Beijing's Demonstration Sports

Our president has announced that he will attend the Beijing Olympics next year as an honored guest of China's Communist government. The president is keen to go because, said a spokesman, "he loves sports."

The president may not be aware that under Olympic procedures, the host nation may stage as "demonstration sports" some events not usually represented in the Games. These items are typically sports characteristic of the host country's folkways and culture.

From a contact in China's Olympic Committee, I have been able to obtain a list of demonstration sports the Chinese may stage for the entertainment of their distinguished visitors. Because the Games schedule is not yet finalized, I can't guarantee that all the events listed below will appear on the program. I can, however, assure the president that all of them have been practiced in the People's Republic, and most are still played today.