Questions, Questions, Questions

The Olympics was once intended to be the sole domain of athletics and amateur athletes, but the flurry of foreign dignitaries, superstar athletes and celebs expected to converge on our city in the coming weeks shows that the Games have become much more than that.

It remains to be seen how all this international attention and scrutiny on our fair city will ultimately pan out, but suffice it to say that this is it – the spotlight is now very much on us and the questions, both curious and critical (and don't forget the utterly inane), will continue to fly from the international press.

For those of us who have been living and working here all along, some of these questions will seem quite sensible; others, rather silly, and some just downright absurd.

But in the spirit of the season, we’ve decided to jump on the media bandwagon (since it would appear that we – ahem – are part of the fray) and pose some rather rhetorical questions of our own:

Who will win the final medal count?

How much will the whole shebang have cost when all is said and done?

What contingency plans have been made for the opening ceremony in case of rain?

Which of the city's greenification projects will still be standing a year after the Olympics?

How many businesses in Beijing will cut and run after the Olympics are over?

Will the factories in and around Beijing need to work harder after the Games to compensate for being shut down during the Games?

How much will rents drop (or rise) after the Olympics?

How is London watching and observing all this?

Which country is going to have the most dapper uniforms for the opening ceremony?

Does anyone in the IOC speak Chinese?

Does anyone in BOCOG speak Greek?

Why didn't China think of the Olympics before Greece?

How many supermodels will be in Beijing during the Olympics?

What were some of the events dropped out of consideration for the Olympics?

Why is [INSERT ANNOYING SPORT HERE] an Olympic event?

Why isn't [INSERT YOUR FAVORITE ALTERNATIVE SPORT HERE] an Olympic event?

Will they ever change the video of equestrian highlights from the 2004 Games that play repeatedly on the subway flatscreens?

What is going to be the tear-jerking "human interest" story of this Olympics?

If the US men’s basketball team gets bronze again, does this mean that Nike and Adidas shoe buyers get their money back?

Do the Fuwa have different personalities à la the spice girls? Which one is the troublemaker? Which one is the sultry vixen?

Exactly how much sequin and hairspray will be utilized in the opening and closing ceremonies?

Since Iron Maiden bid to play the closing ceremony was rejected, does this mean that lead singer and world-class foilist Bruce Dickinson will bum-rush the fencing finals?

When can we expect to see Jackie Chan cartwheeling and flipping around town like he does in that Visa commercial?

After the Olympics are over, can I get a membership to go swimming at the Water Cube?