One question hung over 2008 Games: Would they change China?

File-Usain Bolt of Jamaica, third right, reacts as he wins the men's 100-meter final with a world record in athletics competitions in the National Stadium at the Beijing 2008 Olympics in Beijing, Saturday, Aug. 16, 2008. The Olympics are remembered for the stars. That was true in Beijing in 2008, and the stars were Michael Phelps and Bolt. But Beijing is also storied for its signature venues like the “Bird's Nest” stadium, and the “Water Cube” swimming venue. No Olympics before — or since — have impacted a city the way the Olympics did Beijing. (AP Photo/Anja Niedringhaus, File)

File-Participants dance under threatening skies at a gathering to watch the announcement of the 2022 Winter Olympics host city outside the Beijing Olympic Stadium, also known as the Birds Nest, in Beijing, Friday, July 31, 2015. The Olympics are remembered for the stars. That was true in Beijing in 2008, and the stars were Michael Phelps and Usain Bolt. But Beijing is also storied for its signature venues like the “Bird's Nest” stadium, and the “Water Cube” swimming venue. No Olympics before — or since — have impacted a city the way the Olympics did Beijing. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein, File)

File-Visitors walk past the National Aquatics Center, known as the Water Cube, on the eve of the one-year anniversary of the opening of the Olympic Games, in Beijing Friday, Aug. 7, 2009. The Olympics are remembered for the stars. That was true in Beijing in 2008, and the stars were Michael Phelps and Usain Bolt. But Beijing is also storied for its signature venues like the “Bird's Nest” stadium, and the “Water Cube” swimming venue. No Olympics before — or since — have impacted a city the way the Olympics did Beijing. (AP Photo/Greg Baker, File)

File-United States' Michael Phelps swims to win his 8th gold medal in the men's 4x100-meter medley relay final during the swimming competitions in the National Aquatics Center at the Beijing 2008 Olympics in Beijing, Sunday, Aug. 17, 2008. The Olympics are remembered for the stars. That was true in Beijing in 2008, and the stars were Phelps and Usain Bolt. But Beijing is also storied for its signature venues like the “Bird's Nest” stadium, and the “Water Cube” swimming venue. No Olympics before — or since — have impacted a city the way the Olympics did Beijing. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill, File)