The Olympics have become a symbol of China's right to the respect it is due.

ECONOMIST: China

He attained fame as a symbol of triumph over adversity when he competed in the London Olympics last year.

CNN: STORY HIGHLIGHTS

The modern Games room is devoted exclusively to Pierre de Coubertin, the man credited with organising the modern Olympics in the 1890s, again in the name of peace among nations, as well as designing its interlocking ring symbol.

BBC: The story of the Olympics, with a bit of flair