The world saw the political, economic, and cultural significance of hosting the 2008 Olympics in Beijing. But will those games make a lasting difference? This book approaches questions about the nature and future of China through the lens of sports-particularly as sports finds its utmost international expression in the Olympics.

Approaching questions about the nature and future of China through the lens of sports--particularly as sports finds its utmost international expression in the Olympics--this work argues that athletics, as a focus of popular interest, has the capacity to bring about major social changes.