But this is their game...

Ping-Pong.

((Or, should I say Table Tennis?))

This will be the game to watch as it will carry some pretty heavy political overtones. Apparently, Taiwan has a chance to challenge mainland China at its own game. That would be huge!

Do you remember learning about how Taiwan broke from China during the Civil War, and how mainland China wants Taiwan back? Could you imagine trying to retain your independence by staring down China?????

By the time the two nations face each other across the Ping-Pong table, they will have already weathered the controversy surrounding the name of Taiwan. Apparently, Taiwan would like to be called Zhonghua Taipei, while the Chinese officials would prefer to call them Zhongguo Taipei. The difference translates roughly to the difference between "The Republic of Taipei," and "China's Taipei." There's going to be all manner of funny business regarding what the announcers call the athletes, trash-talking between the athletes, and how they are introduced during the opening ceremonies. Apparently, if the Taiwanese get their way, they will march near the athletes of Tanzania. If the Chinese get their way, the Taiwanese will march with the Central African Republic.

Such drama.

Let the games begin.