Watching the 2008 Beijing Olympics?

If you want to see a superpower in the making, watch the Beijing Olympics. The Chinese scurry for the gold in a peaceful setting like the Olympics causes me to wonder the position they seek in a far greater setting. Their apparent quest for golden dominance is rife with a "by any means necessary" philosophy, despite the world questioning the legitimacy of their supposed merited place. I'm talking about the Chinese girl-child-woman gymnast controvery - their female team were AWESOME, but how is it possible they be 16 years old when their isn't a sign of a nub of a boobie? Come on, look at them compared to their cheerleaders. What purpose does this obvious lie serve in emboldening their citizen's patriotism?

On the other hand, they have a right to pursue any destiny they've mandated for themselves. With their economic growth bolstering their confidence as a nation, their sphere of influence expanding as their economic standing matches their geographic space, I can hardly blame them for wanting "more" for themselves.

HOWEVER the means by which they achieve their goals for more influence, more power, more anything is worrisome. Worrisome, in a way that you worry about having a neighbor whose garden is now tearing the fence you share between you. More worrisome is that in their move towards superpower-hood, does this mean they wish to be equal to or dominate the U.S.? If the Chinese wish to make a statement about their place in the world, then why would they want anyone questioning their intentions, their means, etc? Wouldn't it be more honorable to truly merit your standing?

I'm not saying we should be the only superpower (sounds too bullyish in my mind), but it's a bit naive to believe that China, as a new player in superpower-land, may actually want to be an equal.