James Fallows says goodbye to the Beijing Olympics, with a few last impressions:

“It’s the first day of the rest of Beijing’s life. I have no further thoughts to offer about the Games and their aftermath, so I bid them adieu with these few notebook items. …
Note in the shot below the Chinese participants who I think edge out the opening-ceremony cheerleaders for the gold medal in stoicism. During the entire match, they had to look constantly into the crowd. This was presumably to be on guard if anyone tried to charge the field or — much worse! — take out some kind of banner. How you could sneak a banner in through the security screenings is mystery on its own. Not once did I see a one of them turn around, even when the crowd roared and the stadium seemed to pulse with excitement. They didn’t move or flinch at all. Assuming that they were actual people and not mannequins, I say: Well done! Jia you!”