Dashan and the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games

In 2008, the world's attention was focused on China to an unprecedented degree. It was East-meets-West like never before and Dashan was right in the middle of it all.

Shortly after Beijing was awarded the Olympic Games in 2001, Dashan began hosting Olympic-related programs for Beijing TV as well as China Central Television, including To 2008, Olympic English, Sports Chinese and special TV events to mark significant milestones during the countdown to the Games. (Watch samples of these programs on YouTube: Olympic English | Sports Chinese)

In 2006, Dashan was appointed Canadian Team Attaché for the Beijing Olympics. (See the original press release) As Team Attaché, Dashan was responsible for facilitating cooperation between Team Canada and the various local groups and individuals in Beijing as well as assisting with team operations during the Games. Being Team Attaché also gave Dashan the opportunity to march into the Olympic Stadium with Team Canada during the official opening ceremonies. (Watch the video)

Dashan also served as Goodwill Ambassador for the BC Canada Pavilion in Beijing. The Pavilion, located in the Beijing Planning and Exhibition Hall near Tiananmen Square, served as a platform for B.C. and Canada to present themselves to China and the world.

Dashan also served as the goodwill ambassador for a volunteer program that is brought English language education to local communities in the Beijing region as they prepared to host the Olympic Games.

On July 26, Dashan ran a section of the Olympic torch relay in the city of Kaifeng, Henan province. Sponsored for this role by Lenovo, Dashan's participation was, in part, to honour the memory of his grandparents who lived in Henan during the early 1920s, working at a hospital that had been established with donations from Canada. (Watch the video on YouTube)

"Mark Rowswell has done a tremendous amount to foster cultural understanding between Canada and China," said Chris Rudge, COC Chief Executive Officer. "Since being named Canada's Team Attaché in November 2006, Mark has been instrumental in helping our organization develop important relationships with members of Beijing's business community while also providing a better understanding of China's culture and customs to Canada's athletes, coaches and team leaders. He is a highly valued member of our 2008 Olympic Team and is playing a key role in helping the COC prepare for success in Beijing."

Watch an interview about Dashan's role as Canadian Team Attaché on YouTube