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Often the IOC has championed countries in the throes of political, social, and cultural change. To them, it is an opportunity to help that country escape from the shadows and into welcome them as an integral member of the family of man.

Sports by it's very nature has been instrumental in bringing countries together in the spirit of competition and fair play. The Olympics are a great example of that. The IOC has often tried to bring the spirit of the Olympic Games to those countries that would benefit most from showing the rest of the world what they are truly capable of.

The IOC obviously recognizes the huge opportunity that hosting the Olympic games will afford
China. An opportunity to display what it is truly capable of. An opportunity to gain respect and acceptance from the rest of the free world.

China has for centuries been a country that seems to be an island unto itself. A county that at times did not seem to be, or want to be, in concert with the rest of the world. It is a country that seldom welcomed visitors and regarded most outsiders with caution and mistrust.

In the past, China has behaved much like the former USSR. Until recently, Chinese rulers felt the best way to maintain control of the population was to not ever let them know what was happening in the rest of the world. It was nothing short of manipulation and mind control on a massive scale.

All that is changing as China steps into the 21st century with an eye toward material wealth, increased productivity and all the trappings of Western civilization that go along with it. Today's world is much different than even a few decades ago. It's very difficult to control widespread use of the internet that has opened the eyes of many Chinese citizens about the way the rest of the world lives. In many ways, the Chinese government has come to accept that it's no longer impossible to impose their will on the people.

The IOC is well aware of Chinese attempts to become a more widely accepted country and a country that wants to open it's doors to the rest of the world. The timing for China is perfect when it comes to hosting the Olympic Games. It gives the Chinese people an opportunity to change the negative impression that most people seem to have about their social structure.

It is an opportunity for China to gain acceptance and respect from the rest of the world as they step into the limelight and are brought into the homes of millions of people from around the world for a few weeks in the coming Summer.

China won host city because of all the countries in the world, they are most in need of the benefits that an event like the Olympic Games can bring to a country.

Learn more about this author, Ray Fauteux.
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