As we approach the XXXth Olympiad in London, I am reminded of the 2008 Beijing Olympics and the way sports have developed in China over the years.

My earliest “Chinese” sports memories are of the famed Li Ning, the gymnast who collected six medals at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics. I remember an image of him suspended on the rings in what is known as the “Iron Cross” – muscles bulging, straight-faced, determined. As the first Olympiad in which the People’s Republic of China participated, the 1984 Summer Games marked the rise of China’s obsession with the Olympics.

AC Milan beat their city rivals Inter 2-1 to win the Supercoppa Italiana at the Bird's Nest. Second-half goals from Zlatan and Kevin Prince Boateng sealed a comeback from Wesley Sneijder's first-half free kick. The rossoneri were deserved winners but the game may ultimately be overshadowed by the actions of Alexandre Pato. The Brazilian's gesture (shown above) was beamed live on CCTV. The Internet has already started calling for his blood. Whether it's racist or not, it is another addition to a long list of foreign sportsmen behaving inappropriately in China.

The saddest story of the week – and one that raises questions of the Chinese sports system – is that of former-gymnast Zhang Shangwu. A double gold medal winner at the Universiade, he suffered a career-ending injury and eventually ended up on the street. From  Olympic hopeful to beggar by the age of 28, Zhang’s life is a far cry from Yao retiring from basketball.

Here’s a breakdown of the events that China’s won Olympic medals in. Over the years, the country’s gotten better at everything else too. Oh, except winter. Funny, given there's so much of it around.

The latest installment in the ongoing quest to cover the exorbitant costs of the Bird’s Nest’s upkeep will see a new 4,500-sqm restaurant open this month on the third floor of the stadium, according to China Daily. It is still unclear whether diners will need to pay the RMB 50 stadium admission to get into the new establishment.