Beijing’s ‘invisible’ Olympics: Muted but watched online

Residents wearing face masks to help protect from the coronavirus watch a tablet computer showing a live telecast of the opening ceremony of the 2022 Winter Olympics, outside a residential block in Beijing on Feb 4, 2022. — AP

Zhou Jun remembers the run-up to the 2008 Summer Olympics, when it seemed like everyone was learning English to be able to communicate with the foreign visitors about to descend on the city.

Athletes and foreign fans roamed the city throughout the Games. “I remember that the streets and alleys were filled with the theme song of the Beijing Olympics,” the 37-year-old said. “There were mascots everywhere. The atmosphere was very festive.”