Beijing Olympics - Coming Out, Criticism and Controversy

With the Olympics being the hot topic at the moment, China's hosting of the "world's biggest party" is certainly throwing the spotlight on China, but is it in a way that they envisaged.

The hosting of the Olympics was billed by many as China's "coming out" into the developed world. They have put in place extensive and impressive infrastructure to host the Games, spent billions on development, promotion, training, etc. - China has set the stage for a very impressive event.

However, this Games are also seemingly plagued with controversy - Visa restrictions on foreigners in the guise of safety, pollution concerns, restrictions of the press / internet access and now the latest controversy surrounding the age of one of the gold medal winning Chinese gymnasts.

Is this just China bashing by the Western media or is this what China should expect as it opens up?