The Beijing Dongdan Sports Center was left in a shambles yesterday: flowers were crushed into the ground, a car was damaged, a sidewalk blocked.
The upheaval occurred when local police canceled Michael "Air" Jordan's first public appearance in Beijing. Jordan had been scheduled to meet Chinese fans during a donation ceremony at the sports center for the Nike Basketball Park.
Although he retired last year, Jordan is still hugely popular with hoop fans all over the world. If his first tour of China is a test of his popularity here, the crowds and high emotions of yesterday would indicate he passes with flying colors.
As early as 7:00 AM, three hours before the ceremony was scheduled, the sports center's basketball courts were surrounded by hundreds of young people waiting to catch a glimpse of their hero.
"I'm here to see him, the basketball god of my heart," said a 14-year-old fan sporting a jersey with the legendary No 23. "Seeing him in real life once is worth getting up as early as 5:00 in the morning."
An hour later, some teens started to climb to the top of the high fence that surrounds the basketball courts to get a better view of the superstar. An uncounted number of others were crowded layer upon layer outside the enclosure.
Some of them began to rip down advertising billboards that were blocking their view.
Holding huge posters of Jordan outside the stadium, the fanatical crowds began shouting Jordan's name loudly when the organizers declared he would arrive in 10 minutes.
But at that point, police ordered the event canceled because of the potential for chaos. "We have to ensure the security of all these fans," said a police official. "Nobody knows what will happen if Jordan shows up here."
For public security officers, memories remain strong of the February 5 Lantern Festival tragedy in suburban Beijing, in which a stampede resulted in 37deaths.
But yesterday's fans, while kept physically safe, were crushed emotionally.
"I'm so disappointed," said a young boy. "Only a glimpse of him would have been enough, but I saw nothing after a long wait."
"I don't want to miss such a precious opportunity to see my idol with my own eyes," said another fan. "I still hope to get a chance to see him before he leaves."
Long after the cancellation of the event, hundreds of upset fans remained standing outside the stadium and at the gate of the St. Regis Hotel, where Jordan is staying, to express their eagerness to see their idol.
Since arriving in Beijing late Monday, Jordan's China schedule has been kept a secret to avoid scrutiny from the media and fans.
Most people were only able to watch Jordan on the CCTV news, when he met with Yuan Weimin, director of the State General Administration of Sports Wednesday.
A few lucky fans caught a glimpse of him in the afternoon, when he visited the Great Wall. Some fans broke into tears when they saw him.
"It is the happiest moment of my life," wept one. "I still don't know if I'm in a dream now."
Thursday, Jordan's tour continues with a press conference in the morning and awards presentation at the 2004 China High School Basketball League Final in the afternoon.
(China Daily, China.org.cn May 20, 2004)
