The Olympics raise many game design questions, separate and apart from those involved in the individual sports. What is the best way to organize tournaments so that players are motivated to do their best? How can the matches best be presented to viewers who aren’t familiar with the game being played? Who are legitimate competitors, and who makes that decision?

Sadly, there’s an additional question as well: how does one restore wonder to the Olympic Games, a sense of awe at the remarkable feats being performed, when one is all too aware of past achievements marred by later revelations of doping, steroid use, and other wrongdoing?

I’m sorry to say that I don’t have the answer. I hope that someone does.