The choice of a venue has always been influenced by issues regarding human rights, environmental sensitivity, etc. Specifically, I believe that host cities (and countries) have been chosen in part on the basis of how the Olympics offers them an impetus to “clean up their acts” and become even better world citizens. Put another way, it has been a question of leverage — that is, which country might be most responsive to a nudge from the IOC.

In short, China hasn’t really held up its end of the bargain. Part of its bid included a commitment to improvements in pollution control, which really haven’t happened. I was unable to find (due to time constraints) specific indications of the expectation that China become a more responsible world citizen in exchange for winning its Olympic bid. The extensive protests and calls for boycotts are a reflection of the world’s judgment that China really hasn’t come through.

So, the equation seems to be: China can get the revenue and showcasing from hosting the games themselves, but they haven’t earned the plum PR and image-burnishing that would have come from a more sincere effort.

Bottom line: The games themselves are for the athletes, while the ceremonies are for the host country. China simply hasn’t made enough progress to earn protest-free ceremonies.

The opening ceremonies, despite protests from Tibet and Darfur activists, proceed with great fanfare and elaborate ritual. The conspicuously absent teams – England, Canada, Switzerland, most of NATO – hearken back to the Cold War era. A defiant Chinese team proudly and enthusiastically takes to the track in their gleaming, modern uniforms. They are followed by resurgent Russia and a majority of the world’s nations.

And then, the US flag appears. A shockingly small delegation – the captain of each US relay team, running, swimming and the rest – marching subdued but proud, the Stars and Strips streaming behind them as they, one by one, hand off the relay baton that each of them will be competing with to the next in line.

As they reach the middle of the track, the final runner receives the baton, and as if on command, the entire team stops at attention as this last runner trots over to the audience and hands the baton up to President Barack Obama, who stands up and says, first in English and then in his native Bahasa Indonesian:

” People of the world… we have come together tonight to celebrate the triumph of the human spirit over adversity. Like all such triumphs, it is bittersweet – the sweet ecstasty of victory is tinged with the bitter flavour of the shared pain of those who made it not. ”

“There are those here tonight who are going to achieve great things, and there is of course no shame in that. There are those here tonight who will strive for great things and fall short, and there is, likewise, no shame in the striving. And there are those who have chosen not to be here, and their decision must be respected, and warrants no shame of its own.”

“But shame yet darkens this great day. ”

“Yes, shame. It is a shame borne by no one nation, but rather the collective shame we bear for those who are not here – not because they have chosen not to be but because, in the grip of the oppression of their fellow man, they have no freedom to do so. This is our shame.”

“The United States has chosen to send a team to participate in the Olympics because we feel that there is honour in striving for something better, and there is nobility in coming together for a common cause. Though we respect those who elected to boycott, we feel that there is nothing to be gained from isolation.”

“At the same time, we know that we are priveleged to be able to participate in this time-honoured tradition, and that it represents the very best that our world has to offer. We further recognize that the greatest achievements of mankind have been achieved through co-operation, not competition, a notion our hosts today hold at the very center of their society. ”

“We have a saying, back in the United States. You might say it’s written on the welcome mat, if you were inclined towards fancy. It goes ‘Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, The wretched refuse of your teeming shore. Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me, I lift my lamp beside the golden door!’”

“These are not just words.”

“It is for this reason that this year, we have done something different.” As he says this, there is a gasp from the crowd as people of all ages and nationalities race onto the field, each dressed in a sparkling, ultramodern American uniform. “This year, our team – like our nation – will be made up of people from all areas of the world, from all races, creeds and colours. We’ve invited them all to be a part of the American dream, a dream of freedom, individual liberty, human rights and human compassion. And we’ve entered only the relay and team events – none of these people will be taking part alone.”

“Higher. Faster. Stronger.”

“Together.”

“Many of the nations represented tonight have come here seeking honour. You have made the claim that you too are world leaders and powers of the first rank., just as we are. We do not dispute this.”

“We simply ask you to prove it”

“Lift up your lamps and light the way for those huddled masses yearning to breath free. Ignore no longer the wretched refuse of the world’s teeming shores. It is in compassion that true honour lies. It is in cooperation that true greatness is achieved.”

“Together, we can light a torch for the whole world.”

The rest of the ceremonies are completed in silence.

Of course, the script gets a lot shorter with President Bush.