I saw the live news conference with the Japanese Prime Minister last night. Pres. Bush pointedly mentioned that he was the first U.S. Pres. to meet with the Dalai Lama, he said "they (the Chinese) didn't like. But that's too bad." He went on to say that it (Tibet/Dalai Lama) would come up in bi-lateral talks he would be having with Hu Jintao and he would reiterate his belief in religious freedom. Yeah, religious freedom is understating the Tibetan situation (just a little) but he was poking the ChiComs more than this article indicates.
That said he has no good reason to go to the games and several not to. He could always go to Saudi Arabia and do some more huggie kissie with them. Get another free barrel of oil or a scorpion encased in acrylic or something.