Anastasia Davydova and Anastasia Ermakova prepare to perform in the duet technical routine synchronised swimming event at the National Aquatics Center during the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games in Beijing on August 18, 2008. Russia's team finished 1st.
Jiang Tingting and Jiang Wenwen of China perform in the duet technical routine synchronised swimming event at the National Aquatics Center during the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games in Beijing on August 18, 2008.The Chinese pair finished the technical routine in fourth place.
Saho Harada and Emiko Suzuki of Japan perform their duet technical routine during the duet synchronised swimming at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games on August 18, 2008. The Japanese pair finished the technical routine in third place.
Evanthia Makrygianni and Despoina Solomou of Greece perform at the start of their duet synchronised swimming technical routine at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games August 18, 2008.
Jiang Tingting and Jiang Wenwen of China perform in the duet technical routine synchronised swimming event at the National Aquatics Center during the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games in Beijing on August 18, 2008.The Chinese pair finished the technical routine in fourth place.
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Medalist mom sends gold to son
Shinobu Ohno of Japan runs with the ball during the match Japan VS the United States in women's semifinal of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games Football events in Beijing, China, Aug. 18, 2008. The United States beat Japan 4-2.
Players of the United States celebrate a goal during the match Japan VS the United States in women's semifinal of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games Football events in Beijing, China, Aug. 18, 2008.
Players of the United States celebrate a goal during the match Japan VS the United States in women's semifinal of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games Football events in Beijing, China, Aug. 18, 2008.
U.S. beats Brazil in beach volleyball semifinal
Kerri Walsh and Misty May-Treanor of the U.S. celebrate a point during the women's semifinal of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games beach volleyball event against Renata Ribeiro and Talita Rocha of Brazil in Beijing, China, Aug. 19, 2008. Kerri Walsh and Misty May-Treanor of the U.S. won the match 2-0 and advanced to final.
Kerri Walsh of the U.S. celebrates a point during the women's semifinal of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games beach volleyball event with Misty May-Treanor against Renata Ribeiro and Talita Rocha of Brazil in Beijing, China, Aug. 19, 2008.
Kerri Walsh and Misty May-Treanor of the U.S. celebrate a point during the women's semifinal of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games beach volleyball event against Renata Ribeiro and Talita Rocha of Brazil in Beijing, China, Aug. 19, 2008.
Kerri Walsh of the U.S. celebrates a point during the women's semifinal of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games beach volleyball event with Misty May-Treanor against Renata Ribeiro and Talita Rocha of Brazil in Beijing, China, Aug. 19, 2008.
Kerri Walsh and Misty May-Treanor of the U.S. celebrate a point during the women's semifinal of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games beach volleyball event against Renata Ribeiro and Talita Rocha of Brazil in Beijing, China, Aug. 19, 2008.
Men's triathlon event underway
Wang Jie and Tian Jia of China celebrate after winning the women's semifinal of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games beach volleyball event against Xue Chen and Zhang Xi of China in Beijing, China, Aug. 19, 2008.
Wang Jie and Tian Jia of China celebrate after winning the women's semifinal of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games beach volleyball event against Xue Chen and Zhang Xi of China in Beijing, China, Aug. 19, 2008.
Wang Jie and Tian Jia of China celebrate after winning the women's semifinal of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games beach volleyball event against Xue Chen and Zhang Xi of China in Beijing, China, Aug. 19, 2008. Wang Jie and Tian Jia won the match 2-1 and advanced to final.
Tian Jia of China celebrates after winning the women's semifinal of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games beach volleyball event with Wang Jie against Xue Chen and Zhang Xi of China in Beijing, China, Aug. 19, 2008.
Tian Jia and Wang Jie of China won over their compatriots Zhang Xi and Xue Chen in the semifinals of beach volleyball tournament at the Beijing Olympics on Tuesday.
Tian/Wang needed to play three sets before downing their fellow Chinese duo.
Zhang/Xue won the first set 24-22. They trailed at the beginning of the second sect but were able to come from behind. The two sides traded set points in the latter part of the second set and scored the highest points in the beach volleyball tournament at the Beijing Olympics. The set ended 29-27 in favor of Tian/Wang.
The third set went in the advantage of Tian/Wang, who beat the younger duo 15-8.
"Both of us played to our best standard in the match. I hope both of our two teams will have good performance in our next matches," said Tian after the match.
"My partner played excelently in the match. It seemed she was not for the first time at the Olympics," she added.
"I have done my best in the match. I have played and practiced beach volleyball for eight years and all that has been for the Beijing Olympics," the 24-year-old Zhang said at the press conference.
Her parter Xue Chen was sustained a waist injury when she tried to save but failed to touch the last ball.
About the loss of the third set, Zhang said, "We lack experiences and they captured our gaps and curbed our ways of offensive."
"I hope Tian and Wang would play better in the final against the United States and I hope I can give my strength to them," she said.
On the coming final against defending champions Misty May-Treanor and Kerri Walsh, Wang said, "They are a very strong team, both in experience and techniques. We are going to face big difficulties in the match."
"We'll do our best and we don't think about the result," she added.
Source:Xinhua
Wang Jie and Tian Jia of China celebrate after winning the women's semifinal of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games beach volleyball event against Xue Chen and Zhang Xi of China in Beijing, China, Aug. 19, 2008.
Wang Jie and Tian Jia of China celebrate after winning the women's semifinal of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games beach volleyball event against Xue Chen and Zhang Xi of China in Beijing, China, Aug. 19, 2008. Wang Jie and Tian Jia won the match 2-1 and advanced to final.
Tian Jia of China celebrates after winning the women's semifinal of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games beach volleyball event with Wang Jie against Xue Chen and Zhang Xi of China in Beijing, China, Aug. 19, 2008.
Tian Jia and Wang Jie of China won over their compatriots Zhang Xi and Xue Chen in the semifinals of beach volleyball tournament at the Beijing Olympics on Tuesday.
Tian/Wang needed to play three sets before downing their fellow Chinese duo.
Zhang/Xue won the first set 24-22. They trailed at the beginning of the second sect but were able to come from behind. The two sides traded set points in the latter part of the second set and scored the highest points in the beach volleyball tournament at the Beijing Olympics. The set ended 29-27 in favor of Tian/Wang.
The third set went in the advantage of Tian/Wang, who beat the younger duo 15-8.
"Both of us played to our best standard in the match. I hope both of our two teams will have good performance in our next matches," said Tian after the match.
"My partner played excelently in the match. It seemed she was not for the first time at the Olympics," she added.
"I have done my best in the match. I have played and practiced beach volleyball for eight years and all that has been for the Beijing Olympics," the 24-year-old Zhang said at the press conference.
Her parter Xue Chen was sustained a waist injury when she tried to save but failed to touch the last ball.
About the loss of the third set, Zhang said, "We lack experiences and they captured our gaps and curbed our ways of offensive."
"I hope Tian and Wang would play better in the final against the United States and I hope I can give my strength to them," she said.
On the coming final against defending champions Misty May-Treanor and Kerri Walsh, Wang said, "They are a very strong team, both in experience and techniques. We are going to face big difficulties in the match."
"We'll do our best and we don't think about the result," she added.
Source:Xinhua
World champ He Chong continues dominance in springboard semifinal
Beijing police has seized in a single day 110 scalpers who illegally sold Olympics tickets at competition venues, according to media reports.
About 340 Olympics tickets were found to be sold through illegal trading by scalpers on Friday, including 17 foreigner nationals, the Legal Daily reports.
The crackdown was launched after police received complaints from the public on many occasions during their patrol around the Olympic venues, said Shi Weiping, an official with the Municipal Public Security Bureau.
The scalpers were caught red-handed, usually at a price many times of the initial prices, Shi said.
A foreigner was found selling 24 tickets near the Water Cube at a price 10 times of the initial price on Friday morning. A woman, surnamed Zhang from outside Beijing, was caught when she sold two 150-yuan gym tickets for 1,000 yuan each at a light rail station near the Olympic Green.
The police are investigating the cases and will punish them according to Chinese laws, he added.
Policemen would set up bilingual signs near the Olympic venues to tell foreigners that illegal selling of Olympic tickets were against Chinese laws. Enditem
Source: xinhua
About 340 Olympics tickets were found to be sold through illegal trading by scalpers on Friday, including 17 foreigner nationals, the Legal Daily reports.
The crackdown was launched after police received complaints from the public on many occasions during their patrol around the Olympic venues, said Shi Weiping, an official with the Municipal Public Security Bureau.
The scalpers were caught red-handed, usually at a price many times of the initial prices, Shi said.
A foreigner was found selling 24 tickets near the Water Cube at a price 10 times of the initial price on Friday morning. A woman, surnamed Zhang from outside Beijing, was caught when she sold two 150-yuan gym tickets for 1,000 yuan each at a light rail station near the Olympic Green.
The police are investigating the cases and will punish them according to Chinese laws, he added.
Policemen would set up bilingual signs near the Olympic venues to tell foreigners that illegal selling of Olympic tickets were against Chinese laws. Enditem
Source: xinhua
China's Tian/Wang in women's beach volleyball final
Chinese State Councilor Dai Bingguo met with visiting Japanese Foreign Minister Masahiko Komura here on Sunday, calling for joint efforts to enhance cooperation in energy saving and environmental protection and to push forward strategic mutually-beneficial relations between the two countries.
Komura is here for Beijing Olympic Games. He is scheduled to meet with his Chinese counterpart Yang Jiechi later in the day.
Source: Xinhua
Komura is here for Beijing Olympic Games. He is scheduled to meet with his Chinese counterpart Yang Jiechi later in the day.
Source: Xinhua
Germany's Frodeno lifts Olympic men's triathlon title
Chinese Vice Premier Hui Liangyu has stressed the need to further promote the development of the country's agriculture and animal husbandry in accordance with local resources condition, regional and ethnic features.
Hui, who is also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, also called for stepped-up efforts for the development of ecological and environmental conservation, when he toured around west China's Qinghai Province from Aug. 13 to 16.
He said China should adopt a scientific approach to development that resulted in expanded production, a better life and sound ecological and environmental conditions.
During the visit, he went to farmlands, greenhouses, locals' houses and leading enterprises, to know in detail the practice of favorable measures for farmers.
The vice premier emphasized that developing agriculture and animal husbandry in accordance with local conditions was the main task to develop China's modern agriculture.
Qinghai Province, for example, with a unique climate and geographical conditions and farming resources, should beef up its efforts in agriculture and animal husbandry development.
Hui also visited the ecological conservation project for the Qinghai Lake and the Longyang Gorge hydraulic project.
"The environmental protection in Qinghai has an important bearing on the long-term interest of the Chinese nation," he said, adding great efforts should be made to intensify ecological conservation, protection of natural forest and treatment of desertification.
Hui also visited local people of ethnic groups and expressed his concerned about their life and production.
He said, the Party and the governments at all levels attach great importance to the development of ethnic groups, and has adopted special measures to promote the development in regions inhabited by ethnic groups. "I believe you can see your life improve further and further," He said.
Source: Xinhua
Hui, who is also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, also called for stepped-up efforts for the development of ecological and environmental conservation, when he toured around west China's Qinghai Province from Aug. 13 to 16.
He said China should adopt a scientific approach to development that resulted in expanded production, a better life and sound ecological and environmental conditions.
During the visit, he went to farmlands, greenhouses, locals' houses and leading enterprises, to know in detail the practice of favorable measures for farmers.
The vice premier emphasized that developing agriculture and animal husbandry in accordance with local conditions was the main task to develop China's modern agriculture.
Qinghai Province, for example, with a unique climate and geographical conditions and farming resources, should beef up its efforts in agriculture and animal husbandry development.
Hui also visited the ecological conservation project for the Qinghai Lake and the Longyang Gorge hydraulic project.
"The environmental protection in Qinghai has an important bearing on the long-term interest of the Chinese nation," he said, adding great efforts should be made to intensify ecological conservation, protection of natural forest and treatment of desertification.
Hui also visited local people of ethnic groups and expressed his concerned about their life and production.
He said, the Party and the governments at all levels attach great importance to the development of ethnic groups, and has adopted special measures to promote the development in regions inhabited by ethnic groups. "I believe you can see your life improve further and further," He said.
Source: Xinhua
U.S. advances to final after eliminating Japan
Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi met with visiting Japanese counterpart Masahiko Komura on Sunday evening, and expressed his wish that Japanese athletes would achieve proud results at the Beijing Olympic Games.
Yang expressed his "warm welcome" to Komura, congratulating him on the 8th gold medal on the country's medal-list won by its five-time world champion Kaori Icho in the women's 63kg freestyle wrestling on Sunday, and wished that Japanese athletes would achieve proud results in further competitions.
Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda attended the opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympic Games and Komura's visit here fully embodied Japan's active and firm support to the Games, and "we really thanked them for that," Yang said.
"We hope to exchange views with Japan on issues of common concern, and to strengthen cooperation on international and regional affairs," Yang added.
Komura, who had watched the women's marathon on Sunday morning, in which China's Zhou Chunxiu got the bronze medal, said he was very glad to see that the Chinese audience also cheered for Japanese athletes during the Games.
Komura arrived late on Saturday for a one-and-a-half day trip that also includes visits to Olympic events. Before meeting with Yang, Komura met Chinese State Councilor Dai Bingguo.
Source: Xinhua
Yang expressed his "warm welcome" to Komura, congratulating him on the 8th gold medal on the country's medal-list won by its five-time world champion Kaori Icho in the women's 63kg freestyle wrestling on Sunday, and wished that Japanese athletes would achieve proud results in further competitions.
Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda attended the opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympic Games and Komura's visit here fully embodied Japan's active and firm support to the Games, and "we really thanked them for that," Yang said.
"We hope to exchange views with Japan on issues of common concern, and to strengthen cooperation on international and regional affairs," Yang added.
Komura, who had watched the women's marathon on Sunday morning, in which China's Zhou Chunxiu got the bronze medal, said he was very glad to see that the Chinese audience also cheered for Japanese athletes during the Games.
Komura arrived late on Saturday for a one-and-a-half day trip that also includes visits to Olympic events. Before meeting with Yang, Komura met Chinese State Councilor Dai Bingguo.
Source: Xinhua
United States wins Laser Radial gold at Olympic sailing
To some, Mu Zijian, a student majoring in international trade at Sichuan University, has a lucky name. His full name in Chinese literally means "health for both mother and son."
Mu and his parents, all natives of Beichuan, a Qiang autonomous county near Wenchuan, the epicenter of the devastating May 12 earthquake in southwest China, managed to survive the quake, while they saw many of their loved ones perish in the disaster.
Then as if by luck again, Mu was chosen, together with 149 other college undergraduates from 40 Sichuan counties, to study for one year at 22 campuses of the State University of New York .
Yang Xi, a Wenchuan native, will join Mu at SUNY's Farmingdale State College. His father is an ethnic Qiang and mother a Tibetan.
"Our hometown is a place where many ethnic groups live harmoniously with each other," Mu said at a Saturday reception hosted by the Chinese Consulate General in New York for the 53 young men and 97 young women.
"UNPRECEDENTED INTERNATIONAL COLLABORATION"
The project, dubbed SUNY 150 China, was put in place in a very short period of time thanks to close cooperation, high efficiency and government support from both sides.
"To my way of thinking, your presence here today represents a... miracle," Carl Hayden, chairman of the SUNY Board of Trustees, told the Sichuan students. "Visas, destinations, logistics, things that ordinarily would take more than a year were accomplished in at winkle, because so many people so desperately wanted this to happen."
"No obstacle was too difficult," he added, hailing the "unprecedented international collaboration" in support of the project.
"In our hearts, we felt a deep need to find a constructive way in which to help, to reach out to you in a way that might in some small measures improve those dreadful circumstances," Hayden said, referring to the earthquake which took the lives of some 80,000 people.
He also read a letter from New York Senator Hillary Clinton commending "students for continuing to pursue educational opportunities in the aftermath of such tragedy."
"Your SUNY education experience will give you the tools that you need to not only pursue your chosen career path, but also to give back to your community back home," she said in the letter.
John Clark, interim Chancellor of SUNY, described the day as "a tremendous day for Chinese-American relations."
Congratulating China for hosting the Olympics, Clark urged the Sichuan students to learn about "the special history of Chinese in America."
"While you're here, learn about the history of the Chinese that have been in the country for centuries and contributed so much to the growth of America and made America what it is today, among the many immigrant groups that came to this country," he said.
Chinese Consul-General Peng Keyu urged the students to work hard.
"Your stay here will definitely be an eye-opening and memorable experience," he said. "One year is not long. I hope that all of you will take full advantage of this program, work hard and learn from your fellow schoolmates."
LONGING TO REBUILD HOME
Liu Yu, a computer major, also has a story behind his name.
"I was born on a rainy day," he said. "So my dad chose Yu, or rain in Chinese, as my first name."
The atmosphere at the reception was by no means downcast.
When Consul Li Guozao from the consulate's Education Section addressed the students in Sichuan dialect, they burst into laughter.
"I believe that you will surely carry forward the spirit displayed in the fight against the earthquake catastrophe, and through one year's study at SUNY, prove to the world that you're the most outstanding!"
Su Chang, a girl who lost both parents in the quake, appeared so sunny that few people could imagine the kind of tragedy she had gone through.
"I'm very excited about this," she said, smiling. "I have always been curious about America. I am here in the hope of learning more about their culture, their way of life, and to learn something practical to improve myself."
"I hope that I'll be able to rebuild my homeland in the future," said Su, who will be staying at the university's Buffalo campus." And to put to use what I have learned where needed."
Source: Xinhua
Mu and his parents, all natives of Beichuan, a Qiang autonomous county near Wenchuan, the epicenter of the devastating May 12 earthquake in southwest China, managed to survive the quake, while they saw many of their loved ones perish in the disaster.
Then as if by luck again, Mu was chosen, together with 149 other college undergraduates from 40 Sichuan counties, to study for one year at 22 campuses of the State University of New York .
Yang Xi, a Wenchuan native, will join Mu at SUNY's Farmingdale State College. His father is an ethnic Qiang and mother a Tibetan.
"Our hometown is a place where many ethnic groups live harmoniously with each other," Mu said at a Saturday reception hosted by the Chinese Consulate General in New York for the 53 young men and 97 young women.
"UNPRECEDENTED INTERNATIONAL COLLABORATION"
The project, dubbed SUNY 150 China, was put in place in a very short period of time thanks to close cooperation, high efficiency and government support from both sides.
"To my way of thinking, your presence here today represents a... miracle," Carl Hayden, chairman of the SUNY Board of Trustees, told the Sichuan students. "Visas, destinations, logistics, things that ordinarily would take more than a year were accomplished in at winkle, because so many people so desperately wanted this to happen."
"No obstacle was too difficult," he added, hailing the "unprecedented international collaboration" in support of the project.
"In our hearts, we felt a deep need to find a constructive way in which to help, to reach out to you in a way that might in some small measures improve those dreadful circumstances," Hayden said, referring to the earthquake which took the lives of some 80,000 people.
He also read a letter from New York Senator Hillary Clinton commending "students for continuing to pursue educational opportunities in the aftermath of such tragedy."
"Your SUNY education experience will give you the tools that you need to not only pursue your chosen career path, but also to give back to your community back home," she said in the letter.
John Clark, interim Chancellor of SUNY, described the day as "a tremendous day for Chinese-American relations."
Congratulating China for hosting the Olympics, Clark urged the Sichuan students to learn about "the special history of Chinese in America."
"While you're here, learn about the history of the Chinese that have been in the country for centuries and contributed so much to the growth of America and made America what it is today, among the many immigrant groups that came to this country," he said.
Chinese Consul-General Peng Keyu urged the students to work hard.
"Your stay here will definitely be an eye-opening and memorable experience," he said. "One year is not long. I hope that all of you will take full advantage of this program, work hard and learn from your fellow schoolmates."
LONGING TO REBUILD HOME
Liu Yu, a computer major, also has a story behind his name.
"I was born on a rainy day," he said. "So my dad chose Yu, or rain in Chinese, as my first name."
The atmosphere at the reception was by no means downcast.
When Consul Li Guozao from the consulate's Education Section addressed the students in Sichuan dialect, they burst into laughter.
"I believe that you will surely carry forward the spirit displayed in the fight against the earthquake catastrophe, and through one year's study at SUNY, prove to the world that you're the most outstanding!"
Su Chang, a girl who lost both parents in the quake, appeared so sunny that few people could imagine the kind of tragedy she had gone through.
"I'm very excited about this," she said, smiling. "I have always been curious about America. I am here in the hope of learning more about their culture, their way of life, and to learn something practical to improve myself."
"I hope that I'll be able to rebuild my homeland in the future," said Su, who will be staying at the university's Buffalo campus." And to put to use what I have learned where needed."
Source: Xinhua
French Olympic team suit sells well in Paris
Beijing reported this month's eighth day of excellent air quality on Sunday, which provided a favorable weather condition for ongoing Olympic events.
Figures released by the China Environmental Monitoring Center indicated that Beijing's Air Pollution Index on Sunday showed a reading of 43, within the Grade I, or excellent, range of 1-50.
The figure was higher than the API reading of 23 on Saturday.
This is a new summer record over the past ten years, when July 2006 registered five days of excellent air quality. Last August, only two days reported excellent air quality.
In the other nine days, the city's air quality was in Grade II,which was within the standards to host the Olympics.
China uses the API system to survey air quality. An API readingbetween 51 and 100, or Grade II, means the air quality is fairly good. An API reading between 101 and 150, or Grade III, entails the air quality is slightly polluted.
Deputy director of the Beijing Municipal Bureau of Environmental Protection Du Shaozhong said the city often reports more days with Grade I air quality during the autumn and winter incomparison with the summer. But this August, the number of days with excellent air quality was unusually high.
Du forecasted that Beijing's air quality would be excellent or fairly good during the Olympics and Paralympics.
Wang Zifang, a Beijing-based expert on weather forecasting, said Beijing's air quality would be excellent until Monday, after which, the wind may change direction and bring pollutants from adjacent cities, such as Tianjin and Langfang, to part of Beijing.
Du attributed good air quality to continuous efforts made by Beijing and the surrounding regions in air pollution control, especially this year.
Beijing municipal government said it had poured more than 140 billion yuan since 1998 into more than200 projects dedicated to improving the city's air quality.
In the run-up to the Beijing Games, the main host city implemented some drastic measures, such as the two-month vehicle control that would keep cars off the road on alternate days, to reduce pollution.
Source: Xinhua
Figures released by the China Environmental Monitoring Center indicated that Beijing's Air Pollution Index on Sunday showed a reading of 43, within the Grade I, or excellent, range of 1-50.
The figure was higher than the API reading of 23 on Saturday.
This is a new summer record over the past ten years, when July 2006 registered five days of excellent air quality. Last August, only two days reported excellent air quality.
In the other nine days, the city's air quality was in Grade II,which was within the standards to host the Olympics.
China uses the API system to survey air quality. An API readingbetween 51 and 100, or Grade II, means the air quality is fairly good. An API reading between 101 and 150, or Grade III, entails the air quality is slightly polluted.
Deputy director of the Beijing Municipal Bureau of Environmental Protection Du Shaozhong said the city often reports more days with Grade I air quality during the autumn and winter incomparison with the summer. But this August, the number of days with excellent air quality was unusually high.
Du forecasted that Beijing's air quality would be excellent or fairly good during the Olympics and Paralympics.
Wang Zifang, a Beijing-based expert on weather forecasting, said Beijing's air quality would be excellent until Monday, after which, the wind may change direction and bring pollutants from adjacent cities, such as Tianjin and Langfang, to part of Beijing.
Du attributed good air quality to continuous efforts made by Beijing and the surrounding regions in air pollution control, especially this year.
Beijing municipal government said it had poured more than 140 billion yuan since 1998 into more than200 projects dedicated to improving the city's air quality.
In the run-up to the Beijing Games, the main host city implemented some drastic measures, such as the two-month vehicle control that would keep cars off the road on alternate days, to reduce pollution.
Source: Xinhua
China beats Germany to win Olympic table tennis men's team gold
China beat Germany 3-0 to win the men's team gold medal at the Olympic Games on Monday.
Wang Hao of China celebrates after defeating Dimitrij Ovtcharov of Germany during the men's team gold medal contest between China and Germany of Beijing Olympic Games table tennis event in Beijing, China, Aug. 18, 2008. China beat Germany 3-0 and claimed the title in this event.
Earlier, South Korea defeated Austria 3-1 for the bronze.
Source: Xinhua
Wang Hao of China celebrates after defeating Dimitrij Ovtcharov of Germany during the men's team gold medal contest between China and Germany of Beijing Olympic Games table tennis event in Beijing, China, Aug. 18, 2008. China beat Germany 3-0 and claimed the title in this event.
Earlier, South Korea defeated Austria 3-1 for the bronze.
Source: Xinhua
Perfect hostesses outclass sexy cheerleaders
Josh Inman , Bryan Volpenhein and Marcus McElhenney of the US men's eight rowing team look on during the medal ceremony after their bronze medal win at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, August 17, 2008.
Forget the skimpily clad cheerleaders. The immaculate hostesses handing out medals at the Olympics have won the spectator vote for glamour.
Wearing Chinese silk dresses with their hair pulled back tightly into neat buns, the hostesses are beautiful, elegant and their eyes are three-tenths the length of their faces.
"They are so pretty and precise. They smile continuously," said Debra Sinex, a tourist from Atlanta, Georgia, in Beijing for the Olympics.
Victory ceremony hostesses are ready for another ceremony in Qingdao, Shandong Province August 17, 2008.
At every medal ceremony six or more hostesses are on duty.
Two wearing "cheongsam", or long dresses, stand either side of the podium while three or more in knee-length dresses hold platters bearing the medals and bouquets of nine red roses, with red a lucky colour in China and nine meaning everlasting.
But although the role looks simple these hostesses have been meticulously chosen and trained.
Medal bearers pose during a medal ceremony after rowing finals of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games at Shunyi Olympic Rowing-Canoeing Park north of Beijing, August 17, 2008.
Hostess candidates have to be university educated, aged 18 to 24, between 1.68 and 1.78 metres in height , with a "ruddy and shiny complexion", "elastic skin" and "a plump but not fat body".
Their faces needed to meet standards including the ratio between the "width of the nose and the length of the face" and "width of the mouth and width between the pupils", with eyes three-tenths the length of the face.
From about 5,000 applications, 297 candidates were chosen from a dozen Beijing colleges and 40 students from Shanghai to be "Olympic victory ceremony volunteers".
Victory ceremony hostesses are ready for another ceremony in Qingdao, Shandong Province August 17, 2008.
Five series of costumes were designed for the hostesses to wear at the 302 Olympic and 471 Paralympic medal ceremonies, each for different sports and featuring traditional Chinese images such as blue-and-white porcelain, embroidery and jade.
The women have been through thorough training at a kind of charm boot camp, learning to stand for hours in high-heels and honing the perfect smile exposing eight teeth by spending hours before a mirror with a chopstick between their teeth.
"In the standing sessions, we have to stand still and smile for half an hour or more. We also run about a 1,000 metres every day for physical conditioning," one of the hostesses, Ma Sha, 20, told reporters ahead of the Games.
Source: chinadaily.com.cn
Forget the skimpily clad cheerleaders. The immaculate hostesses handing out medals at the Olympics have won the spectator vote for glamour.
Wearing Chinese silk dresses with their hair pulled back tightly into neat buns, the hostesses are beautiful, elegant and their eyes are three-tenths the length of their faces.
"They are so pretty and precise. They smile continuously," said Debra Sinex, a tourist from Atlanta, Georgia, in Beijing for the Olympics.
Victory ceremony hostesses are ready for another ceremony in Qingdao, Shandong Province August 17, 2008.
At every medal ceremony six or more hostesses are on duty.
Two wearing "cheongsam", or long dresses, stand either side of the podium while three or more in knee-length dresses hold platters bearing the medals and bouquets of nine red roses, with red a lucky colour in China and nine meaning everlasting.
But although the role looks simple these hostesses have been meticulously chosen and trained.
Medal bearers pose during a medal ceremony after rowing finals of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games at Shunyi Olympic Rowing-Canoeing Park north of Beijing, August 17, 2008.
Hostess candidates have to be university educated, aged 18 to 24, between 1.68 and 1.78 metres in height , with a "ruddy and shiny complexion", "elastic skin" and "a plump but not fat body".
Their faces needed to meet standards including the ratio between the "width of the nose and the length of the face" and "width of the mouth and width between the pupils", with eyes three-tenths the length of the face.
From about 5,000 applications, 297 candidates were chosen from a dozen Beijing colleges and 40 students from Shanghai to be "Olympic victory ceremony volunteers".
Victory ceremony hostesses are ready for another ceremony in Qingdao, Shandong Province August 17, 2008.
Five series of costumes were designed for the hostesses to wear at the 302 Olympic and 471 Paralympic medal ceremonies, each for different sports and featuring traditional Chinese images such as blue-and-white porcelain, embroidery and jade.
The women have been through thorough training at a kind of charm boot camp, learning to stand for hours in high-heels and honing the perfect smile exposing eight teeth by spending hours before a mirror with a chopstick between their teeth.
"In the standing sessions, we have to stand still and smile for half an hour or more. We also run about a 1,000 metres every day for physical conditioning," one of the hostesses, Ma Sha, 20, told reporters ahead of the Games.
Source: chinadaily.com.cn
Chinese He Wenna wins Women's Trampoline Gold
China's He Wenna gestures after her performance during trampoline women's final of Beijing 2008 Olympic Games at National Indoor Stadium in Beijing, China, Aug. 18, 2008. He claimed the title of the event with a score of 37.80.
China's He Wenna competes during trampoline women's final of Beijing 2008 Olympic Games at National Indoor Stadium in Beijing, China, Aug. 18, 2008. He claimed the title of the event with a score of 37.80.
Chinese He Wenna wins Women's Trampoline Gold
Source: Xinhua
China's He Wenna competes during trampoline women's final of Beijing 2008 Olympic Games at National Indoor Stadium in Beijing, China, Aug. 18, 2008. He claimed the title of the event with a score of 37.80.
Chinese He Wenna wins Women's Trampoline Gold
Source: Xinhua
Kenya wins men's 3000m steeplechase gold
Brimin Kiprop Kipruto of Kenya celebrates after the men's 3000m steeplechase final at the National Stadium, also known as the Bird's Nest, during Beijing 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China, Aug. 18, 2008. Brimin Kiprop Kipruto won the gold.
Brimin Kiprop Kipruto of Kenya celebrates after the men's 3000m steeplechase final at the National Stadium, also known as the Bird's Nest, during Beijing 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China, Aug. 18, 2008. Brimin Kiprop Kipruto won the gold.
Brimin Kiprop Kipruto of Kenya celebrates after the men's 3000m steeplechase final at the National Stadium, also known as the Bird's Nest, during Beijing 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China, Aug. 18, 2008. Brimin Kiprop Kipruto won the gold.
Long jumper wins Panama first Olympic gold
Irving Jahir Saladino Aranda of Panama competes during the men's long jump final at the National Stadium, also known as the Bird's Nest, during Beijing 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China, Aug. 18, 2008. Irving Jahir Saladino Aranda won the gold. Irving Saladino became on Monday evening the national hero for Panama by winning the tiny country its first Olympic gold medal.
Saladino reached 8.34 meters in the men's long jump at the Beijing Olympics. Before the victory in Beijing, Panama only had two bronze medals both won by Lloyd LaBeach in the men's 100m and 200m sprints in 1948.
Source: Xinhua
Saladino reached 8.34 meters in the men's long jump at the Beijing Olympics. Before the victory in Beijing, Panama only had two bronze medals both won by Lloyd LaBeach in the men's 100m and 200m sprints in 1948.
Source: Xinhua
Isinbaeva sets new world record
Russia's Elena Isinbaeva poses for photos with her new world record after the women's pole vault final at the National Stadium, also known as the Bird's Nest, during Beijing 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China, Aug. 18, 2008. Isinbaeva claimed the title in the event and set a new world record.
Pole vault tsarina Elena Isinbaeva on Monday evening cleared the new world record of 5.05 meters, winning her second Olympic gold medal almost with no efforts.
With only two successful jumps, the defending Olympic gold medalist and world champion secured the gold. On the fifth attempt, she broke the Olympic record which was created by herself four years ago in Athens. The 26-year-old pole vaulter eventually overcame her 24th world record of 5.05 meters.
Isinbaeva said, "I was trying to do my best for the crowd. It makes me happy, so happy. I felt that I could not go out without the world record because of the support the crowd gave me. I remember my feelings from Athens and I wanted to feel that again."
Although she said everyone's confidence of her victory put a lot of pressure on her, the Russian jumper believed she would soon clear 5.10 meters.
Elena Isinbaeva of Russia celebrates during the women's pole vault final at the National Stadium, also known as the Bird's Nest, during Beijing 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China, Aug. 18, 2008. Isinbaeva claimed the title in the event and set a new world record.
"The sky is my only limit," she said. "Life would be boring without records to break so I want to continue on forever."
Isinbaeva murmured before each attempt, she decoded the murmuring, "Do it, do it, just do it. Just be confident, I'm OK."
"I'm just trying to find some motivation from inside," she said.
Elena Isinbaeva of Russia competes during the women's pole vault final at the National Stadium, also known as the Bird's Nest, during Beijing 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China, Aug. 18, 2008. Isinbaeva took a overwhelming victory in the match.
Isinbaeva's closest follower, Jennifer Stuczynski of the United States, who jumped over 4.80 meters, got the silver medal. The American's personal best in 2008 was 4.92 meters.
Another Russian Svetlana Feofanova, has long vaulted in Isinbaeva's shadow, finished third with 4.75 meters.
Stuczynski said, "To come to your first Olympics and get a medal, a silver nonetheless, is great. I'm comfortable with the silver medal. However, I jumped so many times and didn't take some time to have a rest. This is why I got tired and failed to achieve a better result."
Feofanova said, "I can really jump 4.80 , but I had some problems and didn't manage it. I was stronger in Athens, physically. Here, I was lost mentally because my results were not as good."
Elena Isinbaeva of Russia competes during the women's pole vault final at the National Stadium, also known as the Bird's Nest, during Beijing 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China, Aug. 18, 2008. Isinbaeva claimed the title in the event and set a new world record.
Since taking home the Athens Olympic gold in 2004, Isinbaeva has dominated the pole vault jump, including two world record-breaking jumps in 2008 with 5.03 meters in Rome and then 5.04 meters in Monaco.
During her complete reigning in the field, she also added the gold medals from the 2005 and 2007 world championships and the 2006 European championships.
Source:Xinhua
Pole vault tsarina Elena Isinbaeva on Monday evening cleared the new world record of 5.05 meters, winning her second Olympic gold medal almost with no efforts.
With only two successful jumps, the defending Olympic gold medalist and world champion secured the gold. On the fifth attempt, she broke the Olympic record which was created by herself four years ago in Athens. The 26-year-old pole vaulter eventually overcame her 24th world record of 5.05 meters.
Isinbaeva said, "I was trying to do my best for the crowd. It makes me happy, so happy. I felt that I could not go out without the world record because of the support the crowd gave me. I remember my feelings from Athens and I wanted to feel that again."
Although she said everyone's confidence of her victory put a lot of pressure on her, the Russian jumper believed she would soon clear 5.10 meters.
Elena Isinbaeva of Russia celebrates during the women's pole vault final at the National Stadium, also known as the Bird's Nest, during Beijing 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China, Aug. 18, 2008. Isinbaeva claimed the title in the event and set a new world record.
"The sky is my only limit," she said. "Life would be boring without records to break so I want to continue on forever."
Isinbaeva murmured before each attempt, she decoded the murmuring, "Do it, do it, just do it. Just be confident, I'm OK."
"I'm just trying to find some motivation from inside," she said.
Elena Isinbaeva of Russia competes during the women's pole vault final at the National Stadium, also known as the Bird's Nest, during Beijing 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China, Aug. 18, 2008. Isinbaeva took a overwhelming victory in the match.
Isinbaeva's closest follower, Jennifer Stuczynski of the United States, who jumped over 4.80 meters, got the silver medal. The American's personal best in 2008 was 4.92 meters.
Another Russian Svetlana Feofanova, has long vaulted in Isinbaeva's shadow, finished third with 4.75 meters.
Stuczynski said, "To come to your first Olympics and get a medal, a silver nonetheless, is great. I'm comfortable with the silver medal. However, I jumped so many times and didn't take some time to have a rest. This is why I got tired and failed to achieve a better result."
Feofanova said, "I can really jump 4.80 , but I had some problems and didn't manage it. I was stronger in Athens, physically. Here, I was lost mentally because my results were not as good."
Elena Isinbaeva of Russia competes during the women's pole vault final at the National Stadium, also known as the Bird's Nest, during Beijing 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China, Aug. 18, 2008. Isinbaeva claimed the title in the event and set a new world record.
Since taking home the Athens Olympic gold in 2004, Isinbaeva has dominated the pole vault jump, including two world record-breaking jumps in 2008 with 5.03 meters in Rome and then 5.04 meters in Monaco.
During her complete reigning in the field, she also added the gold medals from the 2005 and 2007 world championships and the 2006 European championships.
Source:Xinhua
OMG! A heavy crash during women's points race
Track cyclist Satomi Wadami of Japan , Trine Schmidt of Denmark and Sarah Hammer of the U.S. fall after a crash during the women's points race of the Beijing Olymic Games cycling-track event at Laoshan Velodrome in Beijing, China, Aug. 18, 2008.
Tracks cyclist Satomi Wadami of Japan is assisted after a crash during the women's points race of the Beijing Olymic Games cycling-track event at Laoshan Velodrome in Beijing, China, Aug. 18, 2008.
Tracks cyclist Satomi Wadami of Japan is assisted after a crash during the women's points race of the Beijing Olymic Games cycling-track event at Laoshan Velodrome in Beijing, China, Aug. 18, 2008.
Li Na of China competes during the women's points race of the Beijing Olymic Games cycling-track event at Laoshan Velodrome in Beijing, China, Aug. 18, 2008. Li ranked tenth in the race.
Tracks cyclist Satomi Wadami of Japan is assisted after a crash during the women's points race of the Beijing Olymic Games cycling-track event at Laoshan Velodrome in Beijing, China, Aug. 18, 2008.
Tracks cyclist Satomi Wadami of Japan is assisted after a crash during the women's points race of the Beijing Olymic Games cycling-track event at Laoshan Velodrome in Beijing, China, Aug. 18, 2008.
Li Na of China competes during the women's points race of the Beijing Olymic Games cycling-track event at Laoshan Velodrome in Beijing, China, Aug. 18, 2008. Li ranked tenth in the race.
U.S. wins Olympic Equestrian Jumping Team gold
Rider Beezie Madden of the United States riding her horse Authentic jumps over an obstacle during the team jumping final of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games equestrian events in Hong Kong, south China, Aug. 18, 2008. The team of the United States won the gold medal of team jumping of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games equestrian events with total penalities of 20 and 0 in jump-off.
Defending gold medallist the United States won the Olympic Equestrian Jumping Team gold medal, holding off a strong challenge from Canada in the Team Final competition at the Shatin Equestrian Venue Monday night.
The United States retained their Olympic title after a jump-off with Canada in the Jumping Team competition. It is the first time an Olympic gold medal has been decided in a jump-off.
The jump-off was called after the United States and Canada were tied on 20 penalties in the second round of competition. For the U.S. team, Mclain Ward, Laura Kraut and Will Simpson all went clear with zero penalties within the 45 seconds allowed. Beezie Madden did not need to go out for the jump-off.
Rider Mclain Ward of the U.S. celebrates after winning of the team jumping final of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games equestrian events in Hong Kong, south China, Aug. 18, 2008. The team of the United States won the gold medal of team jumping of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games equestrian events with total penalities of 20 and 0 in jump-off.
Canada had only three riders in the competition after Mac Cone withdrew due to horse Ole's injury. Olympic veteran, 61-year-old Ian Millar, did not proceed into the jump-off after Jill Henselwood had a pole down and the cause was lost for Canada.
Norway came third on 27 penalty points and claimed the bronze medal.
First-round joint leaders Switzerland dropped out of the medals into fourth position on 30 penalties after European champion Christina Liebherr had a disappointing round on 23 points.
Canadian rider Eric Lamaze rides his horse Hickstead jumps over an obstacle during the team jumping final of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games equestrian events in Hong Kong, south China, Aug. 18, 2008. The team of Canada won the silver medal of team jumping of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games equestrian events with total penalities of 20 and 4 in jump-off.
Germany and the Netherlands finished equal fifth.
U.S. team member Kraut told reporters, "It's like a dream come truce, amazing. And dreams do come true Laura Kraut."
Kraut said "We wanted a gold medal very, very badly, it's a great feeling."
Meanwhile, Kraut's teammate Ward said, "We all did it and it's really exciting. There are a lot of people behind us to make it happen, and we want to thank them."
Monday's competition also serves as the third qualifier for places in the Individual final.
Andre Tony Hansen of Norway is ranked first on 3 total penalties while Jos Lansink of Belgium, Mclain Ward of the United States, Edwina Alexander of Australia and Eric Lamaze of Canada are tied for second place on 4 penalties.
Defending gold medalist from Athens 2004 Rodrigo Pessoa of Brazil is ranked seventh on 7 penalties.
A total of 47 qualified riders took part in Monday's Jumping Individual Third Round, including Patrick Lam of Hong Kong, China. Lam ranked 46th on 45 penalties.
Top 35 riders plus ties will move into Thursday's Jumping Individual Final Round A.
In an interview with reporters after the competition, Lam said, "I was slow, careful and lost my concentration. My horse was a little bit tired. Two big rounds in two days are too much."
On his feelings, he said "I passed the finish line and I reached my goal. I'm happy."
There are a total of six Olympic equestrian gold medals. The Germans have already bagged three gold medals so far -- team and individual eventing and the team dressage.
Riders from the team of Norway celebrate during the victory ceremony of the team jumping final of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games equestrian events in Hong Kong, south China, Aug. 18, 2008. The team of Norway won the bronze medal of team jumping of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games equestrian events with total penalities of 27.
Source:Xinhua
Defending gold medallist the United States won the Olympic Equestrian Jumping Team gold medal, holding off a strong challenge from Canada in the Team Final competition at the Shatin Equestrian Venue Monday night.
The United States retained their Olympic title after a jump-off with Canada in the Jumping Team competition. It is the first time an Olympic gold medal has been decided in a jump-off.
The jump-off was called after the United States and Canada were tied on 20 penalties in the second round of competition. For the U.S. team, Mclain Ward, Laura Kraut and Will Simpson all went clear with zero penalties within the 45 seconds allowed. Beezie Madden did not need to go out for the jump-off.
Rider Mclain Ward of the U.S. celebrates after winning of the team jumping final of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games equestrian events in Hong Kong, south China, Aug. 18, 2008. The team of the United States won the gold medal of team jumping of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games equestrian events with total penalities of 20 and 0 in jump-off.
Canada had only three riders in the competition after Mac Cone withdrew due to horse Ole's injury. Olympic veteran, 61-year-old Ian Millar, did not proceed into the jump-off after Jill Henselwood had a pole down and the cause was lost for Canada.
Norway came third on 27 penalty points and claimed the bronze medal.
First-round joint leaders Switzerland dropped out of the medals into fourth position on 30 penalties after European champion Christina Liebherr had a disappointing round on 23 points.
Canadian rider Eric Lamaze rides his horse Hickstead jumps over an obstacle during the team jumping final of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games equestrian events in Hong Kong, south China, Aug. 18, 2008. The team of Canada won the silver medal of team jumping of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games equestrian events with total penalities of 20 and 4 in jump-off.
Germany and the Netherlands finished equal fifth.
U.S. team member Kraut told reporters, "It's like a dream come truce, amazing. And dreams do come true Laura Kraut."
Kraut said "We wanted a gold medal very, very badly, it's a great feeling."
Meanwhile, Kraut's teammate Ward said, "We all did it and it's really exciting. There are a lot of people behind us to make it happen, and we want to thank them."
Monday's competition also serves as the third qualifier for places in the Individual final.
Andre Tony Hansen of Norway is ranked first on 3 total penalties while Jos Lansink of Belgium, Mclain Ward of the United States, Edwina Alexander of Australia and Eric Lamaze of Canada are tied for second place on 4 penalties.
Defending gold medalist from Athens 2004 Rodrigo Pessoa of Brazil is ranked seventh on 7 penalties.
A total of 47 qualified riders took part in Monday's Jumping Individual Third Round, including Patrick Lam of Hong Kong, China. Lam ranked 46th on 45 penalties.
Top 35 riders plus ties will move into Thursday's Jumping Individual Final Round A.
In an interview with reporters after the competition, Lam said, "I was slow, careful and lost my concentration. My horse was a little bit tired. Two big rounds in two days are too much."
On his feelings, he said "I passed the finish line and I reached my goal. I'm happy."
There are a total of six Olympic equestrian gold medals. The Germans have already bagged three gold medals so far -- team and individual eventing and the team dressage.
Riders from the team of Norway celebrate during the victory ceremony of the team jumping final of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games equestrian events in Hong Kong, south China, Aug. 18, 2008. The team of Norway won the bronze medal of team jumping of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games equestrian events with total penalities of 27.
Source:Xinhua
China's men crowned at Olympic table tennis
China lifted the men's Olympic team table tennis crown Monday after downing European powerhouse Germany 3-0 in the final.
It was the second team title China claimed at Beijing table tennis tournament, 24 hours after the host's women stood atop of the podium. The gold medal was also the 18th China won since the sport was introduced to the 1988 Seoul Games.
The Chinese men, laden with champions, met little resistance from German challengers who went all out to derail the Chinese juggernaut and failed.
Germany, by finishing second, reaped its best-ever result since Jorg Rosskopf claimed the men's singles bronze at the 1996 Atlanta Games.
Wang Hao of China celebrates after defeating Dimitrij Ovtcharov of Germany during the men's team gold medal contest between China and Germany of Beijing Olympic Games table tennis event in Beijing, China, Aug. 18, 2008. China beat Germany 3-0 and claimed the title in this event.
Wang Hao lived up to his world No. 1 billing as he breezed past 14th-ranked Dimitrij Ovtcharov 3-0 in 20 minutes.
Dropping one set, Ma Lin managed to extend the Chinese squad's winning stream to 2-0 after fending off ferocious charges of 6th-ranked veteran Timo Boll 3-1.
Ma Lin of China celebrates after defeating Timo Boll of Germany during the men's team gold medal contest between China and Germany of Beijing Olympic Games table tennis event in Beijing, China, Aug. 18, 2008. China beat Germany 3-0 and claimed the title in this event.
Boll, then paired with Christian Suss, took away one set from the hands of Wang Hao/Wang Liqin.
The Chinese duo came back strong to finish off the defiant Germans 3-1, bringing cheers from the frenzied home crowd with every winning shot.
"This is the maximum we can achieve because China is too dominant in this sport. I feel regret that I lost my game but is happy that we made it to the final," Ovtcharov said. The German sensation beat Kan Yo of Japan 3-2 to contribute to his team's advancing to the team final.
"We overcame difficulties and clinched victory thanks to our adequate preparation," Wang Hao said.
The 24-year-old added that he and Wang Liqin paired well to win the doubles despite the first set loss.
"China came into the tournament with mental stress, but today they brought out their best. They deserve to win," Boll said.
"I played well against Boll, especially in the last two sets, which required both courage and skills," said Ma Lin.
Tears welled in Ma's eyes when the four-time World Cup winner and his teammates stood atop of the podium.
"I recalled what I've come through at that moment, " Ma said.
According to the men's head coach Liu Guoliang, the Chinese squad only fulfilled half of the must-win target by claiming the team title. "We are looking forward to the single's title and are confident to accomplish the target," a determined Liu said.
The Chinese men's team whitewashed South Korea 3-0 to storm into the team final while Germany crushed a dogged Japan 3-2 to set up a meeting with China.
Earlier on Monday, South Korea steamrolled Austria 3-1 to capture men's team bronze medal.
South Korea pitted 15th-ranked Oh Sang Eun, Ryu Seung Min and Yoon Jae Young against Austrian 2003 world champion Werner Schlager, Robert Gardos and former Chinese player Chen Weixing.
Being tied one-all in games, the doubles confrontation between Oh/Yoon and Gardos/Chen turned back in South Korea's favor as Oh/Yoon overcame the Austrian duo's challenge to prevail 3-0.
The defense of 31st-seeded chopper Chen Weixing went into pieces under Ryu's waves of attacks, losing the fourth game 3-0.
Source:Xinhua
It was the second team title China claimed at Beijing table tennis tournament, 24 hours after the host's women stood atop of the podium. The gold medal was also the 18th China won since the sport was introduced to the 1988 Seoul Games.
The Chinese men, laden with champions, met little resistance from German challengers who went all out to derail the Chinese juggernaut and failed.
Germany, by finishing second, reaped its best-ever result since Jorg Rosskopf claimed the men's singles bronze at the 1996 Atlanta Games.
Wang Hao of China celebrates after defeating Dimitrij Ovtcharov of Germany during the men's team gold medal contest between China and Germany of Beijing Olympic Games table tennis event in Beijing, China, Aug. 18, 2008. China beat Germany 3-0 and claimed the title in this event.
Wang Hao lived up to his world No. 1 billing as he breezed past 14th-ranked Dimitrij Ovtcharov 3-0 in 20 minutes.
Dropping one set, Ma Lin managed to extend the Chinese squad's winning stream to 2-0 after fending off ferocious charges of 6th-ranked veteran Timo Boll 3-1.
Ma Lin of China celebrates after defeating Timo Boll of Germany during the men's team gold medal contest between China and Germany of Beijing Olympic Games table tennis event in Beijing, China, Aug. 18, 2008. China beat Germany 3-0 and claimed the title in this event.
Boll, then paired with Christian Suss, took away one set from the hands of Wang Hao/Wang Liqin.
The Chinese duo came back strong to finish off the defiant Germans 3-1, bringing cheers from the frenzied home crowd with every winning shot.
"This is the maximum we can achieve because China is too dominant in this sport. I feel regret that I lost my game but is happy that we made it to the final," Ovtcharov said. The German sensation beat Kan Yo of Japan 3-2 to contribute to his team's advancing to the team final.
"We overcame difficulties and clinched victory thanks to our adequate preparation," Wang Hao said.
The 24-year-old added that he and Wang Liqin paired well to win the doubles despite the first set loss.
"China came into the tournament with mental stress, but today they brought out their best. They deserve to win," Boll said.
"I played well against Boll, especially in the last two sets, which required both courage and skills," said Ma Lin.
Tears welled in Ma's eyes when the four-time World Cup winner and his teammates stood atop of the podium.
"I recalled what I've come through at that moment, " Ma said.
According to the men's head coach Liu Guoliang, the Chinese squad only fulfilled half of the must-win target by claiming the team title. "We are looking forward to the single's title and are confident to accomplish the target," a determined Liu said.
The Chinese men's team whitewashed South Korea 3-0 to storm into the team final while Germany crushed a dogged Japan 3-2 to set up a meeting with China.
Earlier on Monday, South Korea steamrolled Austria 3-1 to capture men's team bronze medal.
South Korea pitted 15th-ranked Oh Sang Eun, Ryu Seung Min and Yoon Jae Young against Austrian 2003 world champion Werner Schlager, Robert Gardos and former Chinese player Chen Weixing.
Being tied one-all in games, the doubles confrontation between Oh/Yoon and Gardos/Chen turned back in South Korea's favor as Oh/Yoon overcame the Austrian duo's challenge to prevail 3-0.
The defense of 31st-seeded chopper Chen Weixing went into pieces under Ryu's waves of attacks, losing the fourth game 3-0.
Source:Xinhua
Chinese Tian/Wang, U.S. Walsh/May-Treanor to fight for gold
Wang Jie and Tian Jia of China celebrate after winning the women's semifinal of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games beach volleyball event against Xue Chen and Zhang Xi of China in Beijing, China, Aug. 19, 2008. Wang Jie and Tian Jia won the match 2-1 and advanced to final.
For the first time is a Chinese beach volleyball duo in the final at the Olympics and China's Tian Jia and Wang Jie will be carrying the honor.
Top-seeded Tian and Wang now face the defending champions of the United States in the beach volleyball tournament at the Beijing Olympics.
They won over their compatriots Zhang Xi and Xue Chen in the semifinal on Tuesday. They needed to play three sets before downing their fellow Chinese duo.
Wang Jie and Tian Jia of China celebrate after winning the women's semifinal of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games beach volleyball event against Xue Chen and Zhang Xi of China in Beijing, China, Aug. 19, 2008. Wang Jie and Tian Jia won the match 2-1 and advanced to final.
Tian/Wang lost the first set 22-24 and the second was not easy for them either as the two sides traded set points before Tian/Wang managed to win the set 29-27, the highest points in the beach volleyball tournament at the Beijing Olympics. The third set went in the advantage of Tian/Wang, who beat the younger duo 15-8.
"Both of us two sides played to our best standard in the match. I hope both of our two teams will have good performance in the next matches," said the 27-year-old three-time Olympian Tian at a press conference after the match.
"My partner played excellently in the match. It seemed she was not for the first time at the Olympics," she commented on the performance of her partner, the 24-year-old Wang, who is competing at her first Olympics.
"I have done my best in the match. I have played and practiced beach volleyball for eight years and all that has been for the Beijing Olympics," the 23-year-old Zhang said.
About the loss of the third set, Zhang said, "We lack experiences and they captured our gaps and curbed our ways of offensive."
Zhang and Xue, both competing at their first Olympics, will take on Brazil's Talita Antunes and Renata Ribeiro in the bronze medal match, also to be held on Thursday.
International Federation de Volleyball president Dr. Ruben Acosta said China's beach volleyball is coming to reach the world's top level as two Chinese teams were now in the medal matches at the Beijing Olympics.
"The performance of the Chinese players were sensational. They played in top quality," he told Xinhua after watching the semifinal between the two Chinese duos.
"Beach volleyball is not so popular in China now, but I hope China's success in beach volleyball at the Beijing Games will promote the development of the sport in China," said Acosta, who is to officially step down from his 24-year-old presidency after the Beijing Olympics.
Kerri Walsh and Misty May-Treanor of the U.S. celebrate a point during the women's semifinal of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games beach volleyball event against Renata Ribeiro and Talita Rocha of Brazil in Beijing, China, Aug. 19, 2008.
In another semifinal held earlier Tuesday, defending champions Walsh May-Treanor and Kerri Walsh defeated the Brazilian duo in a straight-set victory. The two sets went 21-12 and 21-14.
"We have so much respect for the Chinese team. We've got to work our own game, watch some videos and practice hard," May-Treanor said on the final with China's Tian/Wang.
"We just have to focus on ourselves. We know the younger girls have a huge block and great defense, so we're going to prepare for the battle out there," she said.
Asked if she was ready to take the gold medal again, May-Treanor said: "Yes."
Walsh said she is not familiar with the Chinese girls, but she found them to be "sweet and patient".
"They are sweet and patient. They are very kind girls. They always smile," she said of the rivals they are to encounter on Thursday.
With Tuesday's victory, the U.S. duo now boasts a 107-match winning streak.
Dubbed as "queens of the beach", the American duo has not been defeated in a single match since last August.
Men's beach volleyball legend and three-time Olympic champion of the United States Karch Kiraly also prized the partnership of May-Treanor and Walsh "the best ever".
May-Treanor has said her favorite moment is when she hears the national anthem. "I always relive it - wining the Olympic medal - over and over. Even though it was four years ago, it still feels like I'm there."
"We want to win ," May-Treanor told Xinhua before the Beijing Games opened. "So we put pressure on ourselves," she said.
Source:Xinhua
For the first time is a Chinese beach volleyball duo in the final at the Olympics and China's Tian Jia and Wang Jie will be carrying the honor.
Top-seeded Tian and Wang now face the defending champions of the United States in the beach volleyball tournament at the Beijing Olympics.
They won over their compatriots Zhang Xi and Xue Chen in the semifinal on Tuesday. They needed to play three sets before downing their fellow Chinese duo.
Wang Jie and Tian Jia of China celebrate after winning the women's semifinal of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games beach volleyball event against Xue Chen and Zhang Xi of China in Beijing, China, Aug. 19, 2008. Wang Jie and Tian Jia won the match 2-1 and advanced to final.
Tian/Wang lost the first set 22-24 and the second was not easy for them either as the two sides traded set points before Tian/Wang managed to win the set 29-27, the highest points in the beach volleyball tournament at the Beijing Olympics. The third set went in the advantage of Tian/Wang, who beat the younger duo 15-8.
"Both of us two sides played to our best standard in the match. I hope both of our two teams will have good performance in the next matches," said the 27-year-old three-time Olympian Tian at a press conference after the match.
"My partner played excellently in the match. It seemed she was not for the first time at the Olympics," she commented on the performance of her partner, the 24-year-old Wang, who is competing at her first Olympics.
"I have done my best in the match. I have played and practiced beach volleyball for eight years and all that has been for the Beijing Olympics," the 23-year-old Zhang said.
About the loss of the third set, Zhang said, "We lack experiences and they captured our gaps and curbed our ways of offensive."
Zhang and Xue, both competing at their first Olympics, will take on Brazil's Talita Antunes and Renata Ribeiro in the bronze medal match, also to be held on Thursday.
International Federation de Volleyball president Dr. Ruben Acosta said China's beach volleyball is coming to reach the world's top level as two Chinese teams were now in the medal matches at the Beijing Olympics.
"The performance of the Chinese players were sensational. They played in top quality," he told Xinhua after watching the semifinal between the two Chinese duos.
"Beach volleyball is not so popular in China now, but I hope China's success in beach volleyball at the Beijing Games will promote the development of the sport in China," said Acosta, who is to officially step down from his 24-year-old presidency after the Beijing Olympics.
Kerri Walsh and Misty May-Treanor of the U.S. celebrate a point during the women's semifinal of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games beach volleyball event against Renata Ribeiro and Talita Rocha of Brazil in Beijing, China, Aug. 19, 2008.
In another semifinal held earlier Tuesday, defending champions Walsh May-Treanor and Kerri Walsh defeated the Brazilian duo in a straight-set victory. The two sets went 21-12 and 21-14.
"We have so much respect for the Chinese team. We've got to work our own game, watch some videos and practice hard," May-Treanor said on the final with China's Tian/Wang.
"We just have to focus on ourselves. We know the younger girls have a huge block and great defense, so we're going to prepare for the battle out there," she said.
Asked if she was ready to take the gold medal again, May-Treanor said: "Yes."
Walsh said she is not familiar with the Chinese girls, but she found them to be "sweet and patient".
"They are sweet and patient. They are very kind girls. They always smile," she said of the rivals they are to encounter on Thursday.
With Tuesday's victory, the U.S. duo now boasts a 107-match winning streak.
Dubbed as "queens of the beach", the American duo has not been defeated in a single match since last August.
Men's beach volleyball legend and three-time Olympic champion of the United States Karch Kiraly also prized the partnership of May-Treanor and Walsh "the best ever".
May-Treanor has said her favorite moment is when she hears the national anthem. "I always relive it - wining the Olympic medal - over and over. Even though it was four years ago, it still feels like I'm there."
"We want to win ," May-Treanor told Xinhua before the Beijing Games opened. "So we put pressure on ourselves," she said.
Source:Xinhua
More than 30,000 Olympic Games volunteers will serve Paralympics
Liu Jian, director of the BOCOG Volunteer Department said, at a press conference on volunteer services for the Olympic Games held in the Beijing International Media Center on August 18, that this Olympic Games has a total of 77,119 Olympic volunteers.
He said that "We have 550 urban service sites where a total of 1.7 million volunteers are busy in their respective positions, ensuring that the events and cities run smoothly." According to Liu Jian, Olympic Game volunteers's status will be adjusted according to the needs of the Paralympics. More than 30,000 Olympic Game volunteers are expected to serve the Paralympics, as determined by the operational needs of the Paralympics.
By People's Daily Online
He said that "We have 550 urban service sites where a total of 1.7 million volunteers are busy in their respective positions, ensuring that the events and cities run smoothly." According to Liu Jian, Olympic Game volunteers's status will be adjusted according to the needs of the Paralympics. More than 30,000 Olympic Game volunteers are expected to serve the Paralympics, as determined by the operational needs of the Paralympics.
By People's Daily Online
Liu Xiang says he feels sorry, vowing to come back
Chinese celebrity hurdler Liu Xiang said on state television that he feels "very sorry" for his injury-forced withdrawal from the Olympic Games and vowed he will come back.
"So many people have been worried and caring about me. I feel sorry. I could do nothing but pull out of the race," Liu told Chinese state television CCTV Monday night, which aired a partial interview with Liu Tuesday morning.
Liu, world and Olympic champion, pulled out of the 110m hurdles qualifying heats because of a worsened tendon injury in his right foot, dashing China's only gold hope in Olympic track.
"I didn't feel right when I was warming up before the race," said Liu. "I knew my foot would fail me. I felt painful when I was just jogging," said Liu.
"Two weeks ago, I ran a 12.90-something. I didn't know why things turned out this way. I wanted to hang on. But I couldn't. It was unbearable. If I had finished the race, I would have risked my tendon. I could not describe my feeling at that moment."
Liu said he is a man who never easily quits.
"I am not that type of person. I never quit easily. I believe I will come back," said Liu.
Source:Xinhua
"So many people have been worried and caring about me. I feel sorry. I could do nothing but pull out of the race," Liu told Chinese state television CCTV Monday night, which aired a partial interview with Liu Tuesday morning.
Liu, world and Olympic champion, pulled out of the 110m hurdles qualifying heats because of a worsened tendon injury in his right foot, dashing China's only gold hope in Olympic track.
"I didn't feel right when I was warming up before the race," said Liu. "I knew my foot would fail me. I felt painful when I was just jogging," said Liu.
"Two weeks ago, I ran a 12.90-something. I didn't know why things turned out this way. I wanted to hang on. But I couldn't. It was unbearable. If I had finished the race, I would have risked my tendon. I could not describe my feeling at that moment."
Liu said he is a man who never easily quits.
"I am not that type of person. I never quit easily. I believe I will come back," said Liu.
Source:Xinhua
London and Beijing: share tradition and modernity
The Olympics will bring more opportunities for exchange in the fields of culture and business for London and Beijing which share the similar knack for creating a traditional and modern dynamic.
London House is located in a traditional Chinese courtyard in Beijing. Exhibitions and forums are held here to introduce London to Chinese visitors and bring networking opportunities for Chinese and British businesses.
London House, a showcase of the best of a diversified London with pictures and a venue of a series of seminars on investment opportunities in London and Olympic heritage, is held in a Chinese courtyard in Beijing from August 7 to August 24, the day when London will take over the Olympic flag from Beijing.
David Adam, Head of Emerging Markets, London Development Agency, said more than 360 Chinese companies had gone there to understand the film industry and infrastructure in London.
The picture of the masterplan of the main stadium for London Olympics in 2012 is presented at London House during the Beijing Olympics.
A program called "Cultural Olympiad" has begun in London. Many festivals will be held on the street to attract people to participate. After the takeover ceremony in Beijing, a very big party will be launched at London's Trafalgar Square where Chinese new year is celebrated every year. "There are a number of festivals for Chinese culture," said Mr. Adam.
A recent exhibition at the Confucius Temple by London Museum showed pictures of London and Beijing in the past 100 years. "It is the start of many forms of exchanges between London and Beijing in the next four years," noted Mr. Adam.
The House was open to the public on August 16 and 17 to present tourism attractions to Chinese visitors. London is expecting to have many more visitors from China. The Tourism Agreement signed by Visit London and the Beijing Municipal Tourism Authority in 2007 includes a commitment by both cities to encourage outbound travel to each other's locations, maximising the promotional opportunities the Games present to Beijing in 2008 and London in 2012.
Mr. Adam thinks that the new modern elements reflected by the new avant-garde architecture in the city of Beijing are marvelous; although there is criticism that such modernity --- part of it comes from foreign designers including British architects --- is not compatible with the traditional. "You can't build anything significant without any contrasting views," he said.
A young Chinese architect who visited the place was impressed by "experiencing the developed, industrialized London" on a leisure afternoon in typical Chinese construction.
He believes that the new modern architecture, such as the National Stadium and the National Aquatics Center represent a "positive new development" that the Chinese need and do not contradict with the traditional. He is proud that Chinese architects have also been part of those projects. "Although the ideas are from foreign designers now, we probably can do it next time," he said confidently.
By People's Daily Online
London House is located in a traditional Chinese courtyard in Beijing. Exhibitions and forums are held here to introduce London to Chinese visitors and bring networking opportunities for Chinese and British businesses.
London House, a showcase of the best of a diversified London with pictures and a venue of a series of seminars on investment opportunities in London and Olympic heritage, is held in a Chinese courtyard in Beijing from August 7 to August 24, the day when London will take over the Olympic flag from Beijing.
David Adam, Head of Emerging Markets, London Development Agency, said more than 360 Chinese companies had gone there to understand the film industry and infrastructure in London.
The picture of the masterplan of the main stadium for London Olympics in 2012 is presented at London House during the Beijing Olympics.
A program called "Cultural Olympiad" has begun in London. Many festivals will be held on the street to attract people to participate. After the takeover ceremony in Beijing, a very big party will be launched at London's Trafalgar Square where Chinese new year is celebrated every year. "There are a number of festivals for Chinese culture," said Mr. Adam.
A recent exhibition at the Confucius Temple by London Museum showed pictures of London and Beijing in the past 100 years. "It is the start of many forms of exchanges between London and Beijing in the next four years," noted Mr. Adam.
The House was open to the public on August 16 and 17 to present tourism attractions to Chinese visitors. London is expecting to have many more visitors from China. The Tourism Agreement signed by Visit London and the Beijing Municipal Tourism Authority in 2007 includes a commitment by both cities to encourage outbound travel to each other's locations, maximising the promotional opportunities the Games present to Beijing in 2008 and London in 2012.
Mr. Adam thinks that the new modern elements reflected by the new avant-garde architecture in the city of Beijing are marvelous; although there is criticism that such modernity --- part of it comes from foreign designers including British architects --- is not compatible with the traditional. "You can't build anything significant without any contrasting views," he said.
A young Chinese architect who visited the place was impressed by "experiencing the developed, industrialized London" on a leisure afternoon in typical Chinese construction.
He believes that the new modern architecture, such as the National Stadium and the National Aquatics Center represent a "positive new development" that the Chinese need and do not contradict with the traditional. He is proud that Chinese architects have also been part of those projects. "Although the ideas are from foreign designers now, we probably can do it next time," he said confidently.
By People's Daily Online
Chinese gymnast Chen wins men's rings gold
China's Chen Yibing gestures after performing on the rings during gymnastics artistic apparatus finals of Beijing 2008 Olympic Games at National Indoor Stadium in Beijing, China, Aug. 18, 2008. Chen Yibing claimed the title of the event with a score of 16.600.
China's Chen Yibing performs on the rings during gymnastics artistic apparatus finals of Beijing 2008 Olympic Games at National Indoor Stadium in Beijing, China, Aug. 18, 2008. Chen Yibing claimed the title of the event with a score of 16.600.
Chinese gymnast Chen Yibing claimed the men's rings title with 16.600 points at the Beijing Olympics on Monday.
Chen's compatriot Yang Wei took the silver with 16.425 points, while Oleksandr Vorobiov from Ukraine got the bronze with 16.325 points.
Source: Xinhua
China's Chen Yibing performs on the rings during gymnastics artistic apparatus finals of Beijing 2008 Olympic Games at National Indoor Stadium in Beijing, China, Aug. 18, 2008. Chen Yibing claimed the title of the event with a score of 16.600.
Chinese gymnast Chen Yibing claimed the men's rings title with 16.600 points at the Beijing Olympics on Monday.
Chen's compatriot Yang Wei took the silver with 16.425 points, while Oleksandr Vorobiov from Ukraine got the bronze with 16.325 points.
Source: Xinhua
Chinese gymnast He Kexin wins uneven bars gold
He Kexin of China performs on the uneven bars during women's uneven bars final of Beijing 2008 Olympic Games gymnastics artistic event at National Indoor Stadium in Beijing, China, Aug. 18, 2008. He Kexin claimed the title of the event with a score of 16.725.
Chinese gymnast He kexin claimed the women's uneven bars title with 16.725 points at the Beijing Olympics on Monday.
Nastia Liukin from the United States, who also collected 16.725 points, had to stand second according to a tiebreak rule.
Yang Yilin from China got the bronze with 16.650 points.
Source: Xinhua
Chinese gymnast He kexin claimed the women's uneven bars title with 16.725 points at the Beijing Olympics on Monday.
Nastia Liukin from the United States, who also collected 16.725 points, had to stand second according to a tiebreak rule.
Yang Yilin from China got the bronze with 16.650 points.
Source: Xinhua
Trafton wins first athletics gold medal for U.S. in Beijing
Stephanie Brown Trafton of the United States celebrates after the women's discus throw final at the National Stadium, also known as the Bird's Nest, during Beijing 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China, Aug. 18, 2008. Trafton won the gold with 64.74 metres.
Stephanie Brown Trafton of the USA reacts during the women's discus throw final at the National Stadium, also known as the Bird's Nest, during Beijing 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China, Aug. 18, 2008. Trafton won the gold.
Stephanie Brown Trafton won the Olympic women's discus throw gold medal on Monday with her first attempt, the first track and field gold for the United States in the Beijing Olympics.
The final was decided in the very first attempt. Trafton took the lead with her first throw of 64.74 meters and then fouled two times, but her first place was stable as no one else could reach the 63 meters mark except Cuban Yarelis Barrios.
Trafton won the title of 2008 IAAF Grand Prix at Eugene, the United States and this was the only title for her in recent years.
Barrios, world championship bronze medalist at Osaka, Japan, recorded 63.17 meters in her first attempt and upgraded it to 63.64 in the second, but then she struggled to move a step forward in the following four attempts and finish the final with a silver medal.
Olena Antonova of Ukraine took the bronze at 62.59 meters.
Source: Xinhua
Stephanie Brown Trafton of the USA reacts during the women's discus throw final at the National Stadium, also known as the Bird's Nest, during Beijing 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China, Aug. 18, 2008. Trafton won the gold.
Stephanie Brown Trafton won the Olympic women's discus throw gold medal on Monday with her first attempt, the first track and field gold for the United States in the Beijing Olympics.
The final was decided in the very first attempt. Trafton took the lead with her first throw of 64.74 meters and then fouled two times, but her first place was stable as no one else could reach the 63 meters mark except Cuban Yarelis Barrios.
Trafton won the title of 2008 IAAF Grand Prix at Eugene, the United States and this was the only title for her in recent years.
Barrios, world championship bronze medalist at Osaka, Japan, recorded 63.17 meters in her first attempt and upgraded it to 63.64 in the second, but then she struggled to move a step forward in the following four attempts and finish the final with a silver medal.
Olena Antonova of Ukraine took the bronze at 62.59 meters.
Source: Xinhua
Panama celebrates for first gold medal in its history
Panamanians celebrated excited on Monday the gold medal Irving Saladino won in long jump with 8.34m at the Olympic Games of Beijing, since this was the first gold Panama ever won at the Olympics.
Panamanian media broadcasted live the competition and Panamanian people stopped activities to watch Saladino's performance.
Irving Jahir Saladino Aranda of Panama competes during the men's long jump final at the National Stadium, also known as the Bird's Nest, during Beijing 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China, Aug. 18, 2008. Irving Jahir Saladino Aranda won the gold.
When Saladino won the medal, it started a carnival in the city of Colon, in the Atlantic coast, people went out to celebrate the medal and the celebration also took place in other provinces.
This is the first gold medal Panama wins in the history of its participation at the Olympic Games, previously it has won two bronze medals by the runner Lloyd La Bech during the Olympic Games of London 1948.
David Saladino, father of Irving Saladino, said that "Irving has promised me to win the gold medal for Panama, and he did it" and he added that "I'm the happiest man of the world."
David also said that Irving made history because he achieved the first gold medal in the history of Panama, "he gave us a good result today, he gave us a medal that for so long we didn't have here in Panama. Ok let's celebrate Irving's triumph."
Cristina, the mother of Irving, said that "I was sure, completely sure that everything would be fine and this medal would be for Panama.
Irving's brother said that "now I can feel relieved, I had headache and I was nervous, because the jumps other competitors were performing. But, I knew my brother would give a good jump, and well, there is the medal for Panama."
The first thing Irving did, after winning the medal, was to call his family and greet the Panamanian people and he said that "the medal is yours, you are the ones who have won it. I send my greetings to all the people in Colon who have helped me a lot."
Source:Xinhua
Panamanian media broadcasted live the competition and Panamanian people stopped activities to watch Saladino's performance.
Irving Jahir Saladino Aranda of Panama competes during the men's long jump final at the National Stadium, also known as the Bird's Nest, during Beijing 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China, Aug. 18, 2008. Irving Jahir Saladino Aranda won the gold.
When Saladino won the medal, it started a carnival in the city of Colon, in the Atlantic coast, people went out to celebrate the medal and the celebration also took place in other provinces.
This is the first gold medal Panama wins in the history of its participation at the Olympic Games, previously it has won two bronze medals by the runner Lloyd La Bech during the Olympic Games of London 1948.
David Saladino, father of Irving Saladino, said that "Irving has promised me to win the gold medal for Panama, and he did it" and he added that "I'm the happiest man of the world."
David also said that Irving made history because he achieved the first gold medal in the history of Panama, "he gave us a good result today, he gave us a medal that for so long we didn't have here in Panama. Ok let's celebrate Irving's triumph."
Cristina, the mother of Irving, said that "I was sure, completely sure that everything would be fine and this medal would be for Panama.
Irving's brother said that "now I can feel relieved, I had headache and I was nervous, because the jumps other competitors were performing. But, I knew my brother would give a good jump, and well, there is the medal for Panama."
The first thing Irving did, after winning the medal, was to call his family and greet the Panamanian people and he said that "the medal is yours, you are the ones who have won it. I send my greetings to all the people in Colon who have helped me a lot."
Source:Xinhua
Hockey Preview: China sail into women's hockey medal round
China earned a ticket to the semifinals of the Olympic women's hockey tournament, one step closer to a long-awaited medal.
A 2-2 draw at the last round of preliminary stage on Monday gifted China the last semifinal berth, shutting out the fourth-ranked Australia who had the same ten points with China but inferior in goal difference.
With one defeat to the Netherlands and one draw out of five games, China are favored to win a berth in the semifinals.
Coached by South Korean Kim Chang-back, the Chinese team made debut at Sydney Games and finished fifth, and they made one step ahead at Athens Games, yet missing out a historic medal due to a 1-0 defeat to Argentina.
suffering a 4-3 loss to Germany on penalty shootouts in first semifinal play four years ago, China now confront Germany again on Wednesday, but they would not allow the repeat of history. They vowed to go all out for a medal.
The third-ranked Germany only suffered one defeat to Argentina in pool stage and are in good form to defend their title.
The Netherlands have fought their way straight to the semifinals. The world champions have not dropped a match in Beijing and are the only team to earn a full 15 points in pool match.
The Dutch claimed the titles in 2006 World Cup and 2007 Champions Trophy. As the silver medalists at the Athens Olympics, the Netherlands hope to end their gold drought since 1984 Los Angeles Olympics.
However, the Dutch coach Marc Lammers kept a low profile. Before the tournament kicked off, he told Xinhua their goal was just to win a medal. He also noted Germany and Argentina were the biggest rivals for them, as well as China.
The Dutch's opponents Argentina, the Athens bronze medalists, did not started well with two draws, but they gradually found pace and won the last three pool games, especially powered past strong Germany 4-0 on Saturday.
Ranked second in the world, Argentina were beaten by the Netherlands 4-2 on penalty shootout at Athens Games. Now it's time for them to take revenge.
Source:Xinhua
A 2-2 draw at the last round of preliminary stage on Monday gifted China the last semifinal berth, shutting out the fourth-ranked Australia who had the same ten points with China but inferior in goal difference.
With one defeat to the Netherlands and one draw out of five games, China are favored to win a berth in the semifinals.
Coached by South Korean Kim Chang-back, the Chinese team made debut at Sydney Games and finished fifth, and they made one step ahead at Athens Games, yet missing out a historic medal due to a 1-0 defeat to Argentina.
suffering a 4-3 loss to Germany on penalty shootouts in first semifinal play four years ago, China now confront Germany again on Wednesday, but they would not allow the repeat of history. They vowed to go all out for a medal.
The third-ranked Germany only suffered one defeat to Argentina in pool stage and are in good form to defend their title.
The Netherlands have fought their way straight to the semifinals. The world champions have not dropped a match in Beijing and are the only team to earn a full 15 points in pool match.
The Dutch claimed the titles in 2006 World Cup and 2007 Champions Trophy. As the silver medalists at the Athens Olympics, the Netherlands hope to end their gold drought since 1984 Los Angeles Olympics.
However, the Dutch coach Marc Lammers kept a low profile. Before the tournament kicked off, he told Xinhua their goal was just to win a medal. He also noted Germany and Argentina were the biggest rivals for them, as well as China.
The Dutch's opponents Argentina, the Athens bronze medalists, did not started well with two draws, but they gradually found pace and won the last three pool games, especially powered past strong Germany 4-0 on Saturday.
Ranked second in the world, Argentina were beaten by the Netherlands 4-2 on penalty shootout at Athens Games. Now it's time for them to take revenge.
Source:Xinhua
Spanish tennis player Nadal is number 1
Spaniard tennis player Rafael Nadal on Monday became officially number one in the world, after the release of latest ATP world rankings.
Nadal knew he would be the world No. 1 when he beat Ecuadorian Nicolas in the Cincinnati Masters Series quarterfinals two weeks ago.
Rafael Nadal of Spain holds the national flag of Spain at the awarding ceremony of the men's singles gold medal match of Beijing Olympic Games tennis event against Fernando Gonzalez of Chile in Beijing, China, Aug. 17, 2008. Nadal won the match 3-0 and claimed the title in this event.
After being number two for 160 weeks, since July 25, 2005, Nadal, 22, the third youngest in obtaining such victories since Jimmy Connors and Bjorn Borg, has replaced Federer with 30 titles.
With 70 victories and only 8 defeats in this season, Nadal will have now the aim of keeping the leadership until the Masters Cup in Shangai in November, and the challenge of obtaining the Davis Cup with Spain.
Source:Xinhua
Nadal knew he would be the world No. 1 when he beat Ecuadorian Nicolas in the Cincinnati Masters Series quarterfinals two weeks ago.
Rafael Nadal of Spain holds the national flag of Spain at the awarding ceremony of the men's singles gold medal match of Beijing Olympic Games tennis event against Fernando Gonzalez of Chile in Beijing, China, Aug. 17, 2008. Nadal won the match 3-0 and claimed the title in this event.
After being number two for 160 weeks, since July 25, 2005, Nadal, 22, the third youngest in obtaining such victories since Jimmy Connors and Bjorn Borg, has replaced Federer with 30 titles.
With 70 victories and only 8 defeats in this season, Nadal will have now the aim of keeping the leadership until the Masters Cup in Shangai in November, and the challenge of obtaining the Davis Cup with Spain.
Source:Xinhua
Leaders of Individual stats after 1st round
Iran's center Hamed Ehadadi led in several categeries on the individual statistics standings after the preliminary round of the men's basketballs though his team went home with a 0-5 record.
Ehadadi, 2.18 meters high, led rebounds by 11.2 on average and had the tournament-most 2.6 blocks per game. The opponents had to committ 7.4 fouls on him per game, which is also the most to an individual player.
Argentina's Manu Ginobili averaged 19.6 points in five matches to lead the scoring standings, followed by Spain's Pau Gasol's 19.4. Houston Rockets' pair Luis Scola of Argentina and Yao Ming of China took the third and fourth placings respectively.
Ginobili was also ranked second on the assists category with 5.0,behind 5.4 from the leader Sarunas Jasikevicius of Lithuania.
Spain's teenager sensation Ricky Rubio was tied with Russia top star Andrey Kirilenko on steals by 2.6 per game. Americans LeBron James, Chris Paul and Dwyane Wade followed on the third placings by2.4 steals.
Wade proved to be the most steady attacking force from the American team as he had the highest field goal percentage of 72.1% , while Zoran Planinic of Croatia was more accurate on 3-pointer by 66.7 per cent .
Source:Xinhua
Ehadadi, 2.18 meters high, led rebounds by 11.2 on average and had the tournament-most 2.6 blocks per game. The opponents had to committ 7.4 fouls on him per game, which is also the most to an individual player.
Argentina's Manu Ginobili averaged 19.6 points in five matches to lead the scoring standings, followed by Spain's Pau Gasol's 19.4. Houston Rockets' pair Luis Scola of Argentina and Yao Ming of China took the third and fourth placings respectively.
Ginobili was also ranked second on the assists category with 5.0,behind 5.4 from the leader Sarunas Jasikevicius of Lithuania.
Spain's teenager sensation Ricky Rubio was tied with Russia top star Andrey Kirilenko on steals by 2.6 per game. Americans LeBron James, Chris Paul and Dwyane Wade followed on the third placings by2.4 steals.
Wade proved to be the most steady attacking force from the American team as he had the highest field goal percentage of 72.1% , while Zoran Planinic of Croatia was more accurate on 3-pointer by 66.7 per cent .
Source:Xinhua
Liu Xiang in Netizens'eyes
It was August 18 when the news of Liu Xiang pulling out of the Olympic men's 110m hurdles race, due to an injury, came out. The Internet was crackling that day; and it was not destined a peaceful day for Chinese net users.
Netizen "Peach" said: "Liu Xiang must be sadder than anyone else right now. Although he pulled out the contest, I believe he has already done his best; and I believe we are still proud of him."
"Glass Devil" said: "The most important spirit of Olympics is 'participation.' As for Liu Xiang, he already won the game when he was standing on the starting line with his injury."
After seeing those criticizing Liu Xiang out of disappointment, "Rui Ling" appealed to not be too emotional, and said: "We should not complain about the man who had paid so much more than we can imagine. He prepared for 4 years and I don’t think he would have just quit like that at the last moment had it not been for the injury."
"I am tiger who is afraid of no one" said: "I value the gold medal, but I care much more about the health of Liu Xiang. I will remember his splendor forever no matter how he did this time."
"Changing day by day" said: "The life of sport is much more important than an Olympic gold medal."
"Water-blue melody" felt sad about Liu's departure and said: "I have been waiting for the moment that he can fly again. Regardless if gold or silver and bronze are the highlights of the contest. But…"she also said, "We all remember the moment that he created history, and he still makes us proud now. We will always support him."
As seen from the interactive programs of People's Daily Online, Xinhuanet and CCTV.com, Chinese netizens have changed their minds. "Glaiver" wrote in his blog: " 'where there is life, there is hope'. You missed the Olympics in Beijing, while London is waving to you. You’d better recover yourself as well as possible, and we believe that you will fly much higher after the wind and rain."
By People's Daily Online
Netizen "Peach" said: "Liu Xiang must be sadder than anyone else right now. Although he pulled out the contest, I believe he has already done his best; and I believe we are still proud of him."
"Glass Devil" said: "The most important spirit of Olympics is 'participation.' As for Liu Xiang, he already won the game when he was standing on the starting line with his injury."
After seeing those criticizing Liu Xiang out of disappointment, "Rui Ling" appealed to not be too emotional, and said: "We should not complain about the man who had paid so much more than we can imagine. He prepared for 4 years and I don’t think he would have just quit like that at the last moment had it not been for the injury."
"I am tiger who is afraid of no one" said: "I value the gold medal, but I care much more about the health of Liu Xiang. I will remember his splendor forever no matter how he did this time."
"Changing day by day" said: "The life of sport is much more important than an Olympic gold medal."
"Water-blue melody" felt sad about Liu's departure and said: "I have been waiting for the moment that he can fly again. Regardless if gold or silver and bronze are the highlights of the contest. But…"she also said, "We all remember the moment that he created history, and he still makes us proud now. We will always support him."
As seen from the interactive programs of People's Daily Online, Xinhuanet and CCTV.com, Chinese netizens have changed their minds. "Glaiver" wrote in his blog: " 'where there is life, there is hope'. You missed the Olympics in Beijing, while London is waving to you. You’d better recover yourself as well as possible, and we believe that you will fly much higher after the wind and rain."
By People's Daily Online
U.S. defending champions in beach volleyball final
Defending champions Walsh May-Treanor and Kerri Walsh were again in the final of women's beach volleyball tournament at the Olympics.
They beat Brazil's Talita Antunes and Renata Ribeiro in a straight-set victory in the semifinals at the Beijing Olympics on Tuesday. The two sets went 21-12 and 21-14.
The U.S. duo will take on the winner between China's Tian Jia/Wang Jie and Zhang Xi/Xue Chen in the final on Aug. 21.
Asked if she is ready to take the gold medal, May-Treanor said: "Yes."
"We'll just focus on the match, we will not be disturbed by the audience," she added.
Walsh said she is not familiar with the Chinese girls, but she found them to be "sweet and patient".
"They are sweet and patient. They always smile." she said of the rivals they are to encounter on Thursday.
With Tuesday's victory, the U.S. duo now boasts a 107-match winning streak.
Dubbed as "queens of the beach", the American duo has not been defeated in a single match since last August.
Men's beach volleyball legend and three-time Olympic champion of the United States Karch Kiraly also prized the partnership of May-Treanor and Walsh "the best ever".
May-Treanor has said her favorite moment is when she hears the national anthem. "I always relive it - wining the Olympic medal - over and over. Even though it was four years ago, it still feels like I'm there."
"We want to win ," May-Treanor has said. "We put pressure on ourselves," May-Treanor said before the Olympic Games opened.
Source:Xinhua
They beat Brazil's Talita Antunes and Renata Ribeiro in a straight-set victory in the semifinals at the Beijing Olympics on Tuesday. The two sets went 21-12 and 21-14.
The U.S. duo will take on the winner between China's Tian Jia/Wang Jie and Zhang Xi/Xue Chen in the final on Aug. 21.
Asked if she is ready to take the gold medal, May-Treanor said: "Yes."
"We'll just focus on the match, we will not be disturbed by the audience," she added.
Walsh said she is not familiar with the Chinese girls, but she found them to be "sweet and patient".
"They are sweet and patient. They always smile." she said of the rivals they are to encounter on Thursday.
With Tuesday's victory, the U.S. duo now boasts a 107-match winning streak.
Dubbed as "queens of the beach", the American duo has not been defeated in a single match since last August.
Men's beach volleyball legend and three-time Olympic champion of the United States Karch Kiraly also prized the partnership of May-Treanor and Walsh "the best ever".
May-Treanor has said her favorite moment is when she hears the national anthem. "I always relive it - wining the Olympic medal - over and over. Even though it was four years ago, it still feels like I'm there."
"We want to win ," May-Treanor has said. "We put pressure on ourselves," May-Treanor said before the Olympic Games opened.
Source:Xinhua
Cuba beats Serbia in Olympic women's volleyball quarters
Cuba survived some dicey moments to edge past Olympic debutants Serbia in straight sets in the quarterfinals of the Beijing Games women's volleyball tournament on Tuesday.
Former world champion and Athens bronze medalist Cuba met serious challenge from the Serbian women in the beginning of the match. The opening set was close as either of the teams could pull away until the set was levelled at 24-all.
Cuban spiker Yumilka Ruiz hit an excellent smash and then an error from Serbia gave Cuba the first set.
It was in the second set that the Cuban women, who won three straight Olympic gold medals in 1992, 1996 and 2000, have started to take control over the match.
After another Ruiz smash, the first technical timeout came with Cuba in front 8-3. Yanelis Santos, Ruiz and Rachel Sanchez kept the points coming for the Cuban side on the resumption, forcing their opponents off for a timeout while trailing 12-4 behind.
Cuba brought up the second technical timeout with 16-10 while the Serbian women, having stunned the world with their third-place run in the World Championships 2006, could hardly test Cuba, losing the set at 25-19 after a Jelena Nikolic long serve.
Serbia mounted a strong comeback in the third set, and despite trailing behind at both technical timeouts, the team levelled the match at 16-16 after Jovana Brakocevic and Natasa Krsmanovic hit two sizzlers.
The rivalry became tense and Serbia was on a surge, noticeably two straight blocks from Maja Ognjenovic to help the team overtake the lead at 22-20.
However, Serbia was not consistent in the remaining time. Rosir Calderon and Nancy Carrillo smashed home consecutively before Cuba edged past Serbia at 26-24 to close out the match in one hour and 20 minutes.
Source:Xinhua
Former world champion and Athens bronze medalist Cuba met serious challenge from the Serbian women in the beginning of the match. The opening set was close as either of the teams could pull away until the set was levelled at 24-all.
Cuban spiker Yumilka Ruiz hit an excellent smash and then an error from Serbia gave Cuba the first set.
It was in the second set that the Cuban women, who won three straight Olympic gold medals in 1992, 1996 and 2000, have started to take control over the match.
After another Ruiz smash, the first technical timeout came with Cuba in front 8-3. Yanelis Santos, Ruiz and Rachel Sanchez kept the points coming for the Cuban side on the resumption, forcing their opponents off for a timeout while trailing 12-4 behind.
Cuba brought up the second technical timeout with 16-10 while the Serbian women, having stunned the world with their third-place run in the World Championships 2006, could hardly test Cuba, losing the set at 25-19 after a Jelena Nikolic long serve.
Serbia mounted a strong comeback in the third set, and despite trailing behind at both technical timeouts, the team levelled the match at 16-16 after Jovana Brakocevic and Natasa Krsmanovic hit two sizzlers.
The rivalry became tense and Serbia was on a surge, noticeably two straight blocks from Maja Ognjenovic to help the team overtake the lead at 22-20.
However, Serbia was not consistent in the remaining time. Rosir Calderon and Nancy Carrillo smashed home consecutively before Cuba edged past Serbia at 26-24 to close out the match in one hour and 20 minutes.
Source:Xinhua
Brazil breeze through Japan in quarters of Olympic women's volleyball
World number one Brazil continued its unbeaten run in the Beijing Games women's volleyball tournament, needing only 73 minutes to blitz Japan in the quarterfinals on Tuesday.
The reward will be a semifinal clash against either host China or Russia on Thursday.
Japan, having played with good defence but underperforming in attack since the preliminaries, was in a different league compared to a mightier Brazilian team, losing the first set at 25-12.
The Japanese only racked up six points in attacking to 13 from Brazi, and one service point to six of the Brazilian team.
The Japanese women, however, apparently raised their game in the seconde set, scoring 14 winners, but still six behind the Brazilian, who looked in a class of their own, with each player except for the libero scoring from every corner on the court.
After dropping the second set at 25-20, Japan were still keeping a high momentum and on back of their cemented defence, the team led for the first time in the match when they were up 9-8 in the third set.
But it turned out to be a flash in the pan as the Brazilian team found the range quickly and used an 8-3 run for a comfortable 16-12 lead at the second technical timeout.
On the resumption, the Japanese came back with serious trouble, watching their opponents reel off the next five points for a 21-12 cushion.
After a sizzling strike from Fabiana Claudino, Brazil closed out the match at 25-16.
Source:Xinhua
The reward will be a semifinal clash against either host China or Russia on Thursday.
Japan, having played with good defence but underperforming in attack since the preliminaries, was in a different league compared to a mightier Brazilian team, losing the first set at 25-12.
The Japanese only racked up six points in attacking to 13 from Brazi, and one service point to six of the Brazilian team.
The Japanese women, however, apparently raised their game in the seconde set, scoring 14 winners, but still six behind the Brazilian, who looked in a class of their own, with each player except for the libero scoring from every corner on the court.
After dropping the second set at 25-20, Japan were still keeping a high momentum and on back of their cemented defence, the team led for the first time in the match when they were up 9-8 in the third set.
But it turned out to be a flash in the pan as the Brazilian team found the range quickly and used an 8-3 run for a comfortable 16-12 lead at the second technical timeout.
On the resumption, the Japanese came back with serious trouble, watching their opponents reel off the next five points for a 21-12 cushion.
After a sizzling strike from Fabiana Claudino, Brazil closed out the match at 25-16.
Source:Xinhua
Preview: China's Wu Jingyu seeking first Olympic taekwondo title, but challenged by old rival
China's taekwondo rising star Wu Jingyu will vie for her first Olympic title on Wednesday, but she will face tough challenge from her long-time rival Yang Shu-chun of Chinese Taipei.
World champion Wu, 21, will come across Yang, who is also eying a gold medal, in the semifinals. Wu was beat by Yang in their latest clash this year at the Asian Championships.
Peng Tai-lin, deputy chef de mission of the Chinese Taipei delegation, told Xinhua that each of them has a 50 percent chance to win this time, despite the fact that Wu had defeated Yang more than Yang did.
"Yang has improved a lot recently and our goal is the gold," Peng added.
Another Chinese Taipei medal hopeful, Yang's boyfriend Chu Mu-yen will try to retain his title in the men's 58kg division on the same day.
Chu, 26, first ever Olympic gold medalist of the Chinese Taipei delegation, will face the challenge from Spanish world champion Juan Antonio Ramos in the semifinals.
The taekwondo events have been scheduled for four days with four men's and four women's divisions. Each delegation can send four athletes at maximum, two men and two women.
China won two taekwondo golds at Athens and its goal in Beijing is at least one gold.
Source:Xinhua
World champion Wu, 21, will come across Yang, who is also eying a gold medal, in the semifinals. Wu was beat by Yang in their latest clash this year at the Asian Championships.
Peng Tai-lin, deputy chef de mission of the Chinese Taipei delegation, told Xinhua that each of them has a 50 percent chance to win this time, despite the fact that Wu had defeated Yang more than Yang did.
"Yang has improved a lot recently and our goal is the gold," Peng added.
Another Chinese Taipei medal hopeful, Yang's boyfriend Chu Mu-yen will try to retain his title in the men's 58kg division on the same day.
Chu, 26, first ever Olympic gold medalist of the Chinese Taipei delegation, will face the challenge from Spanish world champion Juan Antonio Ramos in the semifinals.
The taekwondo events have been scheduled for four days with four men's and four women's divisions. Each delegation can send four athletes at maximum, two men and two women.
China won two taekwondo golds at Athens and its goal in Beijing is at least one gold.
Source:Xinhua
China's boxing team tastes victory, defeat at same night
China tasted victory and defeat at the same time on Monday night, seeing its super heavyweight boxer Zhang Zhilei marched into the top four and a bitter defeat of its featherweight Li Yang.
The 2-meter tall Zhang totally controlled the match while fighting Kazakh rival Ruslan Myrsatayev. Being tall and big, Zhang was surprisingly deft at avoiding attacks from Myrsatayev. And his weight empowered his strength, making his punches too heavy for the Kazakhstan boxer to withstand. During the four rounds, Zhang knocked down the 1.85-meter Myrsatayev twice, and enjoyed an easy win of 12-2.
With this victory, Zhang made himself into the last four of his category and secured at least a bronze medal, which is a breakthrough for China in the heavy weight categories.
In other three super heavyweight fights, world champion silver medalist Ukrainian Vyacheslav Glazkov crushed Algerian Newfel Ouatah easily, world champion Italian Roberto Cammarelle washed out low-rated Colombian Oscar Rivas with a 9-5, and Briton David Price enjoyed an early injury of Lithuanian Jaroslav Jaksto at the second round.
Not as lucky as Zhang, China's featherweight Li Yang on Monday night suffered a big loss of 3-12 to Ukrainian strong-hand Vasyl Lomachenko, last year's world championship silver medalist. The two fought each other at last year's world championships, with Li Yang lost after a tie-break. He told Xinhua after the match that he wanted to take revenge at this Olympics, but his desire to win made him impatient. He also admitted that he was less experienced than the Ukrainian, so he needs to fight more "battles" in the future. "I'll surely come back at the next Olympics!" the 26-year-old Li said with a smile.
Other three featherweights passed the quarterfinal test, with Turkish Yakup Kilic beating Algerian Abdelkader Chadi 13-6, French Khedafi Djelkhir defeating Mexican Arturo Santos Reyes 14-9, and Azerbaijani Shahin Imranov sending Cuban Idel Torriente home with a controversial 16-14.
In Bantamweight quarterfinals, Athens Olympics silver medalist Thai Worapoj Petchkoom couldn't beat the powerful Cuban Yankiel Leon Alarcon and lost 2-10. Last year's world championship runner-up Mongolian Badar-Uugan Enkhbat comfortably beat his Botswanan challenger Khumiso Ikgopoleng 15-2 and joined the last four crew. Mauritian Bruno Julie and Moldovan Veaceslav Gojan also made their way to the last four by vanquishing their respective Venezuelan and Indian rivals.
Source:Xinhua
The 2-meter tall Zhang totally controlled the match while fighting Kazakh rival Ruslan Myrsatayev. Being tall and big, Zhang was surprisingly deft at avoiding attacks from Myrsatayev. And his weight empowered his strength, making his punches too heavy for the Kazakhstan boxer to withstand. During the four rounds, Zhang knocked down the 1.85-meter Myrsatayev twice, and enjoyed an easy win of 12-2.
With this victory, Zhang made himself into the last four of his category and secured at least a bronze medal, which is a breakthrough for China in the heavy weight categories.
In other three super heavyweight fights, world champion silver medalist Ukrainian Vyacheslav Glazkov crushed Algerian Newfel Ouatah easily, world champion Italian Roberto Cammarelle washed out low-rated Colombian Oscar Rivas with a 9-5, and Briton David Price enjoyed an early injury of Lithuanian Jaroslav Jaksto at the second round.
Not as lucky as Zhang, China's featherweight Li Yang on Monday night suffered a big loss of 3-12 to Ukrainian strong-hand Vasyl Lomachenko, last year's world championship silver medalist. The two fought each other at last year's world championships, with Li Yang lost after a tie-break. He told Xinhua after the match that he wanted to take revenge at this Olympics, but his desire to win made him impatient. He also admitted that he was less experienced than the Ukrainian, so he needs to fight more "battles" in the future. "I'll surely come back at the next Olympics!" the 26-year-old Li said with a smile.
Other three featherweights passed the quarterfinal test, with Turkish Yakup Kilic beating Algerian Abdelkader Chadi 13-6, French Khedafi Djelkhir defeating Mexican Arturo Santos Reyes 14-9, and Azerbaijani Shahin Imranov sending Cuban Idel Torriente home with a controversial 16-14.
In Bantamweight quarterfinals, Athens Olympics silver medalist Thai Worapoj Petchkoom couldn't beat the powerful Cuban Yankiel Leon Alarcon and lost 2-10. Last year's world championship runner-up Mongolian Badar-Uugan Enkhbat comfortably beat his Botswanan challenger Khumiso Ikgopoleng 15-2 and joined the last four crew. Mauritian Bruno Julie and Moldovan Veaceslav Gojan also made their way to the last four by vanquishing their respective Venezuelan and Indian rivals.
Source:Xinhua
Chen Yibing, China's new legend in rings
A new gold medal, a new gymnastic record.
After China's Chen Yibing nailed a solid landing under the rings, he powered to top spot in the event before ecstatic home fans on Monday at the Beijing Olympics. Chen closed his eyes for a while and then thrust his hand into the air to greet the ovation of audience.
It is the sixth gold claimed by the Chinese gymnastic team at the Beijing Olympics, enabling China to improve its Olympic best result in gymnastics once again after Chen's teammates Xiao Qin contributed the fifth gold with superb work on pommel horse. China reaped four gymnastic golds in the Los Angeles Olympics in 1984.
Chen's female counterpart He Kexin raised the record to seven less than one hour later by marvelous performance in uneven bars.
Chen, who made his Olympic debut, remained quite calm in the final despite chants of "Come on" from the crowd. Showing no slight sign of shivers, he moved easily from one position to another and put every maneuver in tight control. Between the two rings Chen's body stretched as a bright red line.
The next-to-perfect performance won the hearts of judges and secured Chen's leading position with a score of 16.600, leaving a margin of 0.175 with his teammate Yang Wei who settled the silver.
Yang also gave a nod to Chen's performance by saying, "I think I have done a good job, but Chen's level is higher than mine in rings."
After the final, Chen told reporters in the mixed zone,"I was nervous but I have prepared psychologically. I believed I had the ability to win because I have claimed two gold medals in the last two world championships. I have a difficulty value of 7.4 but I didn't use it, because it was unnecessary to use it after the qualification."
When asked about whether he ever imaged winning two golds at the Beijing Olympics, Chen said,"Yes, I have imagined it, but I know it is very hard. But in order to achieve something, you must imagine it first. I have made lots of efforts for it."
China's dominance in rings was surely not an easy feat.
The dream to reclaim an Olympic title in rings has been held for more than two decades after the sport's legend Li Ning brought the first gold in the event at the Los Angeles Olympics in 1984. Li Jing and Li Xiaoshuang kicked off their rush to the title in the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, but only finished as the silver and bronze medalists.
The winter came thereafter for China's rings event as no Chinese gymnast had stood on the Olympic rings podium since then.
Few people would have noticed Chen when he appeared in the 2005 World Championships in Melbourne. An injury in the shoulder forced him to stay far away from the podium and only brought a ranking of the eighth.
After honing his skills for one year, Chen began to shine in the 2006 World Championships. Relying on his consistency in execution, he defeated Jordan Jovtchev, the silver medalist in the Athens Olympics Games, and won the gold in rings. In 2007, Chen crowned again the Stuttgart World Championships, heralding another era of Chinese gymnasts in the event.
The experience endowed Chen confidence and mental strength. He became the first gymnast to compete in the team final of the Beijing Olympics and contributed 16.575 points, the highest score in rings, for China's final victory
In addition, Chen has made preparation for his another dazzling performance in men's all-around in the future. He gained no medal after a wrist wound forced him to put an abrupt end to his routine in horizontal bar in the all-around final. The 23-year-old leading gymnast reaped precious experience at the Olympic arena.
Huang Yubin, head coach of the Chinese gymnastic team, told reporters that Chen's performance in the all-around was satisfactory as he came to accumulate experience and prepare for the future.
Source:Xinhua
After China's Chen Yibing nailed a solid landing under the rings, he powered to top spot in the event before ecstatic home fans on Monday at the Beijing Olympics. Chen closed his eyes for a while and then thrust his hand into the air to greet the ovation of audience.
It is the sixth gold claimed by the Chinese gymnastic team at the Beijing Olympics, enabling China to improve its Olympic best result in gymnastics once again after Chen's teammates Xiao Qin contributed the fifth gold with superb work on pommel horse. China reaped four gymnastic golds in the Los Angeles Olympics in 1984.
Chen's female counterpart He Kexin raised the record to seven less than one hour later by marvelous performance in uneven bars.
Chen, who made his Olympic debut, remained quite calm in the final despite chants of "Come on" from the crowd. Showing no slight sign of shivers, he moved easily from one position to another and put every maneuver in tight control. Between the two rings Chen's body stretched as a bright red line.
The next-to-perfect performance won the hearts of judges and secured Chen's leading position with a score of 16.600, leaving a margin of 0.175 with his teammate Yang Wei who settled the silver.
Yang also gave a nod to Chen's performance by saying, "I think I have done a good job, but Chen's level is higher than mine in rings."
After the final, Chen told reporters in the mixed zone,"I was nervous but I have prepared psychologically. I believed I had the ability to win because I have claimed two gold medals in the last two world championships. I have a difficulty value of 7.4 but I didn't use it, because it was unnecessary to use it after the qualification."
When asked about whether he ever imaged winning two golds at the Beijing Olympics, Chen said,"Yes, I have imagined it, but I know it is very hard. But in order to achieve something, you must imagine it first. I have made lots of efforts for it."
China's dominance in rings was surely not an easy feat.
The dream to reclaim an Olympic title in rings has been held for more than two decades after the sport's legend Li Ning brought the first gold in the event at the Los Angeles Olympics in 1984. Li Jing and Li Xiaoshuang kicked off their rush to the title in the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, but only finished as the silver and bronze medalists.
The winter came thereafter for China's rings event as no Chinese gymnast had stood on the Olympic rings podium since then.
Few people would have noticed Chen when he appeared in the 2005 World Championships in Melbourne. An injury in the shoulder forced him to stay far away from the podium and only brought a ranking of the eighth.
After honing his skills for one year, Chen began to shine in the 2006 World Championships. Relying on his consistency in execution, he defeated Jordan Jovtchev, the silver medalist in the Athens Olympics Games, and won the gold in rings. In 2007, Chen crowned again the Stuttgart World Championships, heralding another era of Chinese gymnasts in the event.
The experience endowed Chen confidence and mental strength. He became the first gymnast to compete in the team final of the Beijing Olympics and contributed 16.575 points, the highest score in rings, for China's final victory
In addition, Chen has made preparation for his another dazzling performance in men's all-around in the future. He gained no medal after a wrist wound forced him to put an abrupt end to his routine in horizontal bar in the all-around final. The 23-year-old leading gymnast reaped precious experience at the Olympic arena.
Huang Yubin, head coach of the Chinese gymnastic team, told reporters that Chen's performance in the all-around was satisfactory as he came to accumulate experience and prepare for the future.
Source:Xinhua
Feature: Sports-loving Egyptians enjoy Olympics at cafes along the Nile
"The performances of the Chinese athletes are wonderful!" Cairo fast-food restaurant manager Said said of the Chinese athletes competing at the ongoing Beijing Olympic Games.
"It's great for the Chinese team to lead the medal tally since the beginning of the Games," said Said, whose snack bar in the suburban district of Maadi is crowded every night with locals watching repeat telecasts of the gymnastic events on television.
It is midnight Sunday, and gentle summer breezes cool the streets of the Egyptian capital. But the mercury is rising inside the cafes of Cairo, as the passions and cheers of Olympic fans reach fever pitch.
Cafes along the banks of the Nile river and in Maadi have become popular venues for Olympic fans to enjoy the Games since its opening on Aug. 8.
In another cafe along the Nile, the Olympics attracted dozens of sports fans, who say they cheer not only for the Egyptian team but for the Chinese athletes and sports stars from other countries as well.
"We enjoy the Games by watching TV broadcasts in the cafe," said Mohamed, one of the fans, adding that it was great to sit in the cafe every night to share the joy of watching the Games with friends.
Egypt has sent a delegation of 188 members to Beijing, a record number in the country's Olympic history. On Wednesday, Egyptian judoka Hisham Mesbah won a bronze medal in the men's 90 kg competition, his country's first win at the Beijing Olympics.
Due to the time difference with Beijing, Egyptians have to stay up late to watch the Games.
Abdul Aziz, who works at a computer firm, said he cannot watch the live broadcast of most competitions because they are often held while it's early morning in Egypt.
"I go to cafes after 10 o'clock at night to watch the rebroadcast of the Games," said Aziz. "I stay in the cafe the whole day on Fridays."
"It's the best way for me to relax after a day of work and I enjoy the Games very much," he said.
Sports fan Tamer Abdullah, a judge in Cairo, prefers to watch individual events such as fencing, wrestling and judo. "I often stay up very late to watch those events on TV," he said.
Egyptian sports fans say they will keep following the Games in the hope of seeing their athletes win a medal in the pentathlon and other individual events.
Source:Xinhua
"It's great for the Chinese team to lead the medal tally since the beginning of the Games," said Said, whose snack bar in the suburban district of Maadi is crowded every night with locals watching repeat telecasts of the gymnastic events on television.
It is midnight Sunday, and gentle summer breezes cool the streets of the Egyptian capital. But the mercury is rising inside the cafes of Cairo, as the passions and cheers of Olympic fans reach fever pitch.
Cafes along the banks of the Nile river and in Maadi have become popular venues for Olympic fans to enjoy the Games since its opening on Aug. 8.
In another cafe along the Nile, the Olympics attracted dozens of sports fans, who say they cheer not only for the Egyptian team but for the Chinese athletes and sports stars from other countries as well.
"We enjoy the Games by watching TV broadcasts in the cafe," said Mohamed, one of the fans, adding that it was great to sit in the cafe every night to share the joy of watching the Games with friends.
Egypt has sent a delegation of 188 members to Beijing, a record number in the country's Olympic history. On Wednesday, Egyptian judoka Hisham Mesbah won a bronze medal in the men's 90 kg competition, his country's first win at the Beijing Olympics.
Due to the time difference with Beijing, Egyptians have to stay up late to watch the Games.
Abdul Aziz, who works at a computer firm, said he cannot watch the live broadcast of most competitions because they are often held while it's early morning in Egypt.
"I go to cafes after 10 o'clock at night to watch the rebroadcast of the Games," said Aziz. "I stay in the cafe the whole day on Fridays."
"It's the best way for me to relax after a day of work and I enjoy the Games very much," he said.
Sports fan Tamer Abdullah, a judge in Cairo, prefers to watch individual events such as fencing, wrestling and judo. "I often stay up very late to watch those events on TV," he said.
Egyptian sports fans say they will keep following the Games in the hope of seeing their athletes win a medal in the pentathlon and other individual events.
Source:Xinhua
Perfect pair set for all-China semifinal
China's world No 2 beach volleyball duo Tian Jia and Wang Jie are a perfect pair, both on the sand and in life.
"We are sort of like a couple in life," said 24-year-old Wang, an Urumqi native who is enjoying her Olympic debut. "We are important to each other. Our tempers also fit in well with each other."
Wang looks after Tian, even keeping an extra tube of sunscreen for her partner, who sometimes forgets.
"I'm sort of less thoughtful than her. Sometimes she also needs to look after me," said Tian, 27, who paired with Wang Fei at the Athens Games.
Now, Tian and Wang, who have paired since 2006, are about to play their first Olympic semifinal today.
Their opponent will be another Chinese pair, Xue Chen and Zhang Xi, who rank No 4 in the world, which means no matter which pair makes it to the final on Thursday, China has secured at least a silver medal in beach volleyball for the first time since the sport's Olympic debut in Atlanta.
With Wang patrolling the net and the veteran Tian backing her up, the pair has finished outside the top 10 in a tournament only twice in the last two FIVB World Tour seasons. They have held their No 2 ranking for two years.
Their international success has also helped boost beach volleyball's popularity in China.
"Our goal has been to reach the quarterfinals and now we did it. Next, we are just going to ignore all the pressure and take things as they come," said Wang, who has played beach volleyball since she was 17.
China's other team, rising stars Xue/Zhang, also won all three group matches before beating Cuba and the US to reach the semifinals. Though they may be less experienced than some other top teams, their size has helped them greatly on the court. The pair has won four World Tour titles since 2006 and placed fourth at last year's World Championships in Gstaad, Switzerland.
That pair is looking forward to the all-Chinese duel.
"We will still play the same. No matter who wins, the victory will be China's," said 19-year-old Xue, a native of Fujian province.
Source: China Daily
"We are sort of like a couple in life," said 24-year-old Wang, an Urumqi native who is enjoying her Olympic debut. "We are important to each other. Our tempers also fit in well with each other."
Wang looks after Tian, even keeping an extra tube of sunscreen for her partner, who sometimes forgets.
"I'm sort of less thoughtful than her. Sometimes she also needs to look after me," said Tian, 27, who paired with Wang Fei at the Athens Games.
Now, Tian and Wang, who have paired since 2006, are about to play their first Olympic semifinal today.
Their opponent will be another Chinese pair, Xue Chen and Zhang Xi, who rank No 4 in the world, which means no matter which pair makes it to the final on Thursday, China has secured at least a silver medal in beach volleyball for the first time since the sport's Olympic debut in Atlanta.
With Wang patrolling the net and the veteran Tian backing her up, the pair has finished outside the top 10 in a tournament only twice in the last two FIVB World Tour seasons. They have held their No 2 ranking for two years.
Their international success has also helped boost beach volleyball's popularity in China.
"Our goal has been to reach the quarterfinals and now we did it. Next, we are just going to ignore all the pressure and take things as they come," said Wang, who has played beach volleyball since she was 17.
China's other team, rising stars Xue/Zhang, also won all three group matches before beating Cuba and the US to reach the semifinals. Though they may be less experienced than some other top teams, their size has helped them greatly on the court. The pair has won four World Tour titles since 2006 and placed fourth at last year's World Championships in Gstaad, Switzerland.
That pair is looking forward to the all-Chinese duel.
"We will still play the same. No matter who wins, the victory will be China's," said 19-year-old Xue, a native of Fujian province.
Source: China Daily
China looks set to lead gold tally
Just hours after waking up with a Michael Phelps hangover yesterday, the country was dealt the Liu Xiang blow. And though the pain of losing Liu will stay forever, the end of the day brought some smile back to China because it now looks unassailable in the gold tally.
Even the US, the leading gold winner in many a Games, has just 22 to China's 39. The athletics and some other of the US' favorite events are still being contested, but the hosts' top position seems secure.
China won four golds yesterday, two in gymnastics, one in men's table tennis team and the fourth in women's trampoline. And the almost unbeatable pole-vaulter Yelena Isinbayeva added one more gold to Russia's tally.
China has already won seven more golds than in Athens, where the US had 36 of the top medals.
Chen Yibing won the rings title, the second in the event for China in Olympics history. The last rings gold for China was won by Li Ning in Los Angeles 1984.
He Kexin lifted the uneven bars title. Her score, 16.725 points, was level with that of Nastia Liukin of the US, but she claimed the gold because her execution marks were closer to perfect 10. He's teammate Yang Yilin won the bronze with 16.650 points.
Chinese men breezed past the Germans to win the table tennis team's title. With the women's team title already in its bag, China is on course for a clean sweep of the four table tennis golds.
The inaugural trampoline gold was won by China's He Weina.
On the flip side, the Chinese men's basketball team lost to Greece 91-77 and will take on Lithuania in the quarterfinals.
At the Bird's Nest, Isinbayeva broke her own world record in the pole vault by clearing 5.05 m, Her previous mark was 5.04 m, set last month.
Irving Saladino won the men's long jump, giving Panama its first Olympic gold. The 2007 world champion won with a best jump of 8.34 m.
American Angelo Taylor won the men's 400m hurdles, finishing in 47.25 seconds to lead a US sweep in the event. Kerron Clement came second and Bershawn Jackson, third.
Source:China Daily/Agencies
Even the US, the leading gold winner in many a Games, has just 22 to China's 39. The athletics and some other of the US' favorite events are still being contested, but the hosts' top position seems secure.
China won four golds yesterday, two in gymnastics, one in men's table tennis team and the fourth in women's trampoline. And the almost unbeatable pole-vaulter Yelena Isinbayeva added one more gold to Russia's tally.
China has already won seven more golds than in Athens, where the US had 36 of the top medals.
Chen Yibing won the rings title, the second in the event for China in Olympics history. The last rings gold for China was won by Li Ning in Los Angeles 1984.
He Kexin lifted the uneven bars title. Her score, 16.725 points, was level with that of Nastia Liukin of the US, but she claimed the gold because her execution marks were closer to perfect 10. He's teammate Yang Yilin won the bronze with 16.650 points.
Chinese men breezed past the Germans to win the table tennis team's title. With the women's team title already in its bag, China is on course for a clean sweep of the four table tennis golds.
The inaugural trampoline gold was won by China's He Weina.
On the flip side, the Chinese men's basketball team lost to Greece 91-77 and will take on Lithuania in the quarterfinals.
At the Bird's Nest, Isinbayeva broke her own world record in the pole vault by clearing 5.05 m, Her previous mark was 5.04 m, set last month.
Irving Saladino won the men's long jump, giving Panama its first Olympic gold. The 2007 world champion won with a best jump of 8.34 m.
American Angelo Taylor won the men's 400m hurdles, finishing in 47.25 seconds to lead a US sweep in the event. Kerron Clement came second and Bershawn Jackson, third.
Source:China Daily/Agencies
Closing ceremony will be unrehearsed
Host China reached the quarterfinals at the Beijing Olympic women's handball after stunning European powerhouse France 21-18 in their last preliminary game, while debutant Sweden also found their place in top eight, upsetting Brazil 25-22 on Sunday.
"The key to our victory is the change of the defending strategy. In the previous four games, we always adopted a 3-2-1 defending system, which left too much space for opponents to break through. But today we tightened our defending line," said Kang Jae-won, silver medallist at 1988 Seoul Games.
It was a do-or-die game for China, whose opponent finished fourth in the Athens Games and fifth in 2007 World Championship. However, the "much stronger" French side appeared nail-biting in front of China's tightened defence system, only netting five goals 20 minutes into the game.
The host should have enjoyed an early lead, only if they could improve their shooting efficiency. Though constantly launching fast breaks after ball interception, China merely scored nine goals out of 29 shots in the first half and trailed one point at the interval.
"It is my first Olympic experience and I don't want it to end so soon,"said Chinese goalkeeper Huang Hong, who paced China to charge a 9-2 run fifteen minutes after the game resumed.
In the final quarter of the game, France mounted a fierce fightback at the end of the match, but failed to even the score until the buzzer.
"We knew France was stronger than us. But in order to achieve our goal to reach top eight, we have to beat them. We believe that everything can happen before the end of the game, so we just fought with our highest morale," said left back Wang Shasha, who led China with five goals.
Having snatched this decisive win, China outclassed France to finish third in Group A. They will meet South Korea, who roared past Hungary 33-22 today, in next Tuesday's quarterfinals.
China's surprising victory also made Kazakhstan's earlier 24-24 tie to Angola meaningless. The mid-Asian team had to cancel the celebrating party and book their return tickets.
Brazilian left back Aline Santos' birthday mood was totally ruined after her team conceded 22-25 to Olympic debutant Sweden. Besides the game, Brazil also lost their chance to make it into the next round.
"I am very disappointed. We lost the chance to reach the quarterfinal, it was not a lucky day for me," said the 1.95-meter Santos, who is supposed to celebrate her 27th birthday today.
Santos netted four goals for Brazil, but the seventh placer at Athens Games failed to match Sweden's strength.
"I am very proud of these girls. It is our first time to compete in Olympic Games and they made history. We fulfilled our target to enter the quarterfinals, which means we still have three games to play next week,"said Swedish coach Ulf Schefvert in a post-match conference.
Although Sweden made the history, it will be difficult for them to go further because they will find an in-form Norway waiting ahead. The newly crowned European Champion edged out Romania 24-23 to top Group A with an all-win record.
Also to celebrate her birthday today, Russian center back Ekaterina Andryushina was in the right mood. As a member of three times world champ, Andryushina saw her team upset Germany, the third placer in 2007 World Championship, 30-29 in a nip and tuck clash.
Source:Xinhua
"The key to our victory is the change of the defending strategy. In the previous four games, we always adopted a 3-2-1 defending system, which left too much space for opponents to break through. But today we tightened our defending line," said Kang Jae-won, silver medallist at 1988 Seoul Games.
It was a do-or-die game for China, whose opponent finished fourth in the Athens Games and fifth in 2007 World Championship. However, the "much stronger" French side appeared nail-biting in front of China's tightened defence system, only netting five goals 20 minutes into the game.
The host should have enjoyed an early lead, only if they could improve their shooting efficiency. Though constantly launching fast breaks after ball interception, China merely scored nine goals out of 29 shots in the first half and trailed one point at the interval.
"It is my first Olympic experience and I don't want it to end so soon,"said Chinese goalkeeper Huang Hong, who paced China to charge a 9-2 run fifteen minutes after the game resumed.
In the final quarter of the game, France mounted a fierce fightback at the end of the match, but failed to even the score until the buzzer.
"We knew France was stronger than us. But in order to achieve our goal to reach top eight, we have to beat them. We believe that everything can happen before the end of the game, so we just fought with our highest morale," said left back Wang Shasha, who led China with five goals.
Having snatched this decisive win, China outclassed France to finish third in Group A. They will meet South Korea, who roared past Hungary 33-22 today, in next Tuesday's quarterfinals.
China's surprising victory also made Kazakhstan's earlier 24-24 tie to Angola meaningless. The mid-Asian team had to cancel the celebrating party and book their return tickets.
Brazilian left back Aline Santos' birthday mood was totally ruined after her team conceded 22-25 to Olympic debutant Sweden. Besides the game, Brazil also lost their chance to make it into the next round.
"I am very disappointed. We lost the chance to reach the quarterfinal, it was not a lucky day for me," said the 1.95-meter Santos, who is supposed to celebrate her 27th birthday today.
Santos netted four goals for Brazil, but the seventh placer at Athens Games failed to match Sweden's strength.
"I am very proud of these girls. It is our first time to compete in Olympic Games and they made history. We fulfilled our target to enter the quarterfinals, which means we still have three games to play next week,"said Swedish coach Ulf Schefvert in a post-match conference.
Although Sweden made the history, it will be difficult for them to go further because they will find an in-form Norway waiting ahead. The newly crowned European Champion edged out Romania 24-23 to top Group A with an all-win record.
Also to celebrate her birthday today, Russian center back Ekaterina Andryushina was in the right mood. As a member of three times world champ, Andryushina saw her team upset Germany, the third placer in 2007 World Championship, 30-29 in a nip and tuck clash.
Source:Xinhua
World titlists Germany shut out of top eight at Beijing Olympic men's handball
World titlists Germany missed their chance to compete in the quarterfinals at Beijing Olympic men's handball event after losing 21-27 to European champion Denmark on Monday.
It was a duplicate of the European Championship semifinal played in January 2008, when Denmark edged out world champion Germany 26-25 on the way to claim the continental title after years of near-misses in major competitions.
"We paid special attention to our defence today, taking good care of their key players. The German team slowly got tired in the second half, but we have eleven to twelve players to put into the court," said Danish coach Ulrik Wilbek.
Danish left back Lasse Boesen scored five points in the first half to bring Denmark a 15-12 lead and added three in the second. After defeating Germany, Denmark finished second in Group B.
"We did not start the tournament very well. In fact we rarely enjoyed a good start in all tournaments and we have already got used to finish second in the group. But our team is in a very good condition, without any player bothered by injury. We are looking forward to the quarterfinal match,"added Wilbek.
Denmark's victory also made Russia's earlier win meaningful. After beating South Korea 29-22 in their last preliminary game on Monday, Russia kept their quarterfinal chance alive. However, if Denmark and Germany finished with a draw, Russia still had to pack up their luggage for the return flight.
"Our key to win today's game is fighting together. Every player played well and our teamwork was at the best level. I am not afraid of the draw of the two teams. The possibility is just so slim," said Russia's coach Vladimir Maksimov in a post-match conference.
Vitaly Ivanov scored the opening goal for Russia in the first minute before Russia enjoyed a 12-6 run 17 minutes into the game. The South Korean team, who had already clinched their berth in the final eight, appeared absent-minded in the court, with their leaking defence constantly broken through by the combative Russians.
"We knew that South Korea is a fast team so we spread the field. We were not in a hurry to attack. We wanted to slow the match down and focus on maintaining our positions. The South Korean team had already qualified for the quarterfinals so maybe they didn't play their hardest," Russian left winger Timur Dibirov.
Host China received their fifth straight defeat after being outgunned by reigning gold medalists Croatia 22-33. Although the hosts gained a flying start with a 13-9 lead twenty minutes into the game, Croatia responded with eight unanswered goals to silence a crowd of 5,000 cheering local fans.
Owing to ace shooter Snorri Gudjonsson's last second equalizer, Iceland also secured their quarterfinal berth after tying 32-32 with African champion Egypt. Trailing one point in the last moment, Gudjonsson replaced the goalkeeper to strengthen their attack. Still wearing the keeper's shirt, Gudjonsson saved the team with his diving shot.
Spain also found their name in the top eight after outscoring Brazil 36-35. While France tied with Poland 30-30 to finished top of Group A.
Source:Xinhua
It was a duplicate of the European Championship semifinal played in January 2008, when Denmark edged out world champion Germany 26-25 on the way to claim the continental title after years of near-misses in major competitions.
"We paid special attention to our defence today, taking good care of their key players. The German team slowly got tired in the second half, but we have eleven to twelve players to put into the court," said Danish coach Ulrik Wilbek.
Danish left back Lasse Boesen scored five points in the first half to bring Denmark a 15-12 lead and added three in the second. After defeating Germany, Denmark finished second in Group B.
"We did not start the tournament very well. In fact we rarely enjoyed a good start in all tournaments and we have already got used to finish second in the group. But our team is in a very good condition, without any player bothered by injury. We are looking forward to the quarterfinal match,"added Wilbek.
Denmark's victory also made Russia's earlier win meaningful. After beating South Korea 29-22 in their last preliminary game on Monday, Russia kept their quarterfinal chance alive. However, if Denmark and Germany finished with a draw, Russia still had to pack up their luggage for the return flight.
"Our key to win today's game is fighting together. Every player played well and our teamwork was at the best level. I am not afraid of the draw of the two teams. The possibility is just so slim," said Russia's coach Vladimir Maksimov in a post-match conference.
Vitaly Ivanov scored the opening goal for Russia in the first minute before Russia enjoyed a 12-6 run 17 minutes into the game. The South Korean team, who had already clinched their berth in the final eight, appeared absent-minded in the court, with their leaking defence constantly broken through by the combative Russians.
"We knew that South Korea is a fast team so we spread the field. We were not in a hurry to attack. We wanted to slow the match down and focus on maintaining our positions. The South Korean team had already qualified for the quarterfinals so maybe they didn't play their hardest," Russian left winger Timur Dibirov.
Host China received their fifth straight defeat after being outgunned by reigning gold medalists Croatia 22-33. Although the hosts gained a flying start with a 13-9 lead twenty minutes into the game, Croatia responded with eight unanswered goals to silence a crowd of 5,000 cheering local fans.
Owing to ace shooter Snorri Gudjonsson's last second equalizer, Iceland also secured their quarterfinal berth after tying 32-32 with African champion Egypt. Trailing one point in the last moment, Gudjonsson replaced the goalkeeper to strengthen their attack. Still wearing the keeper's shirt, Gudjonsson saved the team with his diving shot.
Spain also found their name in the top eight after outscoring Brazil 36-35. While France tied with Poland 30-30 to finished top of Group A.
Source:Xinhua
Feature: "Pele in a skirt" dances into Olympic final
Brazilian women soccer striker Marta, dubbed as "Pele in a skirt", helped her team on Monday evening beat its anchor rival Germany 4-1 to advance into the final of the Beijing Olympic tournament.
Showcasing a dazzling array of talents - imaginative attacking, pinpoint passing, flamboyant ball control and a cannon-like shot - Marta dominated the game by assisting Cristiane to be a leading scorer and scoring a beautiful goal herself.
The reigning two-time FIFA women's world player of the year never forgets Shanghai, where she and her team were beaten by the Germans 2-0 at last year's World Cup final at the nearby Hongkou Stadium.
"We played at our best. Germany is very strong. Last year in the World Cup we lost to them, but this time we did better and now we are confident for the final," Marta said after she finally took her revenge.
Scoring goals, dictating the pace of a game with her visionary playmaking skills and bamboozling opposing defenders with her wizard-like ball control, and more importantly, Marta also dedicated her strength into the defense, which made her seem to be an all-arounder on the every inch of the pitch.
The 22-year-old star announced her arrival in Beijing by presenting one goal in the group stage and produced two in last Friday's 2-1 quarterfinal win over Norway.
"Our target is to play in Beijing and win the gold medal. Now is the time to fight for that," she said.
"If we can continue getting these tough wins then we can win the gold medal. It doesn't matter if the victories are easy or difficult. The important thing is the gold medal," Marta said.
Rising from a humble beginning, Marta began her ascension to the top of the women's game like millions of Brazilian kids, including legendary Pele - by learning the game and improving her skills on streets.
Born and raised in a small town named Dois Riachos in northeastern Brazil, Marta often played against local boys who tried to slow her down by hacking at her ankles as she attempted to dribble by them.
At the age of 16, she left home and tried her luck at Vasco da Gama's women's team before Rio club quickly signed her.
She played for Brazil's U19 squad and then was called up into the national team within the following two years, and shone in international competitions, including the 2003 FIFA Women's World Cup and the 2004 Athens Olympics where Brazil won a silver medal.
Marta continued her professional career with Umea IK, helping the Swedish club win three consecutive league championships, and winning the FIFA women's world player of the year award in 2006 and 2007, and the MVP of the 2007 World Cup despite her missing a penalty in the final.
Marta also printed her own mark at Rio de Janeiro's Estadio do Maracana, the cathedral for Brazil's religion of soccer, last summer by leaving her concrete imprints in the stadium's walkway, which is used to be an old boys' club, including Ronaldo, Romario, Zico, Garrincha and, of course, legendary Pele.
Rene Simoes, who coached Brazil's women's team at the 2004 Olympics, compared Marta to another Brazilian striker - the great Romario, with whom he has also worked.
"They are very similar," he says. "Whether playing dominoes, cards, or football - neither of them accepts losing."
Simoes says Marta's technique is as good as the men's.
"Her ball control at speed is fabulous. She thinks fast. She is always scoring. I think in the history of women's football only Mia Hamm has been a better player. But Marta is much more creative. And she is only 21. In two years' time, she will overtake Mia to be the best," said Simoes.
Most importantly, Marta has managed to remain a cool head to her fame.
"I'm not a star. We have 18 stars on our team. We're all stars," Marta said in a training sessionin Beijing.
Source:Xinhua
Showcasing a dazzling array of talents - imaginative attacking, pinpoint passing, flamboyant ball control and a cannon-like shot - Marta dominated the game by assisting Cristiane to be a leading scorer and scoring a beautiful goal herself.
The reigning two-time FIFA women's world player of the year never forgets Shanghai, where she and her team were beaten by the Germans 2-0 at last year's World Cup final at the nearby Hongkou Stadium.
"We played at our best. Germany is very strong. Last year in the World Cup we lost to them, but this time we did better and now we are confident for the final," Marta said after she finally took her revenge.
Scoring goals, dictating the pace of a game with her visionary playmaking skills and bamboozling opposing defenders with her wizard-like ball control, and more importantly, Marta also dedicated her strength into the defense, which made her seem to be an all-arounder on the every inch of the pitch.
The 22-year-old star announced her arrival in Beijing by presenting one goal in the group stage and produced two in last Friday's 2-1 quarterfinal win over Norway.
"Our target is to play in Beijing and win the gold medal. Now is the time to fight for that," she said.
"If we can continue getting these tough wins then we can win the gold medal. It doesn't matter if the victories are easy or difficult. The important thing is the gold medal," Marta said.
Rising from a humble beginning, Marta began her ascension to the top of the women's game like millions of Brazilian kids, including legendary Pele - by learning the game and improving her skills on streets.
Born and raised in a small town named Dois Riachos in northeastern Brazil, Marta often played against local boys who tried to slow her down by hacking at her ankles as she attempted to dribble by them.
At the age of 16, she left home and tried her luck at Vasco da Gama's women's team before Rio club quickly signed her.
She played for Brazil's U19 squad and then was called up into the national team within the following two years, and shone in international competitions, including the 2003 FIFA Women's World Cup and the 2004 Athens Olympics where Brazil won a silver medal.
Marta continued her professional career with Umea IK, helping the Swedish club win three consecutive league championships, and winning the FIFA women's world player of the year award in 2006 and 2007, and the MVP of the 2007 World Cup despite her missing a penalty in the final.
Marta also printed her own mark at Rio de Janeiro's Estadio do Maracana, the cathedral for Brazil's religion of soccer, last summer by leaving her concrete imprints in the stadium's walkway, which is used to be an old boys' club, including Ronaldo, Romario, Zico, Garrincha and, of course, legendary Pele.
Rene Simoes, who coached Brazil's women's team at the 2004 Olympics, compared Marta to another Brazilian striker - the great Romario, with whom he has also worked.
"They are very similar," he says. "Whether playing dominoes, cards, or football - neither of them accepts losing."
Simoes says Marta's technique is as good as the men's.
"Her ball control at speed is fabulous. She thinks fast. She is always scoring. I think in the history of women's football only Mia Hamm has been a better player. But Marta is much more creative. And she is only 21. In two years' time, she will overtake Mia to be the best," said Simoes.
Most importantly, Marta has managed to remain a cool head to her fame.
"I'm not a star. We have 18 stars on our team. We're all stars," Marta said in a training sessionin Beijing.
Source:Xinhua
Men's volleyball Roundup: Host China makes historic quarterfinals in Olympics
Chinese spikers made history by making top eight at the men's volleyball tournament of the Beijing Games despite a 25-17, 25-23, 21-25, 20-25 and 16-14 loss to Italy on Monday.
The host advanced into the quarter-finals of the 12-team tournament after finishing fourth in preliminary pool A with two wins against three losses. Their sole Olympic show dated back to 1984, when China appeared at the Los Angeles Games as the replacement team and finished the last in the eight competitors.
"It's a breakthrough for the Chinese men's volleyball, it really meant a lot for us," said Fang Yingchao, who scored 20 points to lead China.
"This time is quite different because we fought through the preliminaries for the quarter-finals," Fang said. "It will be a great confidence boost to us and hopefully we can have even better performance in the future."
China head coach Zhou Jian'an attributed the improvement of his side to the participation in the World League in the last few years.
"We have gained experience and confidence from playing against top teams in the world," said Zhou, who took the helm of the Chinese team in December 2005.
The host will play defending champion and world No. 1 Brazil, top finisher from pool B, in Wednesday's quarterfinals. "I think we will play with more confidence against Brazil after the battle with Italy," Zhou.
After the match, the Italians also marched to the quarterfinals as second finisher of Pool A with 4-1 win-loss record.
As some histories were refreshed, some were also repeated.
Serbia, the fourth finisher of Pool B, will replay the World League final in July against the United States, leading Pool B with five wins in row, in the quarterfinals. The Europeans finally took the last train to the next round after beating Egypt 3-0.
Despite the vivid 1-3 loss to the Americans less than a month ago, the Serbians, who lost three of their five preliminary matches, showed no fears to the inevitable head-to-head.
"We are not worried. We've got two wins now and we've been playing much better. We proved that we can beat them in the World League. We beat them 3-0, although we lost to them later in the tournament," said Serbian player Marko Podrascanin.
Besides China and Serbia, top three finishers of the two groups, namely the U.S., Italy and Bulgaria from Pool A and Brazil, Russia and Poland from Pool B also headed to the next round.
However, Venezuela, Japan, Germany and Egypt, standing at the last two of each groups, were blocked off the final eight competition.
In another four matches of the day, the U.S. breezed past Japan 25-18, 25-12 and 25-21 to finish top of Pool A, and Bulgaria overpowered confident Venezuela 3-1 to the third of group.
Meanwhile, defending champion Brazil beat Germany 3-0 to top Pool B. Mighty Russia was given scar by high-spirit Poland in five sets, but they still managed to take the second place of the group and the Poles trailed behind to stand at third.
The pairs for another two quarterfinals, involving Italy, Russia, Bulgaria and Poland, will be decided by lot later on Tuesday.
Source:Xinhua
The host advanced into the quarter-finals of the 12-team tournament after finishing fourth in preliminary pool A with two wins against three losses. Their sole Olympic show dated back to 1984, when China appeared at the Los Angeles Games as the replacement team and finished the last in the eight competitors.
"It's a breakthrough for the Chinese men's volleyball, it really meant a lot for us," said Fang Yingchao, who scored 20 points to lead China.
"This time is quite different because we fought through the preliminaries for the quarter-finals," Fang said. "It will be a great confidence boost to us and hopefully we can have even better performance in the future."
China head coach Zhou Jian'an attributed the improvement of his side to the participation in the World League in the last few years.
"We have gained experience and confidence from playing against top teams in the world," said Zhou, who took the helm of the Chinese team in December 2005.
The host will play defending champion and world No. 1 Brazil, top finisher from pool B, in Wednesday's quarterfinals. "I think we will play with more confidence against Brazil after the battle with Italy," Zhou.
After the match, the Italians also marched to the quarterfinals as second finisher of Pool A with 4-1 win-loss record.
As some histories were refreshed, some were also repeated.
Serbia, the fourth finisher of Pool B, will replay the World League final in July against the United States, leading Pool B with five wins in row, in the quarterfinals. The Europeans finally took the last train to the next round after beating Egypt 3-0.
Despite the vivid 1-3 loss to the Americans less than a month ago, the Serbians, who lost three of their five preliminary matches, showed no fears to the inevitable head-to-head.
"We are not worried. We've got two wins now and we've been playing much better. We proved that we can beat them in the World League. We beat them 3-0, although we lost to them later in the tournament," said Serbian player Marko Podrascanin.
Besides China and Serbia, top three finishers of the two groups, namely the U.S., Italy and Bulgaria from Pool A and Brazil, Russia and Poland from Pool B also headed to the next round.
However, Venezuela, Japan, Germany and Egypt, standing at the last two of each groups, were blocked off the final eight competition.
In another four matches of the day, the U.S. breezed past Japan 25-18, 25-12 and 25-21 to finish top of Pool A, and Bulgaria overpowered confident Venezuela 3-1 to the third of group.
Meanwhile, defending champion Brazil beat Germany 3-0 to top Pool B. Mighty Russia was given scar by high-spirit Poland in five sets, but they still managed to take the second place of the group and the Poles trailed behind to stand at third.
The pairs for another two quarterfinals, involving Italy, Russia, Bulgaria and Poland, will be decided by lot later on Tuesday.
Source:Xinhua
China quake death toll unchanged at 69,225 as of Monday noon
The death toll from the May 12 earthquake in Sichuan Province and its neighboring region has remained unchanged and stood at 69,225 as of Monday at noon, according to a statement released by the State Council Information Office.
The number of people listed as missing has fallen to 17,923, while the number of the injured is unchanged at 374,643.
As of Monday noon, a total of 1,486,405 survivors had been relocated.
Among the 96,542 who had been hospitalized for injuries, 92,533have been discharged, the statement said.
Government spending on relief and reconstruction had exceeded 66.75 billion yuan , including 59.74 billion yuan from the central budget and 7.01 billion yuan from the local budget.
According to the Ministry of Civil Affairs, domestic and foreign donations had reached 59.27 billion yuan in cash and goods by Monday noon. Of this, 23.82 billion yuan had been forwarded to quake-hit areas.
About 1.58 million tents, 4.87 million quilts, 14.1 million garments, 3.07 million tonnes of fuel and 6.56 million tonnes of coal had been sent to the quake-hit areas, it said.
As of Sunday, relief workers had built 655,600 temporary houses and another 3,800 were being installed.
Between Thursday noon and Monday noon, two aftershocks between 4.0 and 4.9 magnitude and 777 aftershocks at or below magnitude 3.9 were monitored in the quake zone, according to the China Earthquake Administration. A total of 24,659 aftershocks had been detected since May 12.
The statement said 374,340 tonnes of grain and 9,435 tonnes of edible oil have been allocated to the quake zones from central reserves as of Sunday. It also said that 127,904 of the 138,960 businesses damaged had reopened.
As of Monday at noon, 170,412 survivors had found work outside of the area, while another 664,989 found jobs in their home towns.
Source: Xinhua
The number of people listed as missing has fallen to 17,923, while the number of the injured is unchanged at 374,643.
As of Monday noon, a total of 1,486,405 survivors had been relocated.
Among the 96,542 who had been hospitalized for injuries, 92,533have been discharged, the statement said.
Government spending on relief and reconstruction had exceeded 66.75 billion yuan , including 59.74 billion yuan from the central budget and 7.01 billion yuan from the local budget.
According to the Ministry of Civil Affairs, domestic and foreign donations had reached 59.27 billion yuan in cash and goods by Monday noon. Of this, 23.82 billion yuan had been forwarded to quake-hit areas.
About 1.58 million tents, 4.87 million quilts, 14.1 million garments, 3.07 million tonnes of fuel and 6.56 million tonnes of coal had been sent to the quake-hit areas, it said.
As of Sunday, relief workers had built 655,600 temporary houses and another 3,800 were being installed.
Between Thursday noon and Monday noon, two aftershocks between 4.0 and 4.9 magnitude and 777 aftershocks at or below magnitude 3.9 were monitored in the quake zone, according to the China Earthquake Administration. A total of 24,659 aftershocks had been detected since May 12.
The statement said 374,340 tonnes of grain and 9,435 tonnes of edible oil have been allocated to the quake zones from central reserves as of Sunday. It also said that 127,904 of the 138,960 businesses damaged had reopened.
As of Monday at noon, 170,412 survivors had found work outside of the area, while another 664,989 found jobs in their home towns.
Source: Xinhua
Bus plunge claims four, injures 15 in SW China
A bus that plunged from a bridge in southwest China's Chongqing Municipality on Monday evening killed four people and left 15 others injured, according to the local government.
The bus collided with a van on a bridge in Wanzhou District at about 5:45 p.m. and then smashed through the railings. The four people died at the scene.
The injured were taken to hospital immediately.
A local work safety bureau official said poor operation procedures may have contributed to the accident.
An investigation was underway.
Source: Xinhua
The bus collided with a van on a bridge in Wanzhou District at about 5:45 p.m. and then smashed through the railings. The four people died at the scene.
The injured were taken to hospital immediately.
A local work safety bureau official said poor operation procedures may have contributed to the accident.
An investigation was underway.
Source: Xinhua
Beijing fulfilling its commitment on air quality for Olympics
As the city's air quality had all reached the standards to host the Olympics in all 18 days of August before Tuesday, the Chinese capital was making strides in fulfilling its commitment on good air quality for the Games, a Beijing official said.
"In the 18 days between Aug. 1 and Aug. 18, Beijing's air quality was within the standards to host the Olympics. Of the 18 days, Beijing reported Grade I air quality in nine days, and in the other nine days, the city's air quality was Grade II," deputy director of the Beijing Municipal Bureau of Environmental Protection Du Shaozhong told a press conference.
In the Chinese system to report the air quality, Grade I means the air quality is excellent with the Air Pollution Index showing a reading between 1 and 50. Grade II means the air quality is fairly good, with an API reading between 51 and 100.
In the past 18 days this month, the daily API reading was 56 on average, much lower than last year's figure of 81 in the same period, he said. Beijing's air quality so far this month was the best ever recorded in the last 10 years.
"These figures prove that our measures to improve air quality for the Beijing Games, particularly those temporary measures to cut emissions, have been playing a positive role. We are earnestly fulfilling our commitment to ensuring good air quality during the Olympics," he said.
Source: Xinhua
"In the 18 days between Aug. 1 and Aug. 18, Beijing's air quality was within the standards to host the Olympics. Of the 18 days, Beijing reported Grade I air quality in nine days, and in the other nine days, the city's air quality was Grade II," deputy director of the Beijing Municipal Bureau of Environmental Protection Du Shaozhong told a press conference.
In the Chinese system to report the air quality, Grade I means the air quality is excellent with the Air Pollution Index showing a reading between 1 and 50. Grade II means the air quality is fairly good, with an API reading between 51 and 100.
In the past 18 days this month, the daily API reading was 56 on average, much lower than last year's figure of 81 in the same period, he said. Beijing's air quality so far this month was the best ever recorded in the last 10 years.
"These figures prove that our measures to improve air quality for the Beijing Games, particularly those temporary measures to cut emissions, have been playing a positive role. We are earnestly fulfilling our commitment to ensuring good air quality during the Olympics," he said.
Source: Xinhua
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