Cheering is compulsory in China

In schools and on television, China is teaching the "Olympic 4-step" to ensure that the home crowd is enthusiastic yet orderly.

The cheer is a joint product of the Party Office of Spiritual Civilization Development and Guidance (GODPP), the Ministry of Education, BOCOG, and CCTV. Here's an illustrated guide, which will appear on television and promotional posters in the near future:


The Beijing News also reports that students across the country will be trained in the cheer, particularly the 800,000 students who will watch the games on-site. In addition, 448 volunteers will lead spectators in the cheer at both the Olympics and Paralympics.

Li Ning, president of the Beijing Etiquette Institute, described how the cheer can be adapted to different contexts. The cheer can contain a multitude of variations. It could be "Go Olympics! Go China!" as well as "Go China! Go Yao Ming!" or "Go Brazil! Go Ronaldino!" It will work to give encouragement to every country and athlete in competition.

Sources:
Sports Illustrated
Danwei: Chinese media, advertising, and urban life