Think the IOC is sorry now it chose China?

And you don't enjoy, so, I guess, good for you. But what's the point in anyone trying to lead a "I hate the Olympics" campaign when you don't have to watch? That would be like me starting an effort to get American Idol ban going because I think it appeals to the lowest common denominator.

 

Good Lord, this just gets better and better...

http://edition.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/asiapcf/06/03/oly.foreigners.ap/index.html

 

Some of this stuff isn't new ... several places have long been restricted or off-limits to foreigners (Tibet being one of them, although it has usually not been difficult to get the special permit).

Foreign visitors are also not able to obtain a driving permit (given the deplorable Chinese driving skills, that's not a bad thing) and in many cases, are not allowed to go into rural areas (e.g., city-to-city travel) in a private car. Foreigners have always been required to register at local police stations, and it has always been illegal to take anything into China that would be considered subversive. I actually was worried my Lonely Planet travel guide (which is critical of the government in several cases and has a disproportionate amount of ink devoted to Tibet) would be seen as subversive.

The visa rules have changed a bit. As of mid-April, visitors had to begin to submit their full itinerary to get a visa to China. Prior to that, it wasn't the case. The main reason: fear of Olympics protesters.

I don't know why the IOC is shocked. The Chinese have always cracked down on "subversive" speech within their borders and tried to control the actions of residents -- and visitors. This is nothing new.