International

Ha ha, IOC. You got us.

The most elaborate April Fool's prank ever was launched on July 13, 2001, when the International Olympic Committee announced that China would be hosting the 2008 Summer Olympics. What, did Iraq hosting the Winter Games seem too obvious?

Looking back, it's embarrassing that we, the world, fell for it. How could a Communist country, infamous for Tank Man, host an event whose credo is:

The most important thing in the Olympic Games is not to win but to take part, just as the most important thing in life is not the triumph but the struggle. The essential thing is not to have conquered but to have fought well.

Instead of laughing, we went along with it, forcing China to spend millions on Potemkin stadiums and fake torches. Well, China is sick of the joke. They've been trying to get caught for years. In '07, they poisoned Thomas the Tank Engine. Nothing. They amped up their human rights abuses. Silence...not even a boycott. Tons of pollution was added to the air. Only one marathoner drops out, and no one can pronounce his name anyway. The recent crackdown in Tibet is a cry for help.

Today, on the last April Fool's Day before the Olympics, it's time to let China off the hook.

Managua '08.