China

my fai!

2009-01-16T05:28:00.001-08:00

He is the while!

Chinese premier encourages renovation to boost industry in country's Muslim region

2008-08-18T07:32:00.001-07:00

Premier Wen Jiabao encouraged local workers and farmers to work harder to boost industrial and agricultural development of the landlocked Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region in northwest China.

During a recent inspection tour to this largest Muslim region of the country, the premier visited major industrial projects and enterprises, commodity grain, vegetable production and other farming bases.

Wen told workers during his visit to a methanol and alkene production project Friday to work hard to build up an industrial base that meets the standards of scientific development.

He urged workers to promote renovation and strengthen management to achieve the goal of top quality and technological standard based on resources conservation.

Wen Jiabao , Chinese Premier and member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, inspects in a field in Hongguang town, Helan county, northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, Aug. 15, 2008. Wen is inspecting in the region that is to celebrate its 50th anniversary on this Oct. 25.
During his visit to a grain production base in northern Ningxia, Wen praised a cooperation mechanism among local farmers that helped them to increase grain output and their income.

In Xihaigu, one of the most poverty-stricken regions in China, Wen urged local people to continue the forestation campaign and improve the ecological environment for sustainable development.

On Sunday, Wen visited Wanya Village, home to 70 Muslim households. He promised that the government will work along with the villagers to fight chronic drought and increase drinking water supply.

He also congratulated villagers on the village's first student to be enrolled by a university in northeast Jilin Province, expressing the hope that more youths will get the opportunity of higher education.

The premier also visited an age-old mosque in the regional capital Yinchuan on Sunday, and talked with representatives from religious circles and local people.
Wen Jiabao talks with Muslim children in the house of Huang Shengxiu, a villager of Wanya village, Xiji county, northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, Aug. 16, 2008.

Wen Jiabao applauses as he talks with representatives from religious circles and local muslims at the Najiahu Mosque in Yinchuan, capital of northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, Aug. 17, 2008.
Source: Xinhua

Horse ride or horse fight?

2008-08-18T07:31:00.004-07:00

Azerbaijani rider Jamal Rahimov falls from his horse Ionesco de Brekka during the jumping individual 2nd qualifier competition of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games equestrian events in the Olympic co-host city of Hong Kong, south China, Aug 17, 2008. Rahimov was eliminated from the competition due to his falling.

Azerbaijani rider Jamal Rahimov falls from his horse Ionesco de Brekka during the jumping individual 2nd qualifier competition of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games equestrian events in the Olympic co-host city of Hong Kong, south China, Aug 17, 2008. Rahimov was eliminated from the competition due to his falling.

Azerbaijani rider Jamal Rahimov falls from his horse Ionesco de Brekka during the jumping individual 2nd qualifier competition of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games equestrian events in the Olympic co-host city of Hong Kong, south China, Aug 17, 2008. Rahimov was eliminated from the competition due to his falling.

Azerbaijani rider Jamal Rahimov falls from his horse Ionesco de Brekka during the jumping individual 2nd qualifier competition of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games equestrian events in the Olympic co-host city of Hong Kong, south China, Aug 17, 2008. Rahimov was eliminated from the competition due to his falling.

Brazilian rider Pedro Veniss falls from his horse Un Blanc De Blancs during the jumping individual 2nd qualifier and jumping team round 1 of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games equestrian events in the Olympic co-host city of Hong Kong, south China, Aug 17, 2008. Pedro was eliminated from the competition after he fell off his horse.

Fraser leads Jamaican sweep in women's 100m

2008-08-18T07:31:00.003-07:00

Sehlly-Ann Fraser became the world's fastest woman as she led Jamaica to a cleansweep of the medals in the 100 meters final at the Beijing Olympic Games on Sunday.

Shelly-Ann Fraser of Jamaica celebrates afer winning women's 100m final at the National Stadium, also known as the Bird's Nest, during Beijing 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China, Aug. 17, 2008. Shelly-Ann Fraser claimed the title of the event.
Fraser clocked 10.78 seconds for the gold, the second fastest time in Olympic history, only after world record holder Florence Griffith Joyner's 10.62 clocked in the 1988 Seoul Olympics.

Fraser's compatriots Kerron Stewart and Sherone Simpson crossed the finish line in an identical time of 10.98 seconds.

Jamaican sprinters have stole the limelight of the show at the National Stadium, better known as the Bird's Nest, since the athletics competition kicked off.

Usain Bolt stunned the world on Saturday night by running away with the men's 100 meters gold with a shocking world record of 9.69 seconds.

Shelly-Ann Fraser of Jamaica lunges at the finish line in women's 100m final at the National Stadium, also known as the Bird's Nest, during Beijing 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China, Aug. 17, 2008. Shelly-Ann Fraser claimed the title of the event.

Shelly-Ann Fraser of Jamaica reacts after crossing the finish line in women's 100m final at the National Stadium, also known as the Bird's Nest, during Beijing 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China, Aug. 17, 2008. Shelly-Ann Fraser claimed the title of the event.
Source:Xinhua

Liu Xiang pulls out of 110 hurdles with injury

2008-08-18T07:31:00.001-07:00

China's Liu Xiang prepares prior to the first round competition of men's 110m hurdles at the National Stadium, also known as the Bird's Nest, during Beijing 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China, Aug. 18, 2008. The defending champion Liu Xiang dropped out after getting injury.

China's Liu Xiang kneels down while warming up prior to the first round competition of men's 110m hurdles at the National Stadium, also known as the Bird's Nest, during Beijing 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China, Aug. 18, 2008. The defending champion Liu Xiang dropped out after getting injury.

China's Liu Xiang reacts on the starting line during the first round competition of men's 110m hurdles at the National Stadium, also known as the Bird's Nest, during Beijing 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China, Aug. 18, 2008. The defending champion Liu Xiang dropped out after getting injury.

China's Liu Xiang leaves the tracks after getting injury in the first round competition of men's 110m hurdles at the National Stadium, also known as the Bird's Nest, during Beijing 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China, Aug. 18, 2008.

A spectator reacts after China's Liu Xiang failed to compete in the men's first round 110m hurdles heat 6 at the "Bird's Nest" National Stadium during the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games on August 18, 2008.

Liu Xiang quits, fans cry

2008-08-18T07:30:00.004-07:00

A spectator reacts after China's Liu Xiang failed to compete in the men's first round 110m hurdles heat 6 at the "Bird's Nest" National Stadium during the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games on August 18, 2008.

A picture combo shows a spectator smiling before and crying after China's Liu Xiang failed to compete in the men's first round 110m hurdles heat 6 at the "Bird's Nest" National Stadium during the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games on August 18, 2008. Liu failed to start his 110 metres hurdles first-round heat on Monday.

Liu Xiang quits, fans cry (3)

2008-08-18T07:30:00.003-07:00

Sun Haiping, coach of China's Liu Xiang, cries during a news conference at the National Stadium during the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games August 18, 2008. Liu failed to start his 110 metres hurdles first-round heat on Monday.

Liu Xiang quits, fans cry (2)

2008-08-18T07:30:00.001-07:00

A reporter wipes tears from her face during a new conference following Chinese athlete Liu Xiang's failure to start his men's 110m hurdles heat at the National Stadium during the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games August 18, 2008.
A supporter cries after China's Olympic champion Liu Xiang failed to start his 110 metres hurdles first-round heat of the athletics competition at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, August 18, 2008.

Phelps shares joy of victory with family members

2008-08-18T07:29:00.003-07:00

China's urban fixed-asset investment rose to 27.3 percent in the first seven months from 26.8 percent in the first half, the National Bureau of Statistics said yesterday.

The amount of FAI in the January-July period settled at 7.2 trillion yuan , fueled by reconstruction work in Sichuan Province after the May 12 earthquake, analysts said.

Spending by Chinese mainland enterprises gained 28.2 percent to 6.43 trillion yuan. Foreign investment rose 19.8 percent to 409.3 billion yuan while investors from Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan raised their investment by 19.7 percent to 335.6 billion yuan.

Quake survivor Li Daoping stands in front of the prefab he built in Magui Village, Zundao Township of Mianzhu City in southwest China's quake-hit Sichuan Province August 7, 2008.
"The reconstruction work after the earthquake and the snowstorm requires huge capital input and it becomes a stimulant to bolster investment growth," said Li Maoyu, of Changjiang Securities.

Peng Ken, a Citigroup economist, said: "High commodity prices and shortages likely attracted the additional capital into mining while the start of reconstruction efforts in the quake-stricken regions could have boosted investment that is likely to continue to support growth through the rest of this year and into 2009."

The central government plans to transfer 70 billion yuan to fund reconstruction work in Sichuan over the next three years.

Meanwhile, the State Council has ordered 19 provinces in eastern and central regions to help rebuild roads, power lines, factories and homes in the province.

China's retail sales surged 23.3 percent in July to 862.9 billion yuan, the fastest pace since 1996.

The People's Bank of China has not moved the interest rate so far this year, to which investments are more sensitive than an increase in the reserve requirement ratio.

The stable investment to the end of July can improve the output outlook after industrial production cooled to 14.7 percent last month, the slowest since February last year.

In the first seven months, spending on property development added 30.9 percent to 1.59 trillion yuan.

Investment in coal exploration and production jumped 37.5 percent to 104.5 billion yuan while petroleum and natural gas spending rose by 33.5 percent to 126.5 billion yuan.

Source:Xinhua

China lose to Greece 91-77 to finish fourth

2008-08-18T07:29:00.001-07:00

With eight gold medals at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, Michael Phelps has ascended to the top of the world.

"This is a dream come true for me," the swimmer said. He not only accomplished his goal of breaking the seven-gold mark of his countryman Mark Spitz in the 1972 Munich Olympic Games, but also went well beyond that.

"I want to be the first Michael Phelps, not the second Mark Spitz," he said.

"Being able to have something like that to shoot for made those days when you were tired and didn't want to be there, when you just wanted to go home and sleep, not work out," he added.

In Beijing, Phelps swam 17 races, totaling an unmatched length of 3,200 meters in the water. He swept the golds in his pet events, overpowered competitors in his weak races and still managed to win when his goggle malfunctioned.

"I went from hitting my head on the wall to win by one hundredth of a second to doing my best time in every event. It's been nothing but an upwards roller coaster. It's been nothing but fun," he said.

Phelps now has 14 Olympic gold medals around his neck, making him the greatest Olympian of all time. At the award ceremony for the 4X100 medley relay, Phelps was given a special certificate by swimming governing body FINA to acknowledge his achievements.

The golds were hard work paying off, Phelps said. "My coach Bob always said to me that it was like putting money in the bank. I guess I put a lot of money in the bank for the last four years, and we withdrew pretty much every penny of it."

With stunning races in the Beijing's Water Cube, Phelps has turned the competition into a one-man show. Many superlatives were piled on the 23-year-old American. Online, he was called the Poseidon, the half-man half-fish, and the extra-terrestrial. Netizens attempted to decipher his success by analyzing the picture of his body, digging out what he eats and even what music he listens to.

Phelps has conquered almost everyone, his teammates, competitors, coaches, swimming officials and of course the spectators.

Australian swim coach Alan Thompson said the presence of Phelps "made a field of great swimmers look ordinary." His teammate Aaron Peirsol said it might be once in a century you see something like Phelps races. "He's not just winning, he's absolutely destroying everything. It's awesome to watch," Peirsol said.

His rival Park Tae-hwan said it was both an honour and a tragic thing to compete with Phelps, because he could only swim for the second. Three-time Olympian Australian Grant Hackett said there are no words to describe Phelps' level of achievement. "In my opinion we'll never ever see it again, it will never be emulated," Hackett said on Sunday.

"I said he could win six or seven, with a little luck maybe eight. That 100 butterfly race, the way he got on that wall, everything lined up for him perfectly. He is an incredible racer," Hackett said.

Phelps won that 100 fly race by the smallest margin -- 0.01 seconds over the runner-up Serbian swimmer. The Serbian team filed an official protest, but had to settle for a silver when the timing system also seemed to be with the phenom.

"Michael Phelps is the greatest ever. He was always first in the race. It was a question to share or not to share first place. Everything we saw, the first arrival was Michael Phelps," said FINA executive director Cornel Marculescu, when explaining the 100m fly race dispute.

Looking back, Phelps admitted there was a bit of luck.

"I guess eight is a lucky number for me, too, now. Seeing 8/8/08 and the opening ceremony started at 8/8/08. Maybe it was meant to be," he said.

Starting swimming at the age of five, Phelps built up from his perfect physique, with an armspan longer than his height, to be the best swimmer in the world.

"I think I'm lucky to have everything I have. I'm lucky to have the talent, the drive and the excitement about the sport. I'm fortunate for every quality that I have," he said.

In 2000, Phelps made his Olympic debut as the youngest athlete on the U.S. team and placed fifth in the 200m butterfly. Months later, he set a new best in the event as the youngest man to break a world record. He won six gold medals and two bronzes in Athens, and seven golds in the Melbourne World Championships last year.

In Beijing, the swimming icon rocketed to another career peak and he was filled with emotions when he looked back at what he has done.

"I've dreamed of a lot of things, and written down a lot of goals. And this one was the biggest one I had ever written down," he said.

"My Mom and I still joked that in the middle school, I had an English teacher saying I'd never be successful. It's from little things like that," he said, elaborating his thoughts when he savored the golds.

The past week has been one of the most emotional one for Phelps. "I just wanted to make sure I took every single moment in, every single swim in, and every moment I had with my team-mates in, so I could remember that. I've had so many great moments here in China," he said.

Wrapping up his Beijing trip, Phelps planned to have the break that he always wanted.

"One of the things I'm looking forward to is going back to the States. I just want to lay in my own bed for five minutes at least and just relax."

"I woke up this morning and saw two of my friends with some fake gold medals around their neck and everyone has gone crazy. I'm excited to seeing them and I look forward not doing anything, just sitting," he said.

Looking into future goals, Phelps said he wanted to keep racing.

"I like to try some other events, maybe not do some of the events I did here. My coach Bob said he wants to start fresh, do things he hasn't done before, trying new training methods," he said.

In the long term, he wants to continue to raise the bar for swimming.

"The goal that I have and working towards is in progress, it's going to take some time to really be where I wanted to be," he said. Phelps' sensational swimming races have skyrocketed the TV ratings in his country.

"I don't want the sport to be an every-four-year sport. We are given much attention every four years, but there isn't really as much exposure for us," he said.

"I want to get people involved in the sport and be aware of what we're doing. In the upcoming years we will see it happen more and more," he said.

"Swimming has changed my life and allowed me to do so many things. To enable the next generation to do more, I can't even imagine what it will be like. I'm excited to watch it change," he said.

Source: Xinhua

IAAF spokesperson: wish Liu best luck and coming back soon

2008-08-18T07:28:00.004-07:00

China's Zou Kai won gymnastics men's floor exercise gold medal Sunday at the Beijing Olympics.

China's Zou Kai performs on the floor during the men's apparatus final of Beijing 2008 Olympic Games at National Indoor Stadium in Beijing, China, Aug. 17, 2008.

The 20-year-old, who was making his Olympic debut, won the surprise gold medal at 16.050 points, after reigning world champion Diego Hypolito of Brazil and Olympic silver medallist Marian Dragulescu failed their routines.

China's Zou Kai performs on the floor during the men's apparatus final of Beijing 2008 Olympic Games at National Indoor Stadium in Beijing, China, Aug. 17, 2008. Zou Kai claimed the title of the event with a score of 16.050.

Gervasio Deferr from Spain took the silver in 15.775 points, and the bronze went to Russia's Anton Golotsutskov, in 15.725 points.

It was host China's fourth gold medal, after its gymnasts swept the golds for men's team, women's team and men's all-around events.

Zou, entering the final in sixth place when he took to the floor as the fifth player and staged a strong performance on difficulty of 6.7 points, the highest among the eight finals.

Before him, Dragulescu, a three-time Olympian and the floor exercise silver medallist in Athens, sat on the mat after a tumbling combination.

Hypolito, known for having one of the most difficult floor exercise routines, suffered a last-minute defeat when he fell back and sat on the floor after completing his complicated routines.

"I pushed my legs underneath and there was a mistake," said Hypolito after the match. "It was a technical mistake. there's nothing I can do with it."

"I do not think I am the dark horse," said Zou Kai, adding that he believed he is strong enough to have the gold and he is in good form in the competition.

Source: Xinhua

Australia wins 470 Women at Olympic sailing

2008-08-18T07:28:00.003-07:00

Rafael Nadal of Spain returns the ball during the men's singles gold medal match of Beijing Olympic Games tennis event against Fernando Gonzalez of Chile in Beijing, China, Aug. 17, 2008. Nadal won the match 3-0 and claimed the title in this event.

Rafael Nadal of Spain returns the ball during the men's singles gold medal match of Beijing Olympic Games tennis event against Fernando Gonzalez of Chile in Beijing, China, Aug. 17, 2008. Nadal won the match 3-0 and claimed the title in this event.

Spain's Rafael Nadal won the men's singles tennis gold medal at the Beijing Olympics on Sunday.

Nadal defeated Fernando Gonzalez of Chile 6-3, 7-6 , 6-3 in the final.

Source: Xinhua

U.S.softball team uses short game to shut out China 9-0 at Beijing Olympic Games

2008-08-18T07:28:00.001-07:00

Boris Sanson of France competes with Keeth Smart of US during men's team sabre gold medal match of Beijing 2008 Olympic Games fencing event at Fencing Hall in Beijing, China, Aug. 17, 2008. France beat US 45-37 and won the gold medal.

France defeated the United States 45-37 here on Sunday in the men's sabre team event to retain its Olympic title.

The three French fencers, Julien Pillet, Boris Sanson and Nicolas Lopez, all delivered excellent performance in the final bout, scoring 15 points respectively.

On the U.S. side, Keeth Smart contributed a match high 20 points. In his last encounter with Pillet, Smart made nine hits on his French rival, but still failed to offset so huge a deficit for the whole team.

France is the top seed under International Fencing Federation world ranking. They were also winners at the 2004 Athens Games and second place winner of the 2007 World Championships in St. Petersburg, Russia.

Italy took bronze medal of the men's sabre team, which wrapped up the fencing event of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.

Source: Xinhua

Lithuanian PM arrives in Beijing for Olympics

2008-08-18T07:27:00.004-07:00

China's Xiao Qin performs on the pommel horse during the men's apparatus final of Beijing 2008 Olympic Games at National Indoor Stadium in Beijing, China, Aug. 17, 2008. Xiao Qin claimed the title of the event with a score of 15.875.

Chinese Xiao Qin won the men's pommel horse gold medal at the Beijing Olympic Games on Sunday.

Xiao scored his winning mark of 15.875 points, Croatian Filip Ude took the silver in 15.725 and British Louis Smith settled for the bronze in 15.725.

China's Xiao Qin performs on the pommel horse during the men's apparatus final of Beijing 2008 Olympic Games at National Indoor Stadium in Beijing, China, Aug. 17, 2008. Xiao Qin claimed the title of the event with a score of 15.875.

Source: Xinhua

Six-time table tennis Olympians honored in Beijing

2008-08-18T07:27:00.003-07:00

Matthew Emmons of the United States is comforted by his wife after the men's 50m rifle 3 positions final of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games Shooting event in Beijing, China, Aug. 17, 2008. Matthew Emmons won the 4th with a total of 1270.3.

Matthew Emmons of the United States is comforted by his wife after the men's 50m rifle 3 positions final of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games Shooting event in Beijing, China, Aug. 17, 2008. Matthew Emmons won the 4th with a total of 1270.3.

Autobiography author: Liu Xiang only quit in agony

2008-08-18T07:27:00.001-07:00

China beat Singapore 3-0 to win the women's team gold medal at the Olympic table tennis tournament on Sunday.

Earlier, South Korea downed Japan 3-0 for the bronze.

Wang Nan of China celebrates after defeating Feng Tianwei of Singapore during the women's team gold medal contest of Beijing Olympic Games table tennis event between China and Singapore in Beijing, China, Aug. 17, 2008. China beat Singapore 3-0 and claimed the title in this event.

Zhang Yining of China returns the ball during the women's team gold medal contest of Beijing Olympic Games table tennis event between China and Singapore in Beijing, China, Aug. 17, 2008. China beat Singapore 3-0 and claimed the title in this event.

Source: Xinhua

Team China upset, though lauding Liu's never-give-up attitude

2008-08-18T07:26:00.004-07:00

Matthew Emmons of the United States is comforted after the men's 50m rifle 3 positions final of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games Shooting event in Beijing, China, Aug. 17, 2008. Matthew Emmons won the 4th with a total of 1270.3.

Matthew Emmons of the United States competes during the men's 50m rifle 3 positions final of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games Shooting event in Beijing, China, Aug. 17, 2008. Matthew Emmons won the 4th with a total of 1270.3.

China's Guo wins gold in 3m springboard, setting record

2008-08-18T07:26:00.003-07:00

Chinese diver Guo Jingjing competes during the women's 3m springboard final at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games in the National Aquatics Center, also known as the Water Cube in Beijing, China, Aug. 17, 2008. Guo won the gold medal in the event with a score of 415.35 points.

Triple Olympic champion Guo Jingjing bagged women's 3m springboard gold at Beijing Olympics on Sunday, becoming the first-ever diver to win back-to-back Olympic individual and synchro titles.

The overwhelming favorite, oldest in the Chinese squad at 26, seized the lead with her first dive for which she achieved 81 points.

The glamour girl compiled a total of 415.35 points to grab her second Olympic gold on home soil.

Russian veteran Julia Pakhalina took the silver at 398.60, beating Chinese No. 2 Wu Minxia who settled for bronze at 389.85.

With the victory, Guo has so far collected up to six Olympic medals to break the record holding by Fu Mingxia, who grabbed five.

It is the fifth gold the Chinese "dream team" snatched at the Beijing Olympics. The diving powerhouse eyes a clean sweep of eight diving titles in front of home fans.

Source: Xinhua

Kenyans confident of bagging gold in 800m at Beijing Olympics

2008-08-18T07:26:00.001-07:00

Lee Hyojung and Lee Yongdae of South Korea stand on podium during victory ceremony of mixed doubles gold medal match of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games badminton event in Beijing, China, Aug. 17, 2008. Lee Hyojung and Lee Yongdae of South Korea won the match over Widianto Nova and Liliyana of Indonesia and got the gold medal.
South Korean pair Lee Hyo-jung/Lee Yong-dae claimed the badminton mixed doubles title at the Beijing Olympics on Sunday, beating Nova Widianto/Liliyana from Indonesia 21-11, 21-17 in the final.

He Hanbin/Yu Yang from China beat Flandy Limpele/Vita Marissa from Indonesia in the bronze medal fight earlier.

The two Lees crushed their opponents by taking lead through the two games.

Lee Yong-dae, 20, said he wanted to thank his mother for supporting him in playing badminton after Sunday's victory.

The young and handsome shuttler has earn great popularity back in South Korea, and was aware of his own popularity when he went to Internet after winning in the semifinals.

Source: Xinhua

Russia's Samitova-Galkina takes 3000m steeplechase gold with a new world record

2008-08-18T07:25:00.000-07:00

Gulnara Galkina-Samitova of Russia celebrates after winning women's 3000m steeplechase final at the National Stadium, also known as the Bird's Nest, during Beijing 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China, Aug. 17, 2008. claimed the title of the event and rewrote the world record to 8 mins 58.81 secs.

Gulnara Galkina-Samitova of Russia competes in women's 3000m steeplechase final at the National Stadium, also known as the Bird's Nest, during Beijing 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China, Aug. 17, 2008. claimed the title of the event and broke the world record.Gulnara Samitova-Galkina of Russia led all the way to win the women's steeplechase gold medal with a world record performance at the Beijing Olympic Games here on Sunday.

The 30-year-old took a long-standing lead from the very beginning of the race to finish with a time of eight minutes 58.81 seconds, breaking the previous record of 9:01.59 set by herself four years ago.

Eunice Jepkorir of Kenya trailed by 9.60 seconds to claim the silver medal in 9:07.41. She outsprinted another Russian Ekaterina Volkova in the final 100 meters to catch the medal and broke the African record.

Volkova, last year's gold winner at the Osaka world championships, had to settle for the bronze in 9:07.64.

When she crossed the finish line, Samitova-Galkina threw her arms up and put her hands on her head with an easy smile.

It was Russia's first athletics gold medal at the Beijing Olympic Games.

Source: Xinhua

People can understand the situation, says athletics chief

2008-08-18T07:24:00.004-07:00

Tian Jia and Wang Jie of China celebrate after scoring during the Women's Quarterfinal - Match 47 between Wang Jie/Tian Jia of China and Doris Schwaiger/Stefanie Schwaiger of Austria of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games beach volleyball event in Beijing, China, Aug. 17, 2008. Wang Jie/Tian Jia of China beat Doris Schwaiger/Stefanie Schwaiger of Austria 2-0.

Tian Jia of China retrieves the ball during the Women's Quarterfinal - Match 47 between Wang Jie/Tian Jia of China and Doris Schwaiger/Stefanie Schwaiger of Austria of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games beach volleyball event in Beijing, China, Aug. 17, 2008.

Wang Jie and Tian Jia of China pose for a photo after winning the Women's Quarterfinal - Match 47 between Wang Jie/Tian Jia of China and Doris Schwaiger/Stefanie Schwaiger of Austria of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games beach volleyball event in Beijing, China, Aug. 16, 2008.

China's Tian Jia/Wang Jie continued their creation of history for China's Olympic record in beach volleyball on Sunday, overcoming their rivals in a quarterfinal.

China's best finish at the Olympics was ninth place, achieved by Tian and her then partner Wang Fei at the Athens Games.

In Sunday's match, the Chinese players easily beat an Austrian pair in straight sets. Both sets ended 21-12.

The Chinese tandem dominated the match with strong serves and attacks, leaving the Austrian pair Doris Schwaiger/Stephanie Schwaiger no resistance most of the time.

"We played to our normal standard, and we didn't carry a burden today. We didn't think about anything, winning or losing," 1.87-meter-tall Wang said after the match.

The Austrian sisters said they didn't play well in the match as they had expected.

"Two days ago we served much better to the German team, and I suppose it is disappointing that we could not do the same here today," said Doris.

"I want to congratulate the Chinese team. They're very good and I hope they win a medal," she said.

The Austrian pair, who finished second in the preliminary round, eliminated Germany's Laura Ludwig and Sara Goller, a much higher-seeded pair, in their round of 16 encounter on Friday.

"We didn't expect them to go so far. They were certainly the biggest dark horse in this tournament. But they didn't play their best today," China's Tian said on the performance of the Austrians.

To their semifinal, the two Chinese said they didn't care about the result and would just focus on the match.

"We've already achieved beyond our goal since we entered the quarterfinals. For the next matches, we'll try to take hold of every match and try our best," Wang told a press conference.

In the semifinal on Aug. 19, they are to take on the winner of the quarterfinal between Nicole Branagh/Elaine Youngs of the United States and China's Zhang Xi/Xue Chen.

Tian and Wang said they had learned a lot from their experiences in the preliminary round, where they remained unbeaten but sometimes had to come from behind to win the match finally.

"We didn't play well in the preliminary round, which was big help for us," Wang said.

"The difficulties we experienced gave us a lesson that we should put us in a low position and treat every rival as the best team," she explained.

"With this mental state, we don't get muddleheaded when we are in disadvantage. We just act quickly to adjust our psychology and strategy," she said.

While Tian is for the third time at the Olympics, Wang is taking part for the first time.

They remained unbeaten in the preliminary round. In their round of 16 match, Tian/Wang beat Norwegian opponents Nila Ann Hakedal/Ingrid Torlen in two straight sets 21-13, 21-15.

The Chinese duo had won three FIVB World Tour gold medals and placed second on the Beijing Olympics qualification rankings.

In another women's quarterfinal, Misty May-Treanor and Kerri Walsh of the United States, also defending champions, won easily over Ana Paula Connelly and Larissa Franca of Brazil in straight sets of 21-18 and 21-15.

So far the American duo have lost no set at the Beijing Olympics. They have been continuing their winning streak in world-class tournaments in the past years.

Source: Xinhua

Liu Xiang exacerbates tendon injury last Saturday

2008-08-18T07:24:00.003-07:00

Britta Steffen of Germany smiles during the final of women's 50m freestyle at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games in the National Aquatics Center, also known as the Water Cube in Beijing, China, Aug. 17, 2008. Britta Steffen won the gold medal with a new Olympic record of 24.06 seconds.

Britta Steffen of Germany smiles during the final of women's 50m freestyle at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games in the National Aquatics Center, also known as the Water Cube in Beijing, China, Aug. 17, 2008. Britta Steffen won the gold medal with a new Olympic record of 24.06 seconds.

Liu Xiang fights his fortune, mentor

2008-08-18T07:24:00.001-07:00

Britta Steffen of Germany smiles during the final of women's 50m freestyle at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games in the National Aquatics Center, also known as the Water Cube in Beijing, China, Aug. 17, 2008. Britta Steffen won the gold medal with a new Olympic record of 24.06 seconds.

Britta Steffen of Germany waves during the final of women's 50m freestyle at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games in the National Aquatics Center, also known as the Water Cube in Beijing, China, Aug. 17, 2008. Britta Steffen won the gold medal with a new Olympic record of 24.06 seconds.

Australia surprise Lithuania, still finish fourth

2008-08-18T07:23:00.006-07:00

Wang Jiao of China fights against Stanka Zlateva of Bulgaria during the women's freestyle 72 kg gold medal match of Beijing 2008 Olympic Games Wrestling event in Beijing, China, Aug. 17, 2008. Wang Jiao beat Stanka Zlateva and grabbed the gold.

China's Wang Jiao won the gold medal of women's freestyle 72kg wrestling at the Beijing Olympic Games.

Source: Xinhua

Georgia for first time in beach volleyball top four

2008-08-18T07:23:00.005-07:00

Prime Minister of Estonia Andrus Ansip shakes hands with Chen Zhili , vice chairwoman of the Standing Committee of China's National People's Congress , vice president of the Beijing Organizing Committee of the 29th Olympic Games and mayor of the Beijing Olympic Village, in the Olympic Village in Beijing, China, Aug. 17, 2008. Andrus Ansip came to the Olympic Village and visited Estonian athletes on Sunday.

Prime Minister of Estonia Andrus Ansip walks in the Olympic Village in Beijing, China, Aug. 17, 2008. Andrus Ansip came to the Olympic Village and visited Estonian athletes on Sunday.

Prime Minister of Estonia Andrus Ansip receives a bunch of flowers in the Olympic Village in Beijing, China, Aug. 17, 2008. Andrus Ansip came to the Olympic Village and visited Estonian athletes on Sunday.

Australia's Snowsill wins women's triathlon at Beijing Olympics

2008-08-18T07:23:00.003-07:00

Alena Kartashova of Russia fights against Kaori Icho of Japan during the women's freestyle 63 kg gold medal match of Beijing 2008 Olympic Games Wrestling event in Beijing, China, Aug. 17, 2008. Kaori Icho beat Alena Kartashova and grabbed the gold.

Kaori Icho of Japan celebrates after beating Alena Kartashova of Russia during the women's freestyle 63 kg gold medal match of Beijing 2008 Olympic Games Wrestling event in Beijing, China, Aug. 17, 2008. Kaori Icho beat Alena Kartashova and grabbed the gold.

Japan's Kaori Icho beat Alena Kartashova of Russia to win the women's 63kg freestyle wrestling gold medal at the Beijing Olympic Games on Sunday.

Kartashova took the silver while Randi Miller of the United States and Kazakhstan's Yelena Shalygina finished joint third.

Source: Xinhua

Liu Xiang pulls out, coaches laud him fighter

2008-08-18T07:23:00.001-07:00

The water ballerina from Russia pass through the Olympics Five Rings underwater during a spectacular water ballet performance to cheer the ongoing 2008 Beijing Olympic Games in the Ocean World of Donghu Lake at Wuhan, capital of central China's Hubei Province, Aug. 16, 2008.

The water ballerine from Russia put up the posture of the Thousands Hands Bodhisattva Dance during a bewitching water ballet performance to cheer the ongoing 2008 Beijing Olympic Games in the Ocean World of Donghu Lake at Wuhan, capital of central China's Hubei Province, Aug. 16, 2008.

Achilles heel forces Liu out of Olympics

2008-08-18T07:22:00.006-07:00

Konrad Wasielewski, Marek Kolbowicz, Michal Jelinski and Adam Korol of Poland scull strokes during Men's Quadruple Sculls Final A of Beijing 2008 Olympic Games rowing event at Shunyi Rowing-Canoeing Park in Beijing, China, Aug. 17, 2008. The Polish team won the gold medal of the event.
Three-time reigning world champion Poland won comfortably the Olympic rowing gold medal in the men's quadruple sculls on Sunday.

The crew of Konrad Wasielewski, Marek Kolbowicz, Michal Jelinski and Adam Korol led all the way to win in 5 minutes, 41.33 seconds, 2.24 seconds ahead of silver medalists Italy. France took bronze in 5:44.34.

The Australian team, who set the world best time of 5:36.20 in the heat, finished in fourth place.

"We were really strong from the beginning to the end and nobody could beat us," Kolbowicz said excitedly. "At 300 meters, we could have done with more power but we kept it strong."

The second place confirmed Italy's come-back in the event. Italy won the men's quad gold in Sydney but failed to stand on the podium at Athens.

"It's like the renaissance. After Athens most people didn't believe in me anymore, but with this competition I hope to change their minds again. I hope that they will continue to believe in us," said Italian Raineri.

"It was a great race, I'm really happy - we've ended the last four years training in a great way. I want to say thanks to everybody that has supported us."

Source: Xinhua

Liu's coach breaks down in press conference

2008-08-18T07:22:00.005-07:00

Erin Cafaro, Lindsay Shoop, Anna Goodale, Elle Logan, Anne Cummins, Susan Francia, Caroline Lind, Caryn Davies, Mary Whipple of the U.S. row strokes during Women's Eight Final A of Beijing 2008 Olympic Games rowing event at Shunyi Rowing-Canoeing Park in Beijing, China, Aug. 17, 2008. The U.S. team won the gold medal of the event.
The United States took revenge on arch rival Romania on Sunday to win its first Olympic gold medal in the women's rowing eight since 1984.

The American crew, who took world titles in 2006 and 2007, led all the way to win in 6 minutes, 05.34 seconds. The Netherlands, who came from behind to surpass Romania in the last meters, took silver in 6:07.22. Defending Olympic champions Romania clinched bronze in 6:07.25.

The American team, who last time claimed the Olympic gold in Los Angeles, won silver in Athens when Romania took their third straight title in the blue ribbon event.

Source: Xinhua

No secret training program behind Chinese swimming gold: coaches

2008-08-18T07:22:00.003-07:00

The crew member of the Canada row strokes during Men's Eight Final A of Beijing 2008 Olympic Games rowing event at Shunyi Rowing-Canoeing Park in Beijing, China, Aug. 17, 2008. The Canadian team won the gold medal of the event.
The Canadian crew in the Olympic rowing event of men's eight took the lead all the way and crossed the finish line first in five minutes 23.89 seconds here on Sunday.

Defending champion the United States won the bronze medal with a result of 5:25.34. The British boat won the silver medal by finishing the race in 5:25.11.

Canada won the 2002, 2003 and 2007 World Championships. But it has never got any medal in World Cup contests over the past three years. The Canadian team won the first Olympic medal in the event in 1904. It also won the Olympic golds in the event in 1984 and 1992.

Source: Xinhua

The important thing is to show Bolivia's presence

2008-08-18T07:22:00.001-07:00

Bolivian marathoner Sania Calizaya said on Sunday that she was satisfied for having participated in the Olympic Games of Beijing 2008, although she finished 59th place with a time of 2:45.53.

According to information reaching here, this was her first Olympic experience and she told the press that "the important was that I arrived at the Bird Nest stadium, and I showed that Bolivia competed in the marathon."

Calizaya said that "it was a very tough race because of the rhythm that the vanguard set and due to the humid, but I have achieved more or less the mark that I proposed when coming here, that it was of two hrs and 45 minutes."

"This was my first Olympic experience, and that important for me is to have finished the race, although I was tempted to leave it," Calizaya said.

Calizaya also hoped that with her performance, the Bolivian sports authorities give the needed support to aspire to be again at an Olympic competition "as it will be in four years in London 2012."

Source:Xinhua

Start List of men's cycling team pursuit at Beijing Games

2008-08-18T07:21:00.004-07:00

Following is the start list of men's cycling team pursuit finals at Beijing Olympic Games on Monday.

For Bronze:

New Zealand

142 Sam Bewley

143 Westley Gough

147 Marc Ryan

148 Jesse Sergent

Australia

4 Jack Bobridge

8 Mark Jamieson

12 Bradley Mcgee

13 Luke Roberts

For Gold:

Britain

78 Ed Clancy

82 Paul Manning

85 Geraint Thomas

86 Bradley Wiggins

Denmark

45 Michael Faerk Christensen

47 Casper Joergensen

49 Jens Erik Madsen

50 Alex Nicki Rasmussen

Source:Xinhua

Liu Xiang pulls out of 110m hurdles

2008-08-18T07:21:00.003-07:00

Defending Olympic champion Liu Xiang pulled out of the men's 110m hurdles first round Monday morning at the Beijing Olympics.

China's Liu Xiang leaves the tracks after getting injury in the first round competition of men's 110m hurdles at the National Stadium, also known as the Bird's Nest, during Beijing 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China, Aug. 18, 2008.
In the last heat of the first round, Liu quit the race after a false start of Dutchman Marcel van der Westen. He limped off the track, obviously being troubled by a foot injury.

Liu's coach Sun Haiping said in a post-race press conference, "His right heel injury has been a long problem since six years ago, even before the Athens Olympics."

"On Aug. 16, we arrived at the Olympic village, medical experts analyzed Liu's injury and specified there was a problem on Liu's Achilles's tendon," Sun said.

World record holder Dayron Robles of Cuba earlier breezed through to the next round, clocking 13.39 seconds.

He said, "I'm perfect today, and the track is good for breaking world record."

Without Liu and Olympic silver medalist Terrence Trammell of the United States, who fell down to the track in heat five, Robles will be almost unbeatable in the finals.

Liu's teammates Shi Dongpeng and Ji Wei were also qualified for the next round.

Source:Xinhua

Weightlifting preview: European lifters to fight for title of “world's strongest man”

2008-08-18T07:21:00.001-07:00

European lifters will have to grab their last chance to get a gold in the men's +105kg category on Tuesday and claim the title of "the strongest man in the world" with the absence of legendary Iranian Hossein Rezazadeh.

Latvian parliamentarian Viktors Scerbatihs, who claimed title at last year's world championships when Rezazadeh gave up the events, and German lifter Matthias Steiner, ranked first in the list with an entry total of 455kg, are among the candidates for the title.

However, Scerbatihs, who is also runner-up at Athens Games, is only ranked eighth in the entry list.

He will face challenge from Russian Evgeny Chigishev, silver medalist at 2007 world championships, and Qatarian strongman Jaber Saeed Salem, bronze medalist in the same events.

Another lifter Scerbatihs will have to pay attention to is South Korean Jeon Sang-guen. The 27-year-old dropped off last year's world championships after failed three jerk attempts. This time, he is ranked third with an entry total of 445kg.

The men's super-heavyweight class has long been dominated by Rezazadeh, two-time Olympic champion and four-time world champion, who pulled out of Beijing Olympics due to an injury.

Until Sunday, Asian lifters swept all the 13 golds on offer in men's and women's events, however, European strongmen may win first gold in Monday's event of men's 105kg category.

Source:Xinhua

U.S. gold favorites make it through to men's beach volleyball semifinals

2008-08-18T07:20:00.004-07:00

Todd Rogers and Phil Dalhausser of the United States earned a berth in the last four of men's beach volleyball tournament at the Beijing Olympics on Monday.

The gold favorites edged out German pair David Klemperer and Eric Koreng in straight sets .

The Americans took the first set 21-13 and reached the match point 20-18 in the second set at first. The Germans were able to fire back and trade match points with their rivals to 23-23 before the U.S. team ended the set 25-23 in their favor.

The Germans, for the first time at the Olympics, said they were happy with the fifth place at the Olympics.

"We made a lot of risks in serving in the first set, in the second set we changed tactics and the result was better. We could have done better but we lost finally," said Klemperer after the match.

"But we're satisfied with the result. We played against the world champions, and it was a very close match," he said.

Both Rogers and Dalhausser said they were satisfied with their performance in the match.

He played well in side-outs and blocks in the match, said the 2.06-meter Dalhausser."I'm happy with the match," he said.

The U.S. duo is considered Beijing Olympics gold favorites for their momentum of winning in prominent competitions in the past two years. They also won the FIVB World Championships in Gstaad, Switzerland in 2007 and were five-time FIVB World Tour gold medalists.

With a 21-match winning streak this year, the U.S. duo entered the Beijing Olympics and were placed first on the Olympic qualification rankings.

Dalhausser was FIVB World Tour best blocker in 2006 and 2007 and best hitter in 2007 while his partner was best FIVB World Tour defensive player in 2006 and 2007.

The Americans are 1-1 this year against Brazilians Emanuel Ricardo and Ricardo Santos, the defending Olympic champions.

Source:Xinhua

Liu Xiang's injuries aggravate last week

2008-08-18T07:20:00.003-07:00

Last week, Liu Xiang's injuries aggravate, according to Feng Shuyong, deputy director of the Chinese athletics administrative center and head coach of the Chinese team.

Source:Xinhua

Liu Xiang is a fighter, said athletics chief

2008-08-18T07:20:00.001-07:00

Chinese athletics chief hailed Liu Xiang as a fighter after the defending champion pulled out of the Olympic 110m hurdles first round because of the tendon injury to the right foot on Monday morning.

"If his injury weren't so serious, he would never, ever have quit," said Feng Shuyong, deputy director of the Chinese athletics administrative center and head coach of the Chinese team.

Feng also said Liu was "very sad, depressed."

Source:Xinhua

Backgrounder: chronology of injuries of China's champion hurdler Liu Xiang

2008-08-18T07:19:00.004-07:00

Sun Haiping , coach of Chinese athlete Liu Xiang, reacts during a press conference after the men's 110m hurdles at the National Stadium, also known as the Bird's Nest, during Beijing 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China, Aug. 18, 2008. The defending champion Liu Xiang dropped out after getting injury.
Liu Xiang's head coach Sun Haiping broke into tears in the press conference while hailing his student as a "fighter".

"He has been keeping fighting and fighting until the last moment," said Sun.

Defending champ Liu pulled out of the Olympic 110m hurdles first round because the five or six-year-old tendon injury in the right foot got worse.

"I know that kind of pain was unbearable," said Feng Shuyong, head coach of the Chinese team.

Feng admitted Liu has been under great pressure as a Chinese sports icon.

"But he is great athlete and very strong mentally," he said.

Source:Xinhua

Liu's injuries are intolerable, says athletics chief

2008-08-18T07:19:00.003-07:00

Elena Dementieva of Russia returns the ball during the women's singles gold medal match of Beijing Olympic Games tennis event against Dinara Safina of Russia in Beijing, China, Aug. 17, 2008. Elena Dementieva won the match and claimed the title in this event.

Elena Dementieva defeated Dinara Safina 2-1 in an all-Russian final to win the women's singles tennis gold medal at the Beijing Olympic Games on Sunday.

Dementieva scored a 3-6, 7-5 and 6-3 victory for the top honour.

Earlier, Vera Zvonareva ensured a clean sweep of medals for Russia by beating Chinese Li Na 6-0 and 7-5 in the bronze medal match.

Source: Xinhua

China head coach talks about Liu's quit

2008-08-18T07:19:00.001-07:00

Serena Williams and Venus Williams of the United States compete during the women's doubles gold medal match of Beijing Olympic Games tennis event against Virginia Ruano Pascual and Anabel Medina Garrigues of Spain in Beijing, China, Aug. 17, 2008. Serena Williams and Venus Williams won the match and grabbed gold medal in this event.

Williams sisters Serena and Venues won the Olympic tennis women's doubles gold medal by beating Spain's Virginia Ruano Pascual and Anabel Medina Garrigues on Sunday.

Source: Xinhua

Nadal takes on pressure from being world No. 1

2008-08-18T07:17:00.006-07:00

It took just one week for Spaniard Rafael Nadal to win an Olympic gold medal, but for the world number one ranking, the 22-year-old has waited for three years.

Nadal was in a class of his own in the men's singles final of the Beijing Olympic tennis event on Sunday as he looked unstoppable in the straight sets victory over Chilean Fernando Gonzalez.

The title came as the icing on the cake for Nadal, who has been ranked No. 2 in the world for an exact 141 weeks but will take over the No. 1 spot from Swiss Roger Federer on Monday.

From going after something to holding onto something, the incoming world number one said he does not feel anything different about the power shift.

"Different pressure? No, I don't think so. It doesn't change too much between two weeks ago and right now. The pressure is the same because I will be No. 1 tomorrow, but at the same time I want to continue to win the same titles when I was No. 2," said Nadal after winning the gold.

"I want to continue to be in the top form when I was No. 2. Probably I'm going to be No. 2 another time in a few months," added Nadal, having played men's doubles with Carlos Moya in Athens four years ago.

A new-born Nadal pulled off a stunning season thus far, claiming eight titles and only lost once in his past 39 matches. His evolution seemed towards the greatness, from being the king of clay to enclosing new territories.

After thrashing Federer in the French Open final, Nadal beat the Swiss maestro again in a five-set epic at Wimbledon which is labelled as Federer's Centre Court fortress.

The Spanish youngster continued his hot pace in the U.S. hard court series this summer by winning Toronto Masters and reaching Cincinnati Masters semifinals before the Olympics triumph.

"I did very well the last few years. I always try to improve my tennis, try to be better player than before, every month and every year.

"So finally, probably this year I improved a lot. I am having good confidence for playing in Wimbledon. I'm having confidence for play and on the Olympic surface, the hard court. On clay, I had the same results as the last few years.

"I am playing an unbelievable season, no doubt. And I know how difficult it is to win these things. I have to be very happy for everything."

Two Grand Slams, one Olympic gold medal and the world number one, all these things might lead to a wild celebration, but Nadal seems not in the mood for a party and he has already set his eyes on future.

"The feeling for sure is very happy for being No. 1, but the feeling doesn't change too much because the last years I did very well too. It is a satisfaction, but I have no time to celebrate.

"I will play in New York in one week. So I want to enjoy these two days probably, but later I have to be focused on New York."

Although the Beijing Games have attracted most of the top players in the world, they all agree to make Grand Slam tournaments a bigger priority.

Since regaining medal-sport status in 1988 after a long hiatus, Olympic tennis has produced women's champions familiar even to casual fans. Gold medalists have included Jennifer Capriati as a 16-year-old in 1992, second-generation Olympian Lindsay Davenport in 1996 and Justine Henin in 2004. At Sydney in 2000, Venus Williams won two golds, one in doubles with sister Serena. All are winners of multiple Grand Slam titles.

But on the men's side, Pete Sampras -- winner of a record 14 major titles -- never earned a medal. Also shut out have been multiple Grand Slam winners Marat Safin, Jim Courier, Patrick Rafter, Gustavo Kuerten and Lleyton Hewitt.

Nicolas Massu and American Mardy Fish, the finalists in 2004, have never reached a major semifinal. Marc Rosset of Switzerland and Miloslav Mecir of Czechoslovakia were other surprise gold medalists.

Before the Beijing Games, the highest-ranked player to win the men's singles is Andre Agassi, who was No. 6 when he won in Atlanta.

Nadal became the first player being ranked among top five to win in the Olympics.

"Well, everything is different feeling, but winning the Olympics is a little bit more special, because I know in tennis, the Grand Slams are more important than here, but here you only have one chance every four years.

"Probably for the tennis player the slams are more important, but for sportsmen, the Olympic Games are more important than everything.

"I have been here for two weeks. Probably the reason for winning this title is that I have a fantastic time here enjoying a lot in the village and those Spanish athletes who came every day to support me."

The Olympic gold means the Spaniard has a better chance to claim the Golden Slam -- four Grand Slams plus an Olympic gold medal. He now has to work on the U.S. Open and Australian Open after winning his fourth consecutive French Open title and his first Wimbledon trophy this year.

"You can always improve. If Federer can improve, me for sure. For sure I can improve the slice; I can improve my serve until reaching one hundred percent on first serve. I can and I must improve my serve, and I have to improve a little bit more on volley too.

"Something probably is coming because the things are coming, but the rest of the things is important, like training hard and having good people around you."

Source:Xinhua

Roundup: China rising to challenge rowing powers

2008-08-18T07:17:00.005-07:00

China won its first ever rowing Olympic gold medal on Sunday, signaling its emergence to challenge the traditional powerhouses at the Olympic Games.

China also took a silver from the Olympic regatta which started on Aug. 9 and ended on Aug 17, while the traditional powers collected 13 golds and only left the women's quadruple sculls to the host.

China's breakthrough

The Chinese crew of Tang Bin, Jin Ziwei, Xi Aihua and Zhang Yangyang won the women's quad sculls to earn China's first Olympic gold in rowing. China had won two silver and two bronze at previous Games.

The breakthrough didn't come easy as it was China's last bid to win the gold at the Beijing Olympics. The crew were in second place by the 1,500 meters mark, but a late surge helped them beat three-time world champion Britain into silver to the crazy cheering of the home crowd.

"Our coach told us before the final that we should relieve our pressure and show our normal capability. We rowed in unison and never gave up," Tang Bin said in the mixed zone.

"It was like a dream," she added.

"Yesterday we did feel a bit pressured. We decided to turn pressure into motivation and show the world what we trained to do," Ji told a post-race press conference.

The pressure they felt came after China's biggest bet on a gold medal, the reigning world champions of Li Qin and Tian Liang missed out on a medal by finishing fourth in the women's doubles on Saturday.

Among other medal hopes, the Chinese lightweight women's doubles finished fifth and the lightweight men's four even failed to make final.

The women's pair of Wu You and Gao Yulan faired well with a silver finish on Saturday.

Traditional powers remain strong

Traditional powerhouses including Britain, Australia, Canada and the United States bagged 13 golds, 13 silvers and 14 bronzes on Saturday and Sunday, the two finals days.

Britain, where the rowing sport originated, was the biggest winner with six medals, including two golds, two silvers and two bronzes. Its traditionally strong men's four won their third straight titles on Saturday.

Britons Zac Purchase and Mark Hunter, who won three pre-Games World Cups, set a new Olympic time of 6 minutes, 10.99 to win the lightweight men's doubles.

Australia ranked second on the rowing table with two golds and one silver. Its men's pair successfully defended the title, giving Drew Ginn his third Olympic gold. The other gold was from the men's doubles.

Bulgarian rower Rumyana Neykova won the women's single sculls and Norway's Olaf Tufte retained the men's singles title.

Romania retained the women's pair crown, earning the fifth Olympic gold for Georgeta Andrunache and the fourth for Viorica Susanu. New Zealand's identical twin sisters Evers-Swindell grabbed their second straight gold in the women's double sculls following a difficult season dogged with sickness and out-of-form.

The Netherlands claimed the lightweight women's doubles, and Denmark took the lightweight men's four. Three-time world champions Poland won the men's quadruple sculls by a boat length.

The United States, silver medalists in Athens and world champions in 2006 and 2007, took a revenge on their arch rival and defending Olympic champions Romania on Sunday to win its first Olympic gold in the women's eight since 1984.

World champions Canada won the blue ribbon men's eight comfortably, beating defending Olympic champs the United States into a bronze place.

Source:Xinhua

(China Sports) Chinese women's quad cruise to history

2008-08-18T07:17:00.003-07:00

Chinese women's quad cruised to history as they won China's first Olympic rowing gold medal on Sunday.

Still lagging behind after 1,500 meters, the Chinese crew picked up their stroke rate in the last 250 meters, overtaking the British boat, to secure the much expected gold, posting a time of six minutes and 16.06 seconds.

"We have made a breakthrough in the rowing history of China," said Jin Ziwei.

This is surely a breakthrough for China. Since 1984 when the Chinese rowing made its Olympic debut, the gold medal has long been yearned.

"This is a yield of generations of Chinese rowing people. We have been longing for the gold for so many years and now the dream has been realized by the women's quad," said Wei Di, director of China's water sports governing body.

"What a relief. We thought we may end falling short of any gold medal but things finally turned around," Wei said.

According to Wei, China has actually five to six events to contend for a gold or at least a medal.

However, before the finals, Chinese men's lightweight four and men's eight failed to enter the final. And in the first day of finals, China settled for poor fourth finishes in women's single sculls and women's double sculls.

A silver in women's pair is far from good for the Chinese rowing in contrast to China's gold medal haul at the Beijing Olympics.

On Sunday, the second day of finals, China finished two fifth places respectively in women's and men's lightweight double sculls, seemingly dashing China's gold winning hopes.

"Yesterday we did feel a bit pressured but our coach didn't talk to us about it. So we decided to turn pressure into motivation and show the world what we trained to do," said Jin.

The 23-year-old Jin from Liaoning Province of northern China was echoed by Xi Aihua, who said: "We focused on what each person can do individually, and got the best from ourselves."

"Everyone was focusing on what they can do. As long as we could row like we've been trained we knew we could have a good result,"added Zhang Yangyang, who became part of the crew only about two months ago.

"We had only one goal, which was to win a gold medal. We had a faith, which was to perform to our best because we are a concerted team," Zhang added.

"We finally chose Zhang rather than Feng Guixin due to Zhang's daring spirit,"said Zhou Qinian, head coach of sculling group of Chinese rowing team.

Zhang's daring spirit made her play a role as a stroke.

Before the Olympics, Zhang's best result in world rowing was only a champion in women's double sculls in 2007 World Junior Championships.

The 19-year-old was recruited into the national team only in 2006 but took on an unbelievable performance since then.

Xi Aihua, 26 and the oldest in the quad, played an important part in uniting the sisters.

"We have good relationship, even better than our own brothers or sisters," said she in the post press conference.

Xi, a native of Shandong Province, took up the sport 12 years ago. Before the Olympic regatta, the crew was a bronze medalist in last year's world champs, dwarfed by its archrival Britain, who has crowned in three consecutive world champs.

"They are so much experienced but we have full confidence in ourselves,"said Xi.

Exposed to sunshine for years, Xi's skin is dark while in China women more fancy a white skin colour.

"Everybody loves beauty. I know what Chinese people love but for the sake of our sport, this kind of sacrifice is nothing."

"Don't you think we are beautiful? I think we are very beautiful at the moment," Xi's words received a big applause.

Jin Ziwei lives in Shenyang, capital city of Liaoning. As a city girl, she is often thought to be a lazy bone and can't endure the hardships during the training.

But she did go through the hardships.

When Jin was in senior high school, she was taller than her classmates and began to play basketball thanks to the advantage. Someday, she was selected by a coach of a local sports school and switched to take up rowing.

After being engaged in rowing, Jin almost had no time to spend with her family members.

"After I entered the national team in 2003, I have had only ten days each year to spend with my family,"recalled she.

It was not Jin's Olympic debut. In 2004 Athens Games, she was part of Chinese women's eight crew but only posted a fourth finish.

After the 2004 Games, Jin switched from sweeping to sculling en route to a hard won Olympic gold medal tour.

The Chinese quad looks like a perfect combination but behind the scenes it took long for them to come to a point of this high.

"We have different understanding in terms of techniques," Tang Bin told Xinhua. "And we had quarrels sometimes but only on the water. After the training, our quarrel was also over."

Tang, 22, also came from Liaoning Province. She took up the sport at 14.

"When I first practised rowing, it was on the Yalujian, which had big waves but I found it very interesting," recalled Tang.

In 2006, Tang entered the national team but found it really hard to make a progress by leaps and bounds.

"Actually in terms of my overall strength, I was not good enough. So I tried to catch up with others."

Clear-headed Tang began to make a headway in 2006 after claiming a second place in the world cup. And in 2007, the crew became the third placer in the world champs.

Tang's parents are farmers, which proved a reason for her to take up rowing.

"It's a regret that I didn't study well at that time. But I think it can be made up for in the future."

Tang is eager to study foreign languages because she thinks foreign languages are important for personal future development.

"Not for the present because I have no time. After the Beijing Olympics, I might take some time on it."

Source:Xinhua

China's equestrian team eliminated

2008-08-18T07:17:00.001-07:00

Roundup: China's equestrian team eliminated

2008-08-18T07:16:00.003-07:00

China's team show jumpers, Huang Zuping, Zhang Bin, Zhao Zhiwen and Li Zhenqiang, were all edged out after a poor showing that yielded 99 team penalties in the Olympic show-jumping competition Sunday night at the Shatin Equestrian Venue.

Among the 16 jumping teams participated in the contest, China's team placed the last one on 99 penalty points.

Only top eight teams plus the top individuals for a total of 50 horse-and-rider combinations will go through to the team final on Monday and the individual final on Thursday.

For the first time, China has fielded riders for the 11-day competitions in the Olympic Equestrian events that kicked off here on August 9.

"I am not satisfied. We did not have enough time to warm up, and that had a great effect on our performance", said Huang after the competition.

Another Chinese rider, Zhang bin, said that he expected his horse Coertis to have a better performance, however, he said Coertis was very nervous, adding "the atmosphere created great pressure on him".

"Every new round is a new challenge for the horse, and he did not have enough time to prepare for the water obstacle. My horse is young and inexperienced", said Zhang.

Team Hong Kong, China, ranked 15th, was also eliminated.

Patrick Lam, rider from team Hong Kong, China, remains the only hope for a medal in the Individual final on Thursday. Among the 50 qualifiers, he ranked 22nd place on 9 penalty points after Sunday' s 2nd Individual Qualifier of the Jumping competition.

"It's fantastic to have a chance to enter the second round. I never imagined it in my life ," Lam told reporters.

On his performance, Lam said "I'm an amateur. I don't expect only two knockdowns. I feel really fantastic, like a pop star."

Patrick Lam, 25, and his horse Urban were among 13 riders to jump clear rounds in the initial stage on Friday.

Lam's fellow Hong Kong riders Kenneth Cheng, Samantha Lam, were also disqualified.

Top eight teams have qualified for the Monday's team final. They are Switzerland, United States, Sweden, Great Britain, Canada, Netherlands, Norway, Germany and Australia.

Mclain Ward of the United States and Eric Lamaze from Canada placed first in Sunday's Jumping Individual 2nd Qualifier with zero penalties. Top 50 qualified riders will battle for the individual gold on Thursday.

There are a total of six Olympic equestrian medals. The Germans have already bagged three gold metals in equestrian competition so far -- team and individual eventing and the team dressage.

Source:Xinhua

Feature: China's "pommel horse king" crowned

2008-08-18T07:16:00.001-07:00

After claiming his first Olympic pommel horse title, 23-year-old Chinese gymnast Xiao Qin said his No. 1 must-do is "taking a vacation".

"My longest holiday in the past few years was three days due to training. Now I can finally take a rest," he said.

Xiao may have other reasons for taking the vacation. After four years, he eventually can come into terms with his failure in Athens and prove that he is the world's No. 1 on pommel horse.

Despite a lowered difficulty score and separated legs during his routine, the three-time world pommel champion still dominated Sunday's pommel horse final and won his first Olympic individual title.

But he was not so excited. "I intended to do this in the Athens Olympics but I didn't have the chance. Today I was able do it."

He said he was even more excited when he and his teammates won the team gold days ago. After winning the team title, they "finally released the pressure that had built up for so many years," he said.

The victory at the Beijing Olympics is somewhat like a revenge for Xiao and his teammates after the Chinese male gymnasts' unexpected defeat in Athens.

In Athens, Xiao, a 19-year-old making his Olympic debut, fell during qualifications and failed to make the final. His flaw on his speciality also pulled the Chinese men's team down in the team title contest.

"After Athens, I came to realize that Olympics can bring pain as well as fun. I know that being higher, faster and stronger do not necessarily mean you are the real hero. I can be the real hero so long as I do my best," Xiao said.

"For Olympics, athletes are not only expected to show the difficulty of their routines, but also the beauty of their minds," Xiao said.

"After my failure in Athens, I had a period of sadness and pessimism. But now I am quite confident about myself," he said.

"The competition is not only about technics but also mentality. You need a fairly long time to build up your confidence."

The home crowd's support is motivating, Xiao said. "I feel like I am in the battlefield. The only thing I can do is to win glory for my country. "

Xiao said he got inspiration from China's gymnastics legend Li Ning.

"He won so many gold medals and is admired by all of us. Other gymnasts, such as Li Xiaopeng, Yang Wei and Russia's Alexei Nemov are also my idols."

Starting gymnastics at the age of five, Xiao joined the gymnastics team of the Chinese People's Liberation Army at the age of 9 and was awarded military rank when he was 22. On the top of the podium, he gave a military salute to the cheering audience.

Like other Chinese youths, Xiao said he likes hanging out on weekend, surfing the internet, watching movies and sleeping.

He will go to college to pursue a MBA program once he retires from gymnastics, he said.

Source:Xinhua

Roundup: Chinese gymnasts surpass best result by reaping two more golds

2008-08-18T07:15:00.006-07:00

U.S. President George W. Bush sent his congratulations on Sunday to Michael Phelps, who has won for the U.S. eight gold medals at the Beijing Olympic Games, said the White House.

The president told the U.S. Olympics through telephone "if you can handle eight gold medals, you can handle anything."

"Laura and I are proud of you. Our family is proud of you, but most importantly, America is proud of you," said Bush from his break at his ranch in Crawford, Texas.

"We're excited for you. You handled yourself with humility," he said. "Give your mom a big hug for me. 41 and I were honored to get a picture with her."

The two spoke after the 23-year-old athlete won the 4x100m medley relay on Saturday night, adding to eight the gold medals he has won at the Beijing Olympic games and 14 the total number of medals he gas gained from Olympics.

Phelps overtook compatriot Mark Spitz, whose seven swimming golds at Munich in 1972, to become the Olympian who won the most gold medals at a single Games.

Source:Xinhua

Bush sends congratulations on Phelps' eight Olympic gold medals

2008-08-18T07:15:00.005-07:00

Chinese women's judo team makes breakthrough, hails teamwork

2008-08-18T07:15:00.003-07:00

Thanks to comprehensive preparations, the Chinese women's judo team has made a historic breakthrough by winning an unprecedented three golds at the Beijing Olympic Games, said Fu Guoyi, team head coach on Sunday.

"We have analyzed our opponents very carefully before the Games," Fu told a press conference in the Athletes' Village attended by several coaches and champion judokas. "We also owe our good performance to the support from the home spectators, as Beijing is the host city."

The Chinese women were the biggest winners of the Olympic judo competition, taking three out of the total seven golds in women's events, followed by Japan with two, and Germany and Romania with one each.

The 33-year-old mama judoka Xian Dongmei, who defended her title in the 52kg category, attributed her success to the great teamwork.

Asked how she managed to retain her Olympic title, Xian said:"My physical condition is good so I can endure the hard training. And my coach, the research team and doctors all gave me great help. My success should be attributed to the great teamwork."

Xian, who gave birth to a baby girl 18 months ago, said:"When I won, I bowed to the spectators in all directions, because their cheers really motivated me."

"After the win, I called my husband. He congratulated me and I said thanks to him. It's very brief. I think our emotion is beyond language," Xian added.

The day after Xian was crowned, her husband and daughter came to Beijing for a family reunion.

"I was a coach in the Guangdong provincial judo team previously, and I think I will go back to continue my work there. As for the 2012 Olympic Games, I will decide later whether to attend them or not, according to my physical condition. Currently, it's too early to say anything," Xian said.

Besides Xian, Yang Xiuli and Tong Wen also won gold medals in the 78kg category and over 78kg category respectively at the ongoing Games.

Asked why the Chinese squad has won so many golds, Tong Wen responded:"I think it's only because our hard work has paid off."

Source:Xinhua

Denmark's 49er gold position challenged

2008-08-18T07:15:00.001-07:00

Jonas Warrer and Kirketerp Martin Ibsen from Denmark, who was listed the 49er gold at the Olympic sailing regatta, faced several protests at Beijing Olympic Games on Sunday, which could have a major impact on the results.

Provisionally the Danish 49er team have won gold after finishing seventh in the race. However, they have been protested by the Race Committee after breaking their mast before the race got underway, returning to the marina and then competing in the race using the Croatian boat, according to the International Sailing Federation .

With a big swell and stormy conditions with gusts up of 20 knots and more, the 49er Medal Race was simply incredible. The Austrians led for much of the race, with the Italians in second and the Australians third.

This put the Australians and Italians in a battle for gold and when the Austrians crashed up, the Australians took the lead and the Italians capsized, it looked like gold would go to the Australians. However they capsized close to the finish on the final run, the Spanish kept their boat upright and crossed the line in first.

If the Danes are disqualified, Spain's Iker Martinez and Xabier Fernandez, winners of the medal race, will have retained the title they won in Athens fours years ago. Germany's Jan-Peter Peckolt and Hannes Peckolt finished second in the medal Race and are provisionally winners of the bronze medal.

It is not known how long it will take to complete the protests and hearings, so the announcement of winners and the medal ceremony have been delayed.

Source:Xinhua

Chinese shares hit 20-month low in broad-based, 5.3% slide

2008-08-18T07:14:00.004-07:00

Chinese shares slid more than 5 percent on Monday to a 20-month low, dragged down by heavyweights, as almost every issue lost ground.

The benchmark Shanghai Composite Index tumbled 5.33 percent, or 130.74 points, to 2,319.87. The Shenzhen Component Index closed at 7,833.09 points, down 400.32 points, or 4.86 percent.

Aggregate turnover rose to 52.39 billion yuan from 47.19 billion yuan on Friday.

Losses outnumbered gains by 810-12 in Shanghai and 650-19 in Shenzhen.

Source:Xinhua

Olympic Games: Most glorious, most moving

2008-08-18T07:14:00.003-07:00

Although having failed to qualify for the final of the swimming competition at the Beijing Olympics, cancer-stricken U.S. swimmer Eric Shanteau won an unexpected "gold medal" from the Chinese.

He received the medal from Shanghai-based Cancer Rehabilitation Club for his fight against the disease, in the presence of 200 cancer patients from Shanghai.

"In the people's mind, you've already won a gold medal of life significance. You've demonstrated the great Olympic spirit with your actions," Yuan Zhengping, head of the club, told Shanteau while presenting the gift to him on Saturday evening.

Shanteau, 24, was diagnosed with testicular cancer in June, just weeks before last month's U.S. trials. Nevertheless, he beat Brendan Hansen to earn a trip to China and decided to put off surgery until after the Games.

He came tenth in Wednesday's heats and failed to qualify for the final of the 200-meter breaststroke contest.

Excited Shanteau said the medal meant more than any other medals he had won.

The cancer club members started a campaign five year ago, urging each other to save 2 yuan a day as the expense to go to Beijing to watch the Olympics in 2008.

Source: Xinhua

Myanmar steps up carrying out weather forecast program

2008-08-18T07:14:00.001-07:00

Binhai international airport in Tianjin is to build a new runway for test flights of the Airbus A320.

The second runway will be 3,200 meters long and 45 meters wide. The cost has not disclosed. The project will be ready for service on May 1 next year, according to the airport authorities.

An assembly line for European aircraft maker Airbus A320 planes began construction in May 2007 in Tianjin.

Construction of a third runway will also begin at an opportune time to meet three needs: to test fly A320 planes, to meet expected growth in air travel, and to act as a reserve airport to the Capital International Airport in Beijing.

The assembly plant is a joint venture between Airbus and Tianjin Zhongtian Aviation Industry Investment Co., a Chinese alliance of China Aviation Industry Corp I, China Aviation Industry Corp II and Tianjin Bonded Zone Investment Co.

Airbus holds a majority 51 percent stake in the Tianjin assembly facility, with the rest held by Tianjin Zhongtian Aviation Industry Investment Co.

The assembly line project, with an estimated investment of 8 billion to 10 billion yuan , includes assembly workshops, power stations, hangars and outdoor facilities.

Based in the Tianjin Binhai New Area, the first for Airbus outside Europe, the plant is expected to start operating this month and have an annual capacity of assembling 44 aircraft by 2011, sources with the project said.

The first plane will roll off the production line next May.

Source: Xinhua

Visitors enjoy religious services

2008-08-18T07:13:00.004-07:00

Tourist arrivals from China to Sri Lanka grew by 7.3 percent in the first half of 2008 over the same period a year ago, Sri Lanka's national carrier SriLankan Airlines said Thursday in a statement.

Figures from the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority showed that the island attracted 5,383 Chinese tourists for the first half of 2008, comparing with the 5,016 Chinese tourists recorded in the same period of 2007.

The increase came as Sri Lanka's tourist arrivals dropped 0.2 percent to 224,363 in the first six months of 2008 from the same period of last year.

SriLankan Airlines is closely supporting the government's drive to promote Sri Lanka as a tourist destination to the Chinese people as the Chinese tourism market is being viewed as one of the fastest growing markets.

The government-owned SriLankan Airlines serves China with thrice-weekly flights to Beijing, and another three to Hong Kong.

The statement said the airline actively participated in several travel fairs in China this year, including the Beijing International Tourism Expo and the Guangzhou International Travel Fair.

The airline also co-organized a workshop for travel agents in the Chinese capital Beijing in June.

Source: Xinhua

No health emergencies reported since Olympics began

2008-08-18T07:13:00.003-07:00

The vice director of the Beijing Health Bureau and spokesman Deng Xiaohong claimed that no public health emergency had been reported since August 7 at a press conference held for the Beijing Olympics and for medical security at the BIMC on the 17th. Deng said that since the opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympics, Beijing's medical security has been working steadily and well; and no public health emergency regarding polluted drinking water or infectious diseases had been reported, which was affirmed by and pleased the IOC.

Deng also said they have tested the health status of more than 70,000 staff at every venue everyday, make the necessary diagnosis, and take action to prevent unusual diagnoses in order to discover and control the occurrence and spread of infectious diseases. They also remotely monitor the air quality of public places. So far, everything is going very well.

In Beijing, 7,397 people related to the Olympic Games have been given a diagnosis; 1,445 of them have been treated at designate hospital locations; and 47 of them stayed in hospital. 931 athletic injuries have been reported, but most of those were old injuries and treated appropriately.

By People's Daily Online

"Characteristics of Beijing" attract Olympic visitors

2008-08-18T07:13:00.001-07:00

"As they are characteristic of Beijing, such as the silk of Xiushui, pearls of Hongqiao, clothes of Yaxiu, time-honored brands in Qianmen—Dazhalan, antiques of Panjiayuan, they are already well-known by foreigners. Now, they are much more popular given the Beijing Olympics," said a spokesman from Beijing commercial bureau. With the opening of the Beijing Olympics, more and more visitors come to Beijing; and those commercial districts with Beijing characteristics are getting much more attention.

According to incomplete statistics released by the Beijing commercial offices, 337 groups, and more than 2,000 Olympic visitors visited Dongcheng, Xicheng, Chongwen, Xuanwu, Chaoyang and Haidian from July 21st to August 11th; and more than 1,200 visitors, 60% of total, visited commercial districts.

Xiushui has received 40,000 visitors per day since August began, with more than 500 people related with Olympic Games and more than 20 groups of leaders of countries. Sales figures were 50% higher than the same period of last year at least; silk sales increased 80% than last month; the turnover of tailor-made clothes increased 100%; and the daily turnover of Olympic authorized dealers are even 6 times than before.

In addition, Hongqiao and Yaxiu markets having receiving much more visitors since August, and the turnover is much high. Chinese traditional pearl and silk clothes are all preferred by foreign visitors. Within two days of Aug 8 and 9, more than 5,000 foreign visitors had visited the Panjiayuan's old goods market; and many of them left with their arms full.

By People's Daily Online

Venezuela to launch Simon Bolivar satellite in Nov.

2008-08-18T07:12:00.006-07:00

The Simon Bolivar satellite will be launched into the space on Nov. 2, Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez said Sunday.

Chavez made the announcement in his latest TV and radio program"Alo, Presidente."

The satellite, made in China, was named after "Simon Bolivar," a hero who played an important role in winning Latin America's independence.

Chavez said the Simon Bolivar satellite would benefit Venezuela's TV, internet as well as other communication systems, and increase its educational and medical levels. Its coverage will reach other Latin American countries, he added.

Chinese Ambassador to Venezuela Zhang Tuo attended as a guest at the TV and radio program, during which Chavez thanked China for supporting this project.

Chavez said his program "Alo, Presidente," which is now being broadcast through a Dutch satellite, would be broadcast through the Simon Bolivar satellite from November.

Source:Xinhua

China's first lunar probe satellite normal after eclipse

2008-08-18T07:12:00.005-07:00

China's solar-powered lunar probe satellite Chang'e 1 stood the test of a partial eclipse on Sunday as scientists altered its orbit and temporarily turning off some facilities.

Based on the signals sent by the satellite after the eclipse, the Chang'e 1 was operating as expected, Monday's Beijing News quoted Liu Junze, of the Beijing Aerospace Control Center , as saying.

The ground control center changed the orbit of the satellite to shorten the time it was out of direct sunlight to 168 minutes, according to the scientist.

The satellite, if its orbit was unaltered, would have been out of the sun's rays for 220 minutes, he said, adding the time had exceeded the satellite's maximum power reserve.

The center also switched off some facilities at about 3:21 a.m. on Sunday to save power, and temporarily lost contact with the satellite for more than three hours, he noted.

Sunday's eclipse occurred between 3:35 a.m. and 6:44 a.m., and the satellite was hidden from the solar rays about the same period. The moon's shadow, also a signal blind area, could cause a power shortage in freezing temperatures.

During the first eclipse on Feb. 21, scientists adopted the same practice including changing the satellite orbit and switching off some equipment when it was out of direct sunlight.

The satellite successfully ran on battery power for two hours in February.

The 2,350-kilogram satellite, which has been in orbit for nine months, carries eight surveying facilities to make a three-dimensional survey of the moon's surface.

The launch of the lunar probe is the first step in China's three-stage moon mission, which will lead to a landing and launch of a rover vehicle around 2012. In the third phase, another rover will land and return to the Earth with lunar soil and stone samples for scientific research around 2017.

Source:Xinhua

China, Sweden into Olympic women's handball quarterfinals

2008-08-18T07:12:00.003-07:00

Ethiopian Bekele retains Olympic title in men's 10000m race

2008-08-18T07:12:00.001-07:00

Defending champion Ethiopia's Kenenisa Bekele retained his Olympic title in the African-dominated men's 10,000 meters race at the Beijing Olympic Games on Sunday.

Bekele, the reigning world record holder, finished in 27 minutes and 1.17 seconds to refresh the Olympic record created by himself at the Athens Games four years ago.

The 26-year-old distance runner has become the sixth who has won back-to-back Olympic titles in the men's longest track race with a best result of 26 minutes and 25.97 seconds this season.

As also a three-time world champion in the event, Bekele has been one of the favorites including his countryman former world record holder Haile Gebrselassie who has run 26 minutes and 51.20 seconds this year.

Bekele's countryman Sileshi Sihine won the silver medal by running 27 minutes and 2.77 seconds. Sihine outpaced Kenya's Micah Kogo at the last lap who won the bronze medal.

Kogo and another Kenyan runner Moses Ndiema Masai, who finally ranked the fourth, had led the race for most of the time and just stayed on the Ethiopians' heels.

The 35-year-old Gebrselassie ran 27 minutes and 6.68 seconds to achieve the sixth place.

Source:Xinhua

Maglev train between Shanghai and Hangzhou to be built

2008-08-18T07:11:00.001-07:00

The Maglev train project between Shanghai and Hangzhou will be carried out in 2010; and the special lines for passengers between Shanghai and Hangzhou will start construction in 2009, according to the construction plan for the most important projects issued by the government of Zhejiang province.

According to the plan, the total length of this new Maglev train line between Shanghai and Hangzhou will be 199.434km. The inter-city line is 164.577km, and Shanghai airport tie-line is 34.857km. The total length in Zhejiang province will be 103.553km, running through only two stops at Jiaxing and Hangzhou East.

By People's Daily Online

Chinese President to visit three nations, attend SCO summit

2008-08-18T07:10:00.005-07:00

Chinese President Hu Jintao will pay state visits to the Republic of Korea , Tajikistan and Turkmenistan from Aug. 25 to 30, according to the Foreign Ministry.

Hu is invited by ROK President Lee Myung bak, President of Tajikistan Emomali Rakhmon, and President of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov.

Hu will also attend the eighth annual summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization to be held on Aug. 28 in Dushanbe, Tajikistan's capital.

Source: Xinhua

Beijing authorities receive 77 demonstration applications since Aug. 1

2008-08-18T07:10:00.003-07:00

Beijing authorities have received 77 applications for demonstrations since Aug. 1, a spokesperson with the municipal public security bureau said on Monday.

These applications involved 149 people, including three persons from overseas.

Most of the applicants applied to protest in public for issues like labor disputes, medical disputes or inadequate welfares, the spokesperson said.

Seventy-four applications have been withdrawn so far, because the problems those applicants contended for were properly addressed by relevant authorities or departments through consultations, added the spokesperson.

Two other applications have been suspended because their procedures were incomplete, the spokesperson said. In one of such cases, for example, the applicant applied to take children to the demonstration, which is against China's law.

According to China's law on demonstrations and protests, children are not eligible to take part in any demonstrations because they do not have independent will, nor can they be liable for their behaviors.

"The applicants have been told to provide information of the eligible participants, and provide the adequate papers as required," the spokesperson said. "It doesn't mean their applications have been rejected."

The Chinese law requires demonstrators submit their requests at least five days in advance and detail the intention and topic of the protest, as well as the basic information of the participants.

The one remaining application has been vetoed by the public security authority, as it is in violation of China's law on demonstrations and protests, the spokesperson said without elaboration.

Source: Xinhua

Beijing inbound tourism in July down 30.2 percent

2008-08-18T07:10:00.001-07:00

On August 15, the Beijing Municipal Tourism Bureau released statistics that show the number of inbound tourists staying overnight and domestic tourists hotels received in the city in July had dropped substantially, according to Beijing Times.

Statistics show that in July, the city received 270,000 inbound overnight tourists, the number falling by 30.2 percent. Among them, 238,000 people are foreigners, 28.8 percent less than the same period of last year; 20,000 are Hong Kong people, 32.4 percent less than the same period last year; and 12,000 are from Taiwan, 47.6 percent less than the same period last year. In July the city's star-rated hotels received 1.217 million domestic guests, a 16.4 percent decrease from the same period last year.

According to the Beijing tourism market, the decline in inbound tourism in the first half is related to the Wenchuan earthquake and other factors; and the embassies have strengthened the management of inbound tourist visas during the Olympic Games. As a result, a portion of inbound tourism has been severely restricted. The industry believes that with the success of the Olympic Games and the coming golden tourism period of September and October, the number of inbound tourists is expected to rise in the second half.

By People's Daily Online

Shanghai Center main building will reach 632 meters

2008-08-18T07:09:00.004-07:00

Economist: Olympics not necessarily a boost to stock market

2008-08-18T07:09:00.003-07:00

The persistent woes of the country's equities market may not be linked to the ongoing Olympics, a Chinese economist said on Sunday, echoing voices from securities regulators.

Corrections of China's stock market had actually started as early as the second half last year, Yang Kaizhong, head of the Beijing Municipal Institute for Economic and Social Development, said at a press conference here.

He went on to argue that the Olympics may not necessarily improve the performance of equities, taking previous Games as a precedent.

There were indeed countries, such as the United States and the Republic of Korea, that saw a booming market in the year they hosted the Olympics, but there were also cases when the equities fell or went flat, such as during the 1992 Barcelona Games and the2000 Sydney Games, Yang said.

The benchmark Shanghai Composite Index edged up 0.56 percent to 2,450.61 points on Friday, and the key index has tumbled nearly 60percent from its peak in October.

The heavy slump was a result of many factors, including the global credit crisis that led to a worldwide economic slowdown, price rises of resources such as oil and grain, and investor concerns over market liquidity following huge fundraising, Yang said.

However, he believed the Chinese economy maintained a steady growth, and expectations of half-year reports of many listed companies, which are due soon, remained good.

Values of some stocks might have been underestimated after this round of downward adjustment, and the market may take on a more upbeat performance later as investor confidence improved with the fall of crude prices and domestic inflation rate, he added.

An unidentified spokesman for the China Securities Regulatory Commission blame on Friday the heavy slump on a need for internal correction, increasing uncertainties on the global markets and frequent natural disasters in China.

He also said the unsophisticated mechanism and structure of the country's equities market had worsened the situation and widened the range of the correction.

Source: Xinhua

Environment remains priority

2008-08-18T07:09:00.001-07:00

The environment must remain a top priority as the country forges ahead in its development, Premier Wen Jiabao said during a visit to an industrial base in the Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region over the weekend.

Wen cited the coal-rich Ning Dong industrial area, earmarked to become a major power-generation base, as one example under the ongoing green drive.

"We will not only build a coal, chemical, and power base, but also develop a recycling base here," Wen said while visiting the Ning Dong Energy and Chemical Industrial Base.

The premier's three-day visit, starting last Friday, came two months before the 50th anniversary of the founding of the autonomous region, which took place on October 23, 1958.

Lying about 60 km to the southeast of Yinchuan, Ningxia's capital, the construction of the Ning Dong base was named the region's "No 1 project" in 2003, with its largest power base situated in the area.

Explored coal reserves in Ningxia are reportedly 31 billion tons alone, while estimated coal reserves are 200.7 billion tons, ranking sixth and fifth, respectively, in the country.

While Ning Dong' explored coal reserves form 88 percent of the region's total, the large supplies have also posed a major challenge to environmental protection in the area.

During his visit to the base, Wen said building a recycling economy is a key feature of industrialization in these times.

"Apart from outstanding quality, technology, and efficiency, we must reach the same high standards in conservation," Wen told workers, adding that they should pay special attention to water conservation.

During his stop on Saturday in the Pengyang township of Guyuan - a major impoverished city in south Ningxia, Wen told officials that they must have a comprehensive plan to achieve a coordinated approach in economic development and environmental protection.

Water shortage is a major a problem facing Ningxia, where the southern regions are covered by desert and highland.

Pengyang also suffers from serious water and soil erosion. Eroded land stretched over 2,333 sq km, forming 92 percent of the township's total area, in 1983.

Since then, the area has enhanced efforts to build an "ecological township", in part by encouraging tree planting. By the end of last year, its total forest coverage hit 1.24 million hectares - growing by more than seven times in the past two decades.

"A long term blueprint and the determination to treat ecological problems is needed in order to improve the environment here and help improve local farmers' lives," Wen said.

Source:China Daily

Timeline of China's fiscal and monetary policy since 1995

2008-08-18T07:08:00.003-07:00

Here are some facts about China's fiscal and monetary policies from the present back to 1995.

-- Tight monetary policy

Earlier this year, facing pressure from surging inflation, a resurgence in fixed-asset investment and excessive lending and liquidity, China decided to shift its monetary policy from "prudent" to "tight".

Tight policy has included raising commercial banks' reserve-requirement ratios, allowing the currency -- renminbi -- to appreciate and controlling bank lending.

The latest move was in June, when the central bank -- People's Bank of China -- raised the reserve ratio by 1 percentage point in all: 0.5 point effective June 15 and another 0.5 point effective June 25. The rise on June 25 was the sixth this year and brought the ratio to a record 17.5 percent.

The tight policy appears to have had an impact. The consumer price index eased to 6.3 percent in July from a near 12-year high of 8.7 percent in February.

Economic growth slowed to 10.4 percent in the first half of 2008 from 11.9 percent for all of 2007.

-- "Prudent" fiscal and monetary policies

China switched to a "prudent" policy at the beginning of 2005. During 2005, the country reduced issues of long-term National Construction Bonds to 80 billion yuan from 110 billion yuan the previous year and cut the fiscal deficitby 19.8 billion yuan to 300 billion yuan.

In 2007, the PBOC raised the reserve ratio 10 times, from 9 percent in January to 14.5 percent as of December. The central bank had raised the ratio only five times over six years since 2000.

-- "Proactive" fiscal policy and "prudent" monetary policy

The proactive fiscal policy and prudent monetary policy were adopted in 1998 to counteract the negative impact of the 1997 Asian financial crisis.

China issued 910 billion yuan worth of national bonds over these years and invested the proceeds in infrastructure. The move boosted domestic demand, which had been weakened by the financial crisis, and contributed 1.5 to 2 percentage points of national output growth each year.

-- "Appropriately tight" fiscal and monetary policies

To rein in high inflation that started in 1993, China imposed appropriately tight fiscal and monetary policies. There was a surge in fixed-asset investment in the latter half of 1992, which was followed by major food price rises in 1993.

After the new policies were launched, the PBOC stepped up efforts to control money supply and finally reduced the consumer price index from 21.2 percent in January to 12.3 percent in August in 1995. The annual price increase was kept under 15 percent and gradually leveled out in the following years.

Source:Xinhua

China's property sector slows as uncertainty, credit curbs bite

2008-08-18T07:08:00.001-07:00

Property investment has slowed in China since mid-year, both in value and land area, amid tighter credit and buyers' uncertainty, official statistics released on Monday show.

The National Bureau of Statistics said that between January and July, investment in real estate development totaled 1.588 trillion yuan , up 30.9 percent year-on-year. However, the rate of increase was 2.6 percentage points less than the first-half level.

Spending on residential projects was 1.149 trillion yuan, up 33.7 percent but 2.8 percentage points lower than in the first half alone.

The total included 45.9 billion yuan in low-income housing, up 25.2 percent but 6 percentage points less than in the first half.

In the first seven months, 148 million square meters of land went under development, up 4.2 percent year-on-year. However, the growth rate was 5.7 percentage points lower than in the first half.

About 2.229 billion sq m of housing were under construction during the January-July period, up 22.5 percent. Yet again, the growth rate slowed from the first half, by 1.6 percentage points.

Previously, the central bank has reported that first-half lending to real estate developers and home buyers was 398.84 billion yuan, down 170.66 billion yuan from a year earlier.

Since the end of September, when China tightened credit for those buying more than one apartment, demand has ebbed. Additionally, price falls in some cities have made prospective buyers wary.

Developers sold about 260 million sq m of housing in the first six months with a value of 1 trillion yuan, representing decreases of 7.2 percent and 3 percent year-on-year, respectively.

The NBS also said that between January and July, 129 million sqm of commercial property was vacant, up 6.1 percent. This was one of the few cases where the growth rate rose from the first half; in this case, by 3.9 percentage points.

Source:Xinhua

Former Taiwan leader Chen Shui-bian barred from leaving island

2008-08-18T07:07:00.004-07:00

Former Taiwan leader Chen Shui-bianhas been barred from leaving the island by prosecutors who searched his home and office in connection with corruption allegations.

The prosecutors seized five boxes of evidence and three computers on Saturday, and ordered Taiwan's former leader not to leave the island.

It is the first time that a former Taiwan leader has been put under such a restriction. All airports and ports have received the order.

So far, prosecutors have found that Chen's family has remitted large amounts of money to bank accounts in Switzerland, Singapore, Cayman Islands and other countries.

Four special bank accounts for elections have been discovered, with millions of NT dollars deposited or withdrawn in cash, according to a spokesman of the special investigation team.

The four newly-found accounts might be involved in money laundering as they had not been declared, as required by law, by Chen or the Democratic Progressive Party .

Prosecutors plan to summon Chen's son, Chen Chih-chung, and daughter-in-law, Huang Jui-ching, who fled to the United States only days before Chen revealed that he had done something that was "not allowed by law". Prosecutors also plan to question Chen's wife Wu Shu-chen once again.

Chen Chih-chung and Huang Jui-ching may be put on the wanted list, if the young couple do not return to Taiwan to face judicial probe, according to the spokesman.

The four members of Chen's family have four different explanations for the irregularities.

Source: Xinhua

Expert: Olympics not to become watershed of China's economic development

2008-08-18T07:07:00.003-07:00

The overall trend of stable and rapid development of the Chinese economy would not alter after the Olympic Games, a senior expert said Sunday.

"The Olympics will not become a watershed of China's economic development, as the fundamental factors that have supported China's economic progress in the past 30 years are not to change markedly," Wang Yiming, an expert with the thinktank under the National Development and Reform Commission, told a press conference.

Wang listed such factors as the country's high deposit rate, large scale urbanization and infrastructure investment, upgrading of residents consumption modes, huge market potentials as well as its active and voluntary integration into economic globalization.

"These driving forces will not change with the finishing of the Olympic Games," he said.

Besides, the Olympic economy exerted a relatively small impact on a country as big as China, Wang said. "After 30 years of development, China has turned into the fourth biggest economy of the world."

He said, "Although the Olympic economy has contributed much to Beijing's economic development, the city's economy only accounted for 3.6 percent of that of the whole country. Besides, Beijing's venue and infrastructure investment only accounted for 0.55 percent-1.06 percent of China's overall fixed assets investment in the past four years."

"So the 'post-Olympics effect' will not affect the basics of China's economic development."

Besides, the expert said, China was still in the middle of industrialization. "From cities to the countryside, and from infrastructure to manufacturing and service industries, all harbor great development potentials."

The Chinese government has made ensuring a stable and rapid development of the economy and curbing rapid price rise as its top priorities, and was taking measures to increase domestic demand, he said.

Source: Xinhua

Three Gorges facing flood peak, posing no threat to operation

2008-08-18T07:07:00.001-07:00

The Three Gorges reservoir on Sunday saw its highest flood peak this year, but without disrupting the shipping service on the Yangtze River.

Located in central China's Hubei Province, the Three Gorges project, the world's largest hydroelectric project, had a water flow of 41,000 cubic meters per second at its maximum on Saturday night.

Persistent heavy rains on the upper reaches of the Yangtze River increased the water flow drastically from the average 28,000cubic meters per second, said Ji Yujian, vice director of the Yangtze Three Gorges shipping service bureau.

The peak, however, began ebbing on Sunday and reduced to 35,500cubic meters per second at about 8 p.m. It was expected to flow into the reservoir at 34,000 cubic meters per second at 8 a.m. on Monday and keep ebbing in the following days.

The Changjiang Water Resources Commission predicted the flood peak might reach up to 55,000 cubic meters per second this year.

Source: Xinhua

South China car maker to raise production capacity

2008-08-18T07:06:00.002-07:00

FAW Haima Automobile Co. Ltd., a car maker in south China's Hainan Province, on Saturday began construction of a third factory.

The factory will double the company's annual production capacity of 150,000 cars, said Jing Zhu, chairman of the board of Haima Investment Group Shareholding Co. Ltd, parent company of FAW Haima Automobile Co. Ltd.

Covering an area of 55.3 hectares, the factory will make products including 150,000 cars and 200,000 sets of gearboxes annually upon completion in 2010.

It is estimated the fixed asset investment for the new factory alone will top 1.5 billion yuan , but the factory can lead to formation of an automotive industry chain featuring the creation of 30 billion yuan in industrial output value and three billion yuan in pre-tax profits, plus 5,000new jobs, according to Jing.

"This new factory will specialize in making A-class sedans," said Jing.

FAW Haima automobile, with a history of two decades and two factories with a combined production capacity of 150,000 cars, formerly cooperated with Mazda of Japan from 1990 to 2006. It now mainly produces passenger vehicles of medium grade.

The company, with headquarters in Haikou, the provincial capital of Hainan, sold 131,000 cars last year, up 62 percent from2006, and is hoping to sell 180,000 cars this year.

Source: Xinhua

Economy won't be hurt after Olympics

2008-08-18T07:06:00.001-07:00

China will not suffer from a "post-Olympic recession", senior officials said yesterday, because of the scale and potential of its economy.

"The Olympic Games won't be a watershed for China's economic growth," Wang Yiming, vice-president of the Academy of Macroeconomic Research, said. The academy is affiliated to the National Development and Reform Commission, the country's top planning body.

"The fundamentals propelling the country's economic development over the past 30 years will remain" even after the Games, he said.

The country's economy grew 11.9 percent last year. But after the growth slowed to 10.1 percent in the second half of this year, it raised concern that the economy could suffer after the Games, which in some ways has acted as booster.

The direct impact of the Games has been limited because of the size of country's economy, Wang said.

China won the right in 2001 to host the 17-day event, and its economy has grown at an average rate of 10.5 percent since.

A number of factors, such as the nation's entry into the WTO and the Olympic-related investment boom, have boosted the economy and made it the world's fastest growing.

To prepare for the Games, Beijing spent about 13 billion yuan to build sports facilities and 280 billion yuan to improve urban infrastructure.

Such investments helped Beijing's economy grow an estimated 10 percent faster in the past seven years, said Yang Kaizhong, president of Beijing Economic and Social Development Research Institute.

But the 293-billion-yuan bill, hefty as it is, only accounted for 0.55 percent to 1.06 percent of China's fixed asset investment between 2005 and 2008, the peak time for Olympic-related investments, Wang said.

And Beijing, the main recipient of Olympics-related investment, only accounts for 3.6 percent of the country's gross domestic product.

Officials say China will continue its substantial investment in infrastructure even after the Games and that would help sustain the economy's growth momentum.

Beijing has plans to add six more lines covering more than 360 km to its tube network by 2015 to ease traffic congestion and improve connectivity to its suburbs. The investment will be more than what the city put in to build 149 km of subway in run-up to the Games.

Other mega-events, such as the 2010 Shanghai World Expo and the 16th Asian Games to be held in Guangzhou the same year, are also likely to boost the economy, Wang said.

Earlier, the central government said it would strive to maintain a stable and fast economic growth while curbing inflation.

The country, especially its exports sector, has already felt the pinch of a falling growth rate and rising costs of labor and raw materials. More than 67,000 small- and medium-sized enterprises have reportedly had to shut down in the first half.

"Growth is likely to slow after the Olympics" but not because the Games would be over, Wang Tao, an economist with UBS Securities, said.

Source: China Daily

Summer sojourn aids China-Hungary ties

2008-08-18T07:05:00.000-07:00

They sought solace in the comfortable summer of Hungary, looking for ways to escape the devastation of the Sichuan quake in May.

The 50 Chinese children recovering in their temporary Eastern European home is also a reflection of the true partnership between the two countries, Hungarian Prime Minister Ferenc Gyurcsany told China Daily in Beijing yesterday.

It is a partnership that involves the sharing of weal and woe, said Gyurcsany, who is in the capital for the Olympics.

"Somehow, this is the obligation of friends, to show that they feel each other's pain I think it was understood by our Chinese friends, not just by the political leaders, not just by the families who are very concretely involved in this gesture," Gyurcsany said, referring to his government's decision to host the Chinese children for the summer.

The quake victims are currently in good condition, he added.

Size is also not a problem when it comes to the friendship between Beijing and Budapest, he said.

"We are playing political and social games in different leagues," he said.

" a friendship in politics is not about who is bigger and who is smaller, but sharing the same values, understanding each other and helping each other.

Asked about the China-bashing episodes in parts of Europe before the Olympics, Gyurcsany said different countries should understand one another.

"It's very easy to judge from the outside who is right and who is wrong. But in all the cases it turns out that the situation is more complex than we had ever believed," he said.

"We have to respect each other's position and the way people in countries would want to live their lives."

Gyurcsany also acknowledged China's efforts in handling challenges and global issues properly, welcoming the increasingly prominent role it plays on the world stage.

"There are some countries who are concerned about that I see this phenomenon more as an opportunity to find new partners who have the strength and capacity to contribute to a harmonious world."

Gyurcsany, who arrived in Beijing last Thursday and left late yesterday, had watched several events including water polo, basketball and canoeing. Hungary had not won any gold medal as of yesterday afternoon.

"Currently, I am very happy that, in some team sports, we are very close to the final with a good performance," he said.

"We also have a very strong and successful tradition in canoeing and I think it's not an overestimated expectation if we believe that two gold medals can be won in that sport."

Source: China Daily

Orphans share in spirit of Olympics

2008-08-18T07:04:00.000-07:00

Ukrainian sports legend Sergey Bubka has passed on the true spirit of the Games to children of Beijing-based orphanage home Sun Village.

The greatest pole-vaulter in history visited 130 orphan children at their home in the capital's Shunyi district yesterday.

"I just want to tell them China's sports are strong and maybe one of them will become a champion one day," he said.

On the playground, Bubka and Sun Village founder Zhang Shuqin took turns passing torches to the children.

"We just want to light their hope and encourage more young people to take up sport," said Bubka.

"I had no idea what a tremendous impact the children here would have on me," said Bubka. "Despite their difficult circumstances, they have a spirit about them which convinces me they will overcome all the hurdles life has put in front of them."

Bubka isn't the only one visiting the center these days. The International Softball Federation has also been helping make Olympic dreams come true for kids at the village.

Eight-year-old Zhai Yufeng was given the chance to throw the first ball at the game between Canada and the United States last Thursday at the Fengtai sports softball field. International Softball Federation president Don Porter said the federation selected Little Zhai for the big pitch because of her talent for the sport and infectious smile.

"I was not standing there on my own," grinned Zhai. "I was just fortunate to be there, on behalf of my big family."

Zhai, whose mother died several years ago, came to the village last year after her father was imprisoned for domestic violence. Zhang, who started the orphanage back in 2000, said Zhai has since come a long way.

"I still remember her terrified expression and skinny body when she came to the village," said Zhang.

The village has helped hundreds of children like Zhai over the years, yet Zhang still remains humble about her efforts.

"Kids of prisoners are a disadvantaged group, ignored by society," said Zhang. "I just want to do whatever I can to change their life."

Source: China Daily

A rare treat for the naked eye

2008-08-18T07:03:00.000-07:00

Tears blurred his eyesight. But he was sure about his subject. He clicked. And the image was registered for posterity.

Wang Wenbo had waited years for this moment: the first shot of the Olympic flame lighting up the sky above the Bird's Nest. He perched himself strategically on top of a 25-story building near the Bird's Nest hours before the moment on Aug 8. The labor pain was over, the "child was finally born", hence the tears, Wang said.

"I'm proud of my contribution to the Olympics", said the 61-year-old ace photographer, who was the photo editor of the bidding reports for both the 2000 and 2008 Games, which Beijing ultimately won.

Wang has witnessed the entire birth process of the Beijing Games.

The work started in 1992 for the 2000 Games bid. He spent months finding and selecting the best photographs to back Beijing's claim.

"Although Beijing's first attempt to host the Games failed, it didn't give up trying," said Wang, also a veteran Beijing Tourism Bureau photographer.

In 2000, when Beijing committee officials began preparing to bid for the 2008 Games, they realized how important photographs were to win over International Olympic Committee members.

But the photographs available to them were not good enough. So in November 2000, they asked Wang to be the photo editor of the bidding report once again.

With only 40 days left for the final presentation, "it was the biggest challenge of my life", he said. But his keen eye for detail and fantastic memory took him to the best pictures- taken by dozens of photographers.

He got thousands of photographs from them. Then he began the process of selection. More than 100 were chosen to add color and weight to Beijing's 600-page bidding report.

The report had 18 themes, including the city's history, culture, modern life, attitude toward the Olympics and environment, and technological development.

A native Beijinger who has focused his lens on the city's life and changes for decades, Wang contributed about 30 of his own photographs to the report.

They included the two-page, leading photograph featuring a sea of jubilant people in front of Beijing's modern and ancient buildings on the eve of the new millennium.

"I wanted to show the world the marvel of the city It's full of surprises and a perfect blend of the old and the new," he said. Wang achieved that goal. Several IOC officials said the Beijing bidding report was not just a printed document, but a real work of art.

Wang retired in 2005 but has continued taking photographs. Several of his photo albums, including the Memory of Hutongs and Nostalgia for Courtyard-House, are on sale in the Olympic Village.

Source: China Daily

Debates die hard on U.S. volleyball coach Lang Ping days after China team defeated

2008-08-17T19:08:00.004-07:00

The Chinese public have generally shown understanding and respect toward China-born U.S. volleyball coach Lang Ping after she led the American women team to a sweaty 3-2 win over China Friday night.

While some criticized her for being "unpatriotic", China's Internet users have largely accepted with peace the result and even cheered for Lang and for the Olympic spirit she displayed.

"Sports are without borders. Lang Ping is professional and deserves our respect," said Internet user "PianYizi" on an Internet forum.

"That's what we call Olympic spirit. Lang Ping, you're still a hero of Chinese volleyball," exclaimed another Internet user "Bin Bin".

Nicknamed "Iron Hammer", Lang was once a towering icon of Chinese sports. From 1981 to 1985, she, together with her Chinese women volleyball team, won five world championships, including two World Cup titles and an Olympic gold medal. She became the head coach of the U.S. women's national volleyball team in February 2005.

In a survey by the mainstream China Youth Daily, 52.5 percent of respondents said they cheered for Lang for the victory.

Lang also represents the so-called "Chinese Overseas Squad" -- those Chinese athletes and coaches who now play or coach in foreign countries, toward whom the Chinese public often harbor mixed feelings.

That could be reflected from the result of the survey. When answering how they view the overseas squad, 33.6 percent of those responded considered it "a normal phenomenon of international sports exchanges", and 32.4 percent felt "proud" because that demonstrated the international acceptance of Chinese sports level.

Still, 16 percent considered it "regrettable" and 6 percent were worried that it would threaten Chinese athletes' quest for championships.

Days before the match, China's go chess master Nie Weiping criticized Lang for serving in the U.S. team.

"I just can't understand: Why do they have to go coach a foreign team?" Nie said. "And never forget you're Chinese."

Nie's words drew immediate controversy from the public. While some showed support, most people criticized him of "ultra-nationalism".

"Nothing to fuss about Lang's coaching the U.S. team," said Internet user "Blue Castle". "It's a personal choice, a market activity and sports exchanges. It's ridiculous to view it from the political and nationalist perspectives."

"We also have many foreign coaches now helping Chinese teams winning medals. Should we also call them 'traitors" of their own countries and reject the medals we won under their coaching?" asked "Jin Ju".

In 1994, when former Chinese world table tennis champion He Zhili played in the Japanese name of Koyama Chire for her adopted country against Chinese players in the Asian Games, she was labeled as "turncoat" and "traitor" by an enraged Chinese public.

Only until several years ago did the Chinese recognize the former Chinese players who have switched their allegiance as "Chinese table tennis ambassadors".

When Lang took the helm of the U.S. women's team three years ago, it was also relatively calm in her home country.

"We are more open-minded than a decade ago," said Beijing-based sportswriter Qu Beilin. "We were mad about He Zhili more than 10 years ago and now we would congratulate Lang Ping."

Source: Xinhua

Beijing Olympic torch auctioned first time, 173 times higher than cost

2008-08-17T19:08:00.003-07:00

One of the Beijing Olympic torches was sold at a Olympic-themed auction held here on Friday, with a price of 260,000 yuan , 173 times higher than the cost.

With an asking price of 120,000 yuan, the final bid for the torch reached 291,200 yuan, plus the commission, Beijing based newspaper The Beijing News reported on Sunday.

The cost of each torch was around 1,500 yuan, the newspaper quoted an official from the Beijing Organizing Committee for the Olympic Games as saying.

The auction was held during Olympex, the Olympic Expo Beijing 2008, featuring Olympic-themed products. Torches used in previous Athens, London and Berlin Olympics and the ongoing Beijing Olympics were warmly welcomed by the buyers.

Of all torches, the Beijing Olympic torch, the red and silver "Xiangyun" torch, resembling an ancient scroll and featuring "lucky cloud", attract the most attention.

Its price exceeded any other torches, even the Berlin Olympic torch in 1936, when the first Olympics torch relay was launched. The Berlin torch hit 168,000 yuan finally, and the average price of other torches remained from 50,000 yuan to 70,000 yuan.

The auctioneer, China Guardian Auctions Co. Ltd, however refused to reveal the detail information of the torch seller as well as the buyer, saying "it was a personal business."

As for this commercial act, BOCOG responded on Saturday that it would not encourage the sale of the torch as it stood for the holy and pure Olympic event.

But at the same time, BOCOG would not ban such commercial activities in future, because the organization had bought and then given the torch to the torchbearer as a gift, which was different to previous Olympics, when it was the torchbearers themselves who bought the torches.

The International Olympic Committee had made no special rules yet for bearers on how to deal with the torch. It only clarified its no-support for using the torch in a commercial way.

According to the BOCOG, it had bought the torch with a fairly cheap price -- 1,500 yuan, much cheaper than previous Olympic torches, because the torch production company in Beijing conducted the production with almost zero profit.

The aluminium-made "xiangyun" torch, created by the designers at Chinese PC giant Lenovo, is 72 centimeters tall and weighs 985 grams.

In Chinese mythology, deities ride flying on "xiangyun", or lucky clouds. Chinese people expect the auspicious clouds to bring blessings and harmony.

Source: Xinhua

Chinese delegation satisfied with first half lead at Beijing Games

2008-08-17T19:08:00.001-07:00

Chinese delegation is pleased by its athletes' achievements in the first half of the on-going Beijing Olympic Games, said a senior sports official on Sunday.

Cui Dalin, deputy chef de mission of the Chinese delegation, said Chinese athletes had done "quite a good job" to claim 27 gold medals, 13 silver medals and seven bronze medals in the past eight competition days to lead the gold medals tally.

"Most of the Chinese competitors fully displayed their abilities to realize the goal of achieving good results on home soil," said Cui at a press conference. "They have done quite a good job."

China fielded the largest-ever team of 1,099 strong members including 639 athletes to the Aug. 8-24 Games in the Chinese capital.

They compete in all the 38 disciplines from the 28 sports and now have won gold medals in archery, badminton, diving, fencing, gymnastics, judo, shooting, swimming and weightlifting.

Judo, shooting and weightlifting, rated China's traditional strong events, combined to bring China 15 gold medals.

"We are especially pleased by our athletes in judo, shooting and weightlifting," said Cui.

Chinese strongmen and strongwomen stunned the field to grab eight golds and one silver in nine events they entered.

After Chinese weightlifting team finished all their competition on Saturday, they unfurled a banner proudly declaring that "Chinese power is unstoppable". It is the best result the Chinese weightlifting team had at any Games.

Judo also saw China create the best results with three gold medals, all in women's events including 52kg, 78kg and +78kg while Chinese sharpshooters have equalled their achievements in the Athens Olympics with four.

The diving team, dubbed the Dream Team, swept all the four synchronized events with four individual titles left for grabs.

The Chinese were happily surprised to see Zhang Juanjuan broke South Korean domination in archery to bag China's first ever Olympic archery title and Zhong Man played the dark horse role in winning the men's individual sabre for the first time since 1984 Los Angeles Games.

But all the silvers and bronzes were as cherished as the golds because all of them are a result of the athletes' hard work, Cui said.

"Every single medal is meaningful in its own way and won through painstaking efforts by our athletes," he said.

Cui, however, was aware that China still lags behind in heavy-weight events like swimming, which was reflected in the overall medals standings.

The United States claimed 16 gold medals by the end of Saturday but stood on top of medals tally with a total of 50. Swimming wunderkind Michael Phelps became the phenomenon of the state-of-art Water Cube by pocketing seven titles by Saturday.

And after the last swimming final on Sunday, he wrote a new page in the Olympic history to become the most-crowned athlete with eight gold medals in one Olympic Games.

Source: Xinhua

British Romero wins women's individual pursuit Olympic gold

2008-08-17T19:04:00.002-07:00

Rebecca Remero of Great Britain celebrates after winning in the Women’s Individual Pursuit Finals of the cycling-track event during the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games at the Laoshan Velodrome in Beijing, China, Aug. 17, 2008. Rebecca Remero won the gold medal.

Rebecca Remero of Great Britain rides in the Women’s Individual Pursuit Finals of the cycling-track event during the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games at the Laoshan Velodrome in Beijing, China, Aug. 17, 2008. Rebecca Remero won the gold medal.

Rebecca Romero of Britain won the women's individual pursuit gold medal at the Beijing Olympic Games on Sunday.

Romero clocked in 3:28.321 to stand atop the podium, beating fellow Briton Wendy Houvenaghel to second in 3:30.395 and Lesya Kalitovska of Ukraine won the bronze in 3:31.413.

Source: Xinhua

Melting of cultures in the new architecture

2008-08-17T19:04:00.001-07:00

Since the 1990s, China has obviously speeded up its steps to open the architectural field to the outside world. That is fully testified by its extensive adoption of the competition mechanism, introducing international bidding for some important constructions. As a result, visions of domestic architects have been expanded, their mentality updated, and a number of prominent masterworks created.

The successful bidding for quite a few major projects by foreign architects marks the beginning of China's integration into the international community in the architectural sector.

Just like the country's accession into the World Trade Organization, which originally provoked controversies among some Chinese people who worried about the fate of domestic enterprises, only a temporary sacrifice of domestic architectural sectors can create chances for their future success in ever-increasing international competitions.

We still remember the words sighed out by a participating Chinese group of architects after the first round of review of the designing bidding for the National Center for the Performing Arts. "We admit our inferiority to foreign competitors," they said.

Paul Andreu, a renowned French architect, finally won the tender of the project. In its following layout improvements and construction, a lot of Chinese architects were involved. Such kinds of interactions and cooperation with foreign architects are undoubtedly helpful for our domestic counterparts.

The Water Cube, the National swimming center especially built for the Beijing Olympics, was also the product of cooperation between Chinese and foreign architects. But the designing inspiration of the marvelous building originally came from our Chinese architects and it won a prize in the 2004 biennial architecture exhibition held in Venice. This was a persuasive example that Chinese architects, once integrated into international environment, can also come up with world-class works.

Another example is the Tianjin-based 350 meter-high Sinosteel International Plaza. Chinese architect Ma Yansong overpowered competitors in the competitive international bidding for the building.

Architecture is a kind of art, which knows no national boundary. The successful tenders for Chinese projects by foreign architects in recent years are mostly the world's first-class ones. Just like artists, modern architects hate to imitate others' works. Creativity and uniqueness are the ultimate pursuit for world's top architects and duplication is regarded to be the work of commonplace craftsmen.

There is no doubt that the beauty of the modern arts, including architecture, is not the synonym for a new, unique or bizarre appearance, but modern aesthetics often contains these elements.

The well-known Sydney Opera House is the paramount masterpiece among a lot of excellent post-modern architectures. Its new-type architectural style and inspiring shape have received encomiums from across the world. The 30-year-old architecture was listed by the United Nations as a human heritage, marking itself as the youngest human heritage among the world's architectures.

Over the past decade, hundreds of China's architectures have been erected with the designs of foreign architects. Among these high-rise constructions, some are worth praising. They include the towering Jinmou Mansion in Shanghai's Pudong New Area. The inspiration for the skyscraper comes from the shape of Chinese ancient pagodas.

Rem Koolhaas, chief designer of the China Central Television twin towers, like Jacques Herzog, designer of the Bird's Nest, the National Stadium as the venue of the Beijing Olympics track and field items, is a winner of the renowned Pritzker Architecture Prize. The successful connection of the twin towers' heavy cantilever steel-structure can be a new breakthrough in the history of human architecture.

The construction of the National Center for the Performing Arts once caused great controversies, which mainly involved its egg-shaped, round exterior. Some critics thought this kind of shape is in disharmony with neighboring buildings.

However, it creates a contrasting visual effect with the surrounding historical architectures, such as the imposing Great Hall of the People, mysterious Zhongnanhai, which accommodates the headquarters of the Communist Party of China and the State Council, and the serene Rear Lake, Shichahai, and Beihai Lake, all historical spots yards away.

The Water Cube is one of the high points of the sprawling Beijing Olympics constructions. The square architecture was also built in an aesthetic, visual perspective. Lying in a lower profile with the more imposing and higher Bird's Nest, the Water Cube leaves more room to the more marvelous steel construction, thus achieving a kind of harmony between the two.

The Bird's Nest can be considered a symbol of the new architectures built in the capital. Its marvelous, complex steel structure has also created a wonder in architectural history. It will forever stand in Beijing like a resplendent jewel for people to visit and appreciate after the end of this summer Olympics.

The author is a researcher with the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences

Source: China Daily

Cancer-stricken U.S. swimmer wins unexpected "gold medal" in China

2008-08-17T19:03:00.000-07:00

Qinghai-Tibet railway to get six new lines

2008-08-17T19:02:00.003-07:00

Plans are afoot to add six more rail lines to the Qinghai-Tibet railway to boost the region's economy, a railway spokesman said yesterday at the Beijing International Media Center.

Included in the country's medium- and long-term railway network plan, the six lines are expected to be completed and put into operation before 2020, Wang Yongping, spokesman of the Ministry of Railways, said in Beijing. Detailed plans and cost of construction have yet to be finalized, he added.

The six new tracks include one from Lhasa to Nyingchi and one from Lhasa to Xigaze, both in the Tibet autonomous region. Three tracks will originate from Golmud in Qinghai province and run to Chengdu in Sichuan province, Dunhuang in Gansu province, and Kuerle of the Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region. The sixth will link Xining, capital of Qinghai, with Zhangye in Gansu.

Construction on the Golmud-Dunhuang section is likely to begin first. The official said experts have already been dispatched to the region to work on the route design.

Work on the lines from Lhasa to Nyingchi and Xigaze is likely to begin before 2010, he said.

Earlier reports suggested the Lhasa-Xigaze railway would be extended to link it with neighboring countries, but Wang said the ministry has no such plans as of now.

The ministry is now working to enable trains to run at 200 kph on the Qinghai-Tibet railway's Xining-Golmud section in the near future, said Wang Zhongyu, deputy general manager of Qinghai-Tibet Railway Company, yesterday.

Work to make the Golmud-Lhasa section - 550 km of which is built across a frozen swathe - any faster is unlikely. "At 100 kph, it is already very fast, compared with those in Canada and Russia, which were also built in icy areas but run at 60 to 80 kph," he said.

"In two years of operation, our train service has not been suspended even once due to the ice," he added.

In the wake of the May 12 earthquake, which also shook the Tangula Mountains region through which the track passes, the railway has upgraded its contingency plans.

"In the event of an earthquake in the region, we will stop trains and send maintenance teams along the route to make sure everything is fine," he said.

In two years, the 1,956-km railway has moved 5.56 million passengers and 4.05 million tons of cargo, lowering prices of daily necessities and other consumer goods.

Source: China Daily

Indonesia celebrates Independence Day

2008-08-17T19:02:00.001-07:00

The 63rd anniversary of Indonesia's Independence Day was solemnly performed with a flag hoisting at the National Palace on Sunday.

The ceremony, which was led by Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and Vice President Jusuf Kalla, was a spectacle of the greatest respect and honor for the flag and the republic.

The ceremony was attended by the cabinet, military brass, family members of the current and preceding presidents, diplomatic corps and honored guests. Eleven-year-old Nada Lutfiyyah, an Aceh tsunami survivor who lost her parents in the 2004 disaster Nada Lutfiyyah and her pen pal Maggie Hamilton, 12, of Michigan, the United States, were sitting in the front row of the invited guests.

On the occasion, Chinese ambassador to Indonesia Zhang Qiyue congratulated the Indonesian government and the people on the success made over the years after gaining independence from the Dutch in 1945.

"We highly valued the progress made by the Indonesian government, not only in economic development but also social progress," she told Xinhua.

Indonesia is one of the major neighboring countries of China, and the Chinese government has shared very good relations and cooperation with it.

"We would like to continue, consolidate and promote this relationship," she said.

Source: Xinhua

Tibet sees increasing tourists after post-riot drop-off, expects post-Olympics rush

2008-08-17T19:01:00.004-07:00

The number of tourists traveling to Tibet by rail is increasing, after the total decreased sharply in the immediate wake of the March 14 Lhasa riot.

Tourist figures were not higher than this time last year but had increased significantly compared with the period just after the unrest, Wang Yongping, spokesman of the Ministry of Railways, said here on Saturday.

"The unrest had a negative impact on the operation of the Qinghai-Tibet Railway," said Wang in the Beijing International Media Center.

He noted that tourist figures to Tibet from March to July this year had decreased by 40 percent, or 327,000 in number, year on year.

However, Wang said no accidents or suspension of operation had been caused by the riot, and presently the security of tourists visiting Tibet by train could be guaranteed.

Bai Xiaochun, vice general manager of Qinghai-Tibet Railway Company, expected a tourist rush to Tibet after the Beijing Olympic Games. Bai said the company had plans in hand and could manage to deal with an increasing number of tourists.

Further, a deluxe train set was planned to put into operation in September along the Qinghai-Tibet Railway, said Bai.

With a total length of 1,956 km, the Qinghai-Tibet Railway connects Xining, Qinghai Province to the capital of Tibet Autonomous Region Lhasa. It is the first railway in Tibet and the highest railway in the world.

Source: Xinhua

Tianjin airport to build new runway for test flights of A320s

2008-08-17T19:01:00.003-07:00

Kazakhstan's Ilin wins Olympic men's 94kg weightlifting gold

2008-08-17T19:01:00.001-07:00

Kazakhstan's Ilya Ilin won the gold medal in the men's 94kg weightlifting class at the Beijing Olympics on Sunday.

Gold medalist Ilya Ilin of Kazakhstan poses during the victory ceremony of men's weightlifting 94kg group A competition at Beijing 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China, Aug. 17, 2008. Ilya Ilin won the gold medal in the event with a total result of 406kg.

Ilya Ilin of Kazakhstan takes a lift during the men's weightlifting 94kg group A competition at Beijing 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China, Aug. 17, 2008. Ilya Ilin won the gold medal in the event.

Ilin hoisted 180kg in the snatch and 226kg in the clean and jerk for a winning total of 406kg.

Szymon Kolecki of Poland took silver in 403kg and Khadzhimurat Akkaev of Russia grabbed bronze in 402kg.

Source: Xinhua

Romanian Sandra Izbasa wins women's floor exercise Olympic gold

2008-08-17T19:00:00.002-07:00

Sandra Izbasa of Romania performs on the floor during women's apparatus final of Beijing 2008 Olympic Games at National Indoor Stadium in Beijing, China, Aug. 17, 2008. Sandra Izbasa claimed the title of the event with a score of 15.650.

Sandra Izbasa of Romania performs on the floor during women's apparatus final of Beijing 2008 Olympic Games at National Indoor Stadium in Beijing, China, Aug. 17, 2008. Sandra Izbasa claimed the title of the event with a score of 15.650.

Romanian Sandra Izbasa won the women's floor exercise gold medal at the Beijing Olympic Games on Sunday.

Izbasa scored 15.650 points, beating American pair Shawn Johnson and Nastia Liukin to second and third respectively with 15.500 and 15.425 points.

Source: Xinhua

Chinese swimming: Thumb's up, as long journey awaits

2008-08-17T19:00:00.001-07:00

Boasting an Olympic gold and a new world record, teenager butterflyer Liu Zige smashed a prevailing pessimism that Chinese swimmers could hardly won a medal in their home pool.

After touching the wall first at women's 200 fly by shaving world record 1.22 second faster, the unknown Olympic rookie claimed her first Olympic title while teammate Jiao Liuyang, also an Olympic debutant, took the silver 0.54 second later in next lane.

"I have never thought about winning the race. I was happy enough for making the final and improving my personal best... But it was really beyond my expectation. I thought it was too amazing," the 19-year-old Liu said after the race, with a sweet smile on her face.

In addition to the teenager duo, long-distance freestyler Zhang Lin won a silver in 400m free, which made him the first Chinese man with a podium finish in swimming, and the women's relay teams clinched a silver and a bronze for 4x200m free and 4x100m medley respectively.

Sprinter Pang Jiaying also contributes with a bronze in women's 200m fly, which makes China stand 6th at the medal table.

"It is more like the first step on a long journey, good but primitive,"commented by China's head coach Zhang Yadong, stressing that his team still had a lot to improve.

Over the past decade, Chinese swimmers have struggled to regain their glory at world stage. Since its prime at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, when China won four golds, the squad had only managed just two golds in the following three Games -- one in 1996 and one in 2004.

"The moral within the team is reaching its historcal highest, and of course it's good to have Liu and Jiao break world record and win Olympic medals, but if looking at it in a rational way, you can see we still far lagged by the super powers such as the United States and Australia," Zhang said.

The United States has won 12 golds, 9 silvers and 10 bronzes at the Games, followed by Australia with 6 golds, 6 silvers and 8 bronzes.

Although Liu's success was popularly described as a fairy tale of "the ugly duckling", and the performance of the Chinese swimmers at Beijing Games is widely regarded as "surprising", solid evidences could be discovered to explain China's unexpected success at the swim meet.

Liu's coach Jin Wei never agrees his pupil was a dark horse. According to him, Liu was a promising star with huge potential, great endurance and assiduity. More importantly, she has been trained under the programs which he learned from swimming powerhouse Australia.

Last year, Jin brought his talented swimmer Liu to Australia for a two-month training, under the guidance of famed Australian coach Ken Wood who was the former tutor of world champion Schipper and breaststroke star Leisel Jones' initiator.

Thanks the advanced training regime, Liu has been speeding up on fast track by improving her personal best to two minutes and 7.76 seconds at the national Olympic trials this April.

The Australian background could also be traced upon Zhang Lin, who came to Australia at the end of last year and was mentored by Denis Cotterell, former coach of long distance king Hackett.

In months leading to the Games, Zhang broke the 400-meters freestyle national record twice and finally hit a new high score at the Olympic Games with a personal best of 3:42.44, only 0.58 second slower than gold medalist South Korean prodigy Park Tae-wan.

"The half-year training in Australia has changed me a lot, improved my performance a lot, and definitely, I will go back to Australia to continue my training," Zhang said in reply to a question of his whereabout after the Olympics.

Besides the foreign wisdom, the country has already reduced the number of its national swimmers from over 170 before the end of 2007 to the current less than 70, an initial step forward to shape a more scientific management on the training routine.

Technology also plays a vital role to boost the country's swimming capability, according to the source with the Chinese swimming team, as a specialist team covering fields such as sports medicine,sports bio-mechanics and psychology, along with medical staff always stand by to provide health care,traditional medicine, acupuncture and massage services for the swimmers to maintain form and recover from the tiredness and injury.

"A growing awareness of technology and a scientific involvement into the routine training remain will remain as a top priority in the post-Olympic period," said Jiang Yifan, a famous sports physician who leads the specialist team.

"My job will mainly focus on discover methods to enhance the swimmer's efficiency, intensity in training and competing capability during the match", Jiang told Xinhua.

Source: Xinhua

Host stuns France to reach top eight at Beijing Olympic women's handball

2008-08-17T18:59:00.004-07:00

Host China reached the quarterfinals at Beijing Olympic women's handball after stunning European powerhouse France 21-18 in their last preliminary game here on Sunday.

"The key to our victory is the change of the defending strategy. In the previous four games, we always adopted a 3-2-1 defending system, which left too much space for opponents to break through. But today we tightened our defending line," said Kang Jae-won, silver medallist at 1988 Seoul Games.

France, fifth placer in 2007 World Championship, must have done their homework, but they appeared nail-biting in front of China's new defence system, only netting in five points 20 minutes into the game.

The host should have enjoyed an early lead, only if they could improve their shooting efficiency. Though constantly launching fast breaks after ball interception, China merely scored nine goals out of 29 shots in the first half and trailed one point at the interval.

After the match resumed, China maintained their tight defence, while paying more attention to polish their shots. Goalkeeper Huang Hong produced a number of impressive blocks in front of a jubilant local crowds, only allowing France to net home twice until midway of the second half. Meanwhile, China scored nine points to build up their lead. France mounted a fierce fightback at the end of the match, but failed to even the score until the buzzer.

"We knew France was stronger than us. But in order to achieve our goal to reach top eight, we have to beat them. We believe that everything can happen before the end of the game, so we just fought with our highest morale," said left back Wang Shasha, who paced China with five goals.

Having snatched this decisive win, China outclassed France to finish third in Group A. They will meet the second placer of Group B in next Tuesday's quarterfinals.

Source: Xinhua

DPR Korean Hong Un Jong wins women's vault Olympic gold

2008-08-17T18:59:00.003-07:00

DPR Korean Hong Un Jong wins women's vault Olympic gold

Hong Un Jong of DPR Korea scored 15.650 points to take the women's vault gold medal at the Beijing Olympic Games on Sunday.

Oksana Chusovitina of Germany got the silver in 15.575 points, and Chinese Cheng Fei settled for the bronze in 15.562 points.

Source: Xinhua

Swimming Roundup: Phelps's epic eighth gold wraps up pool competition

2008-08-17T18:59:00.001-07:00

Beijing's bubble-shaped Water Cube will long be remembered as the birthplace of an epic story - Michael Phelps and eight Olympic gold medals.

Nine days, 17 races. American superfish Phelps carefully measured every step and went through his Beijing adventure with flawless performance, placing eight gold medals under his name.

By doing so, Phelps beat legendary Mark Spitz' seven-gold mark, and also became the most prolific Olympic gold medalist beyond Spitz, Carl Lewis, Paavo Nurmi and Larysa Latynina, who won nine Olympic golds each in their career.

"I went from hitting my head on the wall to win by one hundredth of a second to doing my best time in every event. It's been nothing but an upwards roller coaster. It's been nothing but fun," Phelps said, adding "the biggest thing is nothing is impossible and all it takes is an imagination."

Phelps started his campaign with a victory in the first final of the meet last Sunday, the 400-meter individual medley, cruised through the 200-meter medley, 100-meter and 200-meter butterfly, 200-meter freestyle and both the 4x100m and 4x200m freestyle relays, and concluded his campaign with the 4x100-meter medley relay on Sunday.

His epic victory put an end to the pool competition here in Beijing, where 98 medals were shared by 19 countries.

The United States and Australia continued to be the dominant forces in the pool with the former taking away 12 gold medals and the latter possessing six. But more countries, frequently seen as relying on one swimmer, joined the gold battle and had their names written on the medal table.

Japan's Kosuke Kitajima successfully defended his titles in men's 100-meter and 200-meter breaststroke, becoming the only swimmer who has won four Olympic breaststroke gold medals, two in Athens and two in Beijing. His medals together with three bronze ones won by teammates put Japan high on the medal tally, only after the United States and Australia.

Britain, who for a long time, stayed far below on the medal tally, jumped to the fourth place thanks to a 19-year-old girl Rebecca Adlington.

Adlington, whose previous record was almost not worth mentioning, emerged as a "dark horse" in Beijing, bringing home two golds in the women's 400-meter and 800-meter freestyle.

As if that was not enough, the Olympic debutante made history by cutting the oldest standing world record in swimming set by Janet Evans of the United States in the 800-meter freestyle in 1989, the year she was born.

Germany's Britta Steffen joined the double title club by defeating Australia's world record holder Libby Trickett in women's 100-meter and 50-meter freestyle, crowning the new sprint queen.

Zimbabwe's "national treasure" Kirsty Coventry also had her country's anthem played at the Olympic arena. Coventry, by herself, pocketed one gold and three silvers in Beijing, placing her country among the swimming powers.

The Chinese also joined the gold jubilation last Thursday when 19-year-old swimmer Liu Zige smashed Australian Jessicah Schipper's world record in the women's 200-meter butterfly Thursday, snatching host China's first swimming gold at the Beijing Olympic Games.

Liu, who seemed to have come out of nowhere, took the gold in a stunning two minutes and 04.18 seconds, chopping off Schipper's previous record by more than one second. Her teammate Jiao Liuyang, aged 18, also beat Schipper in the last lap, finishing second in 2:04.72. Schipper was third in 2:06.26, well off her personal best.

Along with China, France, Italy, South Korea, Brazil, the Netherlands and Tunisia all had their golden moment at the Water Cube.

As the pool at the Water Cube quieted down, a total of 25 world records have been bettered at the venue, exceeding the total marks set in both Athens and Sydney.

Swimmers were seen smashing world records in heats and more than 70 percent of the gold medals were won by swimmers swimming under the world record pace. Michael Phelps alone grabbed contributed four individual world records.

The record-breaking spree has stirred up massive speculations, ranging from pool, water and swimsuits. People tried to find out what made swimmers go faster in Beijing.

"We are calling it the 'swimming temple" of the world," said Cornel Marculescu, executive director of aquatic sport governing body FINA. "The venue is without any doubt one of the best in the world. But the pool has no difference from others."

The FINA official accredited the increase of speed to the advances in training methods and perfection of swimming techniques. "Michael Phelps's win in men's 100m butterfly race is a perfect example."

The official also said that the roles of the new swim gears like the much hyped Speedo LZR Racer suits can't be overstated. "Athletes wearing different brands of suits can get up and win medals. Phelps, breaststroker Kitajima and Park Tae-hwan all wore trousers, instead of the much hyped full-body suits," Marculescu said.

Although Beijing sees a bigger wave of broken records than the past Olympics, it has become a rule for swimming records to be regularly broken when athletes gear themselves up for the major meets. Fourteen records were shattered in the 2000 Sydney Games alone, while the swimming records were downed 33 times in the whole year.

"People have been looking for reasons why performances have been so good. The real reason is that swimmers are swimming really well and the coaches are coaching really well," said Australian head coach Alain Thompson, on Thursday.

Source: Xinhua

Equestrian jumping competition for team and individual medals continues

2008-08-17T18:58:00.003-07:00

The equestrian jumping competition for team and individual medals at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games continued Sunday night at the Shatin Equestrian Venue.

Seventy-six riders, including seven Chinese riders, will negotiate the course.

Hong Kong rider Patrick Lam, 25, riding horse Urban, did an excellent job Friday night. He was among 13 to jump clear rounds in the initial stage.

Defending gold medalist the United States is considered as the favorite after three clear rounds in the first qualifier. The team has two of its Athens 2004 pairs, Beezie Madden riding Authentic and McLain Ward with Sapphire, competing.

Germany needs to put on a better performance to recapture the gold medal they lost at the Athens 2004 Games when Ludger Beerbaum and Goldfever were disqualified. The team starts only from 11th position.

Switzerland is banking on Christina Liebherr and Steve Guerdat, who qualified in the second spot along with Brazil and Canada.

Winner of the 2007 Pan American Games, Brazil is in good form, with only one time fault for defending individual gold medalist Rodrigo Pessoa riding Rufus in the qualifying round.

The Netherlands only has one original member of its world champion team riding: Gerco Schroder.

Canada, second to Brazil in the 2007 Pan American Games, had two clear rounds in the qualifier, including one from world No. 3 Eric Lamaze.

Jos Lansik from Belgium is a definite prospect for an individual medal after a steady round on Cumano. Sole Irish representative Denis Lynch is another contender for the individual medal. He and 10-year-old gelding Lantinus went clear in the qualifier.

Source: Xinhua

Olympic tennis event men's singles medalists

2008-08-17T18:58:00.001-07:00

Following are the Beijing Olympic Games tennis event men's singles medalists on Sunday:

Gold: Rafael Nadal, Spain

Silver: Fernando Gonzalez, Chile

Bronze: Novak Djokovic, Serbia

Source: Xinhua

Epic eight golds for phenomenal Phelps

2008-08-17T18:57:00.000-07:00

Nadal wins Olympic men's singles tennis gold

2008-08-17T18:56:00.003-07:00

China's Zou Kai wins gymnastics men's floor exercise gold

2008-08-17T18:56:00.001-07:00

Prime Minister of Estonia visits Olympic Village

2008-08-17T18:55:00.002-07:00

Canada wins men's eight rowing gold at Beijing Olympics

2008-08-17T18:55:00.001-07:00