The Closing Ceremony of the 2008 Olympic Games(5)

23. Chapter 3: Carnival -- an Energetic and Passionate Song -- Beijing, Beijing, I love Beijing

Synopsis: On the Main Stage, six Chinese and foreign singers sing together Beijing, Beijing, I Love Beijing, a song full of passion, vitality and energy.

On the Main Stage, six Chinese and foreign singers sing together Beijing, Beijing, I Love Beijing, a song full of passion, vitality and energy.

On the Main Stage and the steps, 8 percussion players and 64 female erhu players jointly perform along with the song.

When the singing performance reaches the climax, the "memory tower" performers on the tree of friendship descend rapidly.

Singers perform. (Photo credit: Xinhua)

24. Chapter 3: Carnival -- a Sweet Love Song -- The Moon is Bright Tonight

Synopsis: Seven singers walk onto the Main Stage from below the steps and sing The Moon is Bright Tonight.

In the prelude, seven singers walk from below the steps to the Main Stage and sing The Moon is Bright Tonight.

Four columns rise on the Main Stage and four acrobats perform spectacular actions on top of the four columns.

25. Chapter 3: Carnival -- a Romantic and Emotional Song –- The Flame of Love

Synopsis: Two Chinese and foreign singers on the mobile singing performance car go from Gate 1 to the front of the VIP corridor, and sing The Flame of Love emotionally.

Singers Domingo and Song perform. (Photo credit: Michael Steele/Getty Images)

26. Chapter 3: Carnival -- a Joyous and Passionate Song -- Surpass It

Synopsis: Two singers on the Main Stage and sing the joyous and passionate song Surpass It.

Two singers walk onto the Main Stage and sing the song passionately.

Behind them are 50 young singers singing together.

At the same time, 75 aerobatic performers wearing luminous flight clothes perform elevation and rotation in the air.

27. Chapter 3: Carnival –- Spectacular Circle Dance -- Please Stay, Guests from Afar

Synopsis: The passion is overwhelming in the song, and the friendship is extending in the circle dance. This is the grandest carnival of mankind.

1). Dozens of young singers and 112 performers in beautiful clothes of the 56 ethnic groups dance hand in hand and sing the song Please Stay, Guests from Afar on the Main Stage and the steps.

50 male dancers holding Fuwa lucky cloud yarn strips and paper flower launchers and 120 other dancers dance on the Main Stage in tune with the rhythm of the song.

600 female performers in festival clothes enter the stadium, flow around the athletes and dance with all athletes in the stadium and 1,046 marshals in tune with the rhythm of the song, forming a spectacular dance circle.

2). 600 female performers in festive clothes, 112 performers of minority ethnic groups, 50 male dancers, 70 collectors of launched red silk and 200 "memory tower" performers throw the Fuwa lucky cloud yarn strips into the stadium, interacting with the athletes.

3). At the same time, innumerable dazzling fireworks are launched from the top of the "bowl rim".

4). Above the Tian'anmen Square, numerous festival fireworks form a huge circle of fireworks, symbolizing the successful conclusion of 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.

28. Exit of VIP and Athletes

The Closing Ceremony of the 2008 Olympic Games(4)

20. Chapter 2: Memory -- Extinguishing the Olympic Flame -- Prelude

Synopsis: An airport electronic flight screen appears on the large screen of the Stadium. An athlete about to leave walks up the boarding ladder and turns around affectionately.

1). In special-effect light, the boarding ladder truck with the logo of Beijing Olympic Games is slowly elevated. An airport electronic flight screen appears on the large screen.

2). An athlete about to leave walks up the boarding ladder and turns around affectionately. He slowly takes out an exquisite painting scroll and unfolds it ...

In the dark, a huge mechanic device -- the "memory tower" at the center of the field -- rises slowly, with two "sports sculpture" performers standing on top of it and showing various athletic gestures.

The Olympic torch is seen extinguished. (Photo credit: Clive Rose/Getty Images)

21. Chapter 2: Memory -- Extinguishing the Olympic Flame -- Memory

Synopsis: This eternal moment of 2008 in Beijing is unforgettable.

The rim of the bowl changes into a red track. Special lights cast precious and spectacular scenes of the 16 days from the lighting of the holy flame to now onto the track in the air.

At the center of the field, two "sports sculpture" performers rise gradually and show different athletic gestures slowly in the air, conveying the noble Olympic spirit to people.

22. Chapter 2: Memory -- Extinguishing the Olympic Flame -- Flame

Synopsis: The holy flame embodies man's noble spirit of trying to pursue and build friendship together.

1). The athlete on the boarding ladder looks at the burning holy flame in the distance, and slowly folds painting scroll. The holy flame of 2008 Beijing Olympic Games is slowly extinguished.

Sacred flame extinguished (Photo credit: Xinhua)

2). As the holy fame is extinguished, a huge "holy flame" is lighted at he center of the field (396 "memory tower" performers simulate the flame with their bodies).

The "holy flame" on the "memory tower" is flowing with ever-changing scenes, expressing man's Olympic spirit of "Citius, Altius, Fortius."

3). The torch lights in the hands of the marshals and over 90,000 audience are turned on at the same time, implying that the holy flame will be in our hearts forever.

4). In the passionate far-reaching music, 16 lucky cloud yarn strips slowly rise along the "memory tower" on the Main Stage.

5). The top ends of the lucky cloud yarn strips extend towards the sky and change into a lucky could tree symbolizing friendship and joy.

Acrobats perform on memory tower. (Photo credit: Michael Steele/Getty Images)

The Closing Ceremony of the 2008 Olympic Games(3)

18. Entry of Mayor of Beijing and Mayor of London, Olympic Flag Handover Ceremony

Synopsis: The Mayor of Beijing and the Mayor of London walk onto the Main Stage to hold the Olympic Flag Handover Ceremony.

1). The Mayor of Beijing Guo Jinlong walked form VIP corridor to the Main Stage with the Mayor of London Boris Johnson. One flag bearer holds the Olympic flag by the pole, walking behind the two mayors.

2). The Mayor of Beijing receives the Olympic flag from the flag-bearer and hands it to the President of IOC, who then hands the flag to the Mayor of London standing on the left to the Olympic Flag Handover Ceremony.

Jacques Rogge waves the Olympic flag watched by London Mayor Boris Johnson. (Photo credit: Clive Rose/Getty Images)

19. Handover Performance

Synopsis: London handover performance.

1). Destination London 2012

The 2012 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games reunites the world's greatest sporting event with one of the world's greatest sporting event with one of the world's great cities. In the year in which we mark the anniversaries of the 1908 and 1948 Olympic Games in London, we are enormously proud to receive the Olympic Flag tonight as we begin our journey tonight from Beijing to London, where the Games will be held in the heart of one of the world's most culturally vibrant, diverse and sports passionate cities.

Red double-decker bus (Photo credit: Xinhua)

2). Youth capital showcasing best of British talent

We invite the media to celebrate this moment with us. As the creative capital of the world, London leads its performance tonight with music and dance, showcasing the very best of British talent and diversity in performances that reflect key themes of the London 2012 Games- sport, culture, social change, urban transformation, and changing lives- all inspired by young people and our vision to use the power of the Games to inspire change. Tonight's performance highlights the artistic creativity, energy, and passion for sport, art and culture that London and UK will bring to the 2012 Games. The Olympic and Paralympic Games in London will rock the UK and the world in an Olympic celebration party of sport, culture and amazing human performances.

3). Special guest performers

The Handover segment is led by special guest performers from London whose achievements demonstrate the power of sport, music and art to cross barriers and divided in ways where talent and creativity can be celebrated and enjoyed the world over- from our Rock royalty to the current global star urban pop, to one of our greatest global sporting heroes. These include global football hero, David Beckham, new international singing sensation, Leona Lewis and legendary Led Zeppelin rock group guitarist Jimmy Page. We demonstrate why London remains the coolest place on the planet.

Beckham kicks a football. (Photo credit: Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)

The special guests are joined by performers spanning the spectrum of diverse, creative, multi-cultural dance in London. Zoonation's athletic urban dance, Candoco's inspirational and contemporary dance along with dancers form the world renowned Royal Opera House perform as one company to music performed in part by the London Symphony Orchestra- a truly unique combination of talent for a unique occasion.

Tonight's Handover segment is indicative of our four-year, youth focused Cultural Olympiad, which starts in September and will reflect the interests of young people from all backgrounds, from music and video to disability and urban arts, which will help to spread the values of the Olympic Movement to young people more widely.

The London 2012 Cultural Olympiad provides a contemporary interpretation of the vision of the founder of the modern Olympic Movement Pierre de Coubertin for the Games as an international festival of sport and culture for the athletes and youth of the world.

4). Games for the new generation

I am, of course fiercely proud of London and the UK, proud of its passion for sport, proud for its creativity and diversity as a home to ethnic and faith groups from every part of the world; and very proud that London is seen as the youth capital of the world. We want to share this London with all of you and through you send a message to the youth of the world that the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games is for them. We want you to help us to use the power of the Games to inspire children and young people from all backgrounds to fulfill their potential- on and off the sporting field. Tonight's performance will be beamed to millions of UK residents, who will be celebrating back home and getting ready to welcome you in 2012.

We hope you enjoy tonight's special performance -- from London with a Wholelotta Love!

The Closing Ceremony of the 2008 Olympic Games(2)

8. Entrance of the NOC Flags

Synopsis: Entry of the flags of all delegations.

1). Led by guides and placard holders, the flag bearers of all delegations enter the stadium, divided into two groups. One group (1-102), headed by Greece, enters from Gate 4 in the right order and stands along the Main Stage. The other group (103-204), headed by Saudi Arabia, enters from Gate 3 in the right order and stands along the Main Stage. The Chinese Flag bearer enters last and stands at the designated place.

2). After all flags are in position, 1,046 marshals run into the designated places.

Flags of the participating delegations (Photo credit: Xinhua)

9. Entrance of the Athletes

Synopsis: All athletes enter from four gates without differentiation of nationality.

1). A women's percussion band for welcoming performance and two children percussion players play cheerful music, and the whole stadium is in raptures.

2). Entry of the medal-winning athletes of the 29th Olympic Games.

3). Simultaneous entrance of the athletes from four gates without differentiation of nationality.

Entrance of athletes (Photo credit: Xinhua)

10. Marathon Victory Ceremony

Synopsis: Holding the marathon victory ceremony.

1). The music for marathon victory is played. The winning athletes and award presenters enter.

2). The marathon victory ceremony is held. The national anthem of the winner's country is played, and the marathon flag operators of the Guard of Honor of the Chinese People's Liberation Army raise the national flag of the winner's country.

Marathon Victory Ceremony (Photo credit: Xinhua)

11. Entrance of the Representatives of Volunteers

Synopsis: Entry of the volunteer representatives.

Twelve children lead twelve representatives of volunteers to walk from Gate 2 to the Main Stage.

Representatives of volunteers (Photo credit: Xinhua)

12. Entrance of the New Members of IOC Athletes' Commission

Synopsis: Entry of the newly elected members of the IOC Athletes' Commission.

Four children lead for new members of IOC Athletes' commission to walk together with four persons for the ceremony from Gate 1 to the Main Stage.

Newly-elected members of the Athletes' Commission of the IOC (Photo credit: Xinhua)

13. New Members of IOC Athletes' Commission Present Flowers to the Representatives of Volunteers

Synopsis: New members of the Athletes' Commission present flowers to the representatives of volunteers.

The new members of the Athletes' Commission present flowers to the representatives of volunteers.

14. The Present of IOC and the Present of BOCOG Take the Floor

Synopsis: Mr. Jacque Rogge, President of IOC, and Mr. Lu Qi, President of BOCOG, walk to the Main Stage from the VIP corridor.

Mr. Jacques Rogge, President of IOC, and Mr. Liu Qi, President of BOCOG, walk to the Main Stage from the VIP corridor.

IOC president delivers a speech. (Photo credit: Xinhua)

15. Address by the President of BOCOG and the President of IOC

Synopsis: Address by Mr. Rogge, President of IOC, and Mr. Liu Qi, President of BOCOG.

Mr. Liu Qi, President of BOCOG, gives an address.

Mr. Rogge, President of IOC, gives an address.

16. Raising the UK National Flag and Playing the UK National Anthem; Raising the Greek National Flag and Playing the Greek National Anthem

Synopsis: Raising the Greek National Flag and playing the Greek National Anthem; raising the UK National Flag and Playing the UK National Anthem

1). The flag operators of the Guard of Honor raise the Greek National Flag while the Greek National Anthem is played.

2). The flag operators of the Guard of Honor raise the UK National Flag while the UK Natinal Anthem is played.

National flag of Great Britain (Photo credit: Xinhua)

17. Lowering the Olympic Flag and singing the Olympic Hymn

Synopsis: Lowering the Olympic Flag and singing the Olympic Hymn.

1). The flag operators of the Guard of Honor slowly lower the Olympic Flag and hold it.

2). A chorus of 226 Chinese and foreign children sings the Olympic Hymn in Greek.

The Closing Ceremony of the 2008 Olympic Games(1)

An interior view of the National Stadium (Photo credit: Xinhua)

1. Pre-ceremony Performance

Synopsis: With Fuwa as the creative theme, relaxing and humorous performances interact with the audience and create a passionate, relaxed and joyous atmosphere for the Closing ceremony.

1). With Fuwa as the main focus, the best wishes from Beijing are presented to the audience by each Fuwa in their own unique style.

a. Best wishes brought by Beibei (humorous interactive performance)

b. Luck brought by Jingjing (awe-inspiring bicycle trick performance)

c. Happiness brought by Huanhuan (acrobatic plate-spinning performance)

d. Health brought by Yingying (springboard slam-dunk performance)

e. Peace brought by Nini (acrobatic stick-shaking performance)

2). The hosts arouse the passion of the audience for the Closing Ceremony and explain how to use the prop package.

Prop Package includes:

1. Torch-shaped fluorescent stick with cloud patterns: 30cm x 8cm

2. Shining handball: 22cm x 13.5cm

3. Lengthened Chinese fan: 30cm x 60cm

Artists perform (Photo credit: Xinhua)

2. Entrance of the President of PRC, the President of IOC and VIP

Synopsis: Greeted by solemn music and warm applause, the president of PRC, the President of IOC and VIP enter the stadium.

3. Prelude, Countdown and Fireworks Display

Synopsis: The countdown music is played. The countdown videos are played simultaneously on the screens in the south and north of the stadium. The countdown starts from "29", indicating the 29th Olympic Games.

1). The countdown starts from "29", indicating the 29th Olympic Games. From "29" to "11", highlights of this Olympic Games are shown with countdown numbers on the screen. Accompanied with sound effects, the atmosphere reaches its climax.

Guided by volunteers, all audience count down from 10 together. Both Arabic numerals and numbers written in Chinese characters appear on the screen with typical patterns of minority ethnic groups as the background.

2). Fireworks on top of the National Stadium (Bird's Nest) burst immediately when the countdown ends, forming a great circle in the sky which symbolizes the success of Beijing Olympic Games.

(Circle: In traditional Chinese culture, "circle" is a symbol of harmony and renewal, indicating the success of Beijing Olympic Games.)

Fireworks of the closing ceremony in the National Stadium (Photo credit: Xinhua)

Girls dancing in the Closing Ceremony (Photo credit: Xinhua)

4. Welcome the president of PRC, the President of IOC

Synopsis: Welcome the President of the People's Republic of China, Mr. Hu Jintao, and the President of the International Olympic Committee, Mr. Jacques Rogge.

5. Raising the PRC National Flag, Singing the PRC National Anthem

Synopsis: The National Flag of PRC is raised while the Military Band of the Chinese People's Liberation Army plays the National Anthem of PRC.

6. Chapter 1: Reunion -- Prelude

Synopsis: All lights go out in the Stadium. A video is played on the large screen in the north and south to explain the theme of the Closing Ceremony. The video reviews the exciting and memorable moments during the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. A grand celebration is about to begin.

1). Two hundered performers of drum formation line up in a circle on the steps of the Main Stage, dance and beat drums while looking up at the sky. Two large heavenly drums fly from the north and south, and the resonant sound of the drum comes from far away.

2). The performers beat the heavenly drums in a unique style in magical light. The two heavenly drums meet at the center above the stadium, slowly fall down to the Main Stage and are suspended about 5 meters above the stage. The heavenly drum and the drum on the ground complement each other.

3). Summoned by the drumbeat, 1,148 silver bell dancers wearing silver bells gather around the Main Stage, and sing and dance for the heavenly drums. A grand celebration is about to begin.

(Drum: The drum has the distinct symbolic meaning in traditional Chinese ceremonies; the drumbeat indicates the commencement of the ceremony. The drumbeat calls people to gather together, to express common dreams and passion through grand ceremonial performance.)

Performance of the Closing ceremony (Photo credit: Xinhua)

7. Chapter1: Reunion -- Greeting the Guests

Synopsis: Silver bell performers dance in tune with the beat of the heavenly drums on the Mian Stage to greet the guests.

1). Eight drum carts in different shapes enter the stadium, carrying performers who beat drums in unique ways.

The sound of the song is mingled with the drumbeat, passionate and dynamic.

2). Eight rotating poles swing and go across.

3). With 60 light wheels shuttling, 200 bouncing and flying men run and roll over.

4). The silver bell dancers change into radiating wave lines coming through, and form four festive passages with the eight drum carts to great guests.

Photos: Chinese Zhang Yining wins Olympic Table Tennis Singles gold

Three Chinese national flags are being hoisted up. (Photo credit: Xinhua)

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Chinese Zhang Yining beat teammate Wang Nan 4-1 to win the Women's Singles gold medal at the Olympic Games here on Friday.

Earlier, Chinese Guo Yue downed Singapore's Li Jiawei to claim the bronze.

Zhang Yining poses with her medal. (Photo credit: Xinhua)

Zhang Yining poses with her medal. (Photo credit: Xinhua)

(L-R) Wang Nan, Zhang Yining and Guo Yue (Photo credit: Xinhua)

Zhang Yining returns the ball. (Photo credit: Xinhua)

Zhang Yining plays a shot. (Photo credit: Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images)

Zhang Yining (R) and Wang Nan wave to spectators. (Photo credit: Xinhua)

Zhang Yining wins fourth Table Tennis Gold

Updated: 2008-08-22 22:27:10

(L-R) Wang Nan, Zhang Yining and Guo Yue pose with their medals. (Photo credit: Xinhua)

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(BEIJING, August 22) -- Defending Olympic champion Zhang Yining of China once again secured her title Friday night at the Peking Univeristy Gymnasium with a commanding 4-1 win over teammate Wang Nan. Zhang has participated in four Olympic events (two Singles and two Team) and won the gold medal on every occasion.

Despite losing to Zhang in the final, Wang Nan became the most successful Table Tennis player ever in Olympic history with four gold medals and one silver.

Zhang Yining celebrates her win. (Photo credit: Xinhua)

Teammates and training partners on the Chinese national Table Tennis team, Zhang and Wang were very familiar with each other's style going into the match. For the world's top-ranked players, the duel came down to a battle of acumen over skill.

But after a challenging contest, Zhang finally prevailed. Wang made several mistakes in the second and third game which provided Zhang a two point lead at 3-1. In the fifth crucial game, Zhang sealed the deal with an incredible 11-3 win over Wang.

China claimed all three medals in the Women's Singles at Beijing 2008, with Guo Yue winning bronze after beating Singapore's Li Jiawei 4-2. It was China's second medal sweep in the Women's Singles event; their first was at the Seoul 1988 Olympic Games. Altogether China has won 11 out of a possible 12 gold medals in Women's Table Tennis.

Emmons repeats Athens tragedy

Emmons lines up his last shot. (Photo credit: Xinhua)

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(BEIJING, August 17) -- Despite not shooting the wrong target this time, the 4.4 that the United States' Matthew Emmons scored on his last shot was no better than the zero from his last shot in the same event final four years ago.

After nine shots in the final of the Men's 50m Rifle Three Positions, Emmons was leading by 3.3 points over Ukraine's Jury Sukhorukov. Qiu Jian of China was in third place with one tenth of a point less.

After that, history repeated itself. Emmons shot an amateurish 4.4 points on his last shot. Qiu Jian shot 10.0 to win the gold medal with a tenth of a point more than Sukhorukov, who scored 9.8 on his last shot. Four years ago in Athens, China's Jia Zhanbo was lifted from second to win gold when Emmons hit his neighboring target and earned zero on his last shot.

Rajmond Debevec of Slovenia, the current world and Olympic record holder was the highest-ranked shooter after qualification with a score of 1176, which was one point short of the Olympic record that he set at Sydney 2000. Due to Emmons' mistake, Debevec was lifted into third position and won the bronze medal.

Reigning champion Jia Zhanbo failed to make it to the final, finishing a disappointing 24th after qualification.

Men's 200m Individual Medley: Phelps chalks up sixth gold

Updated: 2008-08-15 12:21:58

Michael Phelps competes (Photo credit: Lars Baron/Bongarts/Getty Images)

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(BEIJING, August 15) -- Michael Phelps continued his attack on winning a record eight gold medals on Friday pocketing his sixth at the National Aquatics Center, this time in the 200m Individual Medley.

He swam yet another world record, saving 0.57 seconds off the mark he set at the US trials in July this year.

Michael Phelps celebrates victory after the Men's 200m Individual Medley Final (Photo credit: Lars Baron/Bongarts/Getty Images)

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Phelps was never in trouble and led comfortably throughout, touching the wall in 1:54.23.

The field stayed with Phelps during the Backstroke and Butterfly legs but the defending Olympic champion took the lead during the Breaststroke leg and pulled away in the final 50 meters of Freestyle.

Phelps has dominated every event he has entered, including the 400m Individual Medley.

(L-R) Silver medalist Laszlo Cseh, gold medalist Michael Phelps and bronze medalist Ryan Lochte pose on the podium (Photo credit: Al Bello/Getty Images)

Hungarian Laszlo Cseh put in another great performance, again edging out Phelps' teammate Ryan Lochte to win the silver medal in a European record time of 1:56.52.

Cseh now has a pair of silver medals from the Individual Medley events after finishing second to Phelps in Sunday's Men's 400m Individual Medley.

With only 10 minutes to recover after winning the gold in the 200m Backstroke, Lochte could only manage the bronze medal in a time of 1:56.53, just one hundredth of a second behind Cseh.

Lochte now has a pair of bronze medals in the Individual Medley events after finishing third in Sunday's 400m Individual Medley.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Photos: China's Xian Dongmei wins Women's 52kg Judo gold

She is my hero!Because she is my hometown people!I feel very arrogant!

Xian Dongmei poses with her medal. (Photo credit: Clive Rose/Getty Images)

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The Women's -52kg Judo final on day two of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games was held at the University of Science and Technology Beijing Gymnasium on August 10, 2008, in Beijing, China. Chinese Xian Dongmei defeated An Kum-ae of the DPRK to win the gold medal in the event. An Kum Ae took the silver medal. Soraya Haddad of Algeria and Nakamura Misato of Japan won bronze.

Xian Dongmei poses with her medal. (Photo credit: Clive Rose/Getty Images)

(L-R) An Kum Ae, Xian Dongmei, Soraya Haddad and Misato Nakamura (Photo credit: Clive Rose/Getty Images)

Champion Chen of China with 48kg Olympic Record

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Day 1 Review: Perfect Emmons sets the pace

Good Emmons: Katerina claims shooting gold. (Photo credit: Getty)

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(BEIJING, August 9) -- A dazzling first day at Beijing 2008 got off to a storming start with seven gold medals seized by competitors in five separate sports and challengers in a further 13 sports beginning their Olympic quest.

The pace was set by the first gold medalist of the Games,24-year-old Katerina Emmons of the Czech Republic, who claimed a new Olympic record in the Women's 10m Air Rifle of 103.5 points in the final, which gave her an overall total of 503.5. Emmons also broke the Olympic qualification record with a perfect score of 400.

The silver medal went to Russia's Lioubov Galkina and the bronze to Snjezana Pejcic of Croatia.

Home-favorite and defending champion Du Li of China finished a disappointing fifth, while World No. 1 Sonja Pfeilschifter of Germany failed to reach the final -- however China didn't have long to wait to claim its first shooting gold of the Games.

Twenty-two-year-old Pang Wei took the Men's 10m Air Pistol gold, with the Republic of Korea's Jin Jong-oh claiming silver and Kim Jong-su collecting bronze for the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.

Emmons' Czech teammate David Kostelecky stands in first place after the first three qualification rounds in the Men's Trap. Italian shooters, Athens 2004 silver medalist Giovanni Pellielo and Erminio Frasca are one target behind, with the two remaining qualification rounds continuing tomorrow morning, August 10. The final round begins at 3:00 p.m. local time (UCT/GMT +8).

Heave: China's Chen XieXia hoists gold. (Photo credit: Getty)

Pang Wei wasn't China's first medalist of the day -- that honor went to 25-year-old world record holder Chen Xiexia, who won the 48 kilogram Weightlifting competition with a new Olympic Record total score of 212kg. Turkey's Sibel Ozkan won the silver medal with 199kg, and Chen Wei-Ling of Chinese Taipei seized bronze with 196kg.

Defending gold medalist and previous Olympic Record-holder Nurcan Taylan of Turkey bombed in the Snatch, which knocked her out of the competition.

Spaniard Samuel Sanchez captured Cycling gold in the Men's Road Race. The two-time World Champion out sprinted Italy's Davide Rebellin in a tight finish. Rebellin took silver with the bronze medal going to Fabian Cancellara of Switzerland.

America seized gold, silver and bronze in the Fencing Women's Individual Sabre with reigning Olympic Champion Mariel Zagunis defeating teammate Sada Jacobson 15-8 in the final to retain her crown, and Rebecca Ward beating Russian fencer Sofiya Velikaya 15-14 to claim the bronze medal. Reigning world champion Elena Nechaeva of Russia crashed out early on, while Athens 2004 silver medalist Tan Xue of China lost in the quarterfinals.

Magnificent Mariel: Zagunis grabs fencing gold for USA. (Photo credit: Getty)

Alina Alexandra Dumitru of Romania defeated Cuba's Yanet Bermoy with an ippon in 1:20 to win gold in the Judo Women's -48kg final. Japanese defending champion Tani Ryoko defeated Lyudmila Bogdanova of Russia, also with an ippon, to claim a bronze medal.

The legendary 33-year-old joins an elite list of Olympians to win medals at five consecutive Games, having struck gold in Athens and Sydney, and silver in Atlanta and Barcelona. Paula Belen Pareto of Argentina defeated Pak Ok-song of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea to win the other bronze medal.

In the Men's -60kg contest, Choi Min-ho from the Republic of Korea won gold by defeating World No.1 Ludwig Paischer of Austria with an ippon in 2:14. Choi took just four seconds to beat World No. 2 Dutch judoka Ruben Houkes in the semifinal. Houkes took a bronze, with Rishod Sobirov of Uzbekistan claiming the other bronze medal.

Away from the medals, 13 other sports began on Day 1.

Records tumbled at the Water Cube as the Beijing 2008 Swimming competition splashed into style with Michael Phelps of the USA setting a new Olympic record of 4:07.82 in the heats for the Men's 400m Individual Medley. Also through to Sunday (August 10) morning's final are Ryan Lochte (USA), Gergo Kis (Hungary), Alessio Boggiatto (Italy), Brian Johns (Canada) and Thiago Pereira (Brazil).

Five swimmers broke the old Olympic Record of 1:00.01 in the Men's 100m Breaststroke. Alexander Dale Oen of Norway was the top finisher with a time of 59.41. Japan's Kitajima Kosuke, Hugues Duboscq of France, Australian Brenton Rickard and Cameron van der Burgh of South African also fractured the previous best.

Jensen Larsen from the United States leads the eight qualifiers in the Men's 400m Freestyle preliminaries clocking 3:43.10. Favorite for the event, Grant Hackett of Australia, came in at an unexpected fifth fastest qualifier for the final, which will be held at 10:24 a.m. local time (UCT/GMT + 8) on Sunday, August 10.

Another US swimmer, 15-year-old Elizabeth Beisel finished first in the heats of Women's Individual Medley with a time of 4:34.55, ahead of compatriot World record holder Katie Hoff. Stephanie Rice (Australia), Alessia Filippi (Italy), defending Olympic champion Yana Martynova (Russia), Li Xuanxu (China), Kirsty Coventry (Zimbabwe) and Hannah Miley (Great Britain) will contest Sunday's final.

The Beijing 2008 Basketball tournament tipped off with six women's round-robin preliminary matches.

In group A, Australia comfortably beat Belarus by a 19-point margin, 83-64 with Boomers captain Lauren Jackson netting 18 points. Asian Champion Republic of Korea edged out World No. 4 Brazil 68-62 in overtime, and Russia beat Latvia 62-57.

Mali gave New Zealand a surprise run for their money in group B -- leveling the scores briefly in the final quarter at 64-64, before the Kiwis ran out winners, 76-72. China edged out Spain 67-64 in another close encounter, and tournament favorites the USA thrashed the Czech Republic 97-57 in the final group game of the day.

The Beijing 2008 Women's Football tournament continued with 1-0 group game wins for Sweden, Germany, the United States and Norway. Brazil defeated the Democratic People's Republic of Korea 2-1, while Canada and China drew 1-1.

In the Women's Volleyball tournament, there were 3-1 pool A wins for Italy, who edged out Russia and Serbia, with World No. 1 Brazil recording a straight sets win over Algeria. In pool B, defending Olympic champion China defeated Venezuela, Cuba beat Poland in straight sets and the USA beat Japan 3-1 in the final game of the day.

In Women's Handball, there were opening game wins for France, Hungary, Romania, Norway and Germany.

Elsewhere, the opening day saw the start of competition in Artistic Gymnastics, Equestrian Eventing, Rowing and Sailing, and opening rounds of the Olympic Boxing and Badminton tournaments.

Those are the highlights from Day 1. There are 15 more days like this to come -- so hold on to your hats, folks -- it's going to be a thrilling 16-day ride.

Great minds think alike: Tan and Wells on Olympic music

Scene of the interview

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Video: Interview with Tan Dun and Robert Wells

(BEIJING, August 5) -- Both Academy Award winner Tan Dun and world-renowned pianist Robert Wells agree: Beijing's Olympic music must have Chinese tones.

The two composers were on hand on Tuesday to talk about their cooperation and involvement in creating Olympic music to be used for demonstration events and medal ceremonies during the 2008 Summer Games.

Tan Dun: Music is a map of sound (video)

Tan relied on his philosophical instinct to guide him in his compositions, contemplating how thousands of years ago, the Chinese used traditional ways to spiritually present great honors to the people. He went back 2,400 years in Chinese history to bring back the original sound of chromatic gold bells and combined this instrument with a brand-new one -- jade chimes -- to "create harmony through instrumentation." According to Tan, the two instruments share the same wavelength, or have the same yuan fen, which, in traditional Chinese belief, is a kind of fate that brings people together.

World-renowned pianist Robert Wells

Interestingly enough, gold and jade are also the same two elements that make up the Olympic medals to be awarded at Beijing's Olympic Games.

Tan was invited to work on Olympic music after Olympic officials attended a dress rehearsal for an opera that the composer was conducting in New York.

Academy Award winner Tan Dun (R)

Wells likes to keep it simple, using only five tones, the same number as the Olympic rings, when writing music. He incorporated his interest in rock and roll and classical music in his composition but couldn't find the right Chinese spirit to add to it, until he met with Tan.

Robert Wells on his Olympic compositions (video)

Wells believes that Olympic music must be positive and "wake people up." It's about people all around the world getting together in friendship, he continued.

Tan Dun (R) and Robert Wells

A week's vacation from music (video)

Everyone dreams about someday writing music for the Olympics, said Wells. As such, two years ago, when he heard about the competition soliciting songs for the Games, he jumped at the chance. The musician was invited to perform in front of the Forbidden City on August 8, 2007, as part of the celebration for the one-year countdown to the Beijing Games. Now, he is known as one of the main composers for medal ceremony music for Beijing 2008.

Wells concluded the interview by expressing his happiness for the Chinese nation for having been awarded the honor of hosting the great sports event. "We wish the best, best luck in the Olympics," he said.

Yao Ming: The flag bearer for the host

Updated: 2008-08-07 19:05:52

(BEIJING, August 7) -- Star basketball player Yao Ming will hold China's national flag during the Opening Ceremony of Beijing 2008 tomorrow night.

Cui Dalin, the Deputy Director of the General Administration of Sport, made the announcement to journalists at a press conference in the Main Press Center today.

Cui Dalin, the Deputy Director of the General Administration of Sport

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Cui said the Chinese delegation was very careful with its choice since a flag bearer should symbolize China's sporting spirit. So only those with a high sporting caliber, excellent ethics and a positive public image were considered.

Yao Ming holding China's national flag

Yao, who plays center for China's national basketball team and the NBA's Houston Rockets, donated a large amount of money to the victims of the Sichuan earthquake, thus making him the perfect flag bearer.

By:http://www.beijing2008.cn

Photos: China beats Sweden 2-1 in Olympic women's soccer

Zhou Gaoping (L) of China vies with Solveig Gulbrandsen of Sweden.

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China edged European powerhouse Sweden 2-1 in front of some 38,000 home fans in their opening match of the Olympic women's soccer tournament here on Wednesday.

(Photo credit: Xinhua)

Pu Wei (L) of China fights for the ball with Sara Thunebro of Sweden.

Chinese women's football players pose for photos.