Source: http://www.politicalcartoons.com/cartoon/47824470-2365-4307-96b7-04b06f565c62.html
This political cartoon is about the air pollution problem during the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China.
In the cartoon, the headline on the newspaper is “Olympic endurance events face delay due to pollution.” It is said so because in March 2008, International Olympic Committee (IOC) issued a statement saying that the smog in Beijing could pose a health risk to endurance athletes such as those who participate in the marathon, triathlon, distance walking and swimming, mountain biking, and distance cycling events. IOC President Rogge said before the 2008 Olympic Games started that some events might have to be postponed or rescheduled if pollution levels were particularly high on a certain day. These arrangements made a lot of athletes and other countries disappointed on Beijing.
The man on the left asks “What is an endurance event”. Normally, the answer for this question should be some kinds of sport events like the marathon, triathlon or distance cycling. But the other man answers “In Beijing, just about anything that involves breathing”. It means that even breathing such basic act needs endurance for Beijing people. Here the cartoonist uses irony to show the seriousness of the air pollution problem during the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing.
Lastly, the bird in the cage represents the Beijing citizens as well as the 2008 Olympic Games athletes in Beijing. The bird cannot breathe by itself but only if it uses the oxygen can. This is an exaggeration showing that in Beijing there is no fresh air for people to breathe in. The bird also symbolizes the people in Beijing, who are like the birds in cage and can do nothing to help with the situation. Actually, the air pollution problem in Beijing is becoming more and more serious. People in Beijing need to wear surgical masks when they go out. They sometimes cannot even see the sun and the buildings a few blocks away.
This political cartoon is about the air pollution problem during the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China.
In the cartoon, the headline on the newspaper is “Olympic endurance events face delay due to pollution.” It is said so because in March 2008, International Olympic Committee (IOC) issued a statement saying that the smog in Beijing could pose a health risk to endurance athletes such as those who participate in the marathon, triathlon, distance walking and swimming, mountain biking, and distance cycling events. IOC President Rogge said before the 2008 Olympic Games started that some events might have to be postponed or rescheduled if pollution levels were particularly high on a certain day. These arrangements made a lot of athletes and other countries disappointed on Beijing.
The man on the left asks “What is an endurance event”. Normally, the answer for this question should be some kinds of sport events like the marathon, triathlon or distance cycling. But the other man answers “In Beijing, just about anything that involves breathing”. It means that even breathing such basic act needs endurance for Beijing people. Here the cartoonist uses irony to show the seriousness of the air pollution problem during the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing.
Lastly, the bird in the cage represents the Beijing citizens as well as the 2008 Olympic Games athletes in Beijing. The bird cannot breathe by itself but only if it uses the oxygen can. This is an exaggeration showing that in Beijing there is no fresh air for people to breathe in. The bird also symbolizes the people in Beijing, who are like the birds in cage and can do nothing to help with the situation. Actually, the air pollution problem in Beijing is becoming more and more serious. People in Beijing need to wear surgical masks when they go out. They sometimes cannot even see the sun and the buildings a few blocks away.
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