This is going to sound odd but I think having high profile people coming to the games such as royalty, heads of states, politicians and celebrities actually distract from the games. I'm sure all these people have and will have occasion to support and congratulate their country's athletes on their own turf. The games should be solely about the athletes.
Then again, I'm of the opinion that too much emphasis is put on how many medals a country has won and although it is good to have patriotism and be proud of where one is from, each and every athlete that makes it to the Olympic games to compete have earned that right by being the best that they can be.