What Next, Apple Pie?!

The Chinese have recently been "rediscovering" some pretty substantial achievements of their ancient ancestors. The most controversial is probably the theory that it was the Chinese who discovered the Americas. On a much smaller scale, they are now laying claim to inventing soccer as well. Or at least that's what FIFA President Sepp Blatter is saying these days. Sepp's track record on these kinds of pronouncements isn't really strong and he is no doubt kissing up to a emerging soccer market (China is currently hosting the 2004 Asian Cup finals). Still, it's making for some awfully pissed of Brits (as the linked article demonstrates). I take comfort in one thing, however, if the Chinese claims are true: it will forever put to rest the endless bickering over Americans calling the game "soccer" instead of "football," as it was called "cuju" in the first place.