When the Olympic games were awarded to Beijing in 2001, more than a few questions were raised about the host country. It was clear from the start that China was not just making a bid to host a sporting event — it was claiming a place in the developed world.
Now that the games have finally begun, virtually every single aspect of the event is being measured.
In particular, China's human rights re cord has been under intense scrutin since the games were awarded and was put under the microscope after the violence that erupted in Tibet in March.