a guide to help them. A break should be taken every 40 minutes as well.

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Try Gymnastics San Antonio Style

November 26th, 2009
by Jim Antonio

Do your six year olds refer to tumble their way to almost every corner in the house? Or have they been showing off cartwheels which you never even taught them in the first place? Has your thirteen year old recently expressed interest in joining the next school cheer leading tryouts? If you feel that, it is time you introduce your kid to gymnastics San Antonio has a lot to offer.

Why not? Gymnastics has been around for decades. Would you not be proud to be in the shoes of the parents of Shawn Johnson and her teammates who won several medals for the country during the last Olympics? Alaina Johnson of the National Team is from San Antonio herself.

A child can already be introduced to the exciting world of gymnastics as soon as he starts to walk. Initially, motor skills and hand and eye coordination are developed. As soon as the child is able to learn additional skills, he is taught the basics of gymnastics. You see him do handstands more and more, which will eventually evolve into front and back walkovers. As he progresses, more challenging skills such as front pike somersaults will be taught. For sure, you will be just as proud as the parents of those who represent the country when you first see your child effortlessly tossing and flipping in the air.

Gymnastics is subdivided into seven types. These are Womens Artistic Gymnastics, Mens Artistic Gymnastics, Rhythmic Gymnastics, Trampoline, Tumbling, Acrobatic Gymnastics and Group Gymnastics.

Of the seven types of gymnastics, the most common are the two Artistic Gymnastics. Acrobatic Gymnastics is basically what you see during cheering competitions. There are no apparatuses used. The gymnasts do handstands and balances on each other; and also throw and catch one another. Rhythmic Gymnastics allows one to showcase not only his or her talent in gymnastics but talents in ballet and theatrical dance as well. If your child loves tossing and turning in the air, you may want to let him eventually master the Trampoline and Tumbling.

San Antonio houses several gymnastics schools. You can probably leave your kid to train for an hour or two while you go out to buy grocery. Some schools will have scheduled classes that will accommodate parent and kid. If your child gets his education, so can gymnastics be taught at home.

When on your way checking out the perfect place for your child to learn gymnastics, the first thing to check is the availability of a trial class. This gives the child a feel of the place, the people and the sport. Find a place where you can watch your child train; while also having WiFi available in case you are waiting for an important email. There are also open gyms where you can have your child practice what she learned during her last class. Hourly rates range from two to four dollars.

If you want your kid to get a feel of gymnastics San Antonio is a good place to start. Summer camps are also a fun way to introduce your child to the world of gymnastics. And even if he does not choose to pursue it professionally, a few added skills will not hurt. In fact, your child will benefit from increased self confidence, stronger physical and emotional foundation, and discipline; not to mention camaraderie and sportsmanship.

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Design A Comfortable Mascot Costume

November 23rd, 2009
by Adriana Noton

When you hear the word “mascot”, most of us think about a sporting event and that funny big chicken walking around looking silly. A person wearing a mascot costume is seen in most stadiums during a game, but few of us have thought about what goes into designing and making that costume. How do you design comfortable custom mascots?

Mascots have become so common, they even have a following. Mascots have fans that wait for them to come on the field or stage and cheer when they appear. Many teams and schools are identified by their mascot. When you see a particular mascot dressed in his distinctive costume, you think of the team or school he represents.

Many mascots are for entertainment value. They can appear before the game or during a break, like halftime, to entertain the audience. Many people will attend a game or event just to see what the mascot will be doing that day. When a game seems to be going slowly or dragging, the mascot can appear making everyone attending happy and having fun again. They are funny and fans remember their antics long after the event.

The mascot is usually silly and seems to be moving around with ease; but he or she can be wearing a heavy costume that, sometimes, may have little ventilation. Most of us forget that there is a person inside the costume. The person wearing the costume must be taken into consideration when the mascot’s outfit is constructed.

Professional team’s budgets allow them to spend more on their mascot’s costume so many of them may be wearing a costume that is made with lighter material and the person is able to breathe. The way the mascot costume is made has a lot to do with how easily the person moves around and how long the person can wear the costume. When a team or organization is planning to employee someone to wear the mascot costume, agility and strength of the person wearing the costume is a prerequisite for the job.

There are some concerns before constructing a new costume. The climate where the costume will be worn should be taken into consideration. If the weather is warm, lighter material should be used. If the weather is warm and turns cold, the costume will need to have ways to remove or add material to keep the person inside warm or cool.

Fiberglass can be used to construct the head because it is light. Visibility from inside the head will be important to the design. If the person wearing the costume has to move around, he will need good visibility for safety.

The body of the suit can be sewn with various materials, such as polyester, cotton, or denim. A small battery operated fan is often built into the body of the suit to keep the person wearing the custom cool during warmer months. If the body of the suit is constructed loosely, the person will get less warm.

If you are having someone off site design the mascot costume, agree on a cost that includes design and material. When you find someone to design it, get a guarantee that it will be an original. You will want your organization to have a mascot costume that is unique to your organization. When the costume is finished, you will want to own all rights to the design. Ask the designer, or person constructing the costume, to incorporate the colors of your organization in the fabric of the costume. The colors on the costume will be as identifiable as the mascot itself.

Materials you will need, if you are planning to design and construct the costume yourself, are the same as you would use for any sewing project. Other considerations will be to construct the suit large enough for air to pass around the person wearing the suit; polyester fill to make the costume look larger than life; Velcro for ease in getting in and out of the costume; and cardboard or fiberglass for the head.

Most mascot costumes can only be worn for a maximum of 40 minutes at a time. The person inside the suit should be hydrated before putting it on. Mascots should be accompanied with another person as a guide or handler. More than one person may be needed, depending on the size the crowd and the event.

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How to Tailor Mascot Costumes to the Comfort of the Employee

November 3rd, 2009
by Adriana Noton

Mascots have become a fixture at sporting events around the world. Many of the mascots associated with professional sports teams have even earned their own fan bases. They are as well known for their often outlandish costumes as they are for their antics. In fact the role of the mascot has evolved from a source of good luck to entertainment for sports fans.

It might seem like all fun and games to the onlooker, but it is actually hard word. A mascot spends hours moving around in a heavy costume, often with little ventilation. Naturally, mascots of sports teams have the luxury of costumes made from better quality material, which promotes better mobility. It is easy to forget that there is a person inside that perpetually smiling bear or other character. Their comfort is an important consideration when the mascot costume is being designed.

Tools for Making a Mascot Costume

Just as the role of mascots has evolved, so has the way in which the costumes are made. The majority of the changes revolve around making the mascot costume more comfortable. There are some basic tools that will be need that include:

- Pencils and paper for sketching - Heavy duty scissors - A sewing machine - Industrial strength glue - Foam and poly-fill - Needles and thread - Velcro - Sponge or fleece to use as a liner (often both are used) - A small exhaust fan to keep the costume wearer cool

This list may vary depending on the design and purpose of the mascot. Originally fiberglass was used to make the head of the mascot. No foam is the material of choice because it is cooler and lighter, and therefore makes for a much more comfortable mascot costume.

How to Make the Mascot Costume Comfortable

Two main things are done to a mascot costume to help keep the employee wearing it comfortable. These are some sort of ventilation system and cooling vests. These are especially important during the hot summer months. The ventilation system can be as simple as a small battery operated fan.

Despite all the things done to a mascot costume to keep the employee comfortable, it is also necessary to give them frequent breaks. Ideally every 30 minutes, the mascot should have a break form the expected antics. This gives the mascot a chance to cool down as well as to rest.

Another important factor in making the mascot costume comfortable is the input of the intended wearer. Aside from taking the initial measurements, the head of the costume should be tried out for comfort and ease of movement. Having the wearer present or getting exact measurements beforehand will go a long way towards ensuring an energetic mascot.

Mascots are the life of any event, but it takes work to keep people enthusiastic and excited. A comfortable mascot costume for the employee is the best way to keep the spectators entertained. It is easy to obtain tips and ideas for tailoring a custom mascots just right so you will be proud and comfortable with the end result.

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Rio De Janerio Becomes First South American City To Host Olympic Games

October 29th, 2009
by Ross Everett

South America will host the Summer Olympic Games for the first time in 2016, as Rio De Janeiro, Brazil was awarded the honor on Friday. Rio beat out the US choice of Chicago, Illinois along with Tokyo, Japan and Madrid, Spain to earn the right to host the games. Despite a high pressure effort from the American power elite–ncluding President Barak Obama and TV gabfest queen Oprah Winfrey–Chicago was the first city eliminated from contention. Tokyo was the next to go, before Rio got the nod over Madrid in the final round of balloting.

Bookmakers offered odds on the host city choice, with Rio listed as second favorite at +200. Chicago had been the wagering favorite at most books, particularly after President Obama got involved personally in the US bid effort. Chicago was bet as high as a -300 favorite, while Madrid and Tokyo were priced in the +250 range. Some suggest that Tokyo didnt deserve to have such short odds, but was the beneficiary of regional pride from the notoriously enthusiastic betting population of Japan. Despite some media attention to the betting odds, bookmakers reported that they didn’t receive a lot of action on the event.

Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, President of Brazil, got the better of his US counterpart Barack Obama The Brazilian leader stressed the unfairness that South America had never hosted the games in his speech to the committee;

“It is a time to address this imbalance. It is time to light the Olympic cauldron in a tropical country.”

The Olympic committee was apparently swayed by this presentation and paid no mind to Rios many downsides. It is without a doubt the most dangerous of the finalist cities, where drug cartels and armed bands of thugs roam without impunity. Well do to Rio citizens are used to removing watches and jewelry before they drive anywhere lest they be targeted by carjacking brigands. Rios murder rate is also one of the highest in the world. Brazilian bid officials have stressed that security will be a priority at the games and it better be lest the Olympics turn into a bloodbath.

Some IOC members suggested that the summary dismissal of Chicagos bid was more of a rebuke of the notoriously corrupt USOC. The last two Olympics held in the US were tainted by crime and corruption. The 1996 Atlanta Olympics were disrupted by a terrorist bombing, while the 2002 Salt Lake City Winter Games were marred by a well known bribery and corruption scandal.

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Adidas Gymnastics Leotards Review

August 18th, 2009
by Lee Reid

If you are thinking of picking up a pair of Adidas Gymnastics Leotards that are cool, stylish and hip, then check out their latest collection that is available.

There are companies that make gymnastics workout leotards under a license from Adidas, such as gk elite sportswear and elite sportswear leotards.

When considering the points of quality, price, durability and craftsmanship, I would conclude that gymnastics leotards from Adidas deliver an excellent value for the money, especially since the brand is known as the choice of champions.

The models that are in high demand are Shawn Johnson Leotards, Nastia Liukin Leotards, compression shirts and cheer apparel.

There are several net shops that offer deals that are usually much better than what you would pay at your local shopping mall. So when you are ready to buy, it is highly recommended that you take a few minutes and do a search on the web first.

Doing a search on the net allows you the chance to easily and quickly compare prices, thus you can be sure in getting the best available deal for your hard earned money.

One of the best parts of net shopping is that you will be able to locate those rare or hard to find models of Adidas Gymnastics Leotards that you can’t seem to find anywhere else.

Price Information:

If you are thinking about buying them at your town’s sporting goods dealer or a department store, you should expect to pay around $75 or more, depending upon the particular model. For web shoppers, values can be found on the net for up to 50% off of retail.

Company Facts:

Adidas is known the world over at the brand with the three stripes. It is a public company that began in Herzogenaurach, Germany in 1924 by Adolf Dassler. The brand is most famous for their footwear, and also markets sportswear, sports equipment and toiletries. The companies products can be found in their specialty boutique shops and in major department stores located all over the world.

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How Successful Has Brazil Been At World Cup Tournaments?

August 11th, 2009
by Amy Nutt

The biggest and best sports competition in the world is the quest for the World Cup of Soccer. Since 1930, the World Cup of Soccer has been akin to finding the Holy Grail in sports terms. The country of Brazil has been a leader in this quest, winning the World Cup an astounding five times (in 1958, 1962, 1970, 1994 and 2002). One could actually measure the success of the sport of soccer by the amount of times Brazil has competed and come out on top.

All the best soccer teams in the world want to play in the World Cup tournament, but only two get chosen. There are more teams competing for the World Cup then there are countries represented in the United Nations. The World Cup is at the very top of the sporting world, with thousands of players competing for their chance to be a global sports star.

There are also millions more soccer fans who want to see their country win. Brazil is at the top of the food chain when it comes to soccer. They have produced some of the best players of the century with more stars rising from their ranks every season. Such notable soccer players like Rivaldo, who came out of obscurity to win the World Cup of 2002 and Cafu, otherwise known as Il Pendolino which means “the express train” captained the winning team of that year. Whenever soccer is mentioned anywhere in the world, people immediately think of the Brazilians and their achievements.

Brazil has not always been a shining example of the best teams, during the 1970s and 80s the Brazilian team has struggled with many injuries, fouls and scandals involving some of the players and coaches. Brazil has had many players who had outgrown their former glory and needed to do something to save their image in the world.

Brazils players have lost out to other countries, such as Germany, Uruguay, Italy and England. However, they remained a powerful force in the soccer world. In 1950 and 1998, respectively they won vice-championship in two editions and then went on to be semi-finalists in 1938, 1974 and 1978. Their indomitable spirit and the absolute life dedication of their players and fans set Brazil apart from players coming from other countries. But with careful selection of players and higher standards in the soccer industry as set forth by the Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) they were able to meet higher levels of achievement and beat out the Germans in 2002.

In 2014, Brazil will play host to the World Cup of Soccer and they are gearing up for a very promising season with some of the most physically-honed, skilled players in the world ready to do battle for old “Victory”. It should be an exciting time for soccer fans everywhere, most of all the people of Latin America. Look for great things as Brazil proves once again why they are the country with the most wins and some the best soccer fans in the world.

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Top 5 Most Famous Cartoon Mascots

August 6th, 2009
by Amy Nutt

A cartoon mascot is a great for a company to build brand recognition through their advertising. A mascot allows a company to basically display its personality in values for the entire world to see in a fun and related form. Custom Mascots can continue to grow and develop through the times right alongside the company, giving people something that they can always relate to. Below youll find a list, in no particular order, of some of the most famous and memorable cartoon mascots to ever exist.

1. Mr. Clean A lot of people think that the idea behind Mr. Clean is that hes some sort of ‘cleaning genie’ -given his single ear-ring, folded arms, and seemingly magical cleaning powers. However, he was actually based on a United States naval officer. This character is memorable for his muscled physique, friendly smile and, of course, ability to clean dirt and grime.

2. Tony the Tiger Originally designed in 1952, Tony the Tiger is one of the most prominent among the many different breakfast cereal related characters. His catchphrase, ‘Theyre g-r-r-r-eat!’ is instantly recognizable to kids and adults alike. Actually, the Tony we see today is really Tony Jr., a sleeker and more sport-oriented mascot, who replaced his more whimsical dad. The modern Tony appears to be something of an extreme sports enthusiast, and is always seen encouraging kids to get out and be active.

3. Charlie the Tuna The mascot of StarKist tuna, Charlie was based on an actor and friend of his designed named Henry Nemo. Hes most notable for his thick glasses, red beret hat, and of course his good taste. He was the source of another popular catchphrase, ‘Sorry, Charlie’ which was said in the 1980s commercials because Starkist was looking for good tasting tuna, not a tune with ‘good taste.’

4. The Pillsbury Doughboy Officially named ‘Poppin Fresh,’ the Pillsbury Doughboy is a ball of dough shaped like a little person, with a chefs hat and scarf. He is most famous for his memorable, high-pitched giggle that he makes when you poke him in his belly. Hes not technically a cartoon mascot -he was conceived as an animated character but he was actually brought to life by stop-motion in the early commercials, and CGI these days.

5. Joe Camel Joe Camel, or ‘Old Joe’ is a very controversial character, but no less famous for it. Joe represented Camel cigarettes and he existed as an icon of pure coolness before the company had no choice but to get rid of him -many people complained that his ‘cool’ persona attracted kids to smoking. His use in Camel was discontinued in 1997, but he still remains a recognizable character for many people.

There are literally hundreds more cartoon mascots that, over the years, have become engrained in peoples hearts and minds. While cartoon mascots are still great, many companies are now utilizing other types of media to create mascots that are just as full of personality and just as memorable.

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Effective Mascot Design Plays an Important Role on Advertising

July 18th, 2009
by Amy Nutt

If you want to launch an effective advertising campaign, then you need a few very important things. You need to have a good name for your company that is memorable and sticks in people’s minds. You need to have a logo that fits in with the style and attitude of your business. Having a nice, catchy slogan or catchphrase is also a big plus. Now, you also have the potential to add a mascot to your company’s overall identity. While this doesn’t work for every situation, a well-designed mascot can really take an ad campaign to the next level.

There are several factors that go into designing the perfect mascot. The first aspect of any mascot is personality. By having a unique personality, a mascot provides your company with another way to separate itself from its competitors. The mascot’s style and personality should be a reflection of your company’s own, and should speak to the audience that you’re trying to attract.

Along the same lines, a mascot should be a representative of the company’s overall values and goals. These values should be reflected in the way the character looks and carries itself. Furthermore, if the character is more than just part of your logo and has a ’speaking role’ in your advertising, then the characters voice and actions should reflect the company’s strong points.

Designing a mascot can give a business some real creative flexibility. You want a mascot that is unique enough that it’s going to jump out at people and make them remember. Some of the most successful mascots have been ones that pretty much defy description and are a bit outlandish. You don’t necessarily have to go that route, but a generic talking animal usually isn’t going to interest people very much.

When designing a mascot, you should always design it as if it is going to be part of your company, and your advertising, forever. You want a design that is timeless and has room to grow alongside your company. Don’t be afraid to change and ‘upgrade’ your mascot to keep up with the times ‘ so long as the mascot ultimately stays true to what it originally stood for.

With all that said, it’s important to think globally for your mascot design. We live in a very politically correct world, and many mascots have basically been forced into retirement because some element of their design was deemed offensive. For the most part it is not too difficult to avoid causing offense with your mascot, but just in case, it always pays off to do a little extra research.

Also, again, remember that not every company really needs a mascot. If your company is all about hard-lined professionalism, then a mascot will just seem at odds with what you’re trying to do. For the rest of the business out there, however, mascots are great ways to really take a brand to the next level and have it become a real cultural landmark.

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