Gossip Games and House Parties Galore

While the entire workforce of BOCOG is contemplating the very real possibility of a last-ditch rain dance to clear the skies for Zhang Yimou’s Opening Ceremony, the rest of town is abuzz with the prospect of three weeks of partying like an Olympian. Or, more to specifically, partying with Olympians. The rumor mill has been a rumblin’ and as each day passes, we get a slightly (ever so slightly) better idea of where we can expect to catch the athletes celebrating or commiserating.

Sauntering around Houhai just the other day, I spotted a particularly garishly dressed gentleman: red and white T-shirt, matching rucksack, shorts and even trainers. It would have been folly to say as much to his face, however, since he filled said attire with tree-trunk limbs and a tractor-like torso. I deduced, with the help of the word “Russia” emblazoned across his chest, that he was a Russian athlete, or at least a very big man pretending to be. Either way, I was excited (purely in an Olympic sense). So what’s my point? I’ll tell you what my point is: big Russian man in bad clothes was walking around Houhai because Team Russia, or the Russian House, or whatever you want to call it has set up shop on Lotus Lane. I’m not sure exactly what bar the team is occupying, they all look the same to me, but I recommend going to take a look – you can’t miss it. Wear bad, matching clothes, and you might even get in. (Speaking of bad clothes, the Chinese athletes have drawn the short straw as far as outfits for the Opening Ceremony go.)

Meanwhile, Gongti Beilu mainstay, The Den, has cunningly reinvented itself for the Olympics as “The DenMark,” by simply attaching the letters M, A, R, K underneath its sign. Geddit? If not: The Den is the official party place for Danes this Olympics. I spoke to one of the organizers, who told me that while the athletes and VIDPs (Very Important Danish People) had a fancy-pants place of their own, they were more than likely to drop by for a Den Burger and rub shoulders with the masses. Expect Scandinavian rowdiness.

The Brits have been keeping their plans fairly low key ever since Ken Livingstone lost the London mayoral elections to Tory toff Boris Johnson. Livingstone had grand plans for promoting the 2012 London Olympics at the Peace Art Co on Ritan Nanlu. However, once Johnson came into office, he slashed the budget and, by doing so, a great deal of fun for Beijing-based freeloaders. Still, all is not lost – true to form, the British Chamber has organized the Going for Gold Garden Party at the Ambassador’s Residence on August 13. While we’re unsure whether athletes will attend or not, luminaries like Seb Coe and MP Tessa Jowell, minister for the Olympics and London, should be kicking about. Guests need to register in advance and tickets cost RMB 200 (members), 300 (non-members).

The Ukrainians are going for a more casual vibe at The Goose ‘n’ Duck. The sports bar will remain open to the general public, but will also hold events for the delegation – we’re guessing in the expansive function rooms upstairs.

For all their samba spirit, it’s odd that the Brazilians have chosen the somewhat sober environs of the Jianguo Garden Hotel to host their Brazil Gala. Even more of surprising (dare I say, disappointing?) is the rather uninspiring wording of the official invite: “Interesting arrays of Brazilian sights and sounds will be showcased in the Gala.”

We can hardly wait …

For more information on the best parties around town, check out the August issue of the Beijinger, and keep an eye on www.thebeijinger.com for regular Olympic updates.