There is a fundamental difference in the bids.
Beijing’s bid is supported by the whole of China, whereas London’s bid isn’t even supported by Londoners, let alone the rest of the UK.
The Scots, N.Irish and Welsh don’t feel a part of the London Olympic games. I suspect Yorkshiremen, Lancastrians and the Cornish feel the same.
The only people who aren’t waiting for the games to fall flat on it’s face are Londoners, who weren’t consulted in the first place, but don’t feel like having to defend themselves on their travels.
It is interesting to note that spokesman for the London bid, having seen the Beijing opening ceremony, are already saying that the London games are designed to be more “compact and cosy”.
Having seen that the Beijing ceremony was based on Chinese cultural achievement, one wonders exactly what the London ceremony will highlight.