2008 Beijing Olympics

Men's 4 x 200m Freestyle Relay: Phelps leads record relay

2008-08-13T07:00:00.000-07:00

Updated: 2008-08-13 13:05:19

(L-R) Ricky Berens, Ryan Lochte and Michael Phelps of the United States shout encouragement to Peter Vanderkaay. (Photo credit: Nick Laham/Getty Images)

(BEIJING, August 13) -- The US Men's 4 x 200m Freestyle team, led out by the indomitable Michael Phelps, smashed the world record on the way to winning the gold medal on Wednesday.

The triumph keeps alive Phelps' dream of gathering a record eight golds at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games. The win also brings Phelps his 11th career Olympic gold to date.

The US team of Phelps, Ryan Lochte, Ricky Berens and Peter Vanderkaay led for the entire race and stretched the world record margin throughout the race.

Lochte followed Phelps' lead-off leg and established command under the world record time by 3.63 seconds. Berens slightly increased this lead, handing over to Vanderkaay to anchor the relay home and extend their lead on the world record. They smashed the world record, shaving off 4.68 seconds to break the seven-minute barrier at 6:58.56.

(L-R) Ricky Berens, Peter Vanderkaay, Ryan Lochte and Michael Phelps celebrate their victory (Photo credit: Nick Laham/Getty Images)

US and Russia fought out the first 200m, with Australia's Grant Hackett edging the Russians out for second place at the 400m mark. Canada enjoyed a great third leg through Brent Hayden, to give them second place behind the US at the 600m mark.

Russia's Alexander Sukhorukov swam a fast final 200m to move past Canada and grab the silver medal in 7:03.70 which was also under the old Olympic record.

Australia, through Nick Ffrost, also overhauled the Canadians to take the Bronze medal in 7:04.98.

In Synch: China sweeps first four Diving events

2008-08-13T06:58:00.000-07:00

Updated: 2008-08-13 16:51:23

(L-R) Kai Qin and Wang Feng of China pose with the gold medal. (Photo credit: Nick Laham/Getty Images)

(BEIJING, August 13) -- China is halfway toward its dream of eight Diving gold medals after Qin Kai and Wang Feng won the Men's Synchronized 3m Springboard with a score of 469.08. The host nation has won all four Synchronized Diving events of the Beijing Olympics. Dmitry Sautin and Yuriy Kunakov of Russia earned silver, while Illya Kvasha and Oleksiy Prygorov of Ukraine took bronze.

Qin and Wang are the reigning world champions and were the heavy favorites coming into the event. Their supremacy was evident from start to finish -- they ranked first in each of their six dives, including an emphatic 94.50-point final dive that put them ahead of Russia by 50 points.

Legendary Russian diver Dmitry Sautin, five-time Olympian from 1992 through 2008, won his eighth Olympic medal at the age of 34. The Russian pair overcame an eighth-ranked fifth dive with a solid score on their final dive to secure silver.

The pair from Ukraine pulled ahead in a tight race for third with an 84-point fifth dive that put them temporarily in second place. Needing near-perfect final dives to reach the podium, the US and Canadian pairs fell short and Kvasha and Prygorov won bronze by 4.32 points.

Canadian diver Alexandre Despatie, silver medalist in the Individual 3m Springboard at Athens, and his 37-year-old partner Arturo Mirnada were in third place through the first three dives but a poor fourth dive dropped them into fifth place.

The Individual Diving events begin on August 14 with the Women's 3m Springboard. Qin Kai will take part in the Individual Men's Springboard event with compatriot He Chong. The event is scheduled to begin on August 18 and end on August 19.

Synchronized Men's 3m Springboard, final standings:

1. China -- Qin kai and Wang Feng, 469.08

2. Russia -- Dmitry Sautin and Yuriy Kunakov, 421.98

3. Ukraine -- Illya Kvasha and Oleksiy Prygorov, 415.05

4. USA -- Chris Colwill and Jevon Tarantino, 410.73

5. Canada -- Alexandre Despatie and Arturo Miranda, 409.29

6. Germany -- Pavlo Rozenberg and Sascha Klein, 402.84

7. Great Britain -- Nicholas Robinson-Baker and Benijamin Swain, 402.36

8. Australia -- Scott Robertson and Robert Newberry, 393.60

Qin Kai (L) and Wang Feng pose with gold medals. (Photo credit: Xinhua)

Wang Feng and Qin Kai compete. (Photo credit: Paul Gilham/Getty Images)

A Wrestling gold for France after 84 years

2008-08-13T06:57:00.000-07:00

Updated: 2008-08-13 18:16:48

Steeve Guénot wins the gold (Photo credit: Xinhua)

(BEIJING, August 13) -- Steeve Guénot became the new Olympic champion of the Men's Greco-Roman 66 kilogram Wrestling weight class after defeating Kanatbek Begaliev of Kyrgyzstan on August 13. He is also the first French Olympic Wrestling champion in 84 years.

The 22-year-old started the bout well, taking the first period 3-0. His opponent gained one point in the first par terre of the second period, but Guénot came back in the second par terre to take the period 3-1.

This is Guénot's best senior achievement by far. His older brother Christophe Guénot will compete in the 74kg weight class bronze bout.

The silver medalist, twenty-four-year-old Begaliev, placed 11th in Athens four years ago. He was also the silver medalist at the 2006 World Championships.

China makes history by winning its first Team gold in Women's Gymnastics

2008-08-13T06:56:00.000-07:00

Updated: 2008-08-13 12:53:33

China team gains the highest place on the podium. (Photo credit: Xinhua)

(BEIJING, August 13) -- China made history today by winning its first Olympic gold medal in the Team event of Women's Gymnastics. China won the gold medal with a total of 188.900 points.

The United States won the silver medal with a total of 186.525 points and Romania won the bronze with a total of 181.525 points.

China entered the Team final as favorites, but it was pushed all the way by a determined United States. The two sides' first rotation was the Vault, with the United States taking a slender lead.

The second rotation for China and the United States was the Uneven Bars, which is regarded as China's specialty. China did not disappoint, gaining the lead with a dominant display on the apparatus.

He Kexin and Yang Yilin were outstanding in the Uneven Bars, scoring 16.850 and 16.800 respectively. Despite the best efforts of the United States' Nastia Liukin, who scored 16.900, the United States could not overcome China's dominance of the apparatus.

The United States gained slightly more points than China in the Balance Beam, a rotation that was marked by the mistakes of the United States' Alicia Sacramone and China's Cheng Fei. Sacramone was clearly affected by her mistake and also performed poorly in the next rotation, the Floor Exercise.

US team on the podium. (Photo credit: Xinhua)

The United States could not afford to make any mistakes against a disciplined Chinese side. China's Li Shanshan improved her country's chances of winning the gold medal by scoring 16.050 in the Balance Beam. This was an individual score that even the elegant Liukin could not match.

China's most experienced campaigner Cheng Fei sealed the victory with a solid performance in the Floor exercise.

Romania surprised Russia by winning the bronze medal. Romania performed well in the Floor Exercise, with only China receiving a higher score. Russia scored poorly in the Balance Beam and finished with a total score of 180.625.

The fifth to eighth places in the Team final were taken by Japan, Australia, France and Brazil.

Today's Medallists As of Aug 12 2008

2008-08-12T07:39:00.000-07:00

Discipline	Event	Medal	Name	NOC
Canoe/Kayak - Slalom	Canoe Single (C1) Men		MARTIKAN Michal	Slovakia
			FLORENCE David	Great Britain
			BELL Robin	Australia
	Kayak (K1) Men		GRIMM Alexander	Germany
			LEFEVRE Fabien	France
			BOUKPETI Benjamin	Togo
Diving	Women's Synchronised 10m Platform		WANG Xin, CHEN Ruolin	China
			COLE Briony, WU Melissa	Australia
			ESPINOSA Paola, ORTIZ Tatiana	Mexico
Equestrian	Eventing Team		THOMSEN Peter, OSTHOLT Frank, ROMEIKE Hinrich, KLIMKE Ingrid, DIBOWSKI Andreas	Germany
			FREDERICKS Clayton, FREDERICKS Lucinda, JONES Megan, JOHNSON Sonja, ROSE Shane	Australia
			DICK Daisy, FOX-PITT William, COOK Kristina, HUNT Sharon, KING Mary	Great Britain
Fencing	Men's Individual Sabre		ZHONG Man	China
			LOPEZ Nicolas	France
			COVALIU Mihai	Romania
Gymnastics Artistic	Men's Team		CHEN Yibing, HUANG Xu, LI Xiaopeng, XIAO Qin, YANG Wei, ZOU Kai	China
			KASHIMA Takehiro, NAKASE Takuya, OKIGUCHI Makoto, SAKAMOTO Koki, TOMITA Hiroyuki, UCHIMURA Kohei	Japan
			ARTEMEV Alexander, BHAVSAR Raj, HAGERTY Joey, HORTON Jonathan, SPRING Justin, TAN Kai Wen	United States
Judo	Men -81 kg		BISCHOF Ole	Germany
			KIM Jaebum	Korea
			GONTIUK Roman	Ukraine
			CAMILO Tiago	Brazil
	Women -63 kg		TANIMOTO Ayumi	Japan
			DECOSSE Lucie	France
			WILLEBOORDSE Elisabeth	Netherlands
			WON Ok Im	DPR Korea
Shooting	Men's 50m Pistol		JIN Jong Oh	Korea
			KIM Jong Su	DPR Korea
			TAN Zongliang	China
	Men's Double Trap		ELLER Walton	United States
			D ANIELLO Francesco	Italy
			HU Binyuan	China
Swimming	Women's 100m Backstroke		COUGHLIN Natalie	United States
			COVENTRY Kirsty	Zimbabwe
			HOELZER Margaret	United States
	Women's 100m Breaststroke		JONES Leisel	Australia
			SONI Rebecca	United States
			JUKIC Mirna	Austria
	Men's 200m Freestyle		PHELPS Michael	United States
			PARK Taehwan	Korea
			VANDERKAAY Peter	United States
	Men's 100m Backstroke		PEIRSOL Aaron	United States
			GREVERS Matt	United States
			STOECKEL Hayden	Australia
			VYATCHANIN Arkady	Russian Fed.
Weightlifting	Men's 69kg		LIAO Hui	China
			DABAYA-TIENTCHEU Vencelas	France
			MARTIROSYAN Tigran Gevorg	Armenia
	Women's 63kg		PAK Hyon Suk	DPR Korea
			NEKRASSOVA Irina	Kazakhstan
			LU Ying-Chi	Chinese Taipei
Wrestling	Men's Greco-Roman 55 kg		MANKIEV Nazyr	Russian Fed.
			BAYRAMOV Rovshan	Azerbaijan
			AMOYAN Roman	Armenia
			PARK Eun-Chul	Korea
	Men's Greco-Roman 60 kg		ALBIEV Islam-Beka	Russian Fed.
			RAHIMOV Vitaliy	Azerbaijan
			TIUMENBAEV Ruslan	Kyrgyzstan
			TENGIZBAYEV Nurbakyt	Kazakhstan

2008-08-12 21:52:06
GL0000000_92B 55.0

Men's 200m Freestyle: Record-setting Phelps takes third gold

2008-08-12T07:34:00.000-07:00

Updated: 2008-08-12 11:36:58

Michael Phelps waves to the spectators. (Photo credit: Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images)

(BEIJING, August 12) -- Michael Phelps (USA) eased his way to gold and a world record in the Men's 200m Freestyle final on Tuesday at the National Aquatic Center, and remains on course to win eight gold medals at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games.

World record holder and world champion Phelps had been fourth-fastest into the final in 1:46.28, but stepped up a gear when it was required.

He won in 1:42.96 to beat his previous world mark of 1:43.86 set in Melbourne in 2007.

Park Tae-hwan from the Republic of Korea, who won the Gold medal in the 400m Freestyle on Sunday, was second to Phelps throughout the race and held off a challenge from Peter Vanderkaay (USA) to touch for the silver medal in 1:44.85, 1.89 seconds behind Phelps.

Vanderkay, who had qualified fastest for the final, won the bronze medal in 1:45.14.

Phelps won the bronze medal in the 200m Freestyle at the Athens 2004 Olympic Games, but left no doubts as to who now dominates the event after easily dismissing Park's challenge.

So far, the only scare in his gold medal clean sweep bid has been in the Men's 4 x 100m Freestyle relay, where the US came from behind to just edge out France in a memorable final on Monday.

Phelps will now turn his attention to the Men's 200m Butterfly, an event in which he is the defending Olympic champion, world champion and world record holder. The final for the 200m Butterfly will be held on the morning of Wednesday, 13 August.

(L-R) Park Taehwan, Michael Phelps and Peter Vanderkaay (Photo credit: Clive Rose/Getty Images)

Michael Phelps celebrates. (Photo credit: Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images)

12 years later, Martikán's comeback C1 gold

2008-08-12T07:33:00.000-07:00

Updated: 2008-08-12 19:28:45

Michal Martikán wins it again! (Photo credit: Getty Images)

(BEIJING, August 12) -- After winning the gold in 1996 but coming in second at the next two Olympics, Michal Martikán of Slovakia recaptured first place in the Men's Slalom Canoe Single competition on August 12, finishing first in both the semifinal and final races with a combined total time of 176.65 seconds.

Martikán got a two-second penalty in both of his races, but his finishing times of 86.92 seconds in the semifinal run and 85.73 in the final run were enough to clinch the gold, even after a total of four penalty seconds were added.

The medalists: David Florence (left), Michal Martikán (middle), Robin Bell (right) (Photo credit: Getty Images)

David Florence of Great Britain took the silver with a combined time of 178.61 seconds, 1.96 seconds behind Martikán's total time. He only had one two-second penalty, in his semifinal run where he finished fourth overall.

Robin Bell of Australia came in at 180.59 seconds for the bronze, also coming back from a lower ranking of fifth in the semifinal where he got a two-second penalty.

French paddler Tony Estanguet, who was on a quest for his third consecutive gold medal, finished ninth in the semifinal with a time of 93.92 seconds, 5.00 full seconds behind first place Martikán. After taking the gold over Martikán in two consecutive Olympics, Estanguet did not even advance to the final in Beijing.

Michal Martikán in the final (Photo credit: Getty Images)

In the semifinal run, the Czech Republic's Stanislav Ježek passed the finish line 0.93 seconds behind Martikán for a time of 89.85 seconds and second place, while the semifinal's third place slot went to Krzysztof Bieryt of Poland with 90.08 seconds. Both of these paddlers had no penalties added to their semifinal times, but Ježek got four penalty seconds in the final, and Bieryt had two penalty seconds. Czech paddler Ježek ended up with 92.44 seconds in his final run, moving him to sixth place, and Poland's Bieryt with 110.13 seconds came in eighth in the final and last in the total ranking.

Meanwhile, Great Britain's Florence finished the final run in 88.15 seconds and Australian Bell behind him with 89.43 seconds, moving them up to the medal spots. Both incurred no penalty seconds in the final.

While all the other paddlers' rankings switched between the semifinal and final races, only Martikán retained his first place spot in both runs, definitively taking the gold.

China proves itself as Fencing power

2008-08-12T07:32:00.000-07:00

Updated: 2008-08-12 20:59:48

Zhong Man drapes himself in the Chinese flag. (Photo credit:　Nick Laham/Getty Images)

(BEIJING, August 12) -- China's Zhong Man claimed the gold medal in a 15-9 two-round bout in the final of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games Men's Individual Sabre on August 12 at the Fencing Hall. Nicholas Lopez of France took home the silver.

In so doing, Zhong became the first Chinese fencer in Olympic history to win this event.

"I feel as though I'm dreaming and now I'm more confident about the Team event. I want to dedicate this gold medal to my coach, Christian Bauer ," lauded Zhong.

Mihai Covaliu won the bronze medal final with a score of 15-11 against fourth place finisher Julien Pillet of France in a bout that only lasted two rounds.

Zhong (R) and Lopez competing in the Men's Individual Sabre gold medal match (Photo Credit: Getty Images)

"I did everything I could but Covaliu is a little bit stronger than I am and I was just really tired," Pillet said after losing his bout.

Some big names in the event were knocked out early in the day, with Athens 2004 silver medalist Zsolt Nemcsik of Hungary and Russian Stanislav Pozdnyakov failing to reach the quarterfinals.

Makela-Nummela wins gold in the Women's Trap

2008-08-11T06:54:00.000-07:00

Updated: 2008-08-11 16:28:43

(L-R) Zuzana Stefecekova, Satu Makela-Nummela and Corey Cogdell. (Photo credit: Getty Images)

(BEIJING, August 11) -- Despite missing four targets in the final, Satu Makela-Nummela of Finland did enough to win a gold medal in the Women's Trap in Beijing on August 11. Makela-Nummela finished with a final score of 91.

Makela-Nummela started strongly in the final to hit her first 11 targets. Her major opponent was Slovakia's Zuzana Stefecekova, who was tied in first place with Makela-Nummela after the qualification round on 70 points and missed three targets in her first 11 shots and fell behind Makela-Nummela in the opening stages of the final.

Though Makela-Nummela missed four of her last 14 targets, Stefecekova missed three targets herself and lost the opportunity to win the gold medal. Stefecekova finally finished with a silver medal after hitting a total of 89 targets.

The other four shooters in the final were tied on 86 hits, so a four-way shoot-off was held. The United States' Corey Cogdell won the bronze medal after being the only shooter to hit the target on her first shot in the shoot-off.

Today's Medallists As of Aug 11 2008

2008-08-11T06:34:00.000-07:00

Discipline	Event	Medal	Name	NOC
Archery	Men's Team		IM Dong-Hyun, LEE Chang-Hwan, PARK Kyung-Mo	Korea
			DI BUO' Ilario, GALIAZZO Marco, NESPOLI Mauro	Italy
			XUE Hai Feng, LI Wenquan, JIANG Lin	China
Diving	Men's Synchronised 10m Platform		LIN Yue, HUO Liang	China
			HAUSDING Patrick, KLEIN Sascha	Germany
			GALPERIN Gleb, DOBROSKOK Dmitriy	Russian Fed.
Fencing	Women's Individual Foil		VEZZALI Maria Valentina	Italy
			HYUNHEE Nam	Korea
			GRANBASSI Margherita	Italy
Judo	Men -73 kg		MAMMADLI Elnur	Azerbaijan
			WANG Kichun	Korea
			BOQIEV Rasul	Tajikistan
			GUILHEIRO Leandro	Brazil
	Women -57 kg		QUINTAVALLE Giulia	Italy
			GRAVENSTIJN Deborah	Netherlands
			XU Yan	China
			QUADROS Ketleyn	Brazil
Shooting	Men's 10m Air Rifle		BINDRA Abhinav	India
			ZHU Qinan	China
			HAKKINEN Henri	Finland
	Women's Trap		MAKELA-NUMMELA Satu	Finland
			STEFECEKOVA Zuzana	Slovakia
			COGDELL Corey	United States
Swimming	Women's 400m Freestyle		ADLINGTON Rebecca	Great Britain
			HOFF Katie	United States
			JACKSON Joanne	Great Britain
	Women's 100m Butterfly		TRICKETT Lisbeth	Australia
			MAGNUSON Christine	United States
			SCHIPPER Jessicah	Australia
	Men's 100m Breaststroke		KITAJIMA Kosuke	Japan
			OEN Alexander Dale	Norway
			DUBOSCQ Hugues	France
	Men's 4 x 100m Freestyle Relay		PHELPS Michael, WEBER-GALE Garrett, JONES Cullen, LEZAK Jason, ADRIAN Nathan, WILDMAN-TOBRINER Ben, GREVERS Matt	United States
			LEVEAUX Amaury, GILOT Fabien, BOUSQUET Frederick, BERNARD Alain, MALLET Gregory, STEIMETZ Boris	France
			SULLIVAN Eamon, LAUTERSTEIN Andrew, CALLUS Ashley, TARGETT Matt, BRODIE Leith, MURPHY Patrick	Australia
Weightlifting	Men's 62kg		ZHANG Xiangxiang	China
			SALAZAR Diego	Colombia
			TRIYATNO	Indonesia
	Women's 58kg		CHEN Yanqing	China
			SHAINOVA Marina	Russian Fed.
			O Jong Ae	DPR Korea

2008-08-11 21:07:26
GL0000000_92B 37.0

Men's 4 x 100m Freestyle Relay: USA obliterates world record

2008-08-11T06:28:00.000-07:00

Updated: 2008-08-11 13:51:33

(L-R) Cullen Jones, Jason Lezak, Michael Phelps and Garrett Weber-Gale pose with the gold (Photo credit: Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)

(BEIJING, August 11)-- In one of the all-time great relay swims, the United States overhauled the French team in the shadows of the finish line to complete a stunning Men's 4 x 100m Freestyle Relay win on Monday, smashing the world record by nearly four seconds in the process.

The US team of Michael Phelps, Garret Weber-Gale, Cullen Jones and Jason Lezak proved unstoppable, with Lezak producing a superb anchor leg to reel in Alain Bernard of France and give the US a victory by 0.08 seconds in 3min 08.24sec. Australia took Bronze in 3:09.91.

The world record set by the US on Saturday was smashed by the Americans again - by a stunning 3.99 seconds - and the first five finishers in the final (United States, France, Australia, Italy and Sweden) all went under the old world record.

The US and Australia went head-to-head for the first 200m, with France further back. France's Frederick Bousquet slipped past the Australians in the third leg to challenge for the lead. Lezak went into the final leg well behind Bernard, with the Frenchman holding a comfortable lead, but then Lezak began to haul in a fading Bernard over the final 30m. With both men lunging for the line, Lezak just touched out Bernard to give the US gold.

The US relay team celebrate (Photo credit: Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)

"It was unbelievable! Jason (Lezak) finished the race better than we could have asked for. In the last 50 (meters), I was like, this is going to be a really close race. At the end, as you could see I was pretty excited, I was very emotional," Phelps said after the race.

Australia's Eamon Sullivan set a world record for the Men's 100m with a stunning lead-off leg of 47.24 to shave more than two-tenths of a second off Bernard's old mark. Sullivan's superb swim means the 22-year-old will start as favorite in front of Bernard for the Men's 100m Freestyle. Heats start on Tuesday, 12 August.

China two for two in Diving

2008-08-11T06:26:00.000-07:00

Updated: 2008-08-11 16:49:49

Lin Yue and Huo Liang compete. (Photo credit: Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)

(BEIJING, August 11) -- Michael Phelps is not the only one on a quest for eight at the National Aquatics Center. Lin Yue and Huo Liang took gold in Men's Synchronized 10m Platform with 468.18 points to keep China's hope for a Diving sweep alive. Sascha Klein and Patrick Hausding of Germany won silver, while Dmitriy Dobroskok and Gleb Galperin of Russia won bronze.

Lin and Huo, the reigning world champions, rewarded the faith of an enthusiastic home crowd by performing all six dives solidly, holding off fierce competition from Germany, Russia and Australia. The young Chinese pair is competing at their first Olympics, but seemed unaffected by the pressure.

Klein, who claimed gold at the 2008 World Cup in the Individual 10m Platform, and Hausing executed a near perfect fifth dive to earn a top-ranked score of 96.90 and clinch silver, 5.16 points ahead of Russia. The Russian pair was firmly in second place until a disastrous fifth dive -- ranked last in the field -- put them at risk to miss the podium. A 90.06-point final dive was ranked below Australia's final dive score of 92.34, but was enough to earn Russia bronze -- by just 0.42 points.

Robert Newbery of Australia, a bronze medalist in Athens, and partner Mathew Helm stuck with the leaders until the very end but were hurt by a poor fourth dive. Great Britain's Tom Daley made his Olympic debut at just 14 years old. He finished in last place with partner Blake Aldridge but may be a medal contender in the Individual Platform event, which is scheduled to begin August 22 and conclude August 23.

Synchronized Men's 10m Platform, Final standings:

1. China -- Lin Yue and Huo Liang, 468.18 points

2. Germany -- Sascha Klein and Patrick Hausding, 450.42

3. Russia -- Gleb Galperin and Dmitriy Dobroskok, 445.26

4. Australia -- Robert Newberry and Mathew Helm, 444.84

5. United States -- David Boudia and Thomas Finchum, 440.64

6. Colombia -- Victor Ortega and Juan Guillermo Uran, 423.66

7. Cuba -- Jose Antonio Guerra Oliva and Erick Fornaris, 409.38

8. Great Britain -- Thomas Daley and Blake Aldridge, 408.48

Flash: Zhang Xiangxiang wins fourth Weightlifting gold for China

2008-08-11T06:24:00.000-07:00

Updated: 2008-08-11 20:48:24

Zhang Xiangxiang wins another weightlifting gold for China. (Photo credit: Getty Images)

(BEIJING, August 11) -- Zhang Xiangxiang won China's second Weightlifting medal of the day after lifting 319 kilograms in the Men's 62kg Weightlifting competition on August 11.

Zhang lifted 143kg in the Snatch, one kilogram above second place Ji Hunmin of Republic of Korea. Diego Salazar of Colombia and Im Yong Su of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea tied at 138kg.

Zhang then went on to lift 176kg in the Clean and Jerk and took the gold medal. Ji and Im surprisingly failed all three attempts in the Clean and Jerk and handed over the chance to Salazar, who lifted 167kg and took the silver medal with a total weight of 305kg. Indonesia's Triyatno placed third with a total weight of 298kg.

Today's Medallists As of Aug 10 2008

2008-08-10T06:47:00.000-07:00

Discipline	Event	Medal	Name	NOC
Archery	Women's Team		PARK Sung-Hyun, YUN Ok-Hee, JOO Hyun-Jung	Korea
			ZHANG Juan Juan, CHEN Ling, GUO Dan	China
			ARNOLD Virginie, DODEMONT Sophie, SCHUH Berengere	France
Cycling - Road	Women's Road Race		COOKE Nicole	Great Britain
			JOHANSSON Emma	Sweden
			GUDERZO Tatiana	Italy
Diving	Women's Synchronised 3m Springboard		GUO Jingjing, WU Minxia	China
			PAKHALINA Julia, POZDNYAKOVA Anastasia	Russian Fed.
			KOTZIAN Ditte, FISCHER Heike	Germany
Fencing	Men's Individual Epee		TAGLIARIOL Matteo	Italy
			JEANNET Fabrice	France
			ABAJO Jose Luis	Spain
Judo	Men -66 kg		UCHISHIBA Masato	Japan
			DARBELET Benjamin	France
			ARENCIBIA Yordanis	Cuba
			PAK Chol Min	DPR Korea
	Women -52 kg		XIAN Dongmei	China
			AN Kum Ae	DPR Korea
			HADDAD Soraya	Algeria
			NAKAMURA Misato	Japan
Shooting	Men's Trap		KOSTELECKY David	Czech Republic
			PELLIELO Giovanni	Italy
			ALIPOV Alexey	Russian Fed.
	Women's 10m Air Pistol		GUO Wenjun	China
			PADERINA Natalia	Russian Fed.
			SALUKVADZE Nino	Georgia
Swimming	Women's 400m Individual Medley		RICE Stephanie	Australia
			COVENTRY Kirsty	Zimbabwe
			HOFF Katie	United States
	Women's 4x100m Freestyle Relay		DEKKER Inge, KROMOWIDJOJO Ranomi, HEEMSKERK Femke, VELDHUIS Marleen, SCHREUDER Hinkelien, van ROOIJEN Manon	Netherlands
			COUGHLIN Natalie, NYMEYER Lacey, JOYCE Kara Lynn, TORRES Dara, SMIT Julia, SILVER Emily	United States
			CAMPBELL Cate, MILLS Alice, SCHLANGER Melanie, TRICKETT Lisbeth, REESE Shayne	Australia
	Men's 400m Freestyle		PARK Taehwan	Korea
			ZHANG Lin	China
			JENSEN Larsen	United States
	Men's 400m Individual Medley		PHELPS Michael	United States
			CSEH Laszlo	Hungary
			LOCHTE Ryan	United States
Weightlifting	Men's 56kg		LONG Qingquan	China
			HOANG Anh Tuan	Vietnam
			IRAWAN Eko Yuli	Indonesia
	Women's 53kg		JAROENRATTANATARAKOON P.	Thailand
			YOON Jinhee	Korea
			NOVIKAVA Nastassia	Belarus

Photos: China's Long Qingquan wins Men's 56kg Weightlifting gold

2008-08-10T06:42:00.000-07:00

Updated: 2008-08-10 21:14:50

Long Qingquan poses on the podium. (Photo credit: Mike Hewitt/Getty)

Long Qingquan poses on the podium. (Photo credit: Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)

Long Qingquan of China claims the Men's 56kg Weightlifting gold at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China, on August 10, 2008.

Long Qingquan attempts a lift. (Photo credit: Harry How/Getty Images)

Long Qingquan completes a lift. (Photo credit: Harry How/Getty Images)

Long Qingquan celebrates after a successful lift. (Photo credit: Harry How/Getty Images)

Photos: Chinese gold medalist Pang Wei

2008-08-10T06:40:00.000-07:00

Updated: 2008-08-09 16:24:51

Pang Wei of China competes. (Photo credit: Phil Walter/Getty Images)

China's Pang Wei was declared the gold medal winner in the Men's 10m Air Pistol event, held at the Beijing Shooting Range Hall during day 1 of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games on August 9, 2008 in Beijing.

Pang Wei of China celebrates victory on the podium. (Photo credit: Harry How/Getty Images)

Medalists pose on the podium. (Photo credit: Phil Walter/Getty Images)

Pang Wei of China during medal ceremony.(Photo credit: Bao Feifei)/Xinhua)

Photos: Guo takes Women's 10m Air Pistol gold

2008-08-10T06:38:00.000-07:00

Updated: 2008-08-10 13:20:43

Guo Wenjun of China competes. (Photo credit: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)

The final of the Women's 10m Air Pistol was held at the Beijing Shooting Range Hall during day two of the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympic Games on August 10, 2008 in Beijing, China. Guo finished in first place with 492.3 points, setting a new Olympic Record. Natalia Paderina of Russia picked up the silver with 489.1 points. The bronze medal went to Nino Salukvadze of Georgia, who scored 487.4 points.

(L-R) Natalia Paderina, Guo Wenjun, and Nino Salukvadze (Photo credit: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)

Guo Wenjun of China celebrates. (Photo credit: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)

China pair gold again(Diving Gold Medal)

2008-08-10T05:52:00.000-07:00

Updated: 2008-08-10 16:47:16

(L-R) Julia Pakhalina and Anastasia Pozdnyakova, Guo Jingjing and Wu Minxia and Ditte Kotzian and Heike Fischer (Photo credit: Al Bello/Getty Images)

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(BEIJING, August 10) -- China's "Golden Pair" Guo Jingjing and Wu Minxia claimed their second consecutive Olympic gold in Synchronized Women's 3m Springboard with a score of 343.50 on Sunday, August 10, at National Aquatics Center. Russians Julia Pakhalina and Anastasia Pozdnyakova finished second, while Ditte Kotzian and Heike Fischer of Germany finished third.

China was tied for first with Russia and the United States after the first dive, with a score of 52.80, then pulled ahead with three 10s on their second dive and never looked back. Their lead over Russia after an 81.90-point fourth dive was 17.37, making gold all but certain, and a score of 75.60 on the final dive sealed the deal.

Guo Jingjing and Wu Minxia pose with their gold medals. (Photo credit: Al Bello/Getty Images)

The Russian duo were locked into second place after their second dive, clinching silver with consistent scores on their third, fourth and fifth dives. Julia Pakhalina is a three-time Olympian and was the gold medalist in Sydney.

The battle for bronze was fierce, with Germany and the United States tied for third after the fourth dives. Germany earned the best fifth-dive score in the field, scoring a 76.50 that edged the US divers by 4.5 points and pushed the Germans onto the podium.

Individual Women's 3m Springboard begins on August 15 and concludes August 17.

Final standings of Synchronized Women's 3m Springboard

1. China -- Guo Jingjing and Wu Minxia, 343.50 points

2. Russia -- Julia Pakhalina and Anastasia Pozdnyakova, 323.61

3. Germany -- Ditte Kotzian and Heike Fischer, 318.90

4. United States -- Kelci Bryant and Ariel Rittenhouse, 314.40

5. Australia -- Briony Cole and Sharleen Stratton, 311.34

6. Italy -- Noemi Batki and Francesca Dallape, 296.70

7. Ukraine -- Mariya Voloshchenko and Anna Pysmenska, 293.10

8. Great Britain -- Tandi Gerrard and Harley Sage, 278.25

Overall Medal Standings of 2008 Beijing Olympics

2008-08-09T06:46:00.000-07:00

update 2008-08-09

Rank	NOC Name	Men				Women				Open/Mixed				Total				Rank by Total
Rank	NOC Name	G	S	B	T	G	S	B	T	G	S	B	T	G	S	B	T	Rank by Total
1	CHN - China	1			1	1			1					2			2	=2
2	USA - United States					1	1	1	3					1	1	1	3	1
3	KOR - Korea	1	1		2									1	1		2	=2
4	CZE - Czech Republic					1			1					1			1	=4
4	ESP - Spain	1			1									1			1	=4
4	ROU - Romania					1			1					1			1	=4
7	AUT - Austria		1		1										1		1	=4
7	CUB - Cuba						1		1						1		1	=4
7	ITA - Italy		1		1										1		1	=4
7	RUS - Russian Fed.						1		1						1		1	=4
7	TUR - Turkey						1		1						1		1	=4
12	ARG - Argentina							1	1							1	1	=4
12	CRO - Croatia							1	1							1	1	=4
12	JPN - Japan							1	1							1	1	=4
12	NED - Netherlands			1	1											1	1	=4
12	PRK - DPR Korea			1	1											1	1	=4
12	SUI - Switzerland			1	1											1	1	=4
12	TPE - Chinese Taipei							1	1							1	1	=4
12	UZB - Uzbekistan			1	1											1	1	=4
Total:		3	3	4	10	4	4	5	13					7	7	9	23

Today's Medallists

2008-08-09T06:43:00.000-07:00

As of Aug 9 2008

Discipline	Event	Medal	Name	NOC
Cycling - Road	Men's Road Race		SANCHEZ Samuel	Spain
			REBELLIN Davide	Italy
			CANCELLARA Fabian	Switzerland
Fencing	Women's Individual Sabre		ZAGUNIS Mariel	United States
			JACOBSON Sada	United States
			WARD Becca	United States
Judo	Men -60 kg		CHOI Minho	Korea
			PAISCHER Ludwig	Austria
			HOUKES Ruben	Netherlands
			SOBIROV Rishod	Uzbekistan
	Women -48 kg		DUMITRU Alina Alexandra	Romania
			BERMOY Yanet	Cuba
			PARETO Paula Belen	Argentina
			TANI Ryoko	Japan
Shooting	Men's 10m Air Pistol		PANG Wei	China
			JIN Jong Oh	Korea
			KIM Jong Su	DPR Korea
	Women's 10m Air Rifle		EMMONS Katerina	Czech Republic
			GALKINA Lioubov	Russian Fed.
			PEJCIC Snjezana	Croatia
Weightlifting	Women's 48kg		CHEN Xiexia	China
			OZKAN Sibel	Turkey
			CHEN Wei-Ling	Chinese Taipei

Champion Chen of China with 48kg Olympic Record(Gold Medal)

2008-08-09T06:38:00.000-07:00

Updated: 2008-08-09 13:44:24

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(BEIJING, August 9) -- Chen Xiexia of China performed with the confidence of a champion throughout the Women's 48 kilogram Weightlifting competition on August 9, successfully completing all her attempts for a gold medal finish with 95kg in the Snatch and 117kg in the Clean and Jerk for a total of 212kg, a new Olympic Record.

Chen also set an Olympic record in the Clean and Jerk with 117kg.

China's Chen adds this Olympic gold medal to her collection of golds from the 2007 World Championships and 2007 Asian championships.

Turkey's Sibel Ozkan won the silver medal with 88kg in the Snatch and a successful 111kg in the Clean and Jerk for a 199kg total.

Chen Wei-Ling of Chinese Taipei is the bronze winner, with 84kg in the Snatch and 112kg in the Clean and Jerk for a 196kg total finish.

Defending gold medalist Nurcan Taylan of Turkey, the previous Olympic Record-holder who lifted a total 210kg in Athens, bombed-out in the Snatch and was subsequently knocked out of competition. She kissed the left side weight discs on her barbell before waving to the crowd on the way out.

Taylan wasn't the only competitor to bomb-out in the Snatch. Italy's Genny Caterina Pagliaro, the youngest competitor in this weight class at 19-years old, didn't finish, nor did Pramsiri Bunphithak of Thailand, the 2004 Athens silver medalist.

The Snatch bomb-out streak didn't last too long. The eventual fourth place finished, Republic of Korea's Im Jyounghwa, couldn't complete her final attempt of 88kg but finished the Snatch with 86kg. Thailand's Pensiri Laosirikul, who came in fifth, just barely avoided a Snatch bomb-out herself, finally lifting 85kg on her final attempt.

Turkey's Ozkan managed 86kg on her first Snatch attempt, and hit her 88kg lift on the third try. Chen Wei-Ling achieved her 84kg lift in the Snatch on her first attempt, but failed the next two times.

China's Chen made her first attempt in the Snatch of 90kg with barely a struggle, and followed it up with two more seemingly effortless lifts at 93kg and then 95kg, punctuating each success with a quick bow. Her performance ignited the crowd, and with each lift their cheers of "Let's go China!" grew louder. Finishing 7kg above Ozkan in the Snatch made Chen almost a lock for the gold, since she is the current World Record-holder for the Clean and Jerk.

As for some of the other competitors, Nicaragua's Carla Moreno finished 85kg in Clean and Jerk for a last place total of 150kg. Marilou Dozois-Prevost of Canada successfully lifted 90kg in the Clean and Jerk for a 166kg total. Misaki Oshiro of Japan and Marzena Karpinska of Poland both lifted 92kg in the Clean and Jerk, but Oshiro finished with a 172kg total while Karpinska's total was 171kg.

Melanie Noel of France lifted 97kg but failed twice to complete 100kg, finishing at a 177kg total.

Japan's Hiromi Miyake came out full speed with the first triple-digit successful lift of the competition, 105kg on her first Clean and Jerk attempt, although she stumbled a bit causing only two of the three judges to call it a successful attempt. She finished with 185kg for her total.

Thai lifter Laosirikul celebrated her first Clean and Jerk attempt, a successful 110kg,but ultimately missed the podium by one kilogram with a 195kg total.

ROK's Im was able to complete her 106kg Clean and Jerk first attempt in good form, and finished the Clean and Jerk with 110kg successfully lifted. Im's total of 196kg was even with bronze medalist Chen Wei-Ling of Chinese Taipei, but she fell short of the podium because Chen had a lower body weight at the pre-competition weigh-in.

Chinese Taipei's Chen easily hit 108kg in her first Clean and Jerk attempt, and 112kg on her second attempt. Junior World Champion Ozkan finished the Clean and Jerk with 111kg in her third attempt, less than Chen Wei-Ling, but with a total of 199kg Ozkan knew she was likely to reach the podium. She ran off to hug her coach, who also erupted in a display of excitement.

When Chen Wei-Ling collapsed at the last second in her final attempt of 115kg and ended with a 196kg total, Ozkan began to tear up backstage over the exciting realization that she would be the silver medalist.

The crowd was alive again for China's Chen Xiexia, who started her Clean and Jerk attempt at 113kg, one kilogram above the last successful attempt of her competitors. Her completion of this first attempt made it beyond a doubt that she would be the gold medalist. She followed with 115kg and 117kg in her next two attempts, and clinched the gold with a 212kg total.

While Chen Xiexia set a new Olympic Record, she did not break her own personal best of 214kg in the total, nor any World Records. She still holds the Clean and Jerk World Record of 120kg, and her compatriot Yang Lian has the World Record in the Snatch with 98kg and the total with 217kg.

China now holds 14 of 20 Olympic records in Women's Weightlifting.

Chen Xiexia's gold was the first medal of the 2008 Olympic Weightlifting competition. All Weightlifting events are held in the Beijing University of Aeronautics & Astronautics Gymnasium.

Spain's Samuel Sanchez wins gold in Men's Road Race(Gold Medal)

2008-08-09T06:36:00.000-07:00

Updated: 2008-08-09 19:57:09

Samuel Sanchez of Spain celebrates winning the gold medal. (Photo credit: Vladimir Rys/Bongarts/Getty Images)

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(BEIJING, August 9) -- Spaniard Samuel Sanchez bested the charging pack of riders in the final moments of the men's 245-kilometer road race to win the gold medal on the first day of the Beijing Olympics.

The 30-year-old cyclist clocked six hours 23 minutes and 49 seconds, just ahead of Italy's Davide Rebellin. Switzerland's Fabian Cancellara took third in the sprint to the Great Wall finish line.

Sanchez and Rebellin led the final stretch of the race with Cancellara escaping the peloton for a last minute charge on the lead.

The gold is Sanchez's 17th UCI career win and Spain's first ever medal in the Men's Olympic Road Race.

"It's like a dream. I still can't believe I've just won the Gold medal. It's something that's out of the world. The heat and humidity were extreme. There were only five of us on the team; we were all at the front working as a unit. I was saving my legs for the final lap. It's like a victory for all of us," Sanchez said following the race.

Davide Rebellin celebrates his 37th birthday today with a silver medal. Rebellin's win brings Italy its eight medal in the event, the most for any national team.

"Today is my birthday, so it's a special moment before. It's great to be on the Olympic podium. I would have liked to have won, of course. Samuel Sanchez was the strongest today," said Rebellin.

Athens 2004 Olympian Fabian Cancellara of Switzerland finished in third place. The 27-year-old time two-time world time trial champion will also compete in Wednesday's Individual Time Trial event.

"Bronze is more than I expected. I had a very good race. It showed my preparation was very good. In the end it was not the best course – I had to follow. I did that because of the descent and the wind. When you are alone without teammates, you just have to follow. Now I look forward to the Time Trial," Cancellara said.

The race took place on the mountainous course beginning in Beijing and ending along the ramparts of the Great Wall northwest of the capital. The course passed historical landmarks including the Temple of Heaven, Tiananmen Square and the National Stadium in a route that sliced north across the heart of Beijing. The finish for the race was a 700-meter climb at 6% grade to the Cloud Platform, a carved marble archway that marked the finish line.

Feature: Katerina Emmons -- Shooting Golden Girl(shooting gold medals )

2008-08-09T06:34:00.000-07:00

Updated: 2008-08-09 21:07:28

Golden girl Emmons takes aim (Photo credit: Chen Gong)

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You could say that shooting is in the blood for Katerina Emmons, the first gold medallist of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games.

Not only is the winner of the Women's 10 meter Air Rifle the daughter of two-time world champion Petr Kurka, who doubles as her coach, she is also married to Athens shooting gold medallist, Matt Emmons.

In fact, the 24-year-old Czech Republic sharp-shooter met her husband-to-be at Athens four years ago, when, competing under her maiden name Katerina Kurkova, she won a bronze medal and Matt, representing USA, took the Men's 50m Rifle Prone gold (a title he will defend in Beijing on August 15).

Katerina, now ranked No. 4 in the world, described Matt as her "best teammate" after clinching her first Olympic gold medal with an Olympic Record 503.5 points, which included a perfect score of 400 points in the qualifying round. As a pair, they "work together as the best team in the world," she added.

They are considered to be shooting's 'golden couple,' although their Athens meeting was more than your average chance encounter between fellow competitors.

Instead, it came about under far stranger circumstances. After finishing her own events, Katerina worked as a shooting commentator for a Czech TV station.

One of her duties was to report on the Men's 50m Rifle Three Position, an event future hubby Matt was winning with ease going into the final round. Then, mysteriously and somewhat unusually, the stuff of nightmares happened.

Matt fired at the wrong target, lost his lead and missed out on the medals, finishing eighth.

Feeling sorry for him, as one shooter to another, Katerina sought Matt afterwards and found him seeking solace in a nearby beer garden. A conversation struck up and a relationship started -- albeit arranged around the world's major shooting tournaments -- their second meeting, for example, was in Bangkok.

They married in 2007 and have split their time traveling between the U.S. and the Czech Republic.

Shooting, though, wasn't Katerina's original sporting love. Growing up in Plzeň, the fourth biggest city in the Czech Republic, she competed as a swimmer until an illness ended a fledgling career.

To stave off boredom, her champion-shot father -- who, unlike many sports-mad dads, hadn't pushed his daughter toward his own chosen sport -- suggested she try rifle shooting, which Katerina soon discovered she could excel at.

What started as fun and occasional practice soon became serious sport. Her first major international medal came in 2002 when she won the World Championships at the tender age of 18.

The bronze medal she won in the Women's 10m Air Rifle at Athens followed two years later, and although she failed to do better than 27th in the Women's Three Position Rifle competition, she managed to progress in her main event, taking a silver medal in the 2006 World Championships and claiming European Championship gold in 2007.

Having won the Good Luck Beijing International Sports Shooting Federation (ISSF) World Cup earlier this year, when she matched Chinese champion and World No. 2 Du Li's 2003 World Record score of 504.9 points, Emmons came to Beijing with high hopes.

Proud first gold medallist of Beijing 2008 (Photo credit: Chen Gong)

Not that she crumbled under the weight of expectation. "I dealt with the pressure," Katerina told reporters after her victory. "The only way is just not to think about it. Just pull the trigger and shoot."

She is not sure whether or not she will eventually change her nationality and compete for the USA. "I will leave the door open. If I can, I'd like to shoot for the Czech Republic for as long as possible."

Indeed, Katerina's own Beijing Olympic odyssey is not yet over -- she could become a double Games medallist as she is due to compete in the Women's 50m Rifle Three Position competition on August 14, although it isn't her strongest event.

Then, there is also her dual role supporting Matt, who also has a double Olympic quest. "Half of my job is done and I've done it well. Matt is now going to do his job," she said.

With one medal in the bag, a glut of shooting gold medals could be heading back to the Emmons household from Beijing.

A kiss from hubby Matt (Photo credit: Chen Gong)

MPC journalists get a special tour of Tiananmen

2008-08-07T06:20:00.000-07:00

Updated: 2008-08-06 19:34:17

Tourists view flowerbeds in Tiananmen Square.

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(BEIJING, August 5) -- Almost a dozen MPC accredited journalists visited Tiananmen Square on Tuesday to get a better look at the Olympic-themed flower arrangements and interview BOCOG representatives about the display.

MPC journalists ask about the planning process behind the flower displays.

The journalists and officials stood outside in the square, baring the sweltering afternoon heat to ask questions about the creative process behind the leafy designs. After a brief introduction to the square's floral arrangements, they had time to snap a few photos and interview tourists.

Flowers, bushes, and trees were arranged in reflection of a world-wide Olympics theme. A 16.9 m-tall Beijing 2008 Olympic symbol on a rotating platform and a fountain with the good-luck cloud design found on the Olympic torches mark the center of the display. On the east side of the square, flowers have been arranged into the shape of the Bird's Nest, a world map, the Olympic flame, and other Olympic sports.

The west side of the square sports flower displays showcasing the achievements of the Chinese people. The famous Hangzhou Bridge and a mythical Chinese figure are positioned next to a replica of the pad that launched Yang Liwei, China's first man in space, into orbit.

More than 208 types of plants from around the world and 400,000 pots were used in the display, which will be up in the Square until the end of the Paralympic Games.

Foreign journalists interview tourists in Tiananmen.

Main flowerbed display at Tiananmen Square

The Olympic spirit is high on the east side of Tiananmen Square.

The flowerbed display on the west side of the square

The Bird's Nest amid a floral background

Tourists snap a few photos before the Tiananmen’s flowerbed display

Photos: Tourism images from Beijing 2008 (the movie)

2008-08-05T03:58:00.000-07:00

Updated: 2008-08-03 13:39:19

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(BEIJING, August 2) -- Directed by renowned filmmaker Feng Xiaogang, Beijing 2008, a short movie, was released on Saturday. The film showcases several famous tourist landmarks to represent the age-old glory and modern atmosphere of China and its capital. The film will be broadcasted on CNN, BBC, CCTV and BTV in planes, cruise ships, train stations, malls and Olympic cultural centers around the world.

Photo: Olympic-themed embossment in Beijing

2008-08-05T03:56:00.000-07:00

Updated: 2008-08-05 09:06:24 From: Xinhuanet

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A man looks at an Olympic-themed embossment in Huairou District of Beijing, capital of China, Aug. 4, 2008. Fan Xiulong, a farmer of Miaocheng Village of Huairou District, creates the embossment to express his good wishes for the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games.

(Photo credit: Bu Xiangdong/Xinhua)

Photos: Night view of Beijing Olympic Village

2008-08-04T06:16:00.000-07:00

Updated: 2008-08-03 11:00:44 From: Xinhuanet

Photo taken on Aug. 2, 2008 shows the night view of the Olympic Village in Beijing, China. (Photo credit: Zhang Guojun/Xinhua)

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Photo taken on Aug. 2, 2008 shows the night view of the Olympic Village in Beijing, China. (Photo credit: Zhang Guojun/Xinhua)

Photo taken on Aug. 2, 2008 shows the cultural performance staged at night in the Olympic Village in Beijing, China. (Photo credit: Zhang Guojun/Xinhua)

Chinese style red lanterns enlighted the night of the Olympic Village in Beijing, China, August 1, 2008.(Photo credit: Zhang Guojun/Xinhua)

Chinese Olympic victory uniforms unveiled

2008-07-16T05:46:00.000-07:00

Updated:2008-07-16

The suits for Chinese medalists at the Beijing Olympics were unveiled on July 15, 2008.

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(BEIJING, July 15) -- Chinese medalists at the 2008 Olympic Games will wear tailored uniforms featuring the colors red and yellow and a "lucky cloud" pattern, according to Xinhua.

Red and yellow are the dominant colors of the Chinese national flag.

Designed by the Beijing Institute of Clothing Technology and made by Worldwide Olympic Partner Adidas, the suits were selected from more than 2,000 entries in an international design contest over a year's time.

Models showcase the suits.

Ma Jilong, director of the sports equipment center under the General Administration of Sport of China, lauded the uniforms for their elegance and aesthetic quality.

Adidas has tailored the uniforms for every competing Chinese athlete, manufacturing an unprecedented 17 sizes for heights ranging from 1.40m to 2.26m. The suits are handmade.

The suits for Chinese medalists at the Beijing Olympics were unveiled on July 15, 2008.

It was reported that every athlete will be given two suits, one for the victory ceremony and the other for their personal collection.

Olympic diving champion Gao Min gave a thumbs-up to the outfits, saying they feature the auspicious atmosphere of the Olympic Games and reflect the spirit of Chinese athletes.

Olympic flame leaves Jilin City for Yanji

2008-07-15T07:00:00.000-07:00

Updated：2008-07-15

(JILIN CITY, July 15) -- Last torchbearer Wang Jinjun, director of Jilin Chemical Fiber Group, lit the cauldron at 3:23 p.m. on Tuesday, marking the end to the Olympic Torch Relay in Jilin City. The city of Yanji will host the Olympic flame next.

The launching ceremony was held at 2:00 p.m. amid thunderous applause from local spectators. Skater Wang Chunli, the first torchbearer, carried the torch from Jilin Municipal Square to start the Jilin leg of the Olympic Torch Relay.

Wang, who was born in 1983, has claimed more than 10 gold medals in Chinese national competitions and has also done well in international competitions.

A total of 108 torchbearers participated in the 7.7km-long relay.

Hair and make-up for victory ceremony hostesses

2008-07-14T06:41:00.000-07:00

Updated：2008-07-12

Examples of hostesseshair and make-up

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(BEIJING, July 11) -- BOCOG Cultural Activities Department director Zhao Dongming, BOCOG executive vice-president Cui Ning, Olympic champion Yang Yang, and television celebrity Yu Sheng were on hand to inspect the make-up and hairstyles that victory ceremony hostesses would be donning for the Olympic Games on Saturday morning.

Zhao Dongming thanks the volunteers.

"First, I'd like to thank the entire team of cosmetic artists and all the victory ceremony volunteers their hard work," said Zhao. The leader is quite satisfied with the group's participation.

Close inspection of hostesses'hairstyles

Flag raisers

The make-up and hairstyles of the volunteers must be compatible with the concept of sports, while still reflecting the spirit of Chinese youth. Although they are required to be simple, the make-up and hair should be distinct enough to look good on TV.

Yang, as a previous Olympic champ, has had first-hand experience with victory ceremony hostesses. She believes that the hair and make-up of the hostesses should be natural, and not so overbearing as to drown out the main reason for the celebration, the athletes themselves.

Male flag raisers will be dressed in attire that brings out the beauty of strength, health and youth.

The make-up artists will take into account suggestions made by the visitors today to re-think the appearances of the volunteers.

According to reports, the professionals can create even the most complicated of the four designated hair designs in 5-10 minutes.

(Photo credit: Zhang Yu)

Olympic Torch Relay in Changchun ends

2008-07-14T06:40:00.000-07:00

Updated：2008-07-14

(CHANGCHUN, July 14) -- Last torchbearer Wang Chunlu, a Winter Games short-track silver medalist, lit the cauldron at Changchun World Sculpture Park at 10: 04 a.m. on Monday to end the Changchun leg of the Olympic Torch Relay. The cities of Songyuan and Jilin will host the torch on Tuesday.

The Olympic Torch Relay kicked off in Changchun at 8:08 a.m. Altogether 218 torchbearers carried the Olympic flame along this nine-km-long journey.

Wang Jiaqi, academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, was the first torchbearer.

Changchun is the capital of Jilin Province, located in the northeast of the People's Republic of China. The city has a population of 7.4 million.

Get your own Olympic gold

2008-07-13T01:16:00.000-07:00

Updated：2008-07-13

Souvenir medallion, style one

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"Chinese seal" gold Olympic souvenir series

(BEIJING, July 12) -- Recently, a series of gold and silver commemorative souvenirs were put on the market to welcome the upcoming Olympic Games.

These medallions fully embody the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games emblem, "Chinese Seal, Dancing Beijing."

Souvenir medallion, style two

Souvenir medallion, style three

The official emblem incorporates traditional Chinese calligraphic artistry with athleticism to form a harmonious symbol for the Beijing Games.

The high-quality souvenirs are made of 99.9% pure gold and silver. Officially inspected and authorized, the medallions will definitely be treasured as an important part of the Beijing Games.

These special medallions embody Chinese spirit, style and enthusiasm, as well as the Olympic concepts of friendship and harmony to promote excellence by encouraging society to go faster, higher and stronger.

(Photo credit: Zhang Yu)

Souvenir medallion, style four

Souvenir medallions reflecting Olympic Torch Relay

Souvenir medallion, style five

Olympic torch leaves Heilongjiang for Jilin

2008-07-13T01:14:00.000-07:00

Updated：2008-07-13

(QIQIHAR, July 13) -- Last torchbearer Fu Tianyu lit the cauldron at 9:50 a.m. on Sunday, marking the end of the Qiqihar leg of the Olympic Torch Relay. The torch has left Heilongjiang Province for Jilin Province and Jilin, the capital city, will host the Olympic flame on Monday.

Fu Tianyu was born in 1978. She made notable contributions to the Chinese women's short-track skating team's victory at the 2012 Winter Olympics.

Fu Tianyu was born in 1978 and made notable contributions to victory of China's women's short-track skating team at the 2012 Winter Olympics.

Liu Yan, female skating champion of the 10th National Games, carried the flame from the Party Office Center Square at 8:10 a.m. as the first torchbearer of the Qiqihar leg of the Olympic Torch Relay, the last stop in Heilongjiang Province.

A total of 208 torchbearers participated in the 7.5 km-long relay. Liu Jianrong, director of a local heavy equipment enterprise; Liang Chunsheng, a local teacher; Liu Yukun, an athlete with a disability; and Ma Liang, a hammer athlete, are among the 208 torchbearers.

Qiqihar is a major city in Heilongjiang Province. Close to Qiqihar are numerous wetlands and the Zhalong Nature Reserve, famous for being home to numerous red-crowned cranes.

Russia's Isinbayeva breaks own pole vault record

2008-07-13T01:12:00.000-07:00

Updated：2008-07-12

(BEIJING, July 12) -- Russia's Yelena Isinbayeva broke her own world record in the pole vault by 0.2 m, jumping 5.03 meters at the Golden Gala in Rome on Friday. The previous record (5.01m) was set when she won the 2005 IAAF World Championships in Helsinki, Finland.

Yelena Isinbaeva during the IAAF Golden Gala in Rome. (Photo credit: Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)

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Isinbayeva is considered the world's best female pole vaulter. The Russian has dominated the pole vault since clinching the 2004 Olympic title, winning eight straight gold medals in indoor and outdoor championships and was elected IAAF Female Athlete of the Year in 2004 and 2005.

Isinbayeva experienced physical and psychological problems in the past three years, and so didn't seemingly make much improvement. However, though Friday was her first competitive appearance this season, Isinbayeva proved to be in excellent form, clearing 4.70m and 4.85m on her first attempt. After emerging victorious with her first two jumps, the Russian decided with her new coach Vitaly Petrov to switch to a record height. She cleared it with ease on her second attempt.

Isinbaeva celebrates with coach Vitaly Petrovin after setting new world record at IAAF Golden Gala. (Photo credit: Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)

When the 26-year-old Russian was asked whether she could improve even more by an IAAF reporter after the game, she responded confidently. "I think you know the answer," she said. "You saw I was not near at the bar, I was higher."

She repeated there her well-quoted intention that her career goal was to "eclipse Sergei Bubka's mark of 35 world records."

The Russian sensation has set 12 outdoor world records and 10 indoor world records, and is the only woman to clear 5 meters.

Isinbayeva's stunning performance puts huge pressure on rising US vaulter Jenn Stuczynski, who is currently ranked No. 2 in the world after setting the American mark of 4.92m at the U.S. Olympic trials.

Isinbayeva said she was propelled to the new mark by competition from Stuczynski, as she felt the American was eclipsing her.

"Everybody was saying 'Ah OK, Isinbayeva is finished, we have a new star, so today I was really angry," she said.

Although Stuczynski didn't participate in Rome, the two vaulters will duel this summer in the 2008 Olympic Games.

Long-distance runner Lagat aims at twin gold medals in China's first Olympics

2008-07-09T08:20:00.001-07:00

Updated：2008-07-09

(L-R) Silver medalist Leonel Manzano, gold medalist Bernard Lagat and bronze medalist Lopez Lomong (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)

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(BEIJING, July 8) -- On winning the men's 1500-meter championship on the last day of the US track and field trials, Bernard Lagat qualified for a position on the US Olympic team to run in both the 1500-meter and 5000-meter races in the Beijing Games, which open August 8.

Lagat finished the 1500-meter event at the trials with a time of 3:40.37, just 0.53 second faster than second-place runner Leonel Manzano.

Manzano, who is a loyal fan of the champion, was quoted on the official website of USA Track & Field as saying: "Barnard is an incredible competitor. Every time that guy goes out everybody has a lot of respect for him. He is the man."

Lagat, a Kenyan-American, started competing for the US in early 2005, and won two gold medals in the 1500-meter and 5000-meter races at the 2007 World Championships. His personal best in the 1500-meter race is 3:26.34, which he posted at Brussels in August of 2001, according his official biography on the website of the International Associations of Athletics Federations.

Earlier this month, Lagat qualified for the men's 5000-meter competition with a time of 13:27.47. He was quoted on the USATF website as saying the pressure on him has eased a bit since qualifying for the US team heading to Beijing.

The 33-year-old athlete won a silver medal at the 2004 Athens Olympics and a bronze medal at the 2000 Sydney Games. Lagat has now become America's overwhelming favorite in the men's long-distance races. "The Olympics are the biggest meet. Everyone dreams about going to the Olympics, and to be here on Team USA is unbelievable. I'm going to take the same hunger I had in 2004 and try and bring home the gold," he was quoted as saying on the USA Track & Field site.

The third place in the men's 1500-meter qualifying race was seized by Lopez Lomong with a time of 3:41.00.

2008-07-09T08:20:00.000-07:00

Long-distance runner Lagat aims at twin gold medals in China's first Olympics

Updated：2008-07-09

(L-R) Silver medalist Leonel Manzano, gold medalist Bernard Lagat and bronze medalist Lopez Lomong (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)

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Lagat finished the 1500-meter event at the trials with a time of 3:40.37, just 0.53 second faster than second-place runner Leonel Manzano.

The third place in the men's 1500-meter qualifying race was seized by Lopez Lomong with a time of 3:41.00.

China to issue special 10-yuan notes to mark Olympics

2008-07-08T07:46:00.000-07:00

China to issue special 10-yuan notes to mark Olympics

Updated：2008-07-07 From：Xinhua

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The People's Bank of China (PBOC), the country's central bank, is to issue a commemorative bank note with a face value of 10 yuan ($1.46) from Tuesday to mark the Beijing Olympic Games, the bank said in a statement on Sunday.

The PBOC said it would issue a total of 6 million such notes, which would be circulated in the currency market with the same denomination as the ordinary 10-yuan notes.

The new note, in cyan, is 148.5 millimeters long and 72 millimeters wide, according to the central bank. While the ordinary 10-yuan notes are in cobalt black, 140 millimeters long and 70 millimeters wide.

On one side is a picture of the National Stadium, or the Bird's Nest, the main venue for the Games in August. Above the picture is the emblem of the Beijing Games, "Chinese Seal, Dancing Beijing". The picture of national stadium and the emblem are both set against the backdrop of the Temple of Heaven, one of the country's best-known landmarks.

This takes the place of the portrait of the late Chinese leader Mao Zedong and China's national emblem on the ordinary 10-yuan notes.

The other side features the famous ancient Greek marble statue of a discus-thrower, Discobolus, portraits of athletes and the Arabic numeral "2008".

These replace the drawing of the scenic Three Gorges, but the name of the PBOC in Chinese pinyin, Mongolian, Tibetan, Ugyur and Zhuang, remains in the top right corner.

The central bank also said it incorporated watermarks and other technologies to prevent counterfeiting of the notes.

A clear watermark appears on the picture of the National Stadium in the shape of the Arabic numeral "10" and the Games of XXIX Olympiad in the Chinese characters, said the bank.

(China Daily)

A walk in the park for 30,000 tourists

2008-07-08T07:43:00.000-07:00

A walk in the park for 30,000 tourists

Updated：2008-07-07

Inside Olympic Forest Park (Photo credit: Li Wei)

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"Bird's Nest" (Photo credit: Li Wei)

(BEIJING, July 7) -- In the northern part of Beijing lies China's largest city park – Olympic Forest Park, which hosted its first batch of visitors, 30,000 guests, recently.

Tourists can perch on the large artificial rocks scattered throughout the park to catch a glimpse of the 17 Olympic venues in the area, including the "Bird's Nest" and "Water Cube."

Olympic Forest Park covers 12 square kilometers of land. Sitting between North Fourth and Fifth Ring Roads, the park is divided into three sections: north, center, and south. During the Games, the park will host the opening and closing ceremonies, as well as 15 major competitive events.

From Olympic Forest Park, guests can get a close-up view of the IBC. (Photo credit: Li Wei)

View of Olympic Forest Park (Photo credit: Li Wei)

Lines 8 (Olympic Lateral), 10 and 5 will get tourists near the park. In addition, during Games-time, bus stops will be established on all four sides of the park, allowing 37 regular bus routes and 17 specific Olympic lines to deposit and pick up guests conveniently. The 17 Olympic lines will be free to ticket holders, and are divided into 8 regular lines and 9 express routes.

7 years after Beijing was awarded the honor of hosting the Olympics, all of the city's bid promises to clean up the environment have been fulfilled.

For example, in 2000, Beijing's green coverage rate was 41.9%; in 2007, that number reached 51.6%. Also, a 23,000 hectare green belt now runs through the city.

Sculptures in Olympic Forest Park (Photo credit: Li Wei)

Street lamps in the park (Photo credit: Li Wei)

Volunteer service point in the park (Photo credit: Li Wei)

Corner view of water system (Photo credit: Li Wei)

Lush greenery in Olympic Forest Park (Photo credit: Li Wei)

Olympic Village (Photo credit: Li Wei)

Beijing skyline (Photo credit: Li Wei)

Olympic-themed knowledge contest series concludes

2007-10-29T04:47:00.000-07:00

Updated：2007-10-29 ">
Giant Chinese knot

(BEIJING, October 27) -- The closing ceremony for an Olympic-themed knowledge contest series highlighted the morning on Saturday at the Chinese Ethnic Culture Park. Families came from around the country, including Beijing, Dalian, Xi'an, Shanghai, and Guangzhou, to take part in the festivities, sponsored by Olympic sponsor Hengyuanxiang (Group) Co., Ltd.

Officials present awards to winning familiesPhoto Gallery>>

At the closing ceremony Saturday morning, the organizing committee for the activities presented the Beijing Organizing Committee for the Games of the XXIX Olympiad (BOCOG) with a gift of an oversized Chinese knot, which was made up of 2,008 smaller, red Chinese knots forming the "Chinese Seal, Dancing Beijing" -- the emblem of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games.

BOCOG Executive Vice-President Jiang Xiaoyu accepted the gift on BOCOG's behalf.

The knowledge contests and Chinese knotting activities kicked off in May and were part of an annual Olympic-themed activity series. Aimed at promoting Olympic knowledge and the Olympic spirit among families, the activities attracted participation from 10 million children and parents across 31 provinces, municipalities, and autonomous regions.

Participants turned in more than a quarter of the one million distributed knowledge questionnaires and 30,000 varying Chinese knots to the organizing committee.

Representatives of the winning families

Family representative presents gift to BOCOG

Showing off their red Chinese knots

Olympic tickets to begin Phase 2 domestic sales on October 30

2007-10-29T04:42:00.000-07:00

Updated：2007-10-27

View the Phase 2 policies

(BEIJING, October 27) -- The Beijing Organizing Committee for the Games of the XXIX Olympiad (BOCOG) announced on Saturday that the second phase of domestic ticket sales for the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games would start at 9:00 am, October 30 (GMT+8).

Differing from the Phase 1 sales, which relied on lottery drawings, the sales in this phase will use a "first come, first-served" policy within the scheduled time frame until the tickets are sold out.

1,850,000 tickets available

Roughly 1.85 million tickets to the Olympic sports competitions will be on sale in this phase, which will end in late January 2008. During the Phase 1 sales period from April 15 to June 30, all tickets to the Olympic opening and closing ceremonies and 1,590,000 tickets to the Olympic sports competitions were sold.

Outstanding payments from phase I, not qualified for phase 2

The eligibility requirements for Phase 2 remain unchanged from Phase 1. Any natural person who has an address in the territory of the People's Republic of China (excluding Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Macau Special Administrative Region and Taiwan Province) and meets the ID requirements is eligible to request Olympic tickets through the designated channels.

Children aged two and under will enjoy free access to the venues but will have to share a guardian's seat.

Individuals who reserved tickets in Phase 1 but did not fulfill the payment obligation must first pay the outstanding amount before their Phase 2 ticket request can be processed.

Sales channels

The tickets will be sold through the following three channels: the Beijing Olympic Official Ticketing website; 1,000 BOCOG-designated Bank of China (BOC) branches; and the Beijing Olympic Ticketing Call Center, +8610 952008.

Applicants can choose to reserve the tickets through any of the three channels, as all three channels will be connected to the same database. According to the policy, paper application forms will not be valid for this phase.

Two-day payment deadline

Ticket reservations will be held for two days; a valid payment must be made for the tickets within two days, either online using a Visa card or in person at a BOC outlet. Otherwise, the ticket reservation will expire two days after the reservation was made, and the tickets will become available again in the ticket pool.

Those who successfully pay for the tickets will be notified to pick up the paper tickets in June 2008.

50-ticket max for each individual

Each individual is allowed to request two to five tickets for 10 competitions per order, depending on the demand for the competition. The bar is set at two tickets for competitions with the highest demand and three to five tickets for other competitions, with a maximum of 50 tickets per request in this phase.

To prevent ticket scalping, BOCOG will monitor the ticketing system and lock the accounts of suspected scalpers. Owners of locked accounts will only be able to view the status of the accounts and will not be allowed to purchase additional tickets.

Paralympic tickets sales

The Paralympic ceremony and sports tickets will also be available following the release of the policy regulating the sales of these tickets.

For further information, please contact +8610 952008, or visit the official ticketing website of the BEIJING 2008 Olympic Games http://tickets.beijing2008.com.

Campers bid Aloha, but Olympic memories linger (photos attached)

2007-08-17T18:42:00.000-07:00

Updated：2007-08-16

(BEIJING, August 14) -- Aloha.

More than 300 students from around the world bid a tearful goodbye at Beijing No. 80 High School as the 2007 Good Luck Beijing Summer Camp drew to a memorable close.

International campers will not forget their good times in the Olympic City and no doubt they will tell their schoolmates, friends and family members about their China experience and prepare to meet again in the crossroads of the East.

Campers thanked the Beijing Municipal Education Commission and the Media and Communications Department of the Beijing Organizing Committee for the Games of the XXIX Olympiad (BOCOG) and wished the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games a resounding success.

During their four-day stay in China's Olympic City, the young campers attended some Good Luck Beijing sport events, toured the city's scenic spots and cultural relics and spent one day as guests in ordinary Beijing families. Campers participated in games, showed off typical products from their native countries, felt the charm of the Olympic host city and experienced the preparatory efforts underway for next year's Olympics.

Greek and Chinese students sing Greek songs as the camp draws to an end.

Saying good-bye is difficult.

The campers watch 2007 World Rowing Junior Championships on August 11.

The campers cheer for Slovenian athletes at 2007 World rowing Junior Championships.

Focusing on the Bird's Nest

The campers visit Beijing Planning Exhibition Hall.

Norwegian students pose for a picture in front of the board marking the countdown to the 29th Olympics.

On August 13, the campers ascend Great Wall

Campers tour Chinese Ethnic Culture Park.

Campers learn how to make dumpling at a Beijing family.

Egyptian students in a mini fashion show.

Campers wear tee-shirts with signatures.

Good Luck Beijing summer camp closes (photos attached)

2007-08-17T18:40:00.000-07:00

Updated：2007-08-15

(BEIJING, August 14) -- The four-day summer camp of the 2007 Good Luck Beijing sport events drew to an end on Tuesday and the participants were excited about their experience in the host city of the 2008 Olympic Games.

Over 300 students and teachers from 17 countries and regions spent an unforgettable time in Beijing.

On Tuesday evening, they treated each other to a wonderful performance in which they displayed their artistic gifts. The songs of the Beijing June 1 Elementary School Choir and the dances of the Kenyan and Congo students drew peals of applause from the audience, in which there were many fellow campers.

Calligraphy works, Chinese paintings, clay figurines, paper-cutting pieces, instantly-made kites and many other traditional handicrafts made by local students impressed the visitors from afar.

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Earlier in the morning, the campers ascended the Badaling section of Great Wall. A "mini-expo" brought together the art works and other typical things of the participants. African students showed beautiful sculptures of African giraffes and hippopotamuses, while costumes of Indian students delighted the eyes.

Beijing Hujialou Central Elementary School passed on its skills of waving auspicious Chinese knots to its Spanish partner school, and visitors from Riga Mezciema Elementary School of Latvia learnt martial arts from their counterparts of Hongzhi High School.

Olympic Clay Target Field ready (photos attached)

2007-08-17T18:34:00.000-07:00

Updated：2007-08-17

(BEIJING, August 16) -- The Clay Target Field (CTF) has been delivered to the Beijing Organizing Committee for the Games of the XXIX Olympiad.

Located at Shijingshan District in west Beijing, the venue will produce five gold medals in clay target competitions, including men's trap, women's trap, men's double trap, men's skeet and women's skeet.

The 2008 shooting program will have three events: rifle, pistol and clay target.

Olympic competition begins August 9 through 17, 2008 as shooters will vie for a total of 15 gold medals.

Shooting first appeared as an Olympic sport in 1896. Women were first allowed to compete in 1968, when Mexico, Peru and Poland entered one female contestant each. In 1984, the International Shooting Federation introduced separate events for women. Between 1984 and 1992, the number of women's events has gradually increased.

In addition, several of the events on the program remained open to both men and women. Since the 1996 Atlanta Summer Olympics, men's events have been separated from women's.

Bird's eye view of CTF from its stands

Starting point decorated after the model of Great Wall

Clay target storage

CTF stand

Workers are weeding the lawn.

Olympic ticketing policies expounded

2007-08-02T04:45:00.000-07:00

Updated：2007-08-02

(BEIJING, August 1) -- In an exclusive interview with the official website of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games recently, Rong Jun, director of BOCOG Ticketing Center explained in detail the policies and procedures of ticket sale for the Games.

Payment for the first phase to be completed in September

The first phase of the ticketing process was featured by public application and lottery distribution.

The major part of the first phase wound up on June 30, when over 700,000 orders for more than five million tickets were submitted, which showed the wide interest and enthusiasm for the Olympics?

The second part of the first phase will take place in July and August. During this period, the orders will be analyzed and checked. BOCOG is expected to start the process of lottery and allocation in early August. The results will be released to the public and those who are confirmed as successful buyers will be notified through email or post. If they pay within a required time, they will finally receive their tickets.

There will be an open and fair lottery

During the first phase, any events that are oversubscribed will be subject to a lottery to decide the distribution of the tickets. This is in line with the practice of recent Olympic Games. The Beijing Olympics have been attracting much attention and the lottery process is seen as a good way to ensure an open, fair and transparent distribution of tickets

The booking data undoubtedly call for a lottery to distribute the tickets of the opening and closing ceremonies and other "hot" events. Furthermore, the lottery process shall not only target a certain event or a competition, but also specifically priced tickets. For instance, the tickets for specific seats of the opening ceremony shall be categorized to ensure their fair distribution.

The Beijing Organizing Committee for the Games of the XXIX Olympiad (BOCOG) will invite supervisors and third party notaries to witness the process, and the media will also be given an opportunity to record it.

The second phase begins in October

During the second phase, which begins in October, the ticketing principle is "First Come, First Served". The public can make bookings on line, contact BOCOG Call Center (952008) or book through the designated outlets of the Bank of China, which number over 1,000 across the country.

The Call Center, launched in March, will sell tickets from the beginning of October. Payment will be made through VISA Card. Non-VISA-Card-holders must go to Bank of China outlets to make payment. BOCOG will keep their orders for 48 hours. After that, the computer system will automatically cancel the order.

During the third phase, on-site ticketing will be launched in April 2008 to sell the remaining tickets.

Tickets can be available in June or July

The tickets booked during the first two phases are expected to be delivered to buyers in June or July next year. As most of the Olympic venues will be completed by the end of this year, the staff of the BOCOG Ticketing Center will go to every venue to check the exact seats and allocate the bookings. Then they will forward the data to the ticket printers, who are expected to print them out between April and June. That means that in June and July all effectively subscribed tickets will reach their buyers. The designated outlets of the Bank of China will be the only places where the tickets can be obtained faultlessly.

Ticket design under way

The design of the Olympic tickets is under way. Their look will be in line with the general image of the Olympic Games. The tickets show not only where the spectators will be seated, but also the sport pictograms to indicate the competitions they will watch.

The false proof technologies used make the tickets unique collection objects. The name of the spectator will be printed on the tickets for the opening and closing ceremonies, making them personalized and collectable.

2007 FIVB World Grand Prix to kick off on August 3 (photo attached)

2007-08-01T03:47:00.000-07:00

Updated：2007-08-01

The 2007 FIVB World Grand Prix is scheduled to kick off on this Friday, the 3th of August,2007. The first three Pools of the preliminary will be held in three destinations of Tokyo (Japan), Verona (Italy) and Rzeszow (Poland).

Friday 3rd August is the D-Day: twelve of the world strongest Women's teams will start to compete for the 2007 FIVB World Grand Prix, a unique annual showcase for Women's Volleyball, which will end with a Final Round in Ningbo, China, from 22nd to 26th of August. With three gold medals in a row (2004/2006) and other three first places in '94, '96 and '98, Brazil is the top squad of the tournament and will start its journey from Italy.

The 2007 World Grand Prix lasts for 4 weeks with a total of 65 matches. During the first, second and third weeks each team will play 9 matches in total. Preliminary rounds will be organized in Japan, Italy, Poland, Macau, Hong Kong, Taipei, Russia and Chinese Taipei. Classification in the preliminary rounds is decided by the number of points gained by the teams participating in the same group. The classification in the general ranking of the preliminary rounds of the 2007 WGP is decided by the total number of World Grand Prix Points (GPP) gained by the teams in the preliminary matches. The host team China plus the top five ranked teams after the preliminary rounds will qualify to play in Ningbo over 5 days (15 matches) with a round robin system to decide the 2007 World Grand Prix Champion.

World Champion Ekaterina Gamova. Russia will start its World Grand Prix in Poland

Tokyo (Japan), Verona (Italy) and Rzeszow (Poland) will host the first three Pools from Friday to Sunday 5th August. The Ariake Colosseum in Tokyo is hosting Cuba, Dominican Republic, Japan and Kazakhstan for Pool A. The PalaOlimpia in Verona will welcome Brazil, Chinese Taipei, Italy and the Netherlands for Pool B. Pool C with China, Poland, Russia and the U.S.A. is going to play in Na Podpromium in the Polish city of Rzeszow.

The second weekend (10th - 12th August) is scheduled in Tokyo, Japan (Pool D: Brazil, Chinese Taipei, Japan, Netherlands), in Khabarovsk, Russia (Pool E: Cuba, Kazakhstan, Russia, U.S.A.) and in Hong Kong, China (Pool F: China, Dominican Republic, Italy, Poland).

The third weekend (17th - 19th August) is foreseeing in Osaka, Japan (Pool G: Japan, Kazakhstan, Poland, Russia), in Taipei, Chinese Taipei (Pool H: Brazil, Chinese Taipei, Dominican Republic, Italy) and in Macau (Pool I: China, Cuba, Netherlands, U.S.A.).

(Credit: FIVB. Click here for further information.)

Beijing's first new venue delivered (photos attached)

2007-07-31T04:09:00.000-07:00

Updated：2007-07-28

(BEIJING, July 28) -- The Shooting Center of the State General Administration of Sport was handed the gold key to the Beijing Shooting Range Hall by the venue's management group Saturday morning. The handing over of the key symbolized the official delivery of the Beijing Shooting Range Hall.

During the Beijing 2008 Olympic and Paralympic Games, the venue will host a total of 10 Shooting events. It will also likely be the venue of the first gold medal awarded at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games.

Present at the delivery ceremony were officials from the State General Administration of Sport, the City of Beijing, and Mr. Wang Yifu, head coach of the Chinese national shooting team.

Construction of the venue broke ground on July 13, 2004. The venue, with a total surface area of 45,645 sq m, contains qualification competition halls, a final competition hall, a storehouse, a room for armed police use, a heating and ventilation equipment room, and an electric transformer room.

Scene of the press conference

The qualification competition hall contains 10m, 25m, and 50 m target ranges. The final competition hall contains sealed 10m, 25m, and 50m target ranges.

The venue has a total seating capacity for 8,600 spectators, with 2,170 permanent seats and 6,430 removable seats. The qualification competition halls can seat 6.100, and the final competition hall can seat 2,500.

The Beijing Shooting Range Hall was designed to reflect the shape of a hunting bow. This design takes into consideration the origins of the sport of shooting—hunting in the forest. The Shooting Hall's qualification competition halls and the final competition hall are connected by the venue's main entrance, which contributes to the venue's "bow" shape.

Post-Games, the venue will host important international and Chinese shooting competitions and serve as the training base for the Chinese national shooting team and youth training grounds.

Parts of the venue might be used as a national defense teaching facility. Additionally, the venue may be used to promote shooting as a sport to the public and to promote the Olympic spirit.

The Beijing Shooting Range Hall

The Shunyi Rowing-Canoeing Park delivered (photos attached)

2007-07-31T04:08:00.000-07:00

Updated：2007-07-28

(BEIJING, July 28) -- The new Shunyi Olympic Rowing-Canoeing Park, built for the Games of the 29th Olympiad, was officially delivered Saturday morning.

On August 8, the Shunyi Rowing-Canoeing Park will host the 2007 World Rowing Junior Championships, this year's very first "Good Luck Beijing" sport event in Beijing.

During the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, 32 gold medals will be awarded at the venue, which will host the Rowing, Canoe/Kayak -- Flat-water, Canoe/Kayak -- Slalom, and marathon swimming events.

Construction of venue began during the first half of 2005. With a building area of 31,850 sq m, it occupies the largest surface area of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games venues.

Scene of the press conference

The venue has a seating capacity of 37,000, with 1,200 permanent seats and 25,800 temporary seats, including 10,000 standing room only seats.

The Shunyi Olympic Rowing-Canoeing Park is the world's only first-class rowing-canoeing venue that contains both flatwater and slalom courses.

The water surface area of the Shunyi Rowing-Canoeing Park occupies 6.35 million sq m, and the green surface area occupies 5.8 million sq m, with green coverage of over 82 percent. Combined with the forestry of the surrounding areas, the rowing-canoeing park is a natural "oxygen bar."

After the Olympic Games, the venue will be converted into an attractive, world-class resort for swimming and recreation -- the largest of its kind in the northeastern part of Beijing.

A bird's eye view

Brazil's women's soccer team revenge against the U.S.

2007-07-27T03:41:00.001-07:00

Updated：2007-07-27 From：Xinhuanet

RIO DE JANEIRO, July 26 (Xinhua) -- Three years after being defeated by the United States in the Athens Olympic Games final, Brazil's women's soccer team had its revenge on Thursday, as it won 5-0 and the Pan American Games' gold medal.

The scenario for the revenge could not be better for the Brazilians. The match was attended by a crowd of almost 60,000 fans in Maracana, Rio's legendary stadium, where the men's soccer team has played landmark matches.

But unlike the men's squad, the Brazilian women had never achieved expressive results, and many considered the U.S. team as a favorite in Thursday's final.

Pushed by the fans, the Brazilians pressured for the goal since the beginning of the match, but the U.S. players were close to scoring in the 12th minute of the first half. But in the 18th minute, team star Marta Silva converted a penalty shot. From then on, the U.S. players seemed to be completely lost.

In a brilliant performance, Brazilians continued to play aggressively, scoring its second goal in the 29th minute, and then three other goals in the second half, as the crowd exulted.

Brazilian team's performance in the Pan Am Games was above all expectations. The team won all of its matches, scored 33 goals and did not let a single goal. These results, analysts said, place Brazil among the strongest contenders for the gold medal in the Beijing Olympics.

Thursday's match has also confirmed Marta as the best player in the world. Marta, who holds FIFA's 2006 World Player of the Year award, scored twice against the U.S. and led the Brazilians to the victory. She scored 12 goals in the Pan Am Games.

China Agricultural University Gymnasium nearly ready (photos attached)

2007-07-27T03:41:00.000-07:00

Updated：2007-07-27

(BEIJING, July 26) -- The China Agricultural University Gymnasium, the venue for Olympic wrestling events, is nearly ready for use -- one year ahead of the Games of the XXIX Olympiad.

Located in northwestern Beijing, the complex spans close to 24,000 square meters and offers seating capacity for 8,500 fans - 6,000 of which are permanent seats.

Inside the venue will be three mats for Olympic wrestling competition. An auxiliary lobby will also be available for the athletes during the Games.

The venue is slated to be a multifunctional sport facility after the Games.

The exterior of the venue (Photo credit: CNSphoto)

The interior of the venue (Photo credit: CNSphoto)

Disabled sports training base to be completed

2007-07-27T03:40:00.000-07:00

Input Date:07/26/2007

Chinese Disabled Sports integrated training base in Shunyi yesterday after Shayu formally completed, This is our first dedicated disabled sports training base is the nation's first central government investment "Agent System" pilot project all of the Olympic events on the disabled and people with special set-building functional requirements for design. Residual training base total project covers 358 acres, with a total construction area of 64,382 square meters. Athletes from the apartment and research buildings, a comprehensive training hall, natatorium, the blind door saloon, athletic training and strength Museum, athletic field and bleachers, bicycle training site, such as steel corridor projects comprising nine units, will be for the national disabled sports delegation preparations for the 2008 Paralympic Games use.

Singing for the Olympics (photos attached)

2007-07-27T03:39:00.000-07:00

Updated：2007-07-27

(BEIJING, July 26) -- The song We Are Ready will soon be ready. As the Olympics draw near, famous musicians, athletes and singers gathered at the Great Bell Temple to strike the ancient Yongle Bell on July 26.

The recording of the forceful toll, which is often named the "Sound of Beijing", will be used in the song We Are Ready, which was made especially for the one-year countdown to the XXIX Olympiad.

The composition and production of the song involved hundreds of singers who have participated in the selection for the Olympic songs.

According to an official from the BOCOG, We Are Ready has incorporated the themes of our times with a strong sense of happiness and confidence conveyed through the well-written lyric and the strong rhythm.

The MV (music video) of the song will be filmed in Beijing and Hong Kong and released on August 4 through the Wireless Music Chart and other major media in China.

It is reported that there will be a series of celebrations for the one-year Olympic countdown.

Canada wins two diving gold at Pan Am Games

2007-07-27T03:38:00.000-07:00

Updated：2007-07-27 From：Xinhuanet

RIO DE JANEIRO, July 26 (Xinhua) -- Canada won two gold medals in Thursday's diving tournament at the Pan American Games.

World champion Alexandre Despatie, who was beaten in Wednesday's 3m synchronized springboard, finally proved his strength, winning the men's 3m springboard title with 503.65 points.

It was a hard victory for Despatie though, as runner-up Cesar Castro of Brazil was just less than 10 points behind him.

Troy Dumais, an American Olympian, finished third at 484.25 points.

The women’s 10m platform synchronized diving gold went to Canadian pair Emilie Heymans and Marie-Eve Marleau who finished the competition with a total of 327.30 points.

Mexican combination Paola Espinosa and Tatiana Ortiz Galicia finished second at 325.14 points. The bronze medal was taken by Americans Haley Ishimatsu and Mary Beth Dunnichay at 297.54.

"Finally it's over. We were under pressure, the wind was blowing hard, but we were prepared for the event. We are very happy for having the same result of Santo Domingo," said Heymans, who also won the title four years ago in Santo Domingo.

Paola Espinosa of Mexico said their performance surpassed the expectations: "I'm very happy with our result. I'm sure we did beyond all our coaches' expectations, and we're extremely happy with that. We missed the gold for a small difference of points, but we did our best and fortunately we got a good place on the podium."

Her partner Titiana said: "Our next aim is to get a good result at the University Games in Thailand. I'm certainly happy with the silver medal and I'll practice even more to get better results in the next competitions."

Beach volleyball cheerleaders get a first-hand experience of performing (photos attached)

2007-07-26T03:23:00.000-07:00

Updated：2007-07-26

(BEIJING, July 25) -- With the "Good Luck Beijing" 2007 FIVB Beach Volleyball Women's Challenger approaching, the various cheerleading squads preparing for the upcoming competition have stepped up rehearsals.

At the invitation of the Beijing Organizing Committee for the Games of the XXIX Olympiad (BOCOG) and the gymnastics center of the General Administration of Sport of China, the cheerleaders got their first opportunity to rehearse at the Chaoyang Park Beach Volleyball Ground, where the "Good Luck Beijing" beach volleyball event will take place.

Energetic and enthusiastic -- cheerleaders at the Chaoyang Park Beach Volleyball Ground

The Chaoyang Park Beach Volleyball Ground differs from the cheerleaders' normal training place. Here, every dance step and jump requires the cheerleaders to exert more energy because the sand affects their range of movement and synchronization.

As the cheerleaders rehearsed at the new venue, the BOCOG supervisors made suggestions to them about their timing and sequence based on their performances under these unique conditions.

The supervisors also emphasized the role of the cheerleading squads in getting spectators to interact with them and to cheer on the teams.

The enthusiastic rehearsal performance impressed the BOCOG and gymnastics center representatives.

Recognizing the shortcomings in their routines, the cheerleaders intend to increase lower body strength training and make adjustments to their choreography. The cheerleaders will add more upper body movements to their routines to improve interaction with spectators.

The cheerleaders plan to take full advantage of the opportunity they have been given to compete for a place on the "Good Luck Beijing" beach volleyball event cheerleading squad. The final team members will be announced in the near future on www.chinaddup.com.

Energetic and enthusiastic -- cheerleaders at the Chaoyang Park Beach Volleyball Ground

Shunyi Olympic Rowing-Canoeing Park to be delivered (photos attached)

2007-07-26T03:22:00.001-07:00

Updated：2007-07-26

Photos taken on July 25 shows the Shunyi Olympic Rowing-Canoeing Park, the venue for Olympic rowing and canoe/kayak (Flat-water and Slalom) competitions.

In 2007, the park in northeast Beijing will see three sports events, including the World Rowing Junior Championships (Aug. 7-11), Good Luck Beijing 2007 Canoe/Kayak Slalom Open (Aug. 16-19), and Good Luck Beijing 2007 Canoe/Kayak Flatwater Open (Aug. 23-26).

Photo credit: CNSPhoto

Slope path for 'Good Luck Beijing' sailing venue nearly ready (photos attached)

2007-07-26T03:22:00.000-07:00

Updated：2007-07-25

(BEIJING, July 24) -- The slope path at the venue entry is almost ready for the August 9 Good Luck Beijing Qingdao International Sailing Regatta.

Zimbabwe team sports out of 2008 Olympic Games

2007-07-26T03:21:00.000-07:00

Updated：2007-07-26 From：Xinhuanet

HARARE, July 24 (Xinhua) -- Zimbabwe will not be represented in any of the team sports at next year's Olympic Games after the national women's hockey side ended the African Zone qualifying tournament winless in Nairobi, Kenya, at the weekend, The Herald reported on Tuesday.

The Zimbabwe women's side found the going tough at the week-long tournament where they only managed to score one goal and conceded 14 in four matches against hosts Kenya, Namibia, South Africa and Ghana.

The women's Olympic Games qualifying tournament was held simultaneously with the men's competition in Nairobi.

Zimbabwe were not represented in the men's qualifiers after the Hockey Association of Zimbabwe failed to raise enough money to send a team.

The Zimbabwe women's team was only able to travel to Nairobi after they received some financial assistance from the Olympic Solidarity through the Zimbabwe Olympic Committee.

The failure by the team to make the grade at the Nairobi tournament will leave Zimbabwe without a representative side in any of the team sports during next year's Olympic Games in Beijing.

Beijing warming up for Olympics (photos attached)

2007-07-25T03:28:00.000-07:00

Updated：2007-07-25

(BEIJING, July 25) -- Successful "Good Luck Beijing" sport events will lay a solid foundation for the 2008 Olympic Games, said Liu Jingmin, vice-mayor of Beijing and executive vice-president of the Beijing Organizing Committee for the Games of the XXIX Olympiad (BOCOG).

The organization and operation system has been set up, which is characterized by multi-party involvement, close cooperation and common preparation, Liu told the local press recently.

42 pre-Olympic Games sport events have been scheduled between July 2007 and May 2008 in Beijing and co-host cities, with 26 of them planned for this year. Beijing will stage 23 such events and the rest will be held in Hong Kong (equestrian), Qingdao (sailing), Shenyang (football) and Qinhuangdao (football).

Beijing stages “Good Luck Beijing” sport events to warm up for the upcoming Olympics

This August will see the most extensive agenda. There will be Hong Kong equestrian competitions, Qingdao International sailing regatta, World Rowing Junior Championships in Shunyi Olympic Rowing-Canoeing Park of Beijing, the 2007 International Road Cycling Invitational Race, 2007 International Baseball Tournament, 2007 FIVB Beach Volleyball Women's Challenger, 2007 UCI BMX Supercross World Cup, 2007 Junior World Wrestling Championship and three other events.

The competition rules and detailed schedules for this year's events have been made ready, and athlete registration has been launched, Liu said, adding that registration for hokey and baseball events have concluded already.

Intensive competitions have been arranged for August and September, because the weather and environment conditions are similar to that of next summers' Olympics, he explained.

Aiming at rehearsing what the Olympics will need, the organizing committee has elaborated general management policies covering as many as 35 areas, set forth the working standards and procedures in such fields as reception, services and etiquette, and pinpointed assessment items, Liu said.

The competition venues will be delivered for use one to three months in advance and the training venues, hotels, hospitals, logistics centers and arrival-departure facilities have been settled down. Marketing of the sports equipment has been completed and supply is underway. In addition, 11 of Beijing's districts and counties related to the events have made their logistics ready.

(Photo credit: Bjd.com.cn)

Tickets on sale for Good Luck Beijing events

2007-07-25T03:27:00.000-07:00

Updated：2007-07-25

(BEIJIG, July 25) -- Tickets for the first batch of nine "Good Luck Beijing" sport events were put on sale on Tuesday.

All the nine events are scheduled for August 2007. They include World Rowing Junior Championships, International Hockey Tournament, FIVB Beach Volleyball women's Challenger, Canoe/Kayak Slalom Open, International baseball Tournament, UCI BMX Supercross World Cup, Junior World Wrestling Championship, International Archery Tournament, and Canoe/Kayak Flatwater Open.

Soon after the news was broken, extensive telephone inquiries about the beach volleyball event have been received, according to the ticketing department.

Tickets for the preliminaries cost 10 to 30 yuan and the finals 30 to 150 yuan.

Except for hokey, archery and baseball events, all other events have 10-yuan tickets.

Tickets for the beach volleyball quarterfinals will be sold at 30 or 50 yuan each, and tickets for the finals at 50 or 80 yuan each.

Spectators can buy tickets in three ways: purchase on the official website: http://www.goodluckbeijing.com.cn; call the hotline (8610)64068888/64069999/64170058/64170068 or straight from the Box Offices at the venues.

Reselling and/or trading of tickets is prohibited. Tickets must not be used for any purpose of politics, religion, commerce, advertising or promotion unless there is in advance a written approval by the Organizing Committee of the "Good Luck Beijing" Sport events, according to the official website.

A glimpse of the Beijing Olympic Village (photos attached)

2007-07-25T03:26:00.000-07:00

Updated：2007-07-20

(BEIJING, July 20) -- What would the Beijing Olympic Village look like? It will be the world's "First Village" during the Olympic Games in 2008, a journalist of People's Daily says.

Occupying a space area of 66 hectares and located at the northeast corner of the Olympic central area, the village is adjacent to the Olympic Green in the north and the cluster of Olympic venues in south. During the Olympics in August next year, it will be home to over 16,800 athletes, coaches and officials of national teams.

The village is divided into residential and international quarters. The residential area, the main component, will not only have apartments, but also a clinic, a restaurant, a multi-functional library, an entertainment center, a leisure and exercise quarter which contains fitness, swimming, tennis, basketball and walking facilities.

Covering an area of 370,000 square meters, the residential area comprises 22 six-story buildings and 20 nine-story buildings of the same style, with a per capital living area of 22 square meters.

To ensure the athletes' sweet sleep, each bed has been designed to be 2.2 meters long, and a special stool will be added to the end of the bed for giants like Yao Ming, whose body length is 2.26 meters.

Each athlete room is equipped with a wideband line, a telephone, network and closed-circuit TV programs, an infrared burglar-proof warning device and a fingerprint cock. An ID card will be issued to every athlete who can buy things online and contact family members online free of charge, and there are also places for religious worship in the village.

The 20,000-square-meter Olympic Square in the international area will be the most eye-catching spot when the 200 or so flags of the member committees of the International Committee will be waving there.

Olympic baseball field ready for 'Good Luck Beijing' sports events (photos attached)

2007-07-24T03:34:00.000-07:00

Updated：2007-07-19

(BEIJING, July 19) -- Lamps on the venue for the baseball competitions of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, Wukesong Baseball Field, were lit on the night of July 18.

The facility is gearing up for the 2007 International Baseball Tournament, a "Good Luck Beijing" sports event, scheduled from August 18-23, 2007.

Covering an area of 14,360 square meters and located in west Beijing, it includes a baseball field with 12,000 seats, a court with 3,000 seats and a training court.

(Photo credit: China Foto Press)

Tianjin Olympic Center Stadium near completion (photos attached)

2007-07-24T03:30:00.000-07:00

Updated：2007-07-23

(BEIJING, July 23) -- After over 1,000 days of construction, the Tianjin Olympic Center Stadium is now on its way toward inauguration.

The building, which looks like a waterdrop, has become a landmark building in the co-host city of the 29th Olympiad and a gateway to Beijing.

The Chinese women football team had a week-long training in the sports facility last week. The team members were quite excited to see its sophistication.

The stadium, 380 meters long, 270 meters wide and 53 meters high, can stage international football competitions and athletics.

Along with such affiliated facilities as big marketplace, exhibition hall, conference room and gym, the stadium is also able to provide the public with space for entertainment, exercises and shopping.

The outside of the stadium

With ground-breaking taking place in August 2003, the 60,000-seat project has a land surface of 78,000 square meters. It will host Olympic football preliminaries.

The inside of the project

9th All Africa Games a prelude to the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games (photos attached)

2007-07-24T03:27:00.000-07:00

Updated：2007-07-24

(BEIJING, July 24) -- The 9th All Africa Games hosted in Algiers, Algeria concluded with a closing ceremony Monday at the July 5th Stadium in Algiers.

The stadium was alive with enthusiasm from the more than 6,000 athletes from 52 participating African countries and spectators. Some athletes even showed off their other performance skills such as in dance and garnered loud applause from the audience.

The closing ceremony came after the last event of the competition -- the men's football final, in which Cameroon defeated Guinea 1-0 and defended their gold medal from the 8th All Africa Games hosted in Abuja, Nigeria in 2003.

The All Africa Games torch was relit for the closing ceremony, where it would be symbolically extinguished.

In 34 years, this is only the second time that Algeria has hosted the All Africa Games. While their preparation work fell short of perfection, the competition nevertheless sparked a lot of enthusiasm.

In a speech at the closing ceremony, International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Mr. Jacque Rogue expressed, "This year's All Africa Games demonstrated the talent and ability of the African athletes."

For many teams from South Africa, Kenya, and other African countries the 2007 All Africa Games was a good opportunity to warm up for the Olympic Games. The South African swim team head coach stated, "Our main goal is next year's Olympic Games."

The 2007 All Africa Games encompassed 27 sports and disciplines. The ever-growing competition has become somewhat of a burden on its organizers due to a lack sponsors.

Mr. Djaafar Yefsah, Head of the African Games Organizing Committee (COJA), suggests that the All Africa Games be used as a trial competition for the Olympic Games. This way, perhaps more athletes will be inclined to participate and thereby attract more attention from sponsors.

After 12 days of competitions, Egypt led with 74 gold medals, followed by Algeria, with 70 gold medals. South Africa came in third.

The 10th All Africa Games will take place in the Zambian capital of Lusaka in 2011.

Army, Navy and Air Force will assume the task of seven full protection of 08 Olympic success

2007-07-23T03:25:00.000-07:00

Input Date:07/20/2007

Beijing Olympics, the People's Liberation Army is mainly responsible for response from non-traditional fields of security threats, focus on the anti-nuclear biochemical terrorist attack during the Olympic Games, Beijing, by a group of unknown terrorists hijacked a merchant in an attempt to forcibly entered the closed match of Olympic sailing waters damage normal sea race. Undertake marine sentry patrol missions of the Navy missile frigates and missile escort boat to take immediate action In a powerful deterrent force and armed squad of fierce attacks, the terrorists came to be captured. This "frightening scene" PLA is ongoing, codenamed "USC -07" army Olympic security operations research exercise, June 29 at the current exercise is the first organization Olympic security exercise army to take part in the Olympics security operations for the first time publicly displayed. Olympic security command of the armed forces were responsible for the office of the group, told this reporter : This exercise is based on the "military participation in Beijing Olympic security operation overall program basis of" prominent anti-terrorist action. strive to resolve the armed forces to participate in the Olympic security command mechanism, the use of force, action time, fighting measures Cooperative movements and disposal of heavy and difficult problems. Fully tested the ability to handle emergencies of this exercise is approved by the General Staff, led by the Beijing Military Region, The exercise command center set up in Beijing, the situation throughout the exercise have gathered Beijing. Xinhua director in the Ministry of the big screen witnessed the scene of the exercise scenario. Scene in the beginning of the article -- "maritime interception operations and underwater security checks" subjects, and focused on training in the maritime patrol alert, Remote control surveillance, interception sealed off inspections and security checks Surveying insects 4 content.

Qingdao exercise in the waters. The units participating in the exercise are the Navy's North Sea Fleet, the Beijing Military Region Air Force, the units under the Beijing Military Region, a brigade of the General Staff Corps of Engineers and the Military Academy of Medical Science, etc. More than 5,000 officers and soldiers, and sent some ships, aircraft, missiles, anti-aircraft guns, Radar and other weapons and equipment, exercises in Beijing, Tianjin, Hebei, Inner Mongolia and Shandong linkage to be held. Tianjin regions in the "Anti-Hijacking, and low-speed targets disposal," the exercise is also very exciting. A civilian plane was hijacked and is in a certain city to host the Olympics in the direction of flight, state departments quickly decided that it is a major hijacking incident. Beijing Military Region based on the Air Force "to participate in the Olympic Games air security action plan," the immediate take-off of its fighters carried out a forced landing. nothing hijackers in the attack fighter, to land at a certain airport rapid reaction detachments have been robbed of civil flights for surround its regulatory control. Air Force conducted aerial surveillance, tracking and surveillance, warning forced to land disposal, shoot down low-small target of the exercise scene than the brilliant scene. "A major explosion and rescue operation" was held in Beijing, the venue drill platoon and seized explosives rescue. During the Olympics, a terrorist group claimed in an Olympic stadiums set up explosives. Project Rescue Team received the order, immediately following the complex arrangements for the seizure of explosives were found burglary unit entered the complex multi-channel launched search operations seized, take people with dogs, and to use special equipment to carry out all-round matches found Frederick, finally remote-controlled bomb detonated device removed. In search of the venue, while a car bomb terrorists attacked the sports venues of the West restaurant, commanders quickly dispatched a reconnaissance group works area of the explosion of unexploded ordnance exclude search and rescue unit, rescue unit also launched a rescue operation. In a Beijing subway station, anti-chemical warfare unit held an "anti-chemical terrorist attacks Emergency Rescue" drill, It consists of units in place, emergency reconnaissance where rescue ambulance integrated, comprehensive monitoring disinfection four subjects of the drills, wearing anti-chemical warfare officers and soldiers serving in the quick action of disinfection in place, rescue properly. To the special combat terrorists is to be held in Beijing's. Rapid emergency action in place, tightly sealed with the deployment of multi-dimensional and integrated precision control of reconnaissance, rescue forcibly broke into the stereo, Candi eliminated intercepted and interrelated, and the scene was terrifying. Held in Inner Mongolia for terrorists border was sealed off, and in-depth inventory, the joint exercises arrest, mainly to prevent terrorists from channeling and the internal flight. Command exercise is the focus of the exercise, all levels of command conducted a comprehensive decision-making command, capital region command multi-level interaction, sub-arenas joint command of the military, cross-stadium support operations command, sealing off the border, the exercise independent command, and comprehensively improve the Olympic security command capabilities. At the end of the exercise, the headquarters leadership pointed out that through this exercise, solve the disposal of all types of emergencies the organization and command, the use of military strength, fighting measures coordinated action and comprehensive support on key and difficult problems, and comprehensively improve the Olympic security deal with the actual combat capability, promote the Olympic security preparations for the effective implementation.

Worth 460000000 yuan Liu Xiang, the Olympic gold medal in the most commercial value

2007-07-23T03:23:00.000-07:00

The other nine Olympic gold medalist Tian Liang value of gold worth 397000000 yuan Guo Jingjing value of 233000000 yuan gold Luo Xue Juan gold worth 81000000 yuan Li Ting and Sun Tiantian gold worth 65000000 yuan gold Ma Lin Wang value of 40000000 yuan Nan gold worth 35000000 yuan Zhang Yining gold worth 29 000000 yuan Wu Minxia gold worth 14000000 yuan

Input Date:07/20/2007

Shenyang Olympic Sports Center Stadium reputed for details (photos attached)

2007-07-19T03:33:00.000-07:00

Updated：2007-07-19

(BEIJING, July 19) -- Many praise the newly-built Olympic football venue in Shenyang for its turf, lighting system, chairs and VIP lounge.

The grass on the turf is a variety which grows in cold climates, so it suits the rigorous winter in Shenyang, a city in Northeast China.

To ensure sufficient indoor light, the stadium's roof has been covered with sunlight panels and glasses, thus extending the turf's maintenance cycle.

During the recent 2007 International Women's Football Tournament, rainfall did not cause any inconvenience to spectators as the roof was totally deployed.

Another spectator-friendly facility is the large display screens at the two stands, which measure 192 square meters each.

The design of the VIP lounge puts privacy and comfort first. The VIPs can use the 12 chairs outside the lounge to watch the competitions and have meetings behind the glass screen. The lounge also has a restroom.

One of the four football venues in the co-host cities, the Shenyang stadium will host 12 football preliminaries during the 2008 Olympic Games. Located in Liaoning Province, it has a land surface of 150,000 square meters and contains 60,000 seats.

Fuwa debut in Moscow

2007-06-29T17:09:00.000-07:00

Updated：2007-06-29

(BEIJING, June 28) -- In an exhibition on Beijing's Olympic Games in Moscow, the mascots of the Olympics -- Fuwa caught the eyes of the visitors.

On Thursday, when the exhibition was inaugurated, five children clad in air-filled mascots greeted the visitors, giving the exhibition a special flavor.

More than 200 photos plus a show of promotional films made the viewers at Moscow's World Trade Center experience the panorama and life in the Chinese capital, which will host the next Summer Olympics in such magnificent venues as the "Bird's Nest" -- the National Stadium or the "Water Cube" -- the National Aquatics Center.

Beijing Mayor Wang Qishan, who is on a visit to the Russian capital, a sister city of Beijing, told the opening ceremony that Moscow is a place of happiness for the Chinese people as it was there that the announcement of Beijing's victory of the Olympic bid was made six years ago. Coincidently, the exhibition today is held at the same hall.

The exhibition, a trade fair, as well as a tourism promotion fair started on Thursday, were part of the June 27-30 "Beijing Week" in Moscow and a series of regional cooperation programs marking the "Year of China" in Russia.

The Workers' Indoor Arena

2007-06-29T17:06:00.000-07:00

Venue: Workers' Indoor Arena

Location: Gongti Rd., Chaoyang District, Beijing

Competition: Boxing

The exterior look of the Arena

The interior view of the Arena

Workers' Indoor Arena (Effect model)

The Workers' Stadium

2007-06-29T17:04:00.000-07:00

Venue: Workers' Stadium

Location: Gongti Rd., Chaoyang District, Beijing

Competition: Football

The Workers' Stadium (Effect model). Credit: Credit: www.bj2008.gov.cn

The Workers' Stadium (Effect model)

The exterior look of the Workers' Stadium

The interior view of the Workers' Stadium

The Olympic Sports Center Gymnasium

2007-06-29T17:03:00.000-07:00

Venue: Olympic Sports Center Gymnasium

Location: Olympic Sports Center

Competition: Handball

Olympic Sports Center Gymnasium

The exterior look of the Gymasium

The Olympic Sports Center Stadium

2007-06-29T17:01:00.000-07:00

Venue: Olympic Sports Center Stadium

Location: Southern part of Olympic Sports Center

Seats: 40,000

Competitions: Modern Pentathlon (running and equestrian)

The Beijing University of Technology Gymnasium

2007-06-29T16:58:00.000-07:00

Venue: Beijing University of Technology Gymnasium (Badminton and Rhythmic Gymnastic venue for the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games)

Location: Beijing University of Technology

Total land surface (sq m): 22,269

Seats: 7,500

Competitions: Badminton and Rhythmic Gymnastics

Post-Games use: The Gym will provide spaces for activities of students and faculty, whilst facilitating the training of the badminton teams affiliated with the International Badminton Federation and the General Administration of Sports. The gymnasium will ocassionally be open to the public.

Groundbreaking date: June 30, 2005

The University of Science and Technology Beijing Gymnasium

2007-06-28T17:37:00.000-07:00

Venue: University of Science and Technology Beijing Gymnasium

Location: University of Science and Technology Beijing

Total land surface: 23,993 sq m

Seats: 4,068 permanent and 3,956 temporary

Competitions: Judo and Taekwondo

Post-Games use: The Gym will serve as a comprehensive indoor center for various sports activities, aquatics and fitness training, and will also be suitable for indoor athletic competitions.

A bird's eye view

A night shot

The interior

A day shot

The Peking University Gymnasium

2007-06-28T17:35:00.000-07:00

Venue: Peking University Gymnasium (Table Tennis venue for the 2008 Beijing Olympics

Location: Peking University

Total land surface: 26,900 sq m

Seats: 6,000 permanent and 2,000 removable

Competitions: Table Tennis

Post-Games use: The Gym can be utilized for a score of competitions, including table tennis, handball, basketball, badminton, and volleyball. The Gym will also meet the needs of physical education, training and recreation.

A day shot

A night shot

The interior

The China Agricultural University Gymnasium

2007-06-28T17:33:00.000-07:00

Venue: China Agricultural University Gymnasium

Location: China Agricultural University (East Campus)

Total land surface: 23,950 sq m

Seats: 6,000 permanent and 2,000 removable

Competitions: Wrestling

Post-Games use: The gym will have a warm-up court and spaces for various sport competitions and large-scale activities, such as badminton, table tennis, gymnastics, volleyball, basketball, handball and indoor football matches.

Groundbreaking date: June, 2005

Credit: www.bj2008.gov.cn

Shunyi Olympic Rowing-Canoeing Park

2007-06-28T17:31:00.000-07:00

Venue: Shunyi Olympic Rowing-Canoeing Park

Location: Mapo Village, Shunyi District, Beijing

Competitions: Rowing, Canoe/Kayak (Flat-water and Slalom)

A bird's eye view

The main stand

The terminal tower

The floating boathouse

The flatwater boathouse

The Laoshan Velodrome

2007-06-28T17:29:00.000-07:00

Venue: Laoshan Velodrome

Location: Laoshan, Shijinshan District, Beijing

Total land surface: 32,920 sq m

Seats: 6,000

Competition: Cycling (track)

Groundbreaking date: Oct. 30, 2004

A panorama

A rendering of the structure

The Wukesong Indoor Stadium

2007-06-28T17:26:00.000-07:00

Venue: Wukesong Indoor Stadium

Location: Wukesong Culture and Sports Center

Total land surface: 63,000 sq m

Competitions: Basketball

Post-Games use: The stadium, which includes Wukesong Indoor Stadium, Wukesong Baseball Fields, and sports and commercial facilities, will be able to meet the needs of residents in western Beijing

Groundbreaking date: March 29, 2005

Effect photo

A panorama

A night shot

The Beijing Shooting Range Hall

2007-06-28T17:25:00.000-07:00

Venue: Beijing Shooting Range Hall

Location: Shijingshan District, Beijing

Total land surface: 45,645 sq m

Competitions: Qualifications and finals of 11 shooting events, consisting of all 10-meter, 25-meter, and 50-meter range shooting events. The entire shooting sports of the 2008 Paralympic Games will also be held in the venue.

Groundbreaking date: July 13, 2004

A bird's eye view

The main entrance

The western corner

The eastern corner

The competition hall

The lobby

The National Indoor Stadium

2007-06-28T17:23:00.000-07:00

Venue: National Indoor Stadium

Location: Olympic Green

Total land surface: 80,900 sq m

Competitions: Artistic Gymnastics, Trampolines, and Handball;

Post-Games use: The venue, one of the best sports facilities in Beijing, can be used for sports competition, cultural and entertaining purposes, and will serve as a multi-functional exercise center for local residents.

Groundbreaking date: May 28, 2005

Effect photo

The National Aquatics Center

2007-06-28T17:21:00.000-07:00

Venue: National Aquatics Center;

Location: Olympic Green;

Total land surface: 65,000-80,000 sq m;

Seats: 6,000 permanent and 11,000 temporary;

Competitions: Swimming, Diving, Synchronized Swimming;

Groundbreaking date: Dec. 24, 2003;

The "Water Cube"

The interior

A night shot

The exterior

The center in the rain

A day shot

A night shot

The interior

The "Water Cube" and the "Bird's Nest"

Fireworks with external lighting

Release of bubble balloons with spot lights

Projections

Bird's Nest echoes with lotus flowers (photos attached)

2007-06-28T17:13:00.000-07:00

Updated：2007-06-28

Photos taken on June 27 show the National Stadium, also known as the "Bird's Nest",

surrounded by beautiful lotus flowers in a man-made lake nearby.

The water lily, along with nine other water plants,

was planted in the lake 20 days ago.

Photo Credit: China Foto Press

NBA Trade Prediction

2007-06-27T18:43:00.000-07:00

There is earthbreaking news in the NBA today. Jermaine O'Neal and Kevin Garnett could be playing somewhere else. This is what the teams involved will receive.

Lakers: Kevin Garnett

T'Wolves: 5 and 19 pick, Al Jefferson

Pacers: Andrew Bynum and Lamar Odom

Celtics: Jermaine O'Neal

This is a bad trade for every team except for the Lakers. The Lakers get Kobe Bryant and sidekick who puts them into championship contention. This will bring back days of the O'Neal-Bryant domination. Now Garnett will get into a situation he wants, and Kobe will be happy.

LAKERS LINEUP: PG: Farmar, SG: Bryant, SF: Walton, PF: Garnett, C: Brown

The Timberwolves have a below average pickup on this trade. True, they give up their superstar, the biggest in their franchise's history, but they get two picks in one of the deepest drafts ever, and they get Al Jefferson, a servicable big man. With the fifth pick, they will take Yi Jianlian so they can adjust to a fast-paced system that I believe they will try to play in next year. With the seventh, they will take Mike Conley to run the offense, and I could actually see the Pacers giving the T'Wolves Tinsley for the 19.

T'WOLVES LINEUP: PG: Conley, SG: Foye, SF: Davis, PF: Jianlian, C: Jefferson

The Pacers trade is not that great. Sure they get Bynum, but they lose a superstar. Take what I did and throw in Tinsley for the 19th or 7th pick. That could get them a point guard like Javaris Crittenton or Acie Law to build on for the future. But if it stays the way it is, this will take the Pacers down a notch.

PACERS LINEUP: PG Tinsley, SG: Dunleavy, SF: Granger, PF: Murphy, C: Bynum

This is a pretty good trade for the Celtics, but if I was Ainge, I might hold off. They get a superstar, JO, and that should please Paul Pierce and give Celtics fans something to cheer about. But this is one of the most deep drafts in NBA history. At the five pick, they could get Yi Jianlian, Brandan Wright, Corey Brewer, or Al Horford. Horford and Brewer fit into their system better, and Wright and Jianlian can give the team an up-tempo star. I would not go through with this trade and keep Jefferson and the pick, but I am not the GM.

PG: West, SG: Green, SF: Pierce, PF: O'Neal, C: Perkins

I think that each team, except for the Lakers, can find a better deal and imporve their team more by either going after more talent or keeping their players.

Nike storms on Yijianlian-NBA Draft initiatives

2007-06-27T18:18:00.000-07:00

BEIJING: NIKE has took part in new Chinese basketball star Yijianlian(易建联) on the latter's NBA Draft Journey, with a massive marketing on print and online.

Nike China had also make some actions on the Young Star's leap to NBA , with online activities like an minisite on Nike China official Website:Nike/Yi . And Nike Chin also presents a premium platform as cooperation with NetEase's 163.com on its sports channel: Yi Jianlian Channel, stuff with concentrative topics, newsletter (“Yi Jianlian NEWS”), Poll, video show and even special online games (NBA MOCK DRAFT 2007).

The NBA DRAFT 2007 will opened in three days later at June 28th in Madison Square Garden, New York. Nike previously also designed an Unique “Scorpio” Logo for Yi Jianlian to match his birth date (27th, Oct.)

Some additional interesting info is that, Li-Ning, a local sports label is the major sponsor on NerEase's Sports Channel.

Yi Jianlian not interested in working out for Bucks

2007-06-27T17:27:00.000-07:00

2007-06-25 11:45

　BEIJING, June 24 -- The intrigue surrounding Chinese power forward Yi Jianlian is building, with less than a week remaining until the National Basketball Association draft.

Yi is no Yao Ming, and in fact has little in common with the 7-foot-5 Houston Rockets center. Yi is a 7-footer who can dribble, jump and face the basket. His game has been compared to that of former Milwaukee Bucks and Chicago Bulls forward Toni Kukoc.

Yet many experts aren't sure what to make of Yi, who could be sliding a bit in the June 28 draft.

The Milwaukee Bucks won't get a first-hand view of Yi, whose camp has declined a workout request by the team. Bucks director of player personnel Dave Babcock wanted to go to Los Angeles to take a closer look but was rebuffed by Yi's agent, Dan Fegan.

"Basically they said they can't work it in the schedule," Babcock said Friday. "We're not a high priority for them. We'll see what happens."

Fegan has sparked a good share of controversy by requiring teams to come to Los Angeles to see Yi, by putting restrictions on the type of workouts his client would do and by having him skip the Orlando pre-draft camp.

Yi did not even go through the physical testing in Orlando, something the top-rated prospects normally do even if they do not compete in the camp.

The Philadelphia 76ers, who hold the 12th overall pick in the draft, attended a private workout for Yi earlier this week.

But the Bucks, drafting sixth, were bypassed. Florida power forward Joakim Noah earlier had declined an invitation to work out with Milwaukee, although his Gators teammates, Al Horford and Corey Brewer, auditioned for the Bucks earlier this week.

"It's disappointing, but I'll tell you what," Babcock said. "We still like him (Yi). He's a good shooter, very skilled, runs. He's not a thin kid. His English is good. He'll be an impact guy in the NBA next year."

Bucks general manager Larry Harris said he had hoped to give the team's coaching staff a chance to meet Yi and see him in an individual workout.

"The kid is nearly 7 feet and 240 pounds, and he's getting bigger," Harris said.

"He can run the floor. He has great hands, and more of his forte is facing the basket. From 16, 17, 18 feet, he can make that shot. He's more athletic than people think."

Yi's age is a matter of debate. He is listed as 19 years old on the Chinese national team roster, but some say he is really 21 or 22.

He's the true wild card in this draft, a player who might go as high as No. 5 to the Boston Celtics or slip all the way to Sacramento at No. 10 or the 76ers at No. 12. The Chicago Bulls, at No. 9, also could have some interest.

Yi played for the Gundong Southern Tigers in the Chinese Basketball Association last season, and he averaged 24.9 points and 11.5 rebounds per game. He also has played with Yao as a member of the Chinese national team and took part in the 2004 Olympics and the 2006 FIBA World Championship..

"I went to China three years ago, and I spent a lot of time around him," Babcock said. "We're prepared on him."

Babcock estimated that he and Harris and scouts Scott Howard and Scott Roth had seen Yi play 20 times in the last four years.

Howard saw Yi in the Asian Championships last December in Qatar, and Harris watched him in the 2004 Athens Olympics, where Harris' father, Del, coached the Chinese team.

"He (Del Harris) thought Yi was a tremendous kid, really bright," Larry Harris said. ""He had him at a young age, and at that time (in 2004) thought he could be a small forward."

Harris and Babcock indicated that the Bucks would not be scared to select Yi on draft night.

"I'm just saying we're still interested," Babcock said.

"If we feel like the player is the best player on the board, we're not going to shy away from it if we think it would fit our team. Noah is the same way. If Noah is the best player on the board, we're not going to turn the page on him just because he won't come work out for us."