“Some of these sports - like croquet for example - are not well known in China"

What are you talking about? You see people playing croquet everywhere.

Liuzhou Laowai, Liuzhou, China

""Visitors will be barred from visiting parts of the country that remain closed to outsiders — for example, Tibet."

Your own paper reported just days ago that Tibet is open again.

Liuzhou Laowai, Liuzhou, China

I was at the Frankfurt Airport and the number of Chinese tourists doubly outnumbered all the other people in the aiport combined. They were led in groups of 50 by tour guides with megaphones barking mono-syllabic orders like an army drill sergeant. This news story doesn't surpise.

Dennis, Omaha, USA

Out of all the problems that I have with how the Olympics are being hosted, this has to be the last one on the list. It is no different from the organised chants at many other Asian sporting events.

Amy, Joetsu, Japan

My fellow defamers, international scrutiny will hopefully lead to increased pressure on the Chinese system from within. The long-term results might surprise everyone -- these people want basic rights, and they'll eventually get them.

For now, they apparently need to be told how to clap.

Nick, SF, USA

If they don't understand croquet, they could introduce a few sports they do know: like Whack the Monk, or Kick the Protestor. I am sure any spectators at these events will be quick to learn the official cheering procedure.

joe, birmingham, uk

I wish that people would just let the Zimbabweans get on and run the election and enjoy the competition. Thuggery wasn't intended as a human-rights crusade.

joe, birmingham, uk

I wish that people would just let the Chinese get on and run the games and enjoy the competition. The modern Olympics weren't intended as a human-rights crusade.

Let the 1 Billion Chinese evolve their own solutions to land-rights, human rights and good governance just like the west did (almost!).

Pedro, Stratford,

China.. what is it doing about the Tibetan issue? Killing innocents wont help.. I hope China ( its leaders) are exposed before the whole world and genocide in Tibet can stop.

Raghu, LA, USA

Frank in Shanghai, people defame their country all the time in TheTimesOnline. It is the custom here.

I hope the Chinese people are happy with the legacy from their games.

Keith S, Winnipeg, Canada

The only cheering I will do, is when the US beats down the competition; which means I will be cheering often.

Chris, Tampa, USA

I think a successful Olympics is important because it will show China can manage a major international event and it will let people see the progress China made. There will always be those who try to defame China but let them. Eventually their lies will be exposed.

Lee, NY,

Personally, I don't think Beijing is ready for the Olympics. Shanghai or Hong Kong would have been a better choice. Street signs aren't large enough. Street names don't always match the map. Subway exits are confusing. Buses taking you outside the city don't always drop you where they got you.

Hui Qi, Jinan, China

TO “william gibbons, chengdu, china”
Obviously，you are not a chinese,because I am in the full conviction that no people will defame their country like what you do.

Frank, shanghai, china

Nothing more than the clap clap england! chant you see football fans use

David, Weymouth, Dorset

It became the funniest show on earth, it's got everything needed to amuse the spectators: money interest, corruption, repression, all the ingredients for the perfect soap. It'll be remembered as the greatest exhibition ever ...the paroxysm of propaganda and tyranny. Go on then thumbs up, clap twice!

stefan, milan, italy

what a farce, its incredible that the chinese government can get away with all this discrimination. unbelievable that the IOC is putting up with it after all the lies they told to get the games in the first place.

william gibbons, chengdu, china