China is trying to project a clean image of their country but in the process they might be doing more damage than harm. There is no need to overdo anything. They had been awarded as a host country and that in itself will etch Beijing's name in sports history.
It is a demanding task to host Olympics. The cost itself is staggering! Try to imagine all the logistics and manpower that you have to mobilize not to mention the accommodation for the athletes, delegation and spectators.
Speaking for myself, I think I can accept all the video re-touching and incident of lip sync. Olympics Opening ceremony is considered a major SHOWBIZ event; and spectators are world-wide audience. I would not risk my country's reputation by botched artist performance or failed fireworks. What they did is justifiable.
What I can not accept is cheating the age of participants especially in gymnatics. I think the Olympic Committee needs to get to the bottom of this and perform an exhaustive investigation. China for their part should be transparent enough to provide birth certificate and other documentation to refute allegation of cheating. Passport document, though acceptable, is not a fool-proof and infallible evidence of age (what if the issuing government institution is party to the cheating allegation?). As an Asian, I really think that those girls competing for China would not be in the age of 16 or above. I estimate that they are in age range of 11-14.
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