This I find difficult to believe. But, by an large, Chinese spectators are not into cheerleaders.

The smiling young women have come to expect a crowd response as chilly as the winter wind outside. They shimmy to Shakira as spectators stare sullenly, then prance off the court to anemic applause.

China’s 1.3 billion people are crazy about sports, but not cheerleaders. Those women who have taken to the all-American phenomenon hope that plans for cheerleaders at the Olympics will bring some glamour to their work.

Having seen them perform in Hong Kong — the Dallas Cowboys no less — I can say it is one of the great spectacles of all time.

The Olympics are a huge celebration of national pride, and organizers are encouraging ordinary Chinese to play a role. Along with more than a million volunteer applicants and retirees learning English to communicate with foreign visitors, cheerleaders also are eager to leave a mark.

Dancing is simply foreign to many Chinese fans, who would rather puff a cigarette or stretch their legs when play stops.

A Beijing resident who watched Li and her teammates from the Soojin Dance troupe perform at a recent handball tournament said he hoped there would be no Western dance routines at the games in August.

The man must be stark raving mad.
Source: Yahoo