Tim Harcourt, Chief Economist with the Australian Trade Commission [File photo: ec.com.cn]

Seven years ago when Beijing won the bid to host the 2008 Summer Games, there were many who speculated about the influence it would have on the Chinese economy, and even today, predictions of a post-Olympic downturn persist.

So how have the Olympics affected economics during and after the Games, and what economic legacy will the Olympics leave for Beijing? For more on that, Biz China talked to Tim Harcourt, chief economist with the Australian Trade Commission, about Olympics from a business perspective.

To coincide with the opening of the Olympics earlier this month in Beijing, Mr. Harcourt released his new book "Going the Distance, Essays on Australia and the Global Economy: 2004-2008".

(Q&A with Tim)

That was Tim Harcourt, chief economist with the Australian Trade Commission talking about the economics of the Olympics.