Sorry, y'all; I grew up loving the Olympics and still do.

I look upon the inevitable political controversies as inevitable but unfortunate, and relatively insignificant in comparison to the athletic competition and the very real promotion of fellowship and international understanding, which actually happens, believe it or not, among athletes and fans despite everything.

Favoring (i.e., rooting for) participants from your own homeland is only natural, and perfectly OK (at least, up to a point beyond which nationalism can become unattractive if not intolerable).

Because the Olympics provides such a huge and unavoidable worldwide "stage," demonstrations and various antics, and even outright terrorism (as in Munich '72), are always possible. Let's hope the proceedings this year are peaceful as usual.

Sure, the Chinese government is repressive ~ that's nothing new, for crying out loud. Allowing them to host this incomparble international event should not be characterized as a "reward" for bad behavior ~ I see it as an event that can only promote openness, shine the light of international scrutiny upon that entire vast nation, and in the long run result in far more positive outcomes than negative.