How could interest possibly be high in a country of decades-long sports underachievement such as Britain? The other countries cited all have recent huge success in meaningful sports. The UK has nothing since 1966.

Mike McPhelan, Beijing, China

Gavin Birmingham

The pollution is the outcome of China piling up lots of cash. Their communist government choose to do this. I never buy any of it. The poor Chinese people have to go along with it and do as they are told. Boycott Chinese goods if you feel so strongly about it.

Colin, Cambridge, United Kingdom

Isn't it interesting that interest is low in Britian while interest in countries like Russia, Germany and the US is high? Maybe it's because they actually have a chance of winning something. Next you're going to tell me Jamaicans don't really find the Winter Olympics interesting.

Simon, New York, USA

Western hypocrites! Blame China for pollution, but most of the factories in Beijing are either owned or run by Westerners or they are manufacturing goods that the west outsourced to China. Blame China for Human Rights problems and them lot go to Middle East to murder people for oil!

Gavin, Birmingham, UK

The fact is that this Olympics isn’t really about sport.

For the Chinese government it’s an expensive and doomed exercise in self glorification

For the protestors it’s about an opportunity to point a torch at the less attractive side of China

Any sport is only incidental.

mike, nottm, UK

This would have been a real opportunity for China to throw off the dark past in the eyes of the world. But instead they choose to do the opposite. So many illogical restrictions on everything and everyone is spoiling the 2008 Olympics. There is no need for it and simply makes China look ridiculous

Colin, Carmarthen, United Kingdom

What was the IOC thinking when they chose China in the first place? All the criticism is being directed at China when the IOC failed to consider pollution and human rights when they chose China.

Nancy DiGirolamo, Wassaic, NY, usa

I also will not be watching the Games as a protest against China's atrocities against her own "people". But then in future which country can really meet the criteria to host the Games?

kiflee, Johor, Malaysia

Blatant abuse of the Olympic spirit not seen since the 1936 games. China is using the games as a launch pad for supreme status in the world. Sound familiar??

Alison, Edinburgh, UK

Maybe the lack of interest in the UK is is related to what people in the UK think about the chances of the British team winning any medals

stanley Canning , Haifa ,

I still wish our athletes would show some moral fibre and boycott the games, but they've probably been warned that any dissent will be squashed and they would never be able to compete for Britain again. I also suspect that they've all been forced to sign NDAs and not even allowed to reveal that fact

pcooke, Gloucester,

To James: Of course you think China is safer - the press don't cover any stories of murders or serial killers or rapes or thefts, they only cover the (presumably rare) occasions when such criminals are caught. I have personal experience of this.

Nicholas J Stone , Wallingford, GB

"ALL TICKETS SOLD for the first time ever! " - that's because instead of fans in the stadiums you'll have the military and politicians who have snapped up all the good tickets. You'll be able to hear a pin drop in the stadium if China isn't the one getting the gold medal.

Iain, Sydney, Australia

Anyone who thinks it matters to anyone else whether or not you watch some athletic games on TV or not is delusional. No one cares if you don't watch! Go out enjoy your life! Engage in some athletics on your own, whatever! You won't be missed.

Simon, New York, USA

Just like football and F1 racing, the Olympics are simply way too big, way too commercial, and way too unsporting.

Over the last twenty years the only genuine improvement to come out of the Olympics is the ability to cheat and get away with it.

I'd be happier without them anywhere.

Ken.H, Harrow, UK

Even if every television in the UK is turned off during these Olympic games, they will still achieve the largest television audiences ever. Does it matter if the public (in the UK) lose their appetite for the Beijing Games?

Chen, Shanghai, China

Lets face it how many have been to China I read at home about another stabing and murder take into account the population of China its much safer here. Flew a chinese airline last night and the leg room was like business in the rest of the world. Is doing it better showing off?

James, Jilin, China

Isn't it strange that the biggest sponsors, Cocal Cola and Mc Donalds, are some of the msot unhealthy food and dirnks avialable but use athletes in the prime of physical fitness to advertise? I wonder how many athletes have Coca Cola and Mc Donalds as part of their training diet!

Nick, Bangkok, Thailand

Of course the CIA-financed anti-Chinese propaganda was also the loudest in those five countries. Pollution? How about Los Angeles 1984 before serious emission controls? Also, ALL TICKETS SOLD for the first time ever! Also, a poll can be designed to produce any number.

T. Y. Chaillot, Paris, France

I shan't be watching it. This horrible regime is intent on showing off to the world. It will have no effect on me. I shall be unable to completely avoid news of it but I am boycotting the coverage out of solidarity for the people China has tortured murdered and imprisoned this year alone.

Paul Owen, Birmingham, UK

It is not just that the "Games" are in China it is because the organisation is also seen as one big junket for the organisers and hangers on and oh! I forgot about drug enhancement. The whole thing is fake. Pierre de Frédy, Baron de Coubertin would be spinning in his grave.

Bluemik, Liverpool, UK