Chinese athletics fans put their disappointment behind them last night and cheered Cuban hurdler Dayron Robles to a gold medal at the 'Bird's Nest' - safe in the knowledge they will be crowned overall Olympic champions come Sunday.
Another awful night on the track for the blundering US means China is the new sports king.
The 110 metres hurdles final that never was - thanks to the shock injury withdrawal of Liu Xiang - saw the Cuban Robles romp home in 12.93, just outside his world record of 12.87, and the Olympic 12.91 record set by China's absent hero.
US competitors David Payne and David Oliver won silver and bronze, but there was daylight between the pair and Robles.
'I am ecstatic. It has always been my dream and it feels very good to be Olympic champion,' said the 21-year-old Cuban from Guantanamo.
Earlier yesterday, he said he didn't care who was in the final so long as he won. His cold determination seemingly went unnoticed among those dressed in red and applauding in the stands. He received a respectful, loud cheer from the home crowd as he went down into the blocks.