Beijing's 'invisible' Olympics: Muted but watched online

FILE - Fans cheer after a United States goal during their semifinal win over Serbia to advance to the gold medal match in the men's water polo at the Beijing 2008 Olympics in Beijing, Friday, Aug. 22, 2008. The Olympics are back in town 14 years later, but the atmosphere is much more subdued. Only a select few can watch the competitions in person because of the pandemic, and the 15,000 athletes, officials and others who have come for the Games have been kept completely separated from the population of Beijing. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty, File)

FILE - Canadian athletes celebrate during the closing ceremony for the Beijing 2008 Olympics at the National Stadium, in Beijing, Aug. 24, 2008. The Olympics are back in town 14 years later, but the atmosphere is much more subdued. Only a select few can watch the competitions in person because of the pandemic, and the 15,000 athletes, officials and others who have come for the Games have been kept completely separated from the population of Beijing. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno, File)

Residents wearing face masks to help protect from the coronavirus watch a tablet computer showing a live telecast of the opening ceremony of the 2022 Winter Olympics, outside a residential block in Beijing on Feb. 4, 2022. The Winter Olympics are being held in Beijing, but most of the population is shut out because of coronavirus restrictions. The lack of interaction with visiting foreign athletes and spectators has intensified the sense that the Games are taking place several degrees removed from the daily life of the city and the nation. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)

A resident uses her phone to film another smartphone showing President of the International Olympic Committee, Thomas Bach, speaking during the opening ceremony of the 2022 Winter Olympics, outside a residential block in Beijing on Feb. 4, 2022. The Winter Olympics are being held in Beijing, but most of the population is shut out because of coronavirus restrictions. The lack of interaction with visiting foreign athletes and spectators has intensified the sense that the Games are taking place several degrees removed from the daily life of the city and the nation. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)