In an era when reality shows are more popular than, well, reality, the Olympic games beginning today in Beijing are likely to offer more complaints about judging than “American Idol,” more unfettered emotion than “Big Brother” and the rivalry of “Survivor.” The biggest drama is likely to surround the show’s presumed star, host country China.

Controversy over the host of the 29th summer Olympiad began long before Beijing was chosen in 2001. China should not even be considered, opponents argued, because of its disregard for human rights, harsh treatment of Tibet, its omnipresent censorship and its financial dealings with morally corrupt regimes in Sudan, Burma and Iran. Choosing Beijing will force the communist regime to clean up its act, supporters of China’s bid argued.

The reality, as should have been expected, is a mix of the two, although most of the cleaning up has been superficial. China has spent billions on building Olympic venues and remaking its capital city in preparation for the games. It has banned cars and curbed manufacturing to reduce its abysmal air pollution. It has moved vagrants and beggars out of the city to make it more appealing to thousands of visitors. It has even hired rainmakers to use planes and weapons in an effort to prevent rain during the games.

Perhaps more so than for any other host country, the Olympics represent a coming-out party for China as it hopes to show the world how much it has grown and changed in recent decades. The message China hopes to convey is that it is not a backward, repressed country, but a modern, strong and – thanks to thousands of smiling volunteers in Beijing – friendly place.

Once the Olympic flame enters National Stadium, all the hype, angst and protests will fade. The Olympics have long been an exercise in wishful thinking. For two weeks every two years – alternating between summer and winter – the world sets its political differences aside and creates a utopia based upon the commonality of sports.

Americans will watch to see whether swimmer Michael Phelps breaks Mark Spitz’s longstanding record of seven gold medals in a single Olympiad. Mainers will root for Portland native Ian Crocker to beat Mr. Phelps in the butterfly and for mountain biker Adam Craig of Exeter to win a medal.

The eyes of many of China’s 1.3 billion people will be on hurdler Liu Xiang and the women’s gymnastics team, both well-positioned to win gold medals.

The problems of drug use and underage athletes will emerge, but likely be overshadowed by hundredth-of-a-second victories in the pool and on the track. Feats of grace and strength on the gymnastics floor and off the diving platform will leave the international crowd awestruck.

Far from Beijing, a young child will splash through the municipal pool, racing an unseen foe, then stand on a bench, head bowed to accept an imaginary medal. That is the Olympic spirit.