Every one expects China to do well in the 2008 Olympics including me. A question of course is ‘exactly how well will they do?’ How close will they come to the USA in the medals tally and will they even topple the USA?

China had a great Asian games but the people who matter are pushing the athletes much more. That is not all which is being done though. China is focussing on the grandeur as well - so the Olympic torch will climb the Everest. Beijing 2008 is being taken very seriously by China as we all know and we are seeing what China is doing towards this end as these news items come to the fore.

While Sydney 2000 was one of the most spectacular in recent Olympic history, Beijing 2008 might just be the most memorable. More than the boost to the rapidly growing economy, Beijing 2008 provides the chance for China to come closer to the world via the quickest of ways - sports. So, China should focus on building and growing upon an image which will reap tremendous long term returns.

The medals tally will be just one of the many things the world will be watching and how much China is able to to seize Beijing 2008 at this interesting juncture in it’s growth will be fascinating to follow.

Action isn’t stopping at the Everest it seems. After the Mark Inglis controversy a few days back, comes the news of Australian climber Lincoln Hall reviving from death. [Via Laura] Read of one of the most remarkable rescues.

There has been action in more ways than one. A stripper has stripped at the Everest the first time ever and as with all firsts, this creates news as well. [Via India Uncut]

Reuters reports:

The head of the Nepal Mountaineering Association urged the government on Saturday to take action against a sherpa who reportedly stripped off on top of Mount Everest.

The Himalayan Times had reported on Friday that the Nepali climbing guide, whose name it gave as Lakpa Tharke, stood naked for three minutes in freezing conditions on the 8,850-metre (29,035-ft) summit of the world’s highest peak.

If confirmed, he would be the first person known to have stripped atop Everest, considered by Nepali Buddhists as a god…

“But if he did it, it is very shocking because Sagarmatha is the goddess mother,” he said, using the mountain’s Nepali name.

Time has passed since the first people climbed the great peak. Nothing fascinates like Everest still.

Mark Inglis was a hero a couple of days back. He was getting praise from every one.

Now, he is facing severe criticism from a lot of people for leaving David Sharp to die. Edmund Hillary has been severe and said that he would never do such a thing. Some bloggers speaking on the issue - People blogging on the talking point - Vent, Saakshi Juneja, Chris Brazendale and Aparna Ray.

Inglis has tried to avoid the blame saying it was expedition leader Russell Brice’s decision. While it is true that Inglis should not get all the blame for the incident (there were 40 people out there and an Inglis should not be made target), he cannot avoid the spotlight because of his achievement. So Inglis gets picked on most. Also, he loses out the most as the sheen over his accomplishment is lost. Years of hardwork get washed in two days thus.

The difficult questions which should be asked - would any other present day climber react differently in a similar situation and go against the team? Would such a decision make sense at all as it would mean being in a life threatening situation for the climber who does decide to isolate from the team? So should individual team members be blamed for not risking their lives and possibly commiting suicide in standing alone? Who should actually be blamed - the team captain or each member?

No sporting glory is more valuable than saving a human life. Risking lives happens while pursuing sporting glory but that is obviously different. From the way I look at it - the mission should have been aborted, no matter how much effort had gone into it and try to save a life if even the bleakest chance for it existed.