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[+/-] : Team gold goes to China in Men's Gymnastics
Chen Yibing holds up his fist after his performance
China dominated Men's Gymnastics today, winning the Team Gold with a total of 286.125 points. Japan won the silver medal with 278.875 points and the United States won the bronze medal with 275.850 points.
China performed modestly on its first two apparatuses, the Floor Exercise and Pommel, but blew the field away with a masterful display in both the Rings and Vault.
A relaxed and smiling Chinese team was led by its veterans, Huang Xu, Yang Wei and Li Xiaopeng.
Huang performed well in the Rings, scoring 16.000. However, his performance was just a taste of things to come because Yang and Chen Yibing scored 16.300 and 16.575 in the Rings respectively, helping China be the top-ranking team on the apparatus.
All-Around specialist Yang continued his good form by scoring a high 16.600 in the Vault. Li then ensured that China would also be the highest-scoring team in the Vault by scoring 16.775, taking China's score in the Vault to 49.325.
China practically secured its gold medal by the end of the fifth rotation, dominating the Parallel Bars. All three Chinese gymnasts, Huang, Yang and Li, scored over 16 points on the apparatus.
China still managed to be the best-performed team in the Horizontal Bar, despite the apparatus being seen as one of the team's weak links. Youngster Zou Kai finished off China's gold-medal-winning performance by scoring 15.975 – the best individual performance in the Horizontal Bar.
Prior to the Team final, Japan was seen as China's main rival for the gold medal. However, Japan rarely threatened China and was only able to trump China in the Floor Exercise.
Japan's attempt to win the gold medal came totally unstuck in the Vault – it performed very poorly and was the lowest ranking team on the apparatus with only 46.750 points.
The United States looked as though it was going to challenge Japan for the silver medal, but its performance in the last two rotations was poor. The United States' Joey Hagerty performed poorly in the Floor Exercise and Kevin Tan was the worst performed individual in the Pommel.
The gold medal is a glorious success for China, who failed to win a medal in the Men's Team event at Athens 2004 after winning the gold medal at Sydney 2000. Three members of today's team, Yang, Li and Huang were all part of the gold-medal-winning team in Sydney.
China performed modestly on its first two apparatuses, the Floor Exercise and Pommel, but blew the field away with a masterful display in both the Rings and Vault.
A relaxed and smiling Chinese team was led by its veterans, Huang Xu, Yang Wei and Li Xiaopeng.
Huang performed well in the Rings, scoring 16.000. However, his performance was just a taste of things to come because Yang and Chen Yibing scored 16.300 and 16.575 in the Rings respectively, helping China be the top-ranking team on the apparatus.
All-Around specialist Yang continued his good form by scoring a high 16.600 in the Vault. Li then ensured that China would also be the highest-scoring team in the Vault by scoring 16.775, taking China's score in the Vault to 49.325.
China practically secured its gold medal by the end of the fifth rotation, dominating the Parallel Bars. All three Chinese gymnasts, Huang, Yang and Li, scored over 16 points on the apparatus.
China still managed to be the best-performed team in the Horizontal Bar, despite the apparatus being seen as one of the team's weak links. Youngster Zou Kai finished off China's gold-medal-winning performance by scoring 15.975 – the best individual performance in the Horizontal Bar.
Prior to the Team final, Japan was seen as China's main rival for the gold medal. However, Japan rarely threatened China and was only able to trump China in the Floor Exercise.
Japan's attempt to win the gold medal came totally unstuck in the Vault – it performed very poorly and was the lowest ranking team on the apparatus with only 46.750 points.
The United States looked as though it was going to challenge Japan for the silver medal, but its performance in the last two rotations was poor. The United States' Joey Hagerty performed poorly in the Floor Exercise and Kevin Tan was the worst performed individual in the Pommel.
The gold medal is a glorious success for China, who failed to win a medal in the Men's Team event at Athens 2004 after winning the gold medal at Sydney 2000. Three members of today's team, Yang, Li and Huang were all part of the gold-medal-winning team in Sydney.
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[+/-] : Coughlin takes gold in Women's 100m Backstroke
Coughlin competesNatalie Coughlin of the United States won gold medal in the Women's 100m Backstroke final on Tuesday at the National Aquatics Center in an American record time of 58.96.
Coughlin, the defending Olympic champion, was second fastest qualifier into the final and sped out hard to see off the challenge from Monday's world record setter Kirsty Coventry from Zimbabwe .
This was the first gold medal for the US women in what has been a disappointing Games in the pool for them so far.
World record holder Coventry qualified fastest for the final but after her busy program she was unable to match Coughlin's speed and finished with the silver medal in 59.19.
Margaret Hoelzer, also from the US, touched out Gemma Spofforth of Great Britain to take bronze in 59.34.
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[+/-] : Women's Football Day 1
Solveig Gulbrandsen (L) of Norway competes with Shannon Boxx of the United States
Norwegian striker Leni Larsen Kaurin's two-minute goal in Norway's 2-0 victory over the Athens 2004 gold medalist, the United States was the fastest-ever goal in the Women's Olympic Football tournament.
The previous fastest goal in the women's tournament was scored at Atlanta 1996 when Germany's Pia Wunderlich scored in the fourth minute against Brazil. Norway's second goal was just as early as the previous fastest goal, when Melissa Wiik stole the ball from the US defense and scored.
Brazil's Formiga holds off Germany's Renate Lingorof
After six first-round group games, China and Canada are leading their groups, after they scored 2-1 victories over Sweden and Argentina.
The 0-0 draw between 2007 World Cup champion and runner-up, Germany and Brazil, put them in equal second place in their group. A 1-0 win over Nigeria put the Democratic People's Republic of Korea at the top of Group F, and its opponent Nigeria has been banished to the bottom of the group behind Germany and Brazil.
Group G is similar to Group F, with Norway on top, Japan and New Zealand in equal second place after their 2-2 draw, and the United States in last place after opening-minute mistakes cost it dearly in its first game.
...The 0-0 draw between 2007 World Cup champion and runner-up, Germany and Brazil, put them in equal second place in their group. A 1-0 win over Nigeria put the Democratic People's Republic of Korea at the top of Group F, and its opponent Nigeria has been banished to the bottom of the group behind Germany and Brazil.
Group G is similar to Group F, with Norway on top, Japan and New Zealand in equal second place after their 2-2 draw, and the United States in last place after opening-minute mistakes cost it dearly in its first game.
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[+/-] : Spectator services -- the smile by your side
The opportunity to host the Olympic Games is the fulfillment of a long held dream for the Chinese people. The Olympic Games is more than just a sporting event, it is an opportunity for countries around the world to gather to celebrate in the Olympic Movement. Athletes and spectators will be moved by the "faster, higher, and stronger" spirit that come with competition, but will also be inspired by the peace, friendship, and unity of culture that will be a part of the Beijing Olympic Games.
China has a long, proud history with a rich cultural heritage. The Chinese people are warm, hospitable and eager to share their country with the rest of the world. It is for this reason that the Beijing Organizing Committee for the Games of the XXIX Olympiad (BOCOG) has set up the Department of Spectator Services. BOCOG hopes to provide all Olympic guests with an extraordinary and unforgettable experience through thoughtful and cheerful service.
...China has a long, proud history with a rich cultural heritage. The Chinese people are warm, hospitable and eager to share their country with the rest of the world. It is for this reason that the Beijing Organizing Committee for the Games of the XXIX Olympiad (BOCOG) has set up the Department of Spectator Services. BOCOG hopes to provide all Olympic guests with an extraordinary and unforgettable experience through thoughtful and cheerful service.
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[+/-] : Beijing 2008 Olympic Games posters available July 20
Theme Posters
People's Posters
Sports PostersThe several categories of posters were introduced to the media present at the press conference. They are: "Sophisticated Beijing for a harmonious Olympic Games," "Smiling Beijing and inclusive Olympic Games," and "Robust Beijing to exceed the Dreams."
Zhao also described the creative process of the Olympic posters, starting with the first stage, when on May 23, 2007, a special meeting involving 71 invited design institutes and studios was held for a brainstorming session. During the second stage, 930 designs were collected for evaluation; in stage three, a special committee organized in Tsinghua University reviewed the submissions. In the end, after serious scrutiny and refinement, the team lead by Professor He Jie, vice-dean of the Academy of Art and Design of Tsinghua University, was selected as the artist group with the best design. 16 poster designs each for the Olympic and Paralympic Games were chosen.
Beijing Morning Post under Beijing Daily Group has been designated as the official poster publisher. According to Zhao, about 100,000 posters will be printed and made available to the public on July 20 at 10 yuan each. They may be purchased at franchised kiosks.
...Zhao also described the creative process of the Olympic posters, starting with the first stage, when on May 23, 2007, a special meeting involving 71 invited design institutes and studios was held for a brainstorming session. During the second stage, 930 designs were collected for evaluation; in stage three, a special committee organized in Tsinghua University reviewed the submissions. In the end, after serious scrutiny and refinement, the team lead by Professor He Jie, vice-dean of the Academy of Art and Design of Tsinghua University, was selected as the artist group with the best design. 16 poster designs each for the Olympic and Paralympic Games were chosen.
Beijing Morning Post under Beijing Daily Group has been designated as the official poster publisher. According to Zhao, about 100,000 posters will be printed and made available to the public on July 20 at 10 yuan each. They may be purchased at franchised kiosks.
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[+/-] : Excited locals
In the launching ceremony, many actors painted their bodies and faces to cheer for the Torch Relay in Kunming. The Torch Relay in Kunming concluded on June 9.
Excited locals greeted the Torch Relay in Kunming, which kicked off on June 9, with much enthusiasm. These two photos show people dancing with drums.
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[+/-] : Torchbearer Wang Zigang passes the flame to torchbearer He Zhigang
Torchbearer Wang Zigang (L) passes the flame to torchbearer He Zhigang (R) of the Naxi ethnic minority. The Torch Relay in Kunming concluded on June 9.
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[+/-] : Nantong Torch Relay leg starts on Sutong Bridge
Former Olympic Table Tennis gold medalist Li Ju served as the first torchbearer in the Nantong, Jiangsu, leg of the Olympic Torch Relay on Sunday.
The relay kicked off at 2:35 p.m., local time, on top of the Sutong Bridge.
Covering 20 kilometers (11.8 km by torchbearer and 8.2 km by convoy), the relay will involve 104 torchbearers. Fifteen torchbearers will cover a 2-km distance on the Sutong Bridge before 89 torchbearers relay the flame in the city.
Donation boxes to collect money for earthquake relief work in Sichuan were set up at the relay starting point and along the course as well as at the ending point.
Nantong has produced 14 Olympic and World champions, giving it a reputation as the "Cradle of World Champions."
...The relay kicked off at 2:35 p.m., local time, on top of the Sutong Bridge.
Covering 20 kilometers (11.8 km by torchbearer and 8.2 km by convoy), the relay will involve 104 torchbearers. Fifteen torchbearers will cover a 2-km distance on the Sutong Bridge before 89 torchbearers relay the flame in the city.
Donation boxes to collect money for earthquake relief work in Sichuan were set up at the relay starting point and along the course as well as at the ending point.
Nantong has produced 14 Olympic and World champions, giving it a reputation as the "Cradle of World Champions."
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[+/-] : Premier lauds UN support for China's quake relief
Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao (L) and UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon answer questions from journalists from home and abroad in Yingxiu Town, Wenchuan County in the quake-stricken Sichuan Province, on Saturday, May 24, 2008. Ban Ki-moon arrived in Yingxiu Town Saturday morning to visit victims of the May 12 Sichuan earthquake.Premier Wen Jiabao on Saturday expressed gratitude to UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon for the organization's help in China's quake relief.
"Our meeting is extraordinary here in Wenchuan County, the epicenter of the 8.0-magnitude earthquake on May 12," Wen told Ban.
The UN chief arrived in Chengdu, capital of quake-stricken Sichuan Province, Saturday morning and rushed to Yingxiu town in Wenchuan.
"On behalf of the Chinese people, I thank you for coming to the quake zone and extending your sympathy to the victims," Wen said.
While briefing Ban on China's earthquake relief work, Wen said that the country appreciates the efforts of the international community to offer rescuers, funds and materials to the quake zone.
"All these moves, including the UN emergency relief efforts, showcase all people's friendly feelings for China and their lofty humanitarian spirits," Wen said.
Wen told reporters around that this earthquake is historically rare in terms of its intensity, extension and destruction. Rescuers from all parts of the country have arrived in quake-hit areas as soon as possible and quickly started rescue and relief work, finding and saving more than 60,000 people within a few days.
The research work is ongoing on, but the priority will be shifting to the resettlement of earthquake survivors and reconstruction, Wen said. Noting that the whole nation is doing its utmost for the relief work, Wen said the Chinese are convinced that they will overcome all difficulties and reconstruct the quake zones.
On behalf of the United Nations, Ban said his heart and sympathy went out to the Chinese people. Ban also complimented the Chinese government on how it had handled the relief and rescue efforts.
The international community is "deeply moved and inspired" by the prompt, well-organized response to the devastating earthquake, Ban said.
The relief work showed that the Chinese people are fearless, forceful and fortitudinous, Ban said, adding that China is a great nation where people are both self-reliant and team-spirited.
The UN chief said he was convinced that the Chinese government and people would prevail against the natural disaster.
Ban said his visit to Wenchuan showed that the international community stands with the Chinese people. Ban pledged that the United Nations will do its utmost to help China with reconstruction.
The premier and the UN secretary-general also held a on-the-spot press conference. Wen urged reporters to record the truth so that the dead can be remembered and the survivors can be consoled.
"Let the world's people remember the devastating earthquake, remember the lost lives, and remember the brave fight of the people in the quake-hit regions and nationwide against the disaster," he said.
The premier said the massive earthquake has claimed more than 60,000 lives in Sichuan Province and other affected regions in the country. In addition, nearly 30,000 people remain missing and nearly 300,000 others are injured.
He also told Ban that China will offer another 10 million U.S. dollars in aid to Myanmar, which was battered by a cyclone early this month. China had earlier offered relief supplies valued at 30million yuan (4.3 million U.S. dollars) to Myanmar.
Afterwards, Ban paid a visit to the quake-hit areas and survivors in tents.
Holding hands of Zhang Shiming, who lost his grandson in the quake, Ban encouraged him to be strong. The secretary-general also shook hands with every medical personnel from the No. 261 Hospital of the People's Liberation Army and expressed his respect.
The Chinese people are strong, brave, firm and unflinching, willing to help and cooperate with others. The United Nations and the international community will firmly support them in the fight against this disaster, Ban said....
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[+/-] : From leaders on down, millions mourn quake dead
Senior Chinese leaders including Hu Jintao, Wu Bangguo, Wen Jiabao, Jia Qinglin, Li Changchun, Xi Jinping, He Guoqiang and Zhou Yongkang mourn during a silent tribute to the dead in the earthquake hitting southwest China's Sichuan Province, in Beijing, capital of China, May 19, 2008. Former President Jiang Zemin also stood in silence, separately, while Li Keqiang, another senior Chinese leader, observed the period of silence in Beichuan County of Sichuan on May 19
Millions of people in China and overseas observed three minutes of silence at 2:28 p.m. on Monday as they mourned the many killed in a deadly earthquake in Sichuan Province a week ago.
President Hu Jintao, top legislator Wu Bangguo, Premier Wen Jiabao, and other top leaders including Jia Qinglin, Li Changchun, Xi Jinping, He Guoqiang and Zhou Yongkang also stood in silence in the central government compound of Zhongnanhai in Beijing.
The leaders, dressed in dark suits and wearing white paper flowers on their chests, bowed their heads in solemn silence below a national flag flying at half staff. Former President Jiang Zemin also stood in silence, separately.
President Hu Jintao, top legislator Wu Bangguo, Premier Wen Jiabao, and other top leaders including Jia Qinglin, Li Changchun, Xi Jinping, He Guoqiang and Zhou Yongkang also stood in silence in the central government compound of Zhongnanhai in Beijing.
The leaders, dressed in dark suits and wearing white paper flowers on their chests, bowed their heads in solemn silence below a national flag flying at half staff. Former President Jiang Zemin also stood in silence, separately.
Staffers of the Zhengzhou commodity exchange mourn during a suspension in Zhengzhou, capital of central China's Henan province, May 19, 2008.
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