Although both Australia and France score better with the US system, neither The Sydney Morning Herald nor France2 use it.
In an on-line article We're No. 1: U.S., China Chase Top Spot NBC admits to the difference, adding the feel-good diplomacy of:
"I think China will win the golds and the US will win the overall medal count and it will be a nice compromise, leaving everyone feeling good about the Olympics and both nations able to say they won," says Terry Rhoads, of Zou Marketing, a Shanghai-based sports consultancy.
2. An editorial in Asahi (63 Years After The War) is relieved that as the Olympics are held over the anniversary of the end of World War TWO that there has not been anti-Japanese feelings from the Chinese spectators. This was especially noticed when the Japanese anthem was played.
3. As August 13 is the anniversary of the the building of the Berlin Wall, Deutsche-Welle (no visible medal tally) has photos of Der Mauer today including the delightful irony that parts of it are fenced off to protect it.
4. Serbian B92 has no apparent Olympics news but does have a poll asking how the situation in South Ossetia will effect feelings about Kosovo.
B92 are often ahead of the game.
As of today, 68 of 190 had said it would be favorable (sic) for Belgrade.
('sic' refers to US spelling of 'favourable' - not the poll result.)
4. Back to feel-good diplomacy: The Asia Times writes of the significance (symbolism) of China and the US opening mutual embassies at this time:
Despite his insistence that his presence in Beijing is purely linked to sport, the American president's schedule included several non-Olympics related events. Among these was the inauguration of the new American Embassy in the Chinese capital.
The $434 million building is a sprawling glass and chrome structure spread over 500,000 square feet. It is the second-largest US embassy in the world, after Iraq, and according to Clark T Randt Jr, the US ambassador to China, is a symbol of "the most important bilateral relationship of the 21st century".
Significantly, the inauguration of the building came only a week after Chinese officials opened their own giant embassy in Washington DC, which, at 250,000 square feet, is the biggest embassy in the US capital.
5. And of course, NBC's "expert on all things China" (Ni hao from the Bird's Nest) - Joshua Ramo.
Ken Silverstein reports in Harpers (NBC’s Olympics, Brought to You By Henry Kissinger) that NBC have neglected to point out he works in the Beijing office of Henry Kissinger's consulting firm.
Zhou Enlai listens on as Chairman Mao gives advice to Henry Kissinger, predicting that Kissinger, Alexander Haig and Brent Scowcroft wil all have consulting firms in China in the future. Imagine that. Mao and Kissinger later agreed to disagree on the Olympic medal tally.
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