Yet more proof China is as capitalist as the next country. China's athletes are returning home to a nation full of fawning admiration for their Olympic stars. For a nation that struggled to win medals for years it is a source of great pride to come second only to the USA in the medal count. But that's only one side of the equation.

Like other countries, China loves winners. So the Chinese medallists can expect a cash bonanza from both public and private purses. The central Government will give up to US$24,000 to each medallist and provinces will tip in more: for example Zhang Guozheng will get US$180,000 from Yunnan province. This is serious money in a country where the per capital GDP is around US$1,100. Next comes the advertisements, speeches and merchandising that is the regular meal ticket of successful atheletes. Hurdler Liu Xiang is in line for US$400,000 just from the central Government for his first Chinese atheletics gold.

However it's not all cheery. Basketballer Yao Ming is being called too "Western" and "individualistic" for expressing disappointment with his team's basketball loss in the first round. He was accused of "destroying the unity of the team." That they played terribly and deserved the criticism doesn't seem to be a factor.

Regardless of the financial gains these athletes are due to receive, they will soon find there's more to life. Indeed they could be the subject of a kindly documentary. In the words of Fumier:

Last night I watched the programme on Jade (?) about Fu Ming Xia (Fuk Ming Ha), the former high diving pin-up from the PRC who married Anthony Leung, the former high flying pin-head from the SAR.