For an idea of what kind of air athletes and spectators can expect during the Olympics -- and what Beijingers can expect for some time to come -- the past week has offered telling indications.
When I was out on the pale white moonscape of the Olympic green on Monday, my throat had the particular tickle of particulates. It wasn't just the intense heat -- and I wasn't even running the 10,000 meter.
The world will draw their own serious conclusions about Beijing, even if the Games go well. But in the event of a violent incident, the response will spur even more serious judgments about China.
Olympic gold medalist Joey Cheek wasn't expecting to be denied entry to Beijing. But on Wednesday, just hours before he was to depart for the Chinese ...
Standing eerily still and in machine-like formation over square tables, the army of thousands portended something big. From one angle, they resembled ...
"China's so desperate to have the Games look like their version of a success that they would threaten anyone who says something they don't like."
One of the biggest feats of China's spectacular opening ceremony wasn't inside the stadium. The city's meteorological bureau peppered approaching clouds with silver-iodide rockets to prevent rain.
