Tracking China: Expensive Eats, More Medals and a Mascot Rip-Off?

After lots of scandal in the first week for Chinese athletes, the last couple of days have presented barely a ripple of controversy. The medals keep rolling in, and when fans haven’t been cheering themselves hoarse, they’ve been scrutinizing a pricey dinner bill.

There’s some fierce speculation on Weibo that a restaurant receipt listing a bottle of Hennessy cognac worth 19,000 pounds (RMB 189,000) belongs to Chinese officials in London. The meal was for 15 Olympics-related officials, and while the owners of the Chinese eatery refuse to confirm or deny anything, that certainly hasn't stopped netizens from speculating:

• "Chinese officials are saving money this time."
• "Must be the British, not Chinese."
• "The Westerners don’t know how we do it here in China."
• "I seriously hope it’s not Chinese officials."
• "Look carefully, you guys, it says Olympic officials, not Chinese. Be confident about being Chinese, don’t look down on ourselves."
• "It’s the restaurant’s fault. The price is ridiculous."
• "If it's a Chinese restaurant, then it should be baijiu, not wine or other stuff."
• "I'm not watching anything related to the Olympics, trying to block all news about the Games, but this one got on my nerves."
• "It’s not as bad as in some countries, you know."
• "I think somewhere I read they're not Chinese. You guys, stop blaming our own people."

This past week has offered a bit of redemption for certain Chinese athletes. After one women's doubles badminton team was disqualified in disgrace, the remaining team of Tian Qing and Zhao Yunlei took home the gold. China’s women gymnasts may not have made it to the podium for the team medal, but He Kexin came back and got the silver in the uneven bars.

Chinese swimming continues to command attention. Most recently, Sun Yang clocked a world-record time in the marathon 1400m freestyle. And spectating continues to take its toll back home. A Chongqing man burned down part of his kitchen while watching China’s king of swimming. So intent was he on the race that he didn't notice the blaze until a neighbor showed up with the baoan and fire extinguishers.

While most expats were watching Usain Bolt smash the world record he set in Beijing, China seems more interested in his relationship to the Olympic mascots. They had lots to say about this .gif file of Bolt celebrating with Wenlock and Mandeville.

• "These Olympics brought to you by Sina [referring to the brand's one-eyed logo]"
• "They are so cute together!"
• "This is a Sina logo ruined."
• "This Olympic mascot looks so weird!"
• "He’s so good at running! The mascot is ugly."
• "What a cute penis!"

Photos: Sinaimg.cn