Closing Ceremony: Fizzle or a Bang?

Well, it's official. The Olympic games (the actual sporting events) are now over. While Chinese television claims that China has prevailed as the medal winner (because who cares about anything other than gold medals?), the US is the clear winner. Already, today's weather has turned a greyish haze, which has seldom been seen during the Olympics, and the general feeling among Chinese people is of relief not celebration. Their duty to the rest of the world is almost over, barring the Closing Ceremony in which they will pass the torch to London.

So the question is: Will Beijing go out with a fizzle or a bang? The city seems exhausted, and even the foreign guests appears to be Olympic-ed out. While one Chinese official has claimed that this ceremony will be the best ever, one finds it hard to imagine. Beijing can go back to normal, can purge itself of the partying, loud and often confused foreigners. Industries can start up again, and bye-bye blue sky days. One more night of celebration and euphoria, but come Monday will it just be business as usual? Stay tuned.