Beijing was awarded the Summer Olympics for a combination of economic and political reasons and China desired to host the Games for the exact same reasons. China saw the summer Olympics as a symbolic opportunity to celebrate its new position in the hierarchy of world governments.  Tibet caught them by surprise. and the Chinese were blown over by the "supposed" mistreatment of the torch in London, Paris and San Francisco.

From the time the Games were awarded to Beijing, the Olympics Committee displayed how seriously they are concerned with human rights and democracy.  The "pipe dream" that this would change the country into an  open, moderate and benevolent society was just that.

How many country will demonstrate their disapproval of China's autocratic regime and now boycott this year's Summer Olympics? How many countries will there be to put action to their words?  It still remains to be seen?