Armed pirates have hijacked a Hong Kong chemical tanker with 22 crew members in the Gulf of Aden near Somalia's dangerous waters, a regional maritime official confirmed on Tuesday.
Andrew Mwangura, the East Africa Coordinator of Seafarers Assistance Program said the vessel was seized on Monday, making it the 12th vessel to be hijacked in the pirate-infested waterway since July 20.
"The Hong Kong chemical tanker was hijacked by pirates on Monday, en route to Asia. The ship was seized in the same place others have fallen similar fate," Mwangura told Xinhua by telephone.
Maritime official said the Hong Kong ship was sailing in a maritime security corridor in the gulf patrolled by an international coalition of warships and aircraft when it was attacked.
The attack came hours after the French army killed a Somali pirate in operations which led to the release of two French nationals in the notorious Gulf of Aden on Monday.
The Venezuelan-registered boat, Carre d'as, was captured in the Gulf of Aden two weeks ago and was taken to Somalia's northern semi-autonomous Puntland region.
Pirates have stepped up attacks on merchant vessels in the Gulf of Aden, as Somalia's current transitional government has failed to shackle the pirates in the key commercial shipping lane.
An international maritime organization has sounded the alarm over the upsurge of hijacking incidents on the Gulf of Aden where more than 50 Filipino seafarers have been abducted since July.
The warning was issued by the International Maritime Bureau which has alerted all vessels to "maintain a strict 24 hour look out" as they pass through the Gulf of Aden, located off the coast of Somalia.
The Gulf of Aden, an important waterway for shipping, is within the Arabian Sea. It is between Yemen on the south coast of the Arabian Peninsula and Somalia in the Horn of Africa. It connects with the Red Sea through the Babel Mandeb strait in the northwest.
Source:Xinhua
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
S Korean FM to hold talks with Rice next week
South Korean Foreign Minister Yu Myung-hwan will have talks with his American counterpart Condoleezza Rice next Tuesday over bilateral ties and nuclear issues on the Korean Peninsula, South Korean Foreign Ministry saidon Tuesday.
"Minister Yu is scheduled to attend the opening ceremony of the63rd session of the U.N. General Assembly on Sept. 23 and an ensuing luncheon hosted by the U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon," said Foreign Ministry Spokesman Moon Tae-young.
"Foreign ministerial talks with the U.S. and other major nations such as China and Russia will be held later in the day," he added.
Yu and Rice plan to sign a memorandum of understanding on a student exchange program agreed by South Korean President Lee Myung-bak and his U.S. counterpart George W. Bush during their summit meeting last month, local media said.
The spokesman refused to reveal details on the MOU and other agenda items.
South Korea's Yonhap News Agency said that Yu and Rice will also discuss ways of moving forward the stalled denuclearization process in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.
Source:Xinhua
"Minister Yu is scheduled to attend the opening ceremony of the63rd session of the U.N. General Assembly on Sept. 23 and an ensuing luncheon hosted by the U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon," said Foreign Ministry Spokesman Moon Tae-young.
"Foreign ministerial talks with the U.S. and other major nations such as China and Russia will be held later in the day," he added.
Yu and Rice plan to sign a memorandum of understanding on a student exchange program agreed by South Korean President Lee Myung-bak and his U.S. counterpart George W. Bush during their summit meeting last month, local media said.
The spokesman refused to reveal details on the MOU and other agenda items.
South Korea's Yonhap News Agency said that Yu and Rice will also discuss ways of moving forward the stalled denuclearization process in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.
Source:Xinhua
Tainted milk powder sickens 1,253 babies in China
The number of Chinese infants stricken with kidney stones caused by contaminated milk powder soared to 1,253 with two dead as of 8 a.m. on Monday, the Ministry of Health said here on Monday.
According to the ministry, most of the cases occurred in Hebei, Jiangsu and Gansu provinces. The two deaths were both in the northwest Gansu Province.
The tainted milk powder was produced by the Sanlu Group, the country's diary giant in the northern Hebei Province. The powder was found to contain melamine, a chemical raw material believed to cause the condition.
Among the babies, 53 were in critical condition while 340 were receiving hospital treatment. The remaining 913 diagnosed with light symptoms were either receiving treatment outside hospital or were cured, the ministry said at a press conference.
Chinese Medical Association experts said there would be no permanent damage to the children's kidney functions if they received timely and proper treatment.
Ministry spokesman Ma Xiaowei said special hospitals had been appointed nationwide to launch treatment for all the infants with the stones. "With scientific, timely and effective treatment, we will try our best to avoid further deaths."
To avoid incisions to the children's skin and sequela, the ministry urged health organizations nationwide to try and not to use radiotherapy, anesthesia and surgery during treatments.
Responding to a reporter's question on the large-scale affection, Ding Jie, a Chinese Medical Association expert, admitted many domestic hospital workers didn't know how to check a kidney for melamine.
She said experts had now drawn out a very detailed scheme on diagnosing and dealing with the condition. "We very much hope that the scheme will be practical and easy so that hospitals at all levels are capable of the treatments."
Ma said the ministry had also sent medical workers to remote counties and villages for inspections and treatments. "All the treatments should be free of charge," he added.
The ministry said the milk powder case is a food safety accident, and all infants involved would be compensated according to rules following the investigation.
"No matter how many cases are found, health organizations across the country are able to cope with the problem caused by the tainted milk powder," Ma said.
Earlier reports said a total of 19 people from private milk collecting stations have been detained by police in Hebei for allegedly putting melamine into the milk provided for the Sanlu Group.
Melamine is used in plastics and other industries and is strictly forbidden in food processing. Experts said it was added into raw milk so that the protein content of the milk appeared higher than it is actually.
According to an earlier press conference, Sanlu Group had got complaints about its baby milk powder in March and then confirmed the problems through its own investigation. It also took actions to recall some of these products. However, for a long time after that the group didn't report it to the government neither did it reveal the information to the public.
The central government vowed to release relevant information in time, including the investigation result of the incident, the treatment of the infant patients and the quality of other brands of milk powder.
Source: Xinhua
According to the ministry, most of the cases occurred in Hebei, Jiangsu and Gansu provinces. The two deaths were both in the northwest Gansu Province.
The tainted milk powder was produced by the Sanlu Group, the country's diary giant in the northern Hebei Province. The powder was found to contain melamine, a chemical raw material believed to cause the condition.
Among the babies, 53 were in critical condition while 340 were receiving hospital treatment. The remaining 913 diagnosed with light symptoms were either receiving treatment outside hospital or were cured, the ministry said at a press conference.
Chinese Medical Association experts said there would be no permanent damage to the children's kidney functions if they received timely and proper treatment.
Ministry spokesman Ma Xiaowei said special hospitals had been appointed nationwide to launch treatment for all the infants with the stones. "With scientific, timely and effective treatment, we will try our best to avoid further deaths."
To avoid incisions to the children's skin and sequela, the ministry urged health organizations nationwide to try and not to use radiotherapy, anesthesia and surgery during treatments.
Responding to a reporter's question on the large-scale affection, Ding Jie, a Chinese Medical Association expert, admitted many domestic hospital workers didn't know how to check a kidney for melamine.
She said experts had now drawn out a very detailed scheme on diagnosing and dealing with the condition. "We very much hope that the scheme will be practical and easy so that hospitals at all levels are capable of the treatments."
Ma said the ministry had also sent medical workers to remote counties and villages for inspections and treatments. "All the treatments should be free of charge," he added.
The ministry said the milk powder case is a food safety accident, and all infants involved would be compensated according to rules following the investigation.
"No matter how many cases are found, health organizations across the country are able to cope with the problem caused by the tainted milk powder," Ma said.
Earlier reports said a total of 19 people from private milk collecting stations have been detained by police in Hebei for allegedly putting melamine into the milk provided for the Sanlu Group.
Melamine is used in plastics and other industries and is strictly forbidden in food processing. Experts said it was added into raw milk so that the protein content of the milk appeared higher than it is actually.
According to an earlier press conference, Sanlu Group had got complaints about its baby milk powder in March and then confirmed the problems through its own investigation. It also took actions to recall some of these products. However, for a long time after that the group didn't report it to the government neither did it reveal the information to the public.
The central government vowed to release relevant information in time, including the investigation result of the incident, the treatment of the infant patients and the quality of other brands of milk powder.
Source: Xinhua
China pledges to treat all tainted milk-affected babies
China's Health Ministry pledges free health care for all babies sickened after drinking contaminated formula.
Deputy Health Minister, Ma Xiaowei, said all medical agencies should prepare to treat babies for kidney stones as more cases could be uncovered as the investigation continues.
He ordered all public health authorities and medical institutions give priority to the diagnosis of suspect cases and provide treatment.
"Hospitals should try their best to meet rising demands for diagnosis and treatment because the number of parents who take their children for medical check-ups could rise drastically in the future," Ma told health, finance and food safety officials throughout China via teleconference Tuesday.
All infants who had been fed with Sanlu milk powder for between three and six months in the past year and have shown symptoms of kidney stones should be treated with top priority, added Ma.
An estimated 1,253 babies developed kidney stones after drinking the tainted milk powder. Two died as a result.
China's dairy giant, Sanlu Group, which is at the heart of the toxic food scandal, apologized to the public for its contaminated milk powder.
Source: Xinhua
Deputy Health Minister, Ma Xiaowei, said all medical agencies should prepare to treat babies for kidney stones as more cases could be uncovered as the investigation continues.
He ordered all public health authorities and medical institutions give priority to the diagnosis of suspect cases and provide treatment.
"Hospitals should try their best to meet rising demands for diagnosis and treatment because the number of parents who take their children for medical check-ups could rise drastically in the future," Ma told health, finance and food safety officials throughout China via teleconference Tuesday.
All infants who had been fed with Sanlu milk powder for between three and six months in the past year and have shown symptoms of kidney stones should be treated with top priority, added Ma.
An estimated 1,253 babies developed kidney stones after drinking the tainted milk powder. Two died as a result.
China's dairy giant, Sanlu Group, which is at the heart of the toxic food scandal, apologized to the public for its contaminated milk powder.
Source: Xinhua
Scarlett Johansson: I'm not a prima donna
Scarlett Johansson has been labelled "the biggest prima donna," a claim the star denies.
The blonde beauty - who joins forces with legendary director Woody Allen for the third time in Vicky Cristina Barcelona - has changed dramatically since she appeared in Woody's 2005 movie Match Point.
A source said: "The producers have been saying that Scarlett isn't the same and that she has turned into the biggest prima donna.
"These are the same producers who worked with Scarlett on Match Point. Everyone back then said she was a sweetheart but now they say, 'Scarlett has let it go to her head'."
A representative for Scarlett denies the claims, adding to the New York Post newspaper: "Scarlett loves the movie and enjoyed working with everyone on it."
Scarlett recently revealed she hates leaving her movie characters behind when shooting on her movies has wrapped.
She said: "I can't help thinking about what happens to them after the film ends. I care about them. I usually assume that my character lives happily ever after.
"In my mind every character I play ends up living in the suburbs with two-point-five children. That's just the way that I see it. I'm always thinking, 'I'm sure they're okay. "
Source: China Daily\agencies
The blonde beauty - who joins forces with legendary director Woody Allen for the third time in Vicky Cristina Barcelona - has changed dramatically since she appeared in Woody's 2005 movie Match Point.
A source said: "The producers have been saying that Scarlett isn't the same and that she has turned into the biggest prima donna.
"These are the same producers who worked with Scarlett on Match Point. Everyone back then said she was a sweetheart but now they say, 'Scarlett has let it go to her head'."
A representative for Scarlett denies the claims, adding to the New York Post newspaper: "Scarlett loves the movie and enjoyed working with everyone on it."
Scarlett recently revealed she hates leaving her movie characters behind when shooting on her movies has wrapped.
She said: "I can't help thinking about what happens to them after the film ends. I care about them. I usually assume that my character lives happily ever after.
"In my mind every character I play ends up living in the suburbs with two-point-five children. That's just the way that I see it. I'm always thinking, 'I'm sure they're okay. "
Source: China Daily\agencies
Jennifer Lopez completes first triathlon
Jennifer Lopez raised 127,000 U.S. dollars yesterday after completing her first triathlon in Malibu, California.
The multi-talented star - who gave birth to twins Max and Emme, her first children with husband Marc Anthony, in February - smiled broadly as she finished the gruelling running, cycling and swimming competition in a respectable two hours, 23 minutes and 28 seconds.
As she crossed the finishing line of the Nautica Malibu Triathlon, Jennifer, 39, told the cheering crowd: "Thank you guys so much. This is an amazing day. "I feel really great and so glad I finished and that I made it out of the water but more amazing than that, I feel really great that we raised 127,000 dollars for the Children's Hospital of Los Angeles and hopefully it'll go to good use."
The actress was then met by Marc, who escorted her to the VIP area where she met up with her 'Wedding Planner' co-star Matthew McConaughey - who also competed in the event.
The Nautica Malibu Triathlon raised a total of 950,000 dollars for the Children's Hospital of Los Angeles.
Source: China Daily\agencies
The multi-talented star - who gave birth to twins Max and Emme, her first children with husband Marc Anthony, in February - smiled broadly as she finished the gruelling running, cycling and swimming competition in a respectable two hours, 23 minutes and 28 seconds.
As she crossed the finishing line of the Nautica Malibu Triathlon, Jennifer, 39, told the cheering crowd: "Thank you guys so much. This is an amazing day. "I feel really great and so glad I finished and that I made it out of the water but more amazing than that, I feel really great that we raised 127,000 dollars for the Children's Hospital of Los Angeles and hopefully it'll go to good use."
The actress was then met by Marc, who escorted her to the VIP area where she met up with her 'Wedding Planner' co-star Matthew McConaughey - who also competed in the event.
The Nautica Malibu Triathlon raised a total of 950,000 dollars for the Children's Hospital of Los Angeles.
Source: China Daily\agencies
Brangelina donate $2m for kids in Ethiopia
Angelina Jolie and partner Brad Pitt have donated $2 million to create a centre, named after their adopted daughter Zahara, for Ethiopian children affected by Aids and tuberculosis.
The Global Health Committee said the donation from the Jolie-Pitt Foundation would establish a center in the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa to treat Aids orphans and develop a program to treat drug-resistant tuberculosis.
The Oscar-winning Jolie adopted a baby girl she called Zahara, now three years old, from Ethiopia in July 2005 and the new clinic will be named after her.
"It is our hope that when Zahara is older, she will take responsibility for the clinic and continue its mission," Pitt said in a statement.
Pitt and Jolie now have six children - twins Knox Leon and Vivienne Marcheline born in July, Shiloh, two, and adopted children Zahara, Pax from Vietnam and Maddox from Cambodia.
The Jolie-Pitt Foundation helped set up a similar clinic in 2006 in Phnom Penh, Cambodia that is named after Maddox.
"Our goal is to transfer the success we have had in Cambodia to Ethiopia where people are needlessly dying of tuberculosis, a curable disease, and HIV/Aids, a treatable disease," Jolie said.
Ethiopia has the seventh-highest rate of tuberculosis disease in the world and an estimated 1.7 million people in the country are infected with HIV, according to the World Health Organization.
Unicef estimates that more than 900,000 children have been orphaned by Aids in Ethiopia.
Source: China Daily\agencies
The Global Health Committee said the donation from the Jolie-Pitt Foundation would establish a center in the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa to treat Aids orphans and develop a program to treat drug-resistant tuberculosis.
The Oscar-winning Jolie adopted a baby girl she called Zahara, now three years old, from Ethiopia in July 2005 and the new clinic will be named after her.
"It is our hope that when Zahara is older, she will take responsibility for the clinic and continue its mission," Pitt said in a statement.
Pitt and Jolie now have six children - twins Knox Leon and Vivienne Marcheline born in July, Shiloh, two, and adopted children Zahara, Pax from Vietnam and Maddox from Cambodia.
The Jolie-Pitt Foundation helped set up a similar clinic in 2006 in Phnom Penh, Cambodia that is named after Maddox.
"Our goal is to transfer the success we have had in Cambodia to Ethiopia where people are needlessly dying of tuberculosis, a curable disease, and HIV/Aids, a treatable disease," Jolie said.
Ethiopia has the seventh-highest rate of tuberculosis disease in the world and an estimated 1.7 million people in the country are infected with HIV, according to the World Health Organization.
Unicef estimates that more than 900,000 children have been orphaned by Aids in Ethiopia.
Source: China Daily\agencies
China's second generation of astronauts draws concern at home and abroad
With Shenzhou-7's launch date approaches, concerns about China's space program rises again. Besides the spacecraft itself, the new generation of China's space industry leaders and astronauts has become the focal point of the public.
At present, China has a total of 14 astronauts, with Yang Liwei, Fei Junlong and Nie Haisheng as their representatives. Their average age is around 40, the golden time of aerospace career.
However, with the demand for follow-up work and the smooth transition of the old generation to the new generation, a new round of astronauts training work has already started. China's first astronaut and deputy director of Research Training Center for Chinese Astronauts Yang Liwei told the media that the second group of astronauts will not exceed 14 people.
By People's Daily Online
At present, China has a total of 14 astronauts, with Yang Liwei, Fei Junlong and Nie Haisheng as their representatives. Their average age is around 40, the golden time of aerospace career.
However, with the demand for follow-up work and the smooth transition of the old generation to the new generation, a new round of astronauts training work has already started. China's first astronaut and deputy director of Research Training Center for Chinese Astronauts Yang Liwei told the media that the second group of astronauts will not exceed 14 people.
By People's Daily Online
3 astronauts for Shenzhou-7 mission confirmed
China's third manned spacecraft, Shenzhou-7 is set to launch on September 25, 2008. Three astronauts to undertake the mission have been confirmed.
The three astronauts are Zhai Zhigang, Liu Boming and Jing Haipeng. Among the three people, Zhai Zhigang is the hottest candidate to conduct spacewalk during the space mission. He was selected for Shenzhou-5 plan and Shenzhou-6 plan in the past.
Zhai Zhigang
Zhai Zhigang, 42, joined Chinese Air Force in 1985 and has more than 1,000-hour safe flight records.
By People's Daily Online
The three astronauts are Zhai Zhigang, Liu Boming and Jing Haipeng. Among the three people, Zhai Zhigang is the hottest candidate to conduct spacewalk during the space mission. He was selected for Shenzhou-5 plan and Shenzhou-6 plan in the past.
Zhai Zhigang
Zhai Zhigang, 42, joined Chinese Air Force in 1985 and has more than 1,000-hour safe flight records.
By People's Daily Online
Compulsory education law enforcement comes under inspection
China's top legislative group, the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress , will start inspecting how the Compulsory Education Law is being enforced in 14 provinces, municipalities and autonomous regions.
Inspections, to start at the end of September, will focus on how local governments allocate money for education in rural areas, the quality of compulsory education and the safety of school buildings, Lu Yongxiang, vice chairman of the NPC Standing Committee said here Tuesday.
Similar inspections have been conducted twice over the past two years. Lawmakers discovered many problems including insufficient funding in mountain regions, poorly equipped rural school houses and underpaid rural teachers.
The purpose of the inspection is to supervise and urge the State Council and relevant government departments to make sure the law, which was adopted in 1986 and amended in 2006, is being implemented effectively, Lu said.
The inspection also aims to timely solve problems found in the law enforcement.
China's compulsory education consists of six years of primary school and three years of junior high school. The law stipulates free-tuition for compulsory education.
In addition to free tuition, China pledged in 2007 to exempt all rural students from incidental fees to lessen the burden of farmers. It also offered free textbooks and subsidized boarding fees for poor students.
Funds to support such compulsory education in rural areas are co-financed by the central and local governments.
For fall semester 2008, about 28.21 million urban students in primary schools and in junior high schools joined rural students to benefit from the plan. Students still must pay for textbooks and uniforms.
Source: Xinhua
Inspections, to start at the end of September, will focus on how local governments allocate money for education in rural areas, the quality of compulsory education and the safety of school buildings, Lu Yongxiang, vice chairman of the NPC Standing Committee said here Tuesday.
Similar inspections have been conducted twice over the past two years. Lawmakers discovered many problems including insufficient funding in mountain regions, poorly equipped rural school houses and underpaid rural teachers.
The purpose of the inspection is to supervise and urge the State Council and relevant government departments to make sure the law, which was adopted in 1986 and amended in 2006, is being implemented effectively, Lu said.
The inspection also aims to timely solve problems found in the law enforcement.
China's compulsory education consists of six years of primary school and three years of junior high school. The law stipulates free-tuition for compulsory education.
In addition to free tuition, China pledged in 2007 to exempt all rural students from incidental fees to lessen the burden of farmers. It also offered free textbooks and subsidized boarding fees for poor students.
Funds to support such compulsory education in rural areas are co-financed by the central and local governments.
For fall semester 2008, about 28.21 million urban students in primary schools and in junior high schools joined rural students to benefit from the plan. Students still must pay for textbooks and uniforms.
Source: Xinhua
Reporting from the front, for all to see
A guide stick usually lasts at least a couple of years. But his has worn out in just a few days.
There is good reason for that, though. The ground Yang Qingfeng has covered as a radio journalist at the Beijing Paralympic Games is perhaps more than what he has during the rest of his 26-year life.
"I've never walked so much in my life. Normally, a guide stick can be used for years, but last night I noticed its bottom was gone," said Yang, the first accredited visually impaired Chinese reporter covering a sports event, yesterday.
Yang and Xie Yan are working for the Beijing One Plus One Culture Exchange Center, a non-profit organization run by physically challenged people. Xie, the director, founded the center in March 2006.
Like true professionals, Xie and Yang began their Paralympics' coverage a year ago, with the one-year countdown gala for the Games and the Good Luck Beijing International Goalball Tournament in September last year.
Yang and three of his colleagues became China's first disabled reporters to cover an international event, the 2007 Special Olympics in Shanghai, last year.
But the biggest show for Yang and Xie was the Paralympics opening ceremony. That evening, the two and six of their colleagues broadcast a three-and-half-hour live show on their website, sharing the show with hundreds of their visually impaired friends.
And since then they have been running between the venues, interviewing athletes and collecting as much first-hand material as possible for their editors.
"We are so busy that we can manage to have just one meal a day," said Xie, paralyzed since 2003 because of bone cancer.
Besides their own radio program, they also work for Beijing TV Station, producing a daily show: Paralympic 1+1.
Though new to such a big event, Yang knows well what he is doing and has been working on the subjects his listeners would be most interested in: goalball, five-a-side football and judo, events in which the visually impaired take part.
"I play goalball myself and know what it's really about," Yang said. And since the game is not telecast, he and his colleagues broadcast it live by putting an audio recorder close to the court.
"No need for any commentary. Our listeners can enjoy the game just by listening to the sounds," Xie said.
Friday was Yang's day, so to say, for China's visually impaired swimmer Xie Qing won the S11 women's 100m freestyle. "We were so excited just to be there we recorded everything, the national anthem, the interview and the press conference," Yang said. "I even asked Xie Qing to describe what the gold medal felt like."
"At that moment, I felt the spectators in the Water Cube were cheering not only the champion, but me too they were cheering all the disabled people When the country's 1.3 billion people start talking about the Paralympics and share their passion, it is a giant leap forward in our social development."
Xie Yan had another moment to cherish on Friday: a meeting with Kenya's famous visually impaired marathon runner Henry Wanyoike. "We had a very friendly talk, and Henry asked us to help donate the used sticks and Braille writing boards to the visually impaired people of his country."
"We now plan to ask people to help our friends in Kenya through our website," Xie Yan said.
The message won't be lost.
Source: China Daily
There is good reason for that, though. The ground Yang Qingfeng has covered as a radio journalist at the Beijing Paralympic Games is perhaps more than what he has during the rest of his 26-year life.
"I've never walked so much in my life. Normally, a guide stick can be used for years, but last night I noticed its bottom was gone," said Yang, the first accredited visually impaired Chinese reporter covering a sports event, yesterday.
Yang and Xie Yan are working for the Beijing One Plus One Culture Exchange Center, a non-profit organization run by physically challenged people. Xie, the director, founded the center in March 2006.
Like true professionals, Xie and Yang began their Paralympics' coverage a year ago, with the one-year countdown gala for the Games and the Good Luck Beijing International Goalball Tournament in September last year.
Yang and three of his colleagues became China's first disabled reporters to cover an international event, the 2007 Special Olympics in Shanghai, last year.
But the biggest show for Yang and Xie was the Paralympics opening ceremony. That evening, the two and six of their colleagues broadcast a three-and-half-hour live show on their website, sharing the show with hundreds of their visually impaired friends.
And since then they have been running between the venues, interviewing athletes and collecting as much first-hand material as possible for their editors.
"We are so busy that we can manage to have just one meal a day," said Xie, paralyzed since 2003 because of bone cancer.
Besides their own radio program, they also work for Beijing TV Station, producing a daily show: Paralympic 1+1.
Though new to such a big event, Yang knows well what he is doing and has been working on the subjects his listeners would be most interested in: goalball, five-a-side football and judo, events in which the visually impaired take part.
"I play goalball myself and know what it's really about," Yang said. And since the game is not telecast, he and his colleagues broadcast it live by putting an audio recorder close to the court.
"No need for any commentary. Our listeners can enjoy the game just by listening to the sounds," Xie said.
Friday was Yang's day, so to say, for China's visually impaired swimmer Xie Qing won the S11 women's 100m freestyle. "We were so excited just to be there we recorded everything, the national anthem, the interview and the press conference," Yang said. "I even asked Xie Qing to describe what the gold medal felt like."
"At that moment, I felt the spectators in the Water Cube were cheering not only the champion, but me too they were cheering all the disabled people When the country's 1.3 billion people start talking about the Paralympics and share their passion, it is a giant leap forward in our social development."
Xie Yan had another moment to cherish on Friday: a meeting with Kenya's famous visually impaired marathon runner Henry Wanyoike. "We had a very friendly talk, and Henry asked us to help donate the used sticks and Braille writing boards to the visually impaired people of his country."
"We now plan to ask people to help our friends in Kenya through our website," Xie Yan said.
The message won't be lost.
Source: China Daily
FIFA boss eyes successful World Cup in South Africa
PRETORIA: FIFA president Sepp Blatter said Sunday he had no doubt that South Africa would host a successful World Cup, adding there was no 2010 plan B.
"The plan B is South Africa and the plan C is South Africa," Blatter told a media briefing after meeting President Thabo Mbeki in Pretoria.
"We are informed and monitoring all the work and we have no doubt that when it comes to stadia, when it comes to the logistical organisation, that eveything will be done."
Blatter is heading a four-day FIFA delegation to South Africa to inspect venues and meet political leaders, including former president Nelson Mandela.
The cup would give South Africa, which has high levels of violent crime, as a legacy of being identified as a safe country, he said.
"Most of the criticism now is that it is not secure ... but you go to big cities anywhere in the world ... tell me where you have 100 percent security? It does not exist."
Mbeki said a change of government in next year's elections would not affect the cup preparations.
"I'm saying quite firmly that we are on course with regard to meeting our obligations," said Mbeki, who has served two terms in office.
"It doesn't matter what happens here with regard to whatever the politcal challenges, this country will meet its commitments to FIFA to ... ensure that we have a very successful 2010 FIFA soccer world cup. That will happen."
Mbeki was responding to a question about a court judgment last week in which it was implied that his government had meddled in corruption charges brought against Jacob Zuma, tipped as South Africa's next president and whom Blatter will meet on his trip.
The court ruling led to widespread debate over Mbeki's future in weekend media.
Blatter said world cup hurdles would be solved with the South African government "being now the government of Thabo Mbeki, being tomorrow the government of somebody else".
Blatter said he had a special dedication and love for Africa, where football was "more than just kicking a ball".
A World Cup in South Africa would show that Africans were able to host the FIFA event, he said. "It is justice to South Africa for what Africa has given to the world of football."
Source: China Daily/Agencies
"The plan B is South Africa and the plan C is South Africa," Blatter told a media briefing after meeting President Thabo Mbeki in Pretoria.
"We are informed and monitoring all the work and we have no doubt that when it comes to stadia, when it comes to the logistical organisation, that eveything will be done."
Blatter is heading a four-day FIFA delegation to South Africa to inspect venues and meet political leaders, including former president Nelson Mandela.
The cup would give South Africa, which has high levels of violent crime, as a legacy of being identified as a safe country, he said.
"Most of the criticism now is that it is not secure ... but you go to big cities anywhere in the world ... tell me where you have 100 percent security? It does not exist."
Mbeki said a change of government in next year's elections would not affect the cup preparations.
"I'm saying quite firmly that we are on course with regard to meeting our obligations," said Mbeki, who has served two terms in office.
"It doesn't matter what happens here with regard to whatever the politcal challenges, this country will meet its commitments to FIFA to ... ensure that we have a very successful 2010 FIFA soccer world cup. That will happen."
Mbeki was responding to a question about a court judgment last week in which it was implied that his government had meddled in corruption charges brought against Jacob Zuma, tipped as South Africa's next president and whom Blatter will meet on his trip.
The court ruling led to widespread debate over Mbeki's future in weekend media.
Blatter said world cup hurdles would be solved with the South African government "being now the government of Thabo Mbeki, being tomorrow the government of somebody else".
Blatter said he had a special dedication and love for Africa, where football was "more than just kicking a ball".
A World Cup in South Africa would show that Africans were able to host the FIFA event, he said. "It is justice to South Africa for what Africa has given to the world of football."
Source: China Daily/Agencies
Real picks up first win, Villarreal ready for Manchester United
MADRID: Real Madrid got its title defense up and running on Sunday, grinding out a 4-3 home victory over newcomer Numancia which shocked the reigning champion by taking the lead twice.
It was a first win of the campaign for Real following its 2-1 loss at Deportivo La Coruna and bolstered confidence for Wednesday's Champions League opener against Belarus minnow BATE Borisov.
Stand-in captain Guti had the honor of scoring Real's 5,000th league goal to equalize before Gonzalo Higuain netted and Rafael van der Vaart scored his first goal in a Real shirt.
An own goal from Domingo Cisma proved decisive as Real registered its first three points of the campaign - something its rivals Barcelona have yet to achieve.
"The games after the international break are the most difficult," said Real coach Bernd Schuster.
"They were always going to cause trouble for us as they had two weeks to prepare for this match and had beaten Barcelona."
Schuster also called for caution ahead of the BATE Champions League game.
"In theory they are the easiest opponent but we have to tread carefully," added the German manager.
Earlier Villarreal, runner-up last season, warmed up for Wednesday's Champions League trip to Old Trafford to face reigning champion Manchester United with a 1-0 home victory over Deportivo La Coruna.
It was a first win of the season for Villarreal, Champions League semi-finalist in 2006, which will hope to pile more misery on Man Utd after its 2-1 league loss at Liverpool.
Spanish international Santiago Cazorla, a target for Real during the transfer window, scored the decisive goal on 27 minutes with a fierce left-footed shot to fire his team up to sixth.
"I am satisified with the win," said Villarreal coach Manuel Pellegrini.
"We had lots of chances and the victory was fair but it would have been by a bigger margin had it not been for the performance of Aranzubia and us rushing some things."
Real was less convicing in its match against Numancia, which took a sixth-minute lead with Juan Moreno arriving at the back post completely unmarked to head home.
Guti equalized on 18 minutes with the help of a huge deflection but Jose Barkero put Numancia back in front with a terrific 21st-minute long range effort.
The lead was shortlived as Higuain equalized for Real four minutes later and van der Vaart caught the goalkeeper off guard to put Real in front before an own goal handed Real a 4-2 lead at the interval.
Moreno scored a fantastic free-kick to make it 4-3 and Real had some worrying moments in the closing stages but survived to move eighth.
Espanyol is the new league leader following a 1-0 win over Recreativo Huelva with Luis Garcia striking six minutes from time.
Garcia was expected to leave in the summer but has scored in both of its opening wins to delight Espanyol coach Bartolome Marquez.
"I am really happy with Luis not just because of the goal but also because of his work rate," explained Marquez.
Espanyol, which fell apart in the second half of last season, is now the only team with a maximum six points from the first two fixtures.
Valencia coach Unai Emery failed to win on his return to former club Almeria - where he spent two successful seasons - and his team needed a David Villa strike to salvage a 2-2 draw on Sunday.
Alexis cancelled out Pablo Piatti's opener for Almeria but Alvaro Negredo, 23, enhanced his growing reputation with a great header four minutes later.
Villa levelled on 68 minutes to rescue a point for Valencia, in UEFA Cup action against Maritimo on Thursday, who goes second.
Source: China Daily/Agencies
It was a first win of the campaign for Real following its 2-1 loss at Deportivo La Coruna and bolstered confidence for Wednesday's Champions League opener against Belarus minnow BATE Borisov.
Stand-in captain Guti had the honor of scoring Real's 5,000th league goal to equalize before Gonzalo Higuain netted and Rafael van der Vaart scored his first goal in a Real shirt.
An own goal from Domingo Cisma proved decisive as Real registered its first three points of the campaign - something its rivals Barcelona have yet to achieve.
"The games after the international break are the most difficult," said Real coach Bernd Schuster.
"They were always going to cause trouble for us as they had two weeks to prepare for this match and had beaten Barcelona."
Schuster also called for caution ahead of the BATE Champions League game.
"In theory they are the easiest opponent but we have to tread carefully," added the German manager.
Earlier Villarreal, runner-up last season, warmed up for Wednesday's Champions League trip to Old Trafford to face reigning champion Manchester United with a 1-0 home victory over Deportivo La Coruna.
It was a first win of the season for Villarreal, Champions League semi-finalist in 2006, which will hope to pile more misery on Man Utd after its 2-1 league loss at Liverpool.
Spanish international Santiago Cazorla, a target for Real during the transfer window, scored the decisive goal on 27 minutes with a fierce left-footed shot to fire his team up to sixth.
"I am satisified with the win," said Villarreal coach Manuel Pellegrini.
"We had lots of chances and the victory was fair but it would have been by a bigger margin had it not been for the performance of Aranzubia and us rushing some things."
Real was less convicing in its match against Numancia, which took a sixth-minute lead with Juan Moreno arriving at the back post completely unmarked to head home.
Guti equalized on 18 minutes with the help of a huge deflection but Jose Barkero put Numancia back in front with a terrific 21st-minute long range effort.
The lead was shortlived as Higuain equalized for Real four minutes later and van der Vaart caught the goalkeeper off guard to put Real in front before an own goal handed Real a 4-2 lead at the interval.
Moreno scored a fantastic free-kick to make it 4-3 and Real had some worrying moments in the closing stages but survived to move eighth.
Espanyol is the new league leader following a 1-0 win over Recreativo Huelva with Luis Garcia striking six minutes from time.
Garcia was expected to leave in the summer but has scored in both of its opening wins to delight Espanyol coach Bartolome Marquez.
"I am really happy with Luis not just because of the goal but also because of his work rate," explained Marquez.
Espanyol, which fell apart in the second half of last season, is now the only team with a maximum six points from the first two fixtures.
Valencia coach Unai Emery failed to win on his return to former club Almeria - where he spent two successful seasons - and his team needed a David Villa strike to salvage a 2-2 draw on Sunday.
Alexis cancelled out Pablo Piatti's opener for Almeria but Alvaro Negredo, 23, enhanced his growing reputation with a great header four minutes later.
Villa levelled on 68 minutes to rescue a point for Valencia, in UEFA Cup action against Maritimo on Thursday, who goes second.
Source: China Daily/Agencies
Shaken Ashley puts Newcastle up for sale
LONDON: Newcastle United owner Mike Ashley announced on Sunday he wanted to sell the troubled English Premiership club and revealed that he feared for his children's safety if he turned up at matches.
Ashley, a self-made billionaire, has become a hate figure with many of the north-east side's supporters who blame him for the resignation of popular manager Kevin Keegan.
"I am putting the club up for sale," Ashley said in a statement on Newcastle's website.
"I hope that the fans can get what they want and that the next owner is someone who can lavish the amount of money on the club that the fans want."
Ashley and executive director Dennis Wise have become the targets of fans' anger, with many Magpies supporters saying they are responsible for not allowing Keegan the kind of control over transfers enjoyed by the likes of Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson.
Keegan, a folk hero at St James' Park having played for Newcastle and previously managed them in the 1990s, quit 10 days ago and on Saturday thousands of fans staged demonstration outside the north-east club's ground, demanding Ashley and Wise quit.
Those protests came before and after Newcastle's 2-1 defeat at home to Premier League newcomers Hull City, a match where neither Ashley nor Wise were seen at St James'.
Later Sunday, former chairman Freddy Shepherd said he had been approached by two separate consortiums thinking of taking over the team.
Shepherd, speaking on Sky Sports News, refused to give away too many details but did describe both potential bidders as "big-money players".
Ashley, who made his fortune by creating the Sports Direct chain of stores, bought Newcastle for more than 134 million pounds in May 2007.
In a lengthy statement, he insisted he'd put the club on a sound financial footing but stressed he was no longer prepared to endure abuse from supporters.
"I have really loved taking my kids to the games, being next to them and all the fans.
"But I am now a dad who can't take his kids to a football game on a Saturday because I am advised that we would be assaulted. Therefore, I am no longer prepared to subsidize Newcastle United."
He added: "I don't want anyone to read my words and think that any of this is an attack on Kevin Keegan. It is not. Kevin and I always got on. Everyone at the club, and I mean everyone, thinks that he has few equals in getting the best out of players.
"He is a legend at the club and quite rightly so. Clearly there are disagreements between Kevin and the board and we have both put that in the hands of our lawyers."
Newcastle hasn't won a major trophy since 1969.
And although Ashley is wealthy by most standards his fortune is not equal to that of Chelsea's Russian billionaire owner Roman Abramovich or the consortium from Abu Dhabi which marked its recent takeover of Manchester City by spending a British record 32.5 million pounds to sign Brazil star Robinho.
"I have backed the club with money. You can see that from the fact Newcastle has the fifth highest wage bill in the Premier League," Ashley said.
However, he added: "It has to be realized that if I put 100 million pounds in the club year in year out then it would not be too long before I was cleaned out and a debt-ridden Newcastle United would find itself in the position that faced Leeds United .
"My plan and strategy for Newcastle has to be different. Arsenal is the shining example in England of a sustainable business model. It takes time."
"I have listened to you," Ashley told fans. "You want me out. That is what I am trying to do but it won't happen overnight and it may not happen at all if a buyer does not come in.
"If I can't sell the club to someone who will give the fans what they want then I shall continue to ensure that Newcastle is run on a business and football model that is sustainable.
"I care too much about the club to merely abandon it."
Source: China Daily/Agencies
Ashley, a self-made billionaire, has become a hate figure with many of the north-east side's supporters who blame him for the resignation of popular manager Kevin Keegan.
"I am putting the club up for sale," Ashley said in a statement on Newcastle's website.
"I hope that the fans can get what they want and that the next owner is someone who can lavish the amount of money on the club that the fans want."
Ashley and executive director Dennis Wise have become the targets of fans' anger, with many Magpies supporters saying they are responsible for not allowing Keegan the kind of control over transfers enjoyed by the likes of Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson.
Keegan, a folk hero at St James' Park having played for Newcastle and previously managed them in the 1990s, quit 10 days ago and on Saturday thousands of fans staged demonstration outside the north-east club's ground, demanding Ashley and Wise quit.
Those protests came before and after Newcastle's 2-1 defeat at home to Premier League newcomers Hull City, a match where neither Ashley nor Wise were seen at St James'.
Later Sunday, former chairman Freddy Shepherd said he had been approached by two separate consortiums thinking of taking over the team.
Shepherd, speaking on Sky Sports News, refused to give away too many details but did describe both potential bidders as "big-money players".
Ashley, who made his fortune by creating the Sports Direct chain of stores, bought Newcastle for more than 134 million pounds in May 2007.
In a lengthy statement, he insisted he'd put the club on a sound financial footing but stressed he was no longer prepared to endure abuse from supporters.
"I have really loved taking my kids to the games, being next to them and all the fans.
"But I am now a dad who can't take his kids to a football game on a Saturday because I am advised that we would be assaulted. Therefore, I am no longer prepared to subsidize Newcastle United."
He added: "I don't want anyone to read my words and think that any of this is an attack on Kevin Keegan. It is not. Kevin and I always got on. Everyone at the club, and I mean everyone, thinks that he has few equals in getting the best out of players.
"He is a legend at the club and quite rightly so. Clearly there are disagreements between Kevin and the board and we have both put that in the hands of our lawyers."
Newcastle hasn't won a major trophy since 1969.
And although Ashley is wealthy by most standards his fortune is not equal to that of Chelsea's Russian billionaire owner Roman Abramovich or the consortium from Abu Dhabi which marked its recent takeover of Manchester City by spending a British record 32.5 million pounds to sign Brazil star Robinho.
"I have backed the club with money. You can see that from the fact Newcastle has the fifth highest wage bill in the Premier League," Ashley said.
However, he added: "It has to be realized that if I put 100 million pounds in the club year in year out then it would not be too long before I was cleaned out and a debt-ridden Newcastle United would find itself in the position that faced Leeds United .
"My plan and strategy for Newcastle has to be different. Arsenal is the shining example in England of a sustainable business model. It takes time."
"I have listened to you," Ashley told fans. "You want me out. That is what I am trying to do but it won't happen overnight and it may not happen at all if a buyer does not come in.
"If I can't sell the club to someone who will give the fans what they want then I shall continue to ensure that Newcastle is run on a business and football model that is sustainable.
"I care too much about the club to merely abandon it."
Source: China Daily/Agencies
Russia routs Spain to retain Fed Cup
MADRID: Russia retained its Fed Cup crown here on Sunday to make it four titles in five years when Svetlana Kuznetsova defeated Anabel Medina Garrigues 5-7, 6-3, 6-4 to give the visitors an unassailable 3-0 lead over Spain.
Olympic Games bronze medalist Vera Zvonareva and former US Open winner Kuznetsova had set up the win on Saturday in beating Garrigues and Carla Suarez Navarro to establish a 2-0 lead.
Kuznetsova then applied herself to the task once again with gusto to hand Russia the crown and render academic the second reverse singles between Zvonareva and Navarro and the doubles between Nuria Llagostera and Virginia Ruano Pascual and Elena Vesnina and Ekaterina Makarova.
Vesnina/Makarova breezed past Spanish doubles replacement Nuria Llagostera Vives/Carla Suarez Navarro 6-2, 6-1 for a 4-0 lead.
The final singles rubber was canceled
Kuznetsova, 7th in the WTA rankings, had to dig in for her win in 2 hours 30 minutes as 29th-ranked Medina tried to rescue some home pride.
But although she managed to capture the opening set Kuznetsova stepped up a gear to polish off the win.
Kuznetsova put her win down to an improved service showing.
"I served stronger than yesterday and that helped me. We have two players in the top 10 and so we have a little higher level than them.
"I blew a bit hot and cold but to hand the win to my country is just extraordinary for me. I love playing Fed Cup. I've not had the best year but I am still in the top 10," said the Russian, who added she was going to spend more time training in Moscow and less in Barcelona.
"I love Spain but I really miss my country. It's time to make the change," Kuznetsova said.
Medina meanwhile lamented being unable to hold on after her good start, adding that the Spaniards had given it their best shot throughout the tournament.
"It was a tough match and I was never really close. She really stepped up on the big points we can't criticize this team - we did very well to get to the final with these players and we can be satisfied overall," the Spaniard insisted as the host failed to pick up its sixth Fed Cup title.
Russian strength in depth - it has six players in the WTA top 20 - won out ultimately, with the champion able to land the trophy in the absence of star names such as Maria Sharapova and Olympic champion Elena Dementieva.
Before its purple patch of wins started with a maiden triumph in 2004 the Russians had made losing final appearances in 1988, 1990, 1999 and 2001.
Source: China Daily/Agencies
Olympic Games bronze medalist Vera Zvonareva and former US Open winner Kuznetsova had set up the win on Saturday in beating Garrigues and Carla Suarez Navarro to establish a 2-0 lead.
Kuznetsova then applied herself to the task once again with gusto to hand Russia the crown and render academic the second reverse singles between Zvonareva and Navarro and the doubles between Nuria Llagostera and Virginia Ruano Pascual and Elena Vesnina and Ekaterina Makarova.
Vesnina/Makarova breezed past Spanish doubles replacement Nuria Llagostera Vives/Carla Suarez Navarro 6-2, 6-1 for a 4-0 lead.
The final singles rubber was canceled
Kuznetsova, 7th in the WTA rankings, had to dig in for her win in 2 hours 30 minutes as 29th-ranked Medina tried to rescue some home pride.
But although she managed to capture the opening set Kuznetsova stepped up a gear to polish off the win.
Kuznetsova put her win down to an improved service showing.
"I served stronger than yesterday and that helped me. We have two players in the top 10 and so we have a little higher level than them.
"I blew a bit hot and cold but to hand the win to my country is just extraordinary for me. I love playing Fed Cup. I've not had the best year but I am still in the top 10," said the Russian, who added she was going to spend more time training in Moscow and less in Barcelona.
"I love Spain but I really miss my country. It's time to make the change," Kuznetsova said.
Medina meanwhile lamented being unable to hold on after her good start, adding that the Spaniards had given it their best shot throughout the tournament.
"It was a tough match and I was never really close. She really stepped up on the big points we can't criticize this team - we did very well to get to the final with these players and we can be satisfied overall," the Spaniard insisted as the host failed to pick up its sixth Fed Cup title.
Russian strength in depth - it has six players in the WTA top 20 - won out ultimately, with the champion able to land the trophy in the absence of star names such as Maria Sharapova and Olympic champion Elena Dementieva.
Before its purple patch of wins started with a maiden triumph in 2004 the Russians had made losing final appearances in 1988, 1990, 1999 and 2001.
Source: China Daily/Agencies
Bali to offer big bonus in WTA revamp
NUSA DUA, Indonesia: Winners of WTA International events in 2009 will have the chance of a million-dollar bonus at the new season-ending Bali Tournament of Champions, the WTA announced on Monday.
A player who wins three International tournaments plus the wrap-up round-robin Bali event on this tropical island will earn the bonus on top of her prize money.
The tournament will be limited to the top 10 WTA Tour players who have won at least one International title during the season as well two wildcards, although noone who has qualified for the elite season-ending Championships in Doha is eligible.
The Bali event, to be played indoors, will be staged from Nov 4-8 and feature a 12-woman round robin singles format , with $600,000 in prize money.
Officials at the popular tournament are looking forward to taking it to a new level.
"We are delighted that one of the most popular locations on the tour has been chosen Tournament of Champions," said tournament director Kevin Livesey.
The revamp is part of ambitious new plans for the women's game in 2009, with innovations including four mandatory mega-events in Beijing, Madrid, Miami and Indian Wells, California.
Source: China Daily/Agencies
A player who wins three International tournaments plus the wrap-up round-robin Bali event on this tropical island will earn the bonus on top of her prize money.
The tournament will be limited to the top 10 WTA Tour players who have won at least one International title during the season as well two wildcards, although noone who has qualified for the elite season-ending Championships in Doha is eligible.
The Bali event, to be played indoors, will be staged from Nov 4-8 and feature a 12-woman round robin singles format , with $600,000 in prize money.
Officials at the popular tournament are looking forward to taking it to a new level.
"We are delighted that one of the most popular locations on the tour has been chosen Tournament of Champions," said tournament director Kevin Livesey.
The revamp is part of ambitious new plans for the women's game in 2009, with innovations including four mandatory mega-events in Beijing, Madrid, Miami and Indian Wells, California.
Source: China Daily/Agencies
Richards and Defar finish season in style
STUTTGART: American sprinter Sanya Richards and Ethiopian distance runner Meseret Defar put their Olympic disappointments behind them with victories at the world athletics final on Sunday.
American 400m record holder Richards added the 400m title to her 200m victory on Saturday with a convincing victory over British Olympic champion Christine Ohuruogu in 50.41 seconds.
Defar outkicked Kenyan Vivian Cheruiyot for the second day in a row to win the 3,000m in 8 minutes 43.60 seconds.
Richards finished third in Beijing while Defar lost both her world record in the 5,000m and her Olympic title to compatriot Tirunesh Dibaba.
"Ending my season like this is a good indicator for 2009," Richard told reporters. "Winning the 400 at the world athletics final in the 400 was more important than winning the 200. I will work hard for next year's world championships."
Despite chilly conditions, Jamaican Olympic champion Shelly-Ann Fraser clocked 10.94 seconds to win the women's 100m.
"I wanted to run sub-10.90, but this is still a good time," said Fraser, who emerged from obscurity to earn a spot on the Jamaican Olympic team and followed up with a surprise victory in Beijing. "I'm just so happy to end my season by winning this race."
Kenyan teenager Pamela Jelimo continued her remarkable success story by winning the 800m by more than two seconds in 1:56.23. The 18-year-old, who had not contested the event until April this year, was undefeated this season, winning both the Olympic title and the million dollar Golden League jackpot.
Vlasic triumphs
After two major disappointments, Blanka Vlasic ended her season on a high note with a victory in the high jump. The 24-year-old leaped 2.01m, beating both Olympic champion Tia Hellebaut of Belgium, who was third, and German Ariane Friedrich.
Friedrich's victory over the Croatian in Brussels last weekend cost Vlasic a half share of the Golden League jackpot.
Olympic 400m hurdles champion Melaine Walker won her event in 54.06, nearly a full second ahead of Ukraine's Anastasiya Rebchenyuk. Briton Tasha Danvers of Great Britain, the Olympic bronze medalist, tumbled over the second hurdle and finished eighth.
Elsewhere, Olympic hammer champion Primoz Kozmus of Slovenia won his event with a final round throw of 79.99m. Olympic women's shot put champion Valerie Vili of New Zealand won her event easily with a best of 19.69.
Paul Kipsiele Koech, the season's undisputed number one despite missing the Olympics, won the 3,000m steeplechase
In the absence of world record holder and Olympic champion Dayron Robles who was sidelined due to injury, American David Oliver won the high hurdles in 13.22 seconds.
Oliver, who joined the sub-13 second club this season, was the only man to defeat Robles this year.
Source: China Daily/Agencies
American 400m record holder Richards added the 400m title to her 200m victory on Saturday with a convincing victory over British Olympic champion Christine Ohuruogu in 50.41 seconds.
Defar outkicked Kenyan Vivian Cheruiyot for the second day in a row to win the 3,000m in 8 minutes 43.60 seconds.
Richards finished third in Beijing while Defar lost both her world record in the 5,000m and her Olympic title to compatriot Tirunesh Dibaba.
"Ending my season like this is a good indicator for 2009," Richard told reporters. "Winning the 400 at the world athletics final in the 400 was more important than winning the 200. I will work hard for next year's world championships."
Despite chilly conditions, Jamaican Olympic champion Shelly-Ann Fraser clocked 10.94 seconds to win the women's 100m.
"I wanted to run sub-10.90, but this is still a good time," said Fraser, who emerged from obscurity to earn a spot on the Jamaican Olympic team and followed up with a surprise victory in Beijing. "I'm just so happy to end my season by winning this race."
Kenyan teenager Pamela Jelimo continued her remarkable success story by winning the 800m by more than two seconds in 1:56.23. The 18-year-old, who had not contested the event until April this year, was undefeated this season, winning both the Olympic title and the million dollar Golden League jackpot.
Vlasic triumphs
After two major disappointments, Blanka Vlasic ended her season on a high note with a victory in the high jump. The 24-year-old leaped 2.01m, beating both Olympic champion Tia Hellebaut of Belgium, who was third, and German Ariane Friedrich.
Friedrich's victory over the Croatian in Brussels last weekend cost Vlasic a half share of the Golden League jackpot.
Olympic 400m hurdles champion Melaine Walker won her event in 54.06, nearly a full second ahead of Ukraine's Anastasiya Rebchenyuk. Briton Tasha Danvers of Great Britain, the Olympic bronze medalist, tumbled over the second hurdle and finished eighth.
Elsewhere, Olympic hammer champion Primoz Kozmus of Slovenia won his event with a final round throw of 79.99m. Olympic women's shot put champion Valerie Vili of New Zealand won her event easily with a best of 19.69.
Paul Kipsiele Koech, the season's undisputed number one despite missing the Olympics, won the 3,000m steeplechase
In the absence of world record holder and Olympic champion Dayron Robles who was sidelined due to injury, American David Oliver won the high hurdles in 13.22 seconds.
Oliver, who joined the sub-13 second club this season, was the only man to defeat Robles this year.
Source: China Daily/Agencies
Stanford holds on for LPGA victory over China's Feng
MOBILE, Alabama: Angela Stanford squandered a comfortable cushion but sank a short par putt at the closing hole to hold off China's Feng Shanshan on Sunday and win the inaugural Bell Micro LPGA Classic.
Stanford, who held a four-shot lead heading into the final round, saw it dwindle to one stroke through 17 holes as she posted a double-bogey and three bogeys.
But her 1-over-par final-round 73 was enough to give the 30-year-old American her first LPGA victory since 2003.
She finished with an 11-under total of 277 in the $1.4 million tournament to collect a first-prize of $210,000.
Stanford also received her first champagne victory shower from Tour friends Kristy McPherson and Brittany Lincicome.
" felt great. I didn't get that my first time, the first win in '03," Stanford said. "So I think I'm pretty fortunate and very blessed to have friends out here that are so awesome and they're so sweet to hang around - they're just great.
"The final hole was a little more drama than I would have wanted, so it was a welcome treat to be greeted by my friends."
Nearly five years ago, Stanford went wire-to-wire to emerge victorious at the ShopRite LPGA Classic.
A week after that win, Stanford was part of a three-way, 18-hole playoff for the US Women's Open, which was won by Hilary Lunke.
"I'm more relieved than excited," she said. "I'm sure I'll be excited later, but just relieved that I did it again."
Feng carded a final-round 68 for a 10-under total of 278, while Kim Hall was third on eight-under 280.
Feng's round included an eagle at the par-five fourth, where she chipped from the fringe and tapped in, as well as four birdies and one bogey.
She did all she could to catch Stanford with a birdie at 18, where she knocked an 11-iron to 3 feet.
"I was pretty nervous at the last hole because I had a chance to win, but I had to make a birdie.
"And I hit a very great shot, just 3 feet by the hole, and I made it. So I was really happy, but I know that was all I could do. I tried my best."
Stanford, playing in the group behind Feng, eventually made her par for the victory, but Feng said putting pressure on the leader was her intent.
"I had a couple of chances to win earlier this year, so I'm thinking about the win, so I was trying," said the rookie, who notched her best finish on the LPGA Tour. "I was close."
Source: China Daily/Agencies
Stanford, who held a four-shot lead heading into the final round, saw it dwindle to one stroke through 17 holes as she posted a double-bogey and three bogeys.
But her 1-over-par final-round 73 was enough to give the 30-year-old American her first LPGA victory since 2003.
She finished with an 11-under total of 277 in the $1.4 million tournament to collect a first-prize of $210,000.
Stanford also received her first champagne victory shower from Tour friends Kristy McPherson and Brittany Lincicome.
" felt great. I didn't get that my first time, the first win in '03," Stanford said. "So I think I'm pretty fortunate and very blessed to have friends out here that are so awesome and they're so sweet to hang around - they're just great.
"The final hole was a little more drama than I would have wanted, so it was a welcome treat to be greeted by my friends."
Nearly five years ago, Stanford went wire-to-wire to emerge victorious at the ShopRite LPGA Classic.
A week after that win, Stanford was part of a three-way, 18-hole playoff for the US Women's Open, which was won by Hilary Lunke.
"I'm more relieved than excited," she said. "I'm sure I'll be excited later, but just relieved that I did it again."
Feng carded a final-round 68 for a 10-under total of 278, while Kim Hall was third on eight-under 280.
Feng's round included an eagle at the par-five fourth, where she chipped from the fringe and tapped in, as well as four birdies and one bogey.
She did all she could to catch Stanford with a birdie at 18, where she knocked an 11-iron to 3 feet.
"I was pretty nervous at the last hole because I had a chance to win, but I had to make a birdie.
"And I hit a very great shot, just 3 feet by the hole, and I made it. So I was really happy, but I know that was all I could do. I tried my best."
Stanford, playing in the group behind Feng, eventually made her par for the victory, but Feng said putting pressure on the leader was her intent.
"I had a couple of chances to win earlier this year, so I'm thinking about the win, so I was trying," said the rookie, who notched her best finish on the LPGA Tour. "I was close."
Source: China Daily/Agencies
Swimming roundup: USA regains dominance at Beijing Paralympics
Curtain was lowered for the nine-day swimming competitions at the Beijing Paralympics here on Monday as the United States regained its supremacy in the pool after suffering a slump in Athens four years ago.
Ace swimmer Erin Popovich spearheaded the U.S. team to overtake hosts China, who finished top of the swimming programs in Athens with 19 golds, in Beijing.
The 23-year-old Popovich, who stands 1.34 meters tall, was born with achondroplasia which restricts the growth of her limbs. But her miraculous run in Beijing has proven disabilities don't necessarily means limits.
Popovich claimed four straight wins in her favorite 200m individual medley SM7, 100m freestyle, 100m breaststroke and 400m freestyle. Four golds and two silvers out of six events put her to the top of the multi-medallists among American swimmers.
With the feats in the National Aquatics Center, better known as Water Cube, Popovich is seen as a Paralympic equivalent to American Olympian Phelps, who won his record eight swimming gold medals a few weeks ago. But the humble girl said the "superfish" was her idol and inspired her performance in Beijing.
"That's a great honour to be compared to him. He's obviously a wonderful swimmer and it's very incredible to see what he's been able to do. Seeing like what he did a few weeks ago here inspired me a lot and also gave me what needs to come here and to be successful." said Popovich.
Elsewhere, though losing the leading place on the medal table, China's dominance on the short race still exist.
Among them, Du Jianping, the opening gold medallist for the hosts' delegation of the Games, grabbed four golds in 50m backstroke S3, 100m freestyle, 4X50m freestyle relays 20 PTS, 4X50m medley relays to become China's most winning swimmer of the Games.
With the 25-year-old Du's lead, China clinched the last swimming gold medal on Monday night.
In men's 4X50m medley relays, Chinese quartet Du, Tang Yuan, Xu Qing and Yang Yuanrun overtook the lead after the final 50-meter turn and touched wall first with Yang's strong spurt. Their winning time 2 minutes 33.15 seconds also shattered the Brazilian's world record set in 2007, chopping 0.44 seconds.
China's newly-crowned leader Du said he didn't imagine he could make such feats before the Games.
"I didn't expect that I could win four golds. I will dedicate one of them to my coach, one to my parents and the other two to myself. I'm very happy with my performance in this Paralympics and I'm relaxed now." said the humble winner.
Another highlight of day came in men's 4x100m medley 34PTS. The Australian quartet, who took the lead after the 200-meter turn, out-touched Chinese counterparts by a margin of 0.77 seconds. The Aussie's winning time of 4:11.90 also broke the former world mark.
More than 560 swimmers with disabilities from around the world competed here in 140 events.
A total of 132 world records fell in the pool. The United States led the swimming tally with 17 golds, followed by China and Ukraine both with 13.
On the multi-medallist table, South African star Natalie du Toit and Australia's Matthew Cowdrey both grabbed five gold medals to become the most crowned swimmers in Beijing.
Source: Xinhua
Ace swimmer Erin Popovich spearheaded the U.S. team to overtake hosts China, who finished top of the swimming programs in Athens with 19 golds, in Beijing.
The 23-year-old Popovich, who stands 1.34 meters tall, was born with achondroplasia which restricts the growth of her limbs. But her miraculous run in Beijing has proven disabilities don't necessarily means limits.
Popovich claimed four straight wins in her favorite 200m individual medley SM7, 100m freestyle, 100m breaststroke and 400m freestyle. Four golds and two silvers out of six events put her to the top of the multi-medallists among American swimmers.
With the feats in the National Aquatics Center, better known as Water Cube, Popovich is seen as a Paralympic equivalent to American Olympian Phelps, who won his record eight swimming gold medals a few weeks ago. But the humble girl said the "superfish" was her idol and inspired her performance in Beijing.
"That's a great honour to be compared to him. He's obviously a wonderful swimmer and it's very incredible to see what he's been able to do. Seeing like what he did a few weeks ago here inspired me a lot and also gave me what needs to come here and to be successful." said Popovich.
Elsewhere, though losing the leading place on the medal table, China's dominance on the short race still exist.
Among them, Du Jianping, the opening gold medallist for the hosts' delegation of the Games, grabbed four golds in 50m backstroke S3, 100m freestyle, 4X50m freestyle relays 20 PTS, 4X50m medley relays to become China's most winning swimmer of the Games.
With the 25-year-old Du's lead, China clinched the last swimming gold medal on Monday night.
In men's 4X50m medley relays, Chinese quartet Du, Tang Yuan, Xu Qing and Yang Yuanrun overtook the lead after the final 50-meter turn and touched wall first with Yang's strong spurt. Their winning time 2 minutes 33.15 seconds also shattered the Brazilian's world record set in 2007, chopping 0.44 seconds.
China's newly-crowned leader Du said he didn't imagine he could make such feats before the Games.
"I didn't expect that I could win four golds. I will dedicate one of them to my coach, one to my parents and the other two to myself. I'm very happy with my performance in this Paralympics and I'm relaxed now." said the humble winner.
Another highlight of day came in men's 4x100m medley 34PTS. The Australian quartet, who took the lead after the 200-meter turn, out-touched Chinese counterparts by a margin of 0.77 seconds. The Aussie's winning time of 4:11.90 also broke the former world mark.
More than 560 swimmers with disabilities from around the world competed here in 140 events.
A total of 132 world records fell in the pool. The United States led the swimming tally with 17 golds, followed by China and Ukraine both with 13.
On the multi-medallist table, South African star Natalie du Toit and Australia's Matthew Cowdrey both grabbed five gold medals to become the most crowned swimmers in Beijing.
Source: Xinhua
Victor Vettel makes F1 history
MONZA, Italy: German Sebastian Vettel on Sunday won the Italian Grand Prix in treacherous wet conditions to become the youngest race winner in Formula One history.
The 21-year-old led all the way from the lights to the checkered flag to give his Toro Rosso team the greatest day in their history.
"I don't know what to say but this is just unbelievable. I feel so happy for me, for my family and the team," Vettel said.
"When I stood on the podium and saw the crowd it was a moment I will never forget for the rest of my life.
"We had a difficult start to the season and so who would have believed this - a pole and a win."
Championship leader Lewis Hamilton was seventh in his McLaren, after starting from 15th, but his advantage was cut to just one point with four races left.
"At least it was damage control. We came away with some points and we're still in the lead in the championship," said Hamilton whose title rival Felipe Massa was sixth in a Ferrari.
"It's definitely a relief knowing that we came out of here with some points and we didn't lose too many to anyone else."
Vettel, who also made history on Saturday by becoming the youngest driver to win pole, drove superbly to finish almost 13 seconds ahead of Heikki Kovalainen, in a McLaren, with Poland's Robert Kubica finishing third for BMW Sauber.
Kovalainen was happy with his performance, and took the time to praise the German boy wonder.
"Sebastian and Toro Rosso were strong all weekend and I had problems early on with the extreme wet tyres and my brakes.
"I think this was the best we can do today - good points and just look ahead now. I'm disappointed not to win."
Two-time world champion Spaniard Fernando Alonso was fourth for Renault, German Nick Heidfeld fifth in the second BMW and Massa sixth for Ferrari, scoring his first ever points in an Italian Grand Prix.
Australian Mark Webber came home eighth for Red Bull after a wheel-bashing incident with Hamilton in a contest that threw up as much incident as the previous week's controversial Belgian Grand Prix.
The race was only the fifth truly wet contest held at Monza in more than 50 years of world championship events, and the first run in such difficult conditions since the heyday of former champion Frenchman Alain Prost in 1981.
The previous youngest race winner was Spaniard Alonso, who was 22 years and 26 days old when he won the 2003 Hungarian Grand Prix for Renault. Vettel will not be 22 until July 3, next year. Vettel is 21 years and 73 days old.
Vettel romped into a strong lead after the safety car left the track, and soon established a comfortable margin in his Toro Rosso.
In the midfield, where Hamilton and Raikkonen started 15th and 14th, it took time before they could work their way forward and gain positions.
But Hamilton soon surged into a points-scoring eighth place, passing Kubica in his BMW Sauber.
Vettel, having established a lead of more than 11 seconds, came into the pits after 18 of the 53 laps and took on a fresh set of full-wet tyres.
Hamilton, clearly relishing the performance of his McLaren car, then ate into former team-mate Alonso's advantage and passed him for seventh place.
The Brit then pitted after 27 laps from second place, rejoining 10th, as several other drivers began to come in for fresh tyres and fuel.
By lap 32, Vettel was still out in front, 12.3 seconds clear of Kovalainen, with Kubica up to third, without a stop ahead of Mark Webber, and Massa was fifth.
Vettel and Hamilton soon pitted again as the rain held off and the Briton was left to work his way back up the field from 10th. Soon, he was up to seventh and clocking the fastest lap again.
But the history-making German stayed clear with a lead of 12.5 seconds ahead of Kovalainen as Kubica, Alonso and Nick Heidfeld finished ahead of Massa, fighting to defend his sixth place against Hamilton.
Source: China Daily/Agencies
The 21-year-old led all the way from the lights to the checkered flag to give his Toro Rosso team the greatest day in their history.
"I don't know what to say but this is just unbelievable. I feel so happy for me, for my family and the team," Vettel said.
"When I stood on the podium and saw the crowd it was a moment I will never forget for the rest of my life.
"We had a difficult start to the season and so who would have believed this - a pole and a win."
Championship leader Lewis Hamilton was seventh in his McLaren, after starting from 15th, but his advantage was cut to just one point with four races left.
"At least it was damage control. We came away with some points and we're still in the lead in the championship," said Hamilton whose title rival Felipe Massa was sixth in a Ferrari.
"It's definitely a relief knowing that we came out of here with some points and we didn't lose too many to anyone else."
Vettel, who also made history on Saturday by becoming the youngest driver to win pole, drove superbly to finish almost 13 seconds ahead of Heikki Kovalainen, in a McLaren, with Poland's Robert Kubica finishing third for BMW Sauber.
Kovalainen was happy with his performance, and took the time to praise the German boy wonder.
"Sebastian and Toro Rosso were strong all weekend and I had problems early on with the extreme wet tyres and my brakes.
"I think this was the best we can do today - good points and just look ahead now. I'm disappointed not to win."
Two-time world champion Spaniard Fernando Alonso was fourth for Renault, German Nick Heidfeld fifth in the second BMW and Massa sixth for Ferrari, scoring his first ever points in an Italian Grand Prix.
Australian Mark Webber came home eighth for Red Bull after a wheel-bashing incident with Hamilton in a contest that threw up as much incident as the previous week's controversial Belgian Grand Prix.
The race was only the fifth truly wet contest held at Monza in more than 50 years of world championship events, and the first run in such difficult conditions since the heyday of former champion Frenchman Alain Prost in 1981.
The previous youngest race winner was Spaniard Alonso, who was 22 years and 26 days old when he won the 2003 Hungarian Grand Prix for Renault. Vettel will not be 22 until July 3, next year. Vettel is 21 years and 73 days old.
Vettel romped into a strong lead after the safety car left the track, and soon established a comfortable margin in his Toro Rosso.
In the midfield, where Hamilton and Raikkonen started 15th and 14th, it took time before they could work their way forward and gain positions.
But Hamilton soon surged into a points-scoring eighth place, passing Kubica in his BMW Sauber.
Vettel, having established a lead of more than 11 seconds, came into the pits after 18 of the 53 laps and took on a fresh set of full-wet tyres.
Hamilton, clearly relishing the performance of his McLaren car, then ate into former team-mate Alonso's advantage and passed him for seventh place.
The Brit then pitted after 27 laps from second place, rejoining 10th, as several other drivers began to come in for fresh tyres and fuel.
By lap 32, Vettel was still out in front, 12.3 seconds clear of Kovalainen, with Kubica up to third, without a stop ahead of Mark Webber, and Massa was fifth.
Vettel and Hamilton soon pitted again as the rain held off and the Briton was left to work his way back up the field from 10th. Soon, he was up to seventh and clocking the fastest lap again.
But the history-making German stayed clear with a lead of 12.5 seconds ahead of Kovalainen as Kubica, Alonso and Nick Heidfeld finished ahead of Massa, fighting to defend his sixth place against Hamilton.
Source: China Daily/Agencies
Australia holds off Japan for bronze medal of women's wheelchair basketball
Australia outlasted Japan 53-47 in the bronze medal game of women's wheelchair basketball at the Beijing Paralympics on Monday.
Despite 21 turnovers and a flurry of missed scoring opportunities in the fourth quarter, Australia proved to be a tough team for Japan.
Australia, the defending silver medallists, held on to victory as guard Kylie Gauci hit a clutch three-point shot and a foul shot, forward Sarah Stewart made a field goal and a foul shot, and forward Cobi Crispin made a free throw in the last three minutes of play.
"We could have beat United States in the semifinals to be in the gold medal game. Unfortunately we didn't, but we wanted to come out and win the bronze medal," said Kylie Gauci.
"It's unreal. A lot of people come to the Paralympic Games and don't win a medal, so to get third in the world is amazing. Hopefully in four more years we will be there for the gold medal."
"The game has changed. Canada is normally first or second in the world, and we kicked them out in the quarterfinals. Everyone is coming up and getting better. We're all getting closer to the top, and it's anyone's game," added she.
Forward Liesl Tesch contributed the most points of 16 and rebounds of 14 for Australia, while forward Mari Amimoto was the game's highest scorer with 18 points.
"It's unreal. We are third in the world, and it's a great achievement," said Shelley Chaplin, Australian forward.
"I think we were all really disappointed we are not playing in the gold medal game, but I think we came together because we didn't want to go home fourth.
"Japan played amazing, and congratulations to them. They played really well and gave us a great game tonight. It wasn't easy for us by any means."
Source: Xinhua
Despite 21 turnovers and a flurry of missed scoring opportunities in the fourth quarter, Australia proved to be a tough team for Japan.
Australia, the defending silver medallists, held on to victory as guard Kylie Gauci hit a clutch three-point shot and a foul shot, forward Sarah Stewart made a field goal and a foul shot, and forward Cobi Crispin made a free throw in the last three minutes of play.
"We could have beat United States in the semifinals to be in the gold medal game. Unfortunately we didn't, but we wanted to come out and win the bronze medal," said Kylie Gauci.
"It's unreal. A lot of people come to the Paralympic Games and don't win a medal, so to get third in the world is amazing. Hopefully in four more years we will be there for the gold medal."
"The game has changed. Canada is normally first or second in the world, and we kicked them out in the quarterfinals. Everyone is coming up and getting better. We're all getting closer to the top, and it's anyone's game," added she.
Forward Liesl Tesch contributed the most points of 16 and rebounds of 14 for Australia, while forward Mari Amimoto was the game's highest scorer with 18 points.
"It's unreal. We are third in the world, and it's a great achievement," said Shelley Chaplin, Australian forward.
"I think we were all really disappointed we are not playing in the gold medal game, but I think we came together because we didn't want to go home fourth.
"Japan played amazing, and congratulations to them. They played really well and gave us a great game tonight. It wasn't easy for us by any means."
Source: Xinhua
U.S., Australia to fight for wheelchair rugby gold at Beijing Paralympics
The United States, twice Paralympic champion, looks for gold redemption in the wheelchair rugby final against Australia after outlasting Britain 35-32 in the semifinal on Monday, while the Britons will play Canada for bronze medal.
The Americans won first two gold medals since the sport was introduced to the Paralympics in 1996 in Atlanta, but they managed only bronze in Athens.
The U.S. showed their world's No. 1 team quality with impressive control of ball in front of more than 6,000 spectators, including Jacques Rogge, president of the International Olympic Committee , once a rugby player of Belgium.
The IOC president was so impressed and showed great interest with the sport after the match.
"I like the sport. I used to be a rugby player myself so I enjoy it. It is close to rugby as it is a contact sport," he said. "I watched a game for the first time on TV last week and I enjoyed it."
American Will Groulx scored 13 goals to lead his side, while Troye Collins contributed 14 goals for Britain.
Groux, who won a bronze in Athens, said he was looking forward to his first individual Paralympic gold.
"This was the most important game for both of us, so there was a lot of pressure. But we have done our part to get us into the final. So now we just have to take it as it comes, do what we do best and play to win," he said.
In another semifinal, Australian "Magic Boy" Ryley Batt led his team to upset Athens silver winner Canada 41-40. The 19-year-old talent scored the last of his 23 goals with 7.7 seconds left in the overtime to give Australia in the decisive point.
Canada played aggressive defence throughout the game but failed of offence, coughing up nine balls. Mike Whitehead and Fabien Lavoie, who scored to tie the game in the last second of the regular time, shared a team-high 13 goals.
In the fifth playoffs in the afternoon, defending champion New Zealand found no trouble to beat host China 47-34 , while Germany harvested a sweaty 39-38 win over Japan in an overtime thriller.
New Zealand established a five-goal lead at the end of the second quarter and never looked back, though China played their best game of the tournament to even narrow the gap to seven points in the second quarter.
New Zealand will play Germany for the fifth place, while the Chinese will fight for the seventh finish against Japan. The hosts lost their last preliminary 55-38 to the Japanese.
"I don't believe there's a magic tomorrow, but I believe my players will not let the Chinese spectators down," said Chinese head coach Wen Yan.
Source: Xinhua
The Americans won first two gold medals since the sport was introduced to the Paralympics in 1996 in Atlanta, but they managed only bronze in Athens.
The U.S. showed their world's No. 1 team quality with impressive control of ball in front of more than 6,000 spectators, including Jacques Rogge, president of the International Olympic Committee , once a rugby player of Belgium.
The IOC president was so impressed and showed great interest with the sport after the match.
"I like the sport. I used to be a rugby player myself so I enjoy it. It is close to rugby as it is a contact sport," he said. "I watched a game for the first time on TV last week and I enjoyed it."
American Will Groulx scored 13 goals to lead his side, while Troye Collins contributed 14 goals for Britain.
Groux, who won a bronze in Athens, said he was looking forward to his first individual Paralympic gold.
"This was the most important game for both of us, so there was a lot of pressure. But we have done our part to get us into the final. So now we just have to take it as it comes, do what we do best and play to win," he said.
In another semifinal, Australian "Magic Boy" Ryley Batt led his team to upset Athens silver winner Canada 41-40. The 19-year-old talent scored the last of his 23 goals with 7.7 seconds left in the overtime to give Australia in the decisive point.
Canada played aggressive defence throughout the game but failed of offence, coughing up nine balls. Mike Whitehead and Fabien Lavoie, who scored to tie the game in the last second of the regular time, shared a team-high 13 goals.
In the fifth playoffs in the afternoon, defending champion New Zealand found no trouble to beat host China 47-34 , while Germany harvested a sweaty 39-38 win over Japan in an overtime thriller.
New Zealand established a five-goal lead at the end of the second quarter and never looked back, though China played their best game of the tournament to even narrow the gap to seven points in the second quarter.
New Zealand will play Germany for the fifth place, while the Chinese will fight for the seventh finish against Japan. The hosts lost their last preliminary 55-38 to the Japanese.
"I don't believe there's a magic tomorrow, but I believe my players will not let the Chinese spectators down," said Chinese head coach Wen Yan.
Source: Xinhua
Athlete's sight depends on gold
If Far East Games silver medalist Svetlana Makeyeva beats the odds and wins the 200m T12 on Tuesday, she will claim the jackpot she needs to pay for a series of expensive injections in her eyes to halt a crippling eye disease.
"I don't think it's possible," she told China Daily over the weekend.
"I've been self-training for these Games and I didn't really get any support or a coach until recently, so a medal will be very difficult."
With her sprinter's physique, model good looks and special forces' combat training, it is difficult at first glance to see how the 26-year-old Kazakh stunner could possibly qualify for the Paralympic Games - until she is within striking distance.
She contracted a disease at the age of 15 that accelerates the degeneration of both retinas, a major handicap that forces her to rely solely on her peripheral vision and map people's features while standing at an oblique angle to them.
"In front of me everything is blank," she said.
"When I sprint, I only see colors, and the track on either side of my feet."
Running blind is as unnerving as it sounds, especially for the long jump, she said.
"I often feel scared," she laughed.
"When I run, I try not to think about the jump, and how dangerous it is. When I don't think about it, I jump better."
Her fear of jumping the gun in her first event, the 100m, caused her to hesitate before unleashing her explosive legs, making her too slow out of the blocks to recover.
Given her low expectations of Sunday night's long jump final, this makes the 200m her last chance to grab the $50,000 promised by her native Kazakhstan in return for a gold medal - so she can save what is left of her eyesight.
"Of course she can run the 200m in a decent time," Vladimir Radosnov, her 72-year-old coach, said.
"But we've really got no idea how fast she'll go. Maybe 28 seconds."
This would put her in easy contention for a regional Paralympic title, but it makes her a long shot for gold medal, or for the $30,000 Kazakhstan is reportedly offering for silver or $20,000 for bronze.
Money is a major issue for Kazakhstan's Paralympic athletes, who are unpaid, and Makeyeva is no exception.
A pair of lenses back home costs in the region of $800, while the injections she needs cost 1,200 euros each and require a return flight ticket to one of several European destinations.
She needs 20 injections - 10 in each eye.
All of which puts Makeyeva heavily in the spotlight, as the only person under 45 in the country's three-person Paralympic squad.
The other two, a male swimmer and female weightlifter, are veterans from the Soviet Union era.
However, even this small and aging squad is a major step up from four years ago in Athens, where several of Makeyeva's compatriots had to petition the Ministry of Sports to let them go there on the back of private sponsors.
Makeyeva was destined to be an athlete.
She was already involved in volleyball, gymnastics and dancing before her eyesight started to deteriorate.
"I worry about her health," her coach said.
"She's strong enough, but it all depends on her eyes. I don't want to overstrain her, so we cut a lot of training sessions to make it safer."
"The important thing is that she must not focus only on the result, but rather the techniques I taught her," Radosnov said.
"Then we could get a result."
Source: China Daily
"I don't think it's possible," she told China Daily over the weekend.
"I've been self-training for these Games and I didn't really get any support or a coach until recently, so a medal will be very difficult."
With her sprinter's physique, model good looks and special forces' combat training, it is difficult at first glance to see how the 26-year-old Kazakh stunner could possibly qualify for the Paralympic Games - until she is within striking distance.
She contracted a disease at the age of 15 that accelerates the degeneration of both retinas, a major handicap that forces her to rely solely on her peripheral vision and map people's features while standing at an oblique angle to them.
"In front of me everything is blank," she said.
"When I sprint, I only see colors, and the track on either side of my feet."
Running blind is as unnerving as it sounds, especially for the long jump, she said.
"I often feel scared," she laughed.
"When I run, I try not to think about the jump, and how dangerous it is. When I don't think about it, I jump better."
Her fear of jumping the gun in her first event, the 100m, caused her to hesitate before unleashing her explosive legs, making her too slow out of the blocks to recover.
Given her low expectations of Sunday night's long jump final, this makes the 200m her last chance to grab the $50,000 promised by her native Kazakhstan in return for a gold medal - so she can save what is left of her eyesight.
"Of course she can run the 200m in a decent time," Vladimir Radosnov, her 72-year-old coach, said.
"But we've really got no idea how fast she'll go. Maybe 28 seconds."
This would put her in easy contention for a regional Paralympic title, but it makes her a long shot for gold medal, or for the $30,000 Kazakhstan is reportedly offering for silver or $20,000 for bronze.
Money is a major issue for Kazakhstan's Paralympic athletes, who are unpaid, and Makeyeva is no exception.
A pair of lenses back home costs in the region of $800, while the injections she needs cost 1,200 euros each and require a return flight ticket to one of several European destinations.
She needs 20 injections - 10 in each eye.
All of which puts Makeyeva heavily in the spotlight, as the only person under 45 in the country's three-person Paralympic squad.
The other two, a male swimmer and female weightlifter, are veterans from the Soviet Union era.
However, even this small and aging squad is a major step up from four years ago in Athens, where several of Makeyeva's compatriots had to petition the Ministry of Sports to let them go there on the back of private sponsors.
Makeyeva was destined to be an athlete.
She was already involved in volleyball, gymnastics and dancing before her eyesight started to deteriorate.
"I worry about her health," her coach said.
"She's strong enough, but it all depends on her eyes. I don't want to overstrain her, so we cut a lot of training sessions to make it safer."
"The important thing is that she must not focus only on the result, but rather the techniques I taught her," Radosnov said.
"Then we could get a result."
Source: China Daily
U.S. beats Germany for gold, Australia takes bronze in women's wheelchair basketball
Defending champion the United States defeated Germany 50-38 for the women's wheelchair basketball gold medal while defending silver medallist Australia held off Japan 53-47 to win the bronze on Monday at the National Indoor Stadium.
Canada, defending bronze medallist, knocked out the Netherlands in the 5th-6th place playoff and China outlasted Britain in 7th-8th.
The United States, who won the gold medal at Athens 2004, kept a close guard on Germany with their man-on-man defence style that minimized Germany's scoring opportunities.
Center Marina Mohnen Hnen, who scored 13 points, was the only German to have scored over six points.
Forward Carlee Hoffman and guard Stephanie Wheeler helped seal the United States' victory by each hitting two free throws in the last two minutes of play.
Germany committed several fouls in the fourth quarter and allowed a game total of 19 turnovers, from which the United States scored 11 points.
Despite 21 turnovers and a flurry of missed scoring chances in the fourth quarter, Australia, the defending silver medallist, held on for a 53-47 victory over Japan.
Guard Kylie Gauci hit a clutch three-point shot and a foul shot, forward Sarah Stewart made a field goal and a foul shot, and forward Cobi Crispin made a free throw in the last three minutes of play.
Forward Mari Amimoto was the game's top scorer with 18 points.
Canada crushed the Netherlands 61-32 to finish fifth.
Three players scored in the double digits for Canada, whose tight defence limited the Netherlands to scoring only 10 points in the second half.
The Netherlands hit fewer than half of the field goals and two-point shots that Canada did.
Guard Inge Huitzing was the only player from the Netherlands to have scored over six points.
China thrashed Britain 57-38 in the play-off game for 7th-8th place.
Center Fu Yongqing led China's relentless offence by scoring 28 points. China overcame a first-quarter deficit of six points and poured in shots for the rest of the game to earn their second win of the tournament.
They outscored Britain 20-2 in the second quarter. Forward Helen Freeman was the top British scorer, but none of the British players scored above seven points.
Source: Xinhua
Canada, defending bronze medallist, knocked out the Netherlands in the 5th-6th place playoff and China outlasted Britain in 7th-8th.
The United States, who won the gold medal at Athens 2004, kept a close guard on Germany with their man-on-man defence style that minimized Germany's scoring opportunities.
Center Marina Mohnen Hnen, who scored 13 points, was the only German to have scored over six points.
Forward Carlee Hoffman and guard Stephanie Wheeler helped seal the United States' victory by each hitting two free throws in the last two minutes of play.
Germany committed several fouls in the fourth quarter and allowed a game total of 19 turnovers, from which the United States scored 11 points.
Despite 21 turnovers and a flurry of missed scoring chances in the fourth quarter, Australia, the defending silver medallist, held on for a 53-47 victory over Japan.
Guard Kylie Gauci hit a clutch three-point shot and a foul shot, forward Sarah Stewart made a field goal and a foul shot, and forward Cobi Crispin made a free throw in the last three minutes of play.
Forward Mari Amimoto was the game's top scorer with 18 points.
Canada crushed the Netherlands 61-32 to finish fifth.
Three players scored in the double digits for Canada, whose tight defence limited the Netherlands to scoring only 10 points in the second half.
The Netherlands hit fewer than half of the field goals and two-point shots that Canada did.
Guard Inge Huitzing was the only player from the Netherlands to have scored over six points.
China thrashed Britain 57-38 in the play-off game for 7th-8th place.
Center Fu Yongqing led China's relentless offence by scoring 28 points. China overcame a first-quarter deficit of six points and poured in shots for the rest of the game to earn their second win of the tournament.
They outscored Britain 20-2 in the second quarter. Forward Helen Freeman was the top British scorer, but none of the British players scored above seven points.
Source: Xinhua
Determination leads to silver
China-born Sugui Kriss kissed her first silver medal and cheered with her US teammates on Sunday, after the final match of the women's sitting volleyball competition at the Paralympics.
"It's so special to get a silver medal on a traditional Chinese festival day," she said, dressed in her lucky No7 T-shirt.
"It is the best moon cake I could possibly share with my parents.
"The special feeling is being here with the US team, playing alongside them and having fun in Beijing," she said.
Sugui was born in Kunming, Yunnan province, but was adopted at the age of 8 by American couple Charles and Marilyn Kriss.
She lost the use of half of her fingers and part of her right foot due to a condition called amniotic band syndrome, a congenital disorder caused by the entrapment of fetal parts in fibrous amniotic bands while in utero.
Sugui's family lives in New York. Her father is a lawyer and her mother quit her job as a nurse some years ago to look after 6 children, including Sugui and two Indian boys the couple also adopted.
Her parents accompanied her to China.
"We were told that 'Sugui' in Chinese means silent flower, and that exactly was my first impression about my little Chinese daughter," Charles Kriss told China Daily on Sunday in Beijing.
"When I first saw her 13 years ago at JFK airport, Sugui had a small backpack with a few clothes and books that she'd brought from China.
"She couldn't speak any English and left her birthplace lonely and silently," her father said.
"Today, everything is different!"
Sugui surprised her parents by adjusting to her new life quickly and grew up to be a confident girl. She became fascinated with volleyball and became a player in the regular team at high school.
She is better than many able-bodied people when she wears the artificial foot, her father said.
Sugui said she wanted to show she could overcome any difficulty.
"Despite my disabilities, I can do anything I want, so for everybody, just keep going."
Source: China Daily
"It's so special to get a silver medal on a traditional Chinese festival day," she said, dressed in her lucky No7 T-shirt.
"It is the best moon cake I could possibly share with my parents.
"The special feeling is being here with the US team, playing alongside them and having fun in Beijing," she said.
Sugui was born in Kunming, Yunnan province, but was adopted at the age of 8 by American couple Charles and Marilyn Kriss.
She lost the use of half of her fingers and part of her right foot due to a condition called amniotic band syndrome, a congenital disorder caused by the entrapment of fetal parts in fibrous amniotic bands while in utero.
Sugui's family lives in New York. Her father is a lawyer and her mother quit her job as a nurse some years ago to look after 6 children, including Sugui and two Indian boys the couple also adopted.
Her parents accompanied her to China.
"We were told that 'Sugui' in Chinese means silent flower, and that exactly was my first impression about my little Chinese daughter," Charles Kriss told China Daily on Sunday in Beijing.
"When I first saw her 13 years ago at JFK airport, Sugui had a small backpack with a few clothes and books that she'd brought from China.
"She couldn't speak any English and left her birthplace lonely and silently," her father said.
"Today, everything is different!"
Sugui surprised her parents by adjusting to her new life quickly and grew up to be a confident girl. She became fascinated with volleyball and became a player in the regular team at high school.
She is better than many able-bodied people when she wears the artificial foot, her father said.
Sugui said she wanted to show she could overcome any difficulty.
"Despite my disabilities, I can do anything I want, so for everybody, just keep going."
Source: China Daily
Sprinter loves his flexi-feet
Without the help of a flex feet prosthetics, Australian Paralympian Stephen Wilson may not have had the chance to participate in three Paralympics since Sydney, where he won two gold medals.
Not just for Wilson, the flex feet have been a first-choice prosthetic for most athletes with one or both legs amputated, including "Blade Runner" Oscar Pistorius of South Africa.
The J-shaped prosthetic sprinting foot takes the place of an amputated leg using carbon fibre and titanium for strength, light weight and extra flexibility. It initially was fairly limited, suitable only for certain types of amputees.
"Now everyone uses it," Wilson, 36, said after finishing 5th in the 100m final of class T-44 at the Bird's Nest.
"I have been running on this for about 10 years. It makes my job easier than running on a standard leg," he said.
Wilson was just 12 when he was run over by a truck. His injury was so serious that doctors were forced to amputate his right leg, just below the knee. The accident happened two days before an athletics carnival in which Wilson had intended to compete.
"I thought I was washed up! No more sport. Enjoy myself? I thought it was pretty tough," Wilson said.
However, after having an artificial leg made, he discovered he could still play sport with his friends. In year 10, he was a member of his high school's second team for basketball.
Wilson went as a spectator to the Australian Disabled Athletics Championships in 1996.
It was the first time he had seen other amputees run. He watched what they achieved and thought there was no reason why he could not do the same.
But the prosthetic, or "standard", legs he used at the start "were not as good as these now", he said.
"When I was young, they were a lot heavier and didn't give you a lot push back," Wilson, said.
"I think sport has given me a sense of worth.
"Being disabled, you may think I am sick. But with the prosthetic, I know I run faster than most people with two legs," the father of three children, said.
At the Paralympic Village there is a center to repair false limbs and wheelchairs.
Sponsored by Otto Bock HealthCare GmbH, the center has provided free services to more than 1,500 international athletes.
Source: China Daily
Not just for Wilson, the flex feet have been a first-choice prosthetic for most athletes with one or both legs amputated, including "Blade Runner" Oscar Pistorius of South Africa.
The J-shaped prosthetic sprinting foot takes the place of an amputated leg using carbon fibre and titanium for strength, light weight and extra flexibility. It initially was fairly limited, suitable only for certain types of amputees.
"Now everyone uses it," Wilson, 36, said after finishing 5th in the 100m final of class T-44 at the Bird's Nest.
"I have been running on this for about 10 years. It makes my job easier than running on a standard leg," he said.
Wilson was just 12 when he was run over by a truck. His injury was so serious that doctors were forced to amputate his right leg, just below the knee. The accident happened two days before an athletics carnival in which Wilson had intended to compete.
"I thought I was washed up! No more sport. Enjoy myself? I thought it was pretty tough," Wilson said.
However, after having an artificial leg made, he discovered he could still play sport with his friends. In year 10, he was a member of his high school's second team for basketball.
Wilson went as a spectator to the Australian Disabled Athletics Championships in 1996.
It was the first time he had seen other amputees run. He watched what they achieved and thought there was no reason why he could not do the same.
But the prosthetic, or "standard", legs he used at the start "were not as good as these now", he said.
"When I was young, they were a lot heavier and didn't give you a lot push back," Wilson, said.
"I think sport has given me a sense of worth.
"Being disabled, you may think I am sick. But with the prosthetic, I know I run faster than most people with two legs," the father of three children, said.
At the Paralympic Village there is a center to repair false limbs and wheelchairs.
Sponsored by Otto Bock HealthCare GmbH, the center has provided free services to more than 1,500 international athletes.
Source: China Daily
Table tennis equipment producer awards Chinese team
China's top table tennis equipment producer, Double Happiness, awarded the gold-sweeping Chinese team with 1.2 million yuan on Monday.
Double Happiness presented the prize money to the eight-member Chinese Olympic table tennis team at a ceremony that officially opened the company's newly-built headquarters in Shanghai.
The ceremony was also attended by International Table Tennis Federation President Adham Sharara, Chinese Table Tennis Association Chairman Xu Yinsheng, and Cai Zhenhua, deputy director of the State General Administration of Sport who used to be a table tennis player and head coach of the Chinese team, as well as gymnast-turned-entrepreneur Li Ning who owns 42.5 percent of Double Happiness' shares.
Double Happiness, which also makes weightlifting and badminton equipment, was an official equipment supplier to the Olympic table tennis, weightlifting and badminton competitions last month.
The all-mighty Chinese team swept all the four table tennis golds in the Olympics, sweeping the whole set of medals in men's and women's singles.
The ITTF chief Sharara spoke highly of Double Happiness' contributions to the sport, saying the company adds "fashion and modernity" to table tennis.
China's leading players Wang Hao, Wang Liqin and Wang Nan use Double Happiness' blades, while the other Chinese Olympians use the company's glue or rubber.
Source:Xinhua
Double Happiness presented the prize money to the eight-member Chinese Olympic table tennis team at a ceremony that officially opened the company's newly-built headquarters in Shanghai.
The ceremony was also attended by International Table Tennis Federation President Adham Sharara, Chinese Table Tennis Association Chairman Xu Yinsheng, and Cai Zhenhua, deputy director of the State General Administration of Sport who used to be a table tennis player and head coach of the Chinese team, as well as gymnast-turned-entrepreneur Li Ning who owns 42.5 percent of Double Happiness' shares.
Double Happiness, which also makes weightlifting and badminton equipment, was an official equipment supplier to the Olympic table tennis, weightlifting and badminton competitions last month.
The all-mighty Chinese team swept all the four table tennis golds in the Olympics, sweeping the whole set of medals in men's and women's singles.
The ITTF chief Sharara spoke highly of Double Happiness' contributions to the sport, saying the company adds "fashion and modernity" to table tennis.
China's leading players Wang Hao, Wang Liqin and Wang Nan use Double Happiness' blades, while the other Chinese Olympians use the company's glue or rubber.
Source:Xinhua
Wheelchair tennis star Vergeer drops doubles, but win singles at Paralympics
World table tennis governing body ITTF awarded on Monday a special honor to the veteran paddlers who had played at least six Paralympics.
A total of 10 players - two women and eight men - from seven countries and regions got the honor.
"The award is to encourage disabled players for their persistence and excellent performance in table tennis," ITTF Technical Committee chairman, Yao Zhenxu, said.
"Twenty years are a long time. It is even not easy for able-bodied people to play that long. For them, it is much more difficult," he said.
Chairperson of the ITTF Para Table Tennis Committee, Oivind Eriksen, presented the awards to the players.
"I am very impressed that it has been possible to perform on top level in table tennis over a period of 20 and 24 years," he said. "You are great examples for the next table tennis generations."
Zhang Xiaoling, a Chinese player in women's class 8 that has won 10 gold medals in the previous five Paralympics, said she was "really happy" for the honor.
"I know how difficult it is for disabled people to play for more than 20 years. Many of them did not win so many medals, and it would be particularly difficult for them. They are all heroes," she said.
Zhang won a bronze in this Beijing tournament in her individual event just a couple of days ago.
German Rainer Schmidt, a 7-time Paralympics contender who won 4 gold and 4 silver, is among the awarded.
"This is a crown for my career. I started as a young boy playing table tennis, I didn't want to win a medal like this, and it happened. Now, 25 years are gone and I am in the end of career. That is very nice," he said.
Schmidt and Kwong Kam Shing from Hong Kong are the only two that participated in 7 Paralymipcs since 1984 in New York.
"I played table tennis from 1984 to 2008, and I have never stopped for even one day," Kwong said. "Now I am really happy to win this honor on my motherland. It is a great encouragement."
The rest of those 6-time Paralympics contenders are Lee Hae-Kon from South Korea, Monikia Sikora Weinmann from Germany, Manfred Dollmann from Austria, Ernst Bollden from Sweden as well as Neil Robinson, James Rawson and Arnie Chan from Britain.
Yao and head of the operational department of the Peking University venue, Zhang Yan, were also awarded a special honor for their great efforts to organize the competitions.
Last month in the Beijing Olympics, the ITTF also awarded a special honor to three veteran players, including Swedish Jorgen Persson, for playing at their 6th Olympics since the sport was introduced in Seoul in 1998.
Source:Xinhua
A total of 10 players - two women and eight men - from seven countries and regions got the honor.
"The award is to encourage disabled players for their persistence and excellent performance in table tennis," ITTF Technical Committee chairman, Yao Zhenxu, said.
"Twenty years are a long time. It is even not easy for able-bodied people to play that long. For them, it is much more difficult," he said.
Chairperson of the ITTF Para Table Tennis Committee, Oivind Eriksen, presented the awards to the players.
"I am very impressed that it has been possible to perform on top level in table tennis over a period of 20 and 24 years," he said. "You are great examples for the next table tennis generations."
Zhang Xiaoling, a Chinese player in women's class 8 that has won 10 gold medals in the previous five Paralympics, said she was "really happy" for the honor.
"I know how difficult it is for disabled people to play for more than 20 years. Many of them did not win so many medals, and it would be particularly difficult for them. They are all heroes," she said.
Zhang won a bronze in this Beijing tournament in her individual event just a couple of days ago.
German Rainer Schmidt, a 7-time Paralympics contender who won 4 gold and 4 silver, is among the awarded.
"This is a crown for my career. I started as a young boy playing table tennis, I didn't want to win a medal like this, and it happened. Now, 25 years are gone and I am in the end of career. That is very nice," he said.
Schmidt and Kwong Kam Shing from Hong Kong are the only two that participated in 7 Paralymipcs since 1984 in New York.
"I played table tennis from 1984 to 2008, and I have never stopped for even one day," Kwong said. "Now I am really happy to win this honor on my motherland. It is a great encouragement."
The rest of those 6-time Paralympics contenders are Lee Hae-Kon from South Korea, Monikia Sikora Weinmann from Germany, Manfred Dollmann from Austria, Ernst Bollden from Sweden as well as Neil Robinson, James Rawson and Arnie Chan from Britain.
Yao and head of the operational department of the Peking University venue, Zhang Yan, were also awarded a special honor for their great efforts to organize the competitions.
Last month in the Beijing Olympics, the ITTF also awarded a special honor to three veteran players, including Swedish Jorgen Persson, for playing at their 6th Olympics since the sport was introduced in Seoul in 1998.
Source:Xinhua
China continues golden run, Paua New Guinea and Poland celebrate first medals
China continued to dominate track and field on Monday, while Paua New Guinea and Poland celebrated their first medals at the Beijing Paralympics.
Of its six gold medals won on Monday, the Chinese delegation's most spectacular victory came from the women's discus - F42/46 event, in which Chinese athletes swept the whole set of medals.
Wang Jun won the gold in her last throw of 36.99m, beating the world record of 32.94m. Her compatriot Yang Yue's throw of 42.38m was further in distance and broke her own F44 world record but only gave her silver based on the multi-classification event point system. Zheng Baozhu took the bronze.
"I was put into a different category before the competition. I didn't expect to win, but I was very excited to see three Chinese national flags rising at the same time," said Wang.
Wang's coach Hou Guoqing described his student, who began to train with him at the age of 15, as a "very perseverant and competitive" athlete.
Wang's father used to draw a line and asked her to throw to that line when she was a kid, according to the coach.
Papua New Guinea's Francis Kompaon may have only got a silver in the men's 100m - T46 classification, but he looked the happiest man at the finish line, for giving his country its first medal.
"I'm so excited that I got the silver. This is my personal best," said the 22-year-old university student who planned to work for the Paralympic committee after graduation.
Australian Heath Francis won the men's 100m - T46 gold and now has three Beijing Paralympic gold medals to his name.
Another sensational moment occurred when Poland's Paralympic debutant Marci Awizen raced to his first gold medal, and also the first athletics medal for Poland at the Beijing Paralympics.
On the top spot of the podium, the 23-year-old Polish cried so hard.
He said he had been working so hard for the moment, training seven days a week without a day off.
"This is my first Paralympics, this is my first medal and gold - so it's great. It is also the first athletics medal for Poland, so this means a lot to us. I have been dreaming about this for three years," he said.
Another event on Monday which sent the audience to deafening cheers was the men's 200m -T36 final, which saw So Wa Wai win the third gold, also the first in track and field for Hong Kong, China.
The 27-year-old defending champion who had already won a bronze in the men's 100m race in Beijing, dashed to his first gold in Beijing in 24.65 seconds, breaking the old world record created by him.
"This is the sixth gold medal for me in the Paralympics," said So, who attributed his win partly to "good luck" as well as practice.
He said he was ill before the competition and not quite in shape.
"During the first part of today's competition I did not run at my normal speed but later I pushed myself harder, caught up and won the gold," he said.
A total of 18 field and track events were contested on Monday, the eighth day of the Beijing Paralympics athletics.
Thus far, 129 out of the 160 athletics golds at the Beijing Paralympics had been given out, among which 34 went to the Chinese delegation.
Tunisia, Ukraine and Canada shared the second place on the athletics gold medal table, with nine gold medals each.
Source:Xinhua
Of its six gold medals won on Monday, the Chinese delegation's most spectacular victory came from the women's discus - F42/46 event, in which Chinese athletes swept the whole set of medals.
Wang Jun won the gold in her last throw of 36.99m, beating the world record of 32.94m. Her compatriot Yang Yue's throw of 42.38m was further in distance and broke her own F44 world record but only gave her silver based on the multi-classification event point system. Zheng Baozhu took the bronze.
"I was put into a different category before the competition. I didn't expect to win, but I was very excited to see three Chinese national flags rising at the same time," said Wang.
Wang's coach Hou Guoqing described his student, who began to train with him at the age of 15, as a "very perseverant and competitive" athlete.
Wang's father used to draw a line and asked her to throw to that line when she was a kid, according to the coach.
Papua New Guinea's Francis Kompaon may have only got a silver in the men's 100m - T46 classification, but he looked the happiest man at the finish line, for giving his country its first medal.
"I'm so excited that I got the silver. This is my personal best," said the 22-year-old university student who planned to work for the Paralympic committee after graduation.
Australian Heath Francis won the men's 100m - T46 gold and now has three Beijing Paralympic gold medals to his name.
Another sensational moment occurred when Poland's Paralympic debutant Marci Awizen raced to his first gold medal, and also the first athletics medal for Poland at the Beijing Paralympics.
On the top spot of the podium, the 23-year-old Polish cried so hard.
He said he had been working so hard for the moment, training seven days a week without a day off.
"This is my first Paralympics, this is my first medal and gold - so it's great. It is also the first athletics medal for Poland, so this means a lot to us. I have been dreaming about this for three years," he said.
Another event on Monday which sent the audience to deafening cheers was the men's 200m -T36 final, which saw So Wa Wai win the third gold, also the first in track and field for Hong Kong, China.
The 27-year-old defending champion who had already won a bronze in the men's 100m race in Beijing, dashed to his first gold in Beijing in 24.65 seconds, breaking the old world record created by him.
"This is the sixth gold medal for me in the Paralympics," said So, who attributed his win partly to "good luck" as well as practice.
He said he was ill before the competition and not quite in shape.
"During the first part of today's competition I did not run at my normal speed but later I pushed myself harder, caught up and won the gold," he said.
A total of 18 field and track events were contested on Monday, the eighth day of the Beijing Paralympics athletics.
Thus far, 129 out of the 160 athletics golds at the Beijing Paralympics had been given out, among which 34 went to the Chinese delegation.
Tunisia, Ukraine and Canada shared the second place on the athletics gold medal table, with nine gold medals each.
Source:Xinhua
Du Toit, Gomez win Whang Youn Dai Achievement Awards
South African amputee swimmer Natalie du Toit and Panaman visually-impaired runner Said Gomez will be presented the Whang Youn Dai Achievement Awards at Wednesday's closing ceremony of the Beijing Paralympics, the International Paralympic Committee said on Tuesday.
Du Toit and Gomez won the awards because they "have exemplified the spirit of the Paralympians", the IPC said in a statement. They will be each given a medal made out of 75 grams pure gold.
Gold medalist Natalie Du Toit of South Africa, silver medalist Irina Grazhdanova of Russia and bronze medalist Louise Watkin of Great Britain pose for group photos during the awarding ceremony of women's 50m freestyle S9 of Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games at the National Aquatics Center in Beijing, Sept. 14, 2008.
The first female amputee to compete in an able-bodied Olympics, du Toit finished 16th among 25 competitors in the 10-kilometer open-water swim last month at the Beijing Games. The 24-year-old South African, who lost her lower left leg in a motorcycle accident in 2001, won five gold medals at the Beijing Paralympics to equal her haul from Athens four years ago.
Du Toit often holds charitable events raising funds for a South African school for children with cerebral palsy and learning disabilities called Vista Nova school.
Gomez, 42, is a five-time Paralympian. He lost his sight at a young age and went through his father's discouragement and punishment to take part in his first Paralympics in 1992 where he won a gold and silver medals. The Panaman NPC was established in 2006 and prior to that, Gomez attended the Paralympics at his own expense.
Since 1982, Gomez, who makes his living by farming, has been coaching children able bodied and with disabilities just for love of sports.
For the first time in his six Paralympics, Gomeze returned home without a medal from Beijing as he failed to progress through the first round in both his events - the 1,500m and 5,000m.
Athletes from 24 countries and regions had been nominated by the IPC executive committee, Chefs de Mission and the press, and six athletes made the shortlist, three each in the male and female categories, said the IPC.
Joining Gomez in the men's pool were Supachai Koysub of Thailand and Ron Williams of the United States. Along with du Toit, Natalia Partyka of Poland and Cheri Blauwet of the United States rounded the women's field.
The Whang Youn Dai Achievement Award is named after South Korean Whang Youn Dai, who was stricken with polio at the age of three. She contributed her life for the development of Paralympic sport around the world.
At the 1988 Paralympic Summer Games in Seoul, the IPC recognized her life-long contribution to the Paralympic Movement and thus established the award. Since then, this award was presented at every Paralympic Games to one male and one female athletes.
Source:Xinhua
Du Toit and Gomez won the awards because they "have exemplified the spirit of the Paralympians", the IPC said in a statement. They will be each given a medal made out of 75 grams pure gold.
Gold medalist Natalie Du Toit of South Africa, silver medalist Irina Grazhdanova of Russia and bronze medalist Louise Watkin of Great Britain pose for group photos during the awarding ceremony of women's 50m freestyle S9 of Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games at the National Aquatics Center in Beijing, Sept. 14, 2008.
The first female amputee to compete in an able-bodied Olympics, du Toit finished 16th among 25 competitors in the 10-kilometer open-water swim last month at the Beijing Games. The 24-year-old South African, who lost her lower left leg in a motorcycle accident in 2001, won five gold medals at the Beijing Paralympics to equal her haul from Athens four years ago.
Du Toit often holds charitable events raising funds for a South African school for children with cerebral palsy and learning disabilities called Vista Nova school.
Gomez, 42, is a five-time Paralympian. He lost his sight at a young age and went through his father's discouragement and punishment to take part in his first Paralympics in 1992 where he won a gold and silver medals. The Panaman NPC was established in 2006 and prior to that, Gomez attended the Paralympics at his own expense.
Since 1982, Gomez, who makes his living by farming, has been coaching children able bodied and with disabilities just for love of sports.
For the first time in his six Paralympics, Gomeze returned home without a medal from Beijing as he failed to progress through the first round in both his events - the 1,500m and 5,000m.
Athletes from 24 countries and regions had been nominated by the IPC executive committee, Chefs de Mission and the press, and six athletes made the shortlist, three each in the male and female categories, said the IPC.
Joining Gomez in the men's pool were Supachai Koysub of Thailand and Ron Williams of the United States. Along with du Toit, Natalia Partyka of Poland and Cheri Blauwet of the United States rounded the women's field.
The Whang Youn Dai Achievement Award is named after South Korean Whang Youn Dai, who was stricken with polio at the age of three. She contributed her life for the development of Paralympic sport around the world.
At the 1988 Paralympic Summer Games in Seoul, the IPC recognized her life-long contribution to the Paralympic Movement and thus established the award. Since then, this award was presented at every Paralympic Games to one male and one female athletes.
Source:Xinhua
Internet magnifies influence of Olympics, Paralympics in China
When the Olympics and Paralympics come to China, which has the most Internet users in the world, they have earned unprecedented attention and popularity with the help of the Internet.
Just as they did during the August Olympics, all major Chinese portal websites give real-time, comprehensive and in-depth reporting to the ongoing Beijing Paralympic Games, running tens of thousands of news stories, photos and audio-video clips each day.
For the country's 253 million netizens, sometimes it seemed more enjoyable to learn about the Games via the Internet, which has such unique advantages as being speedy, diversified, individualized and interactive in the spread of information.
Some Chinese websites claimed they were updating the Olympics and Paralympics-related information as fast as live TV broadcast, sometimes even at a faster speed.
Even people who are surfing the Internet for other purposes could easily get the latest information about the Games, mostly from news alert windows that suddenly pop out on the screen.
And if they find the news interesting and want to learn more, there are always plenty of links guiding them to all related stories.
Moreover, modern technologies have made the Internet accessible not only to PCs, but also mobile phones, of which China has some 600 million users.
To attract more visits during the Paralympics, many websites, such as xinhuanet.com, have set up their studios in the Games' press center, and invited athletes and coaches to share their stories online.
The need of people with disabilities is also taken care of -- China's leading search engine Baidu.com launched a voice prompt system for Internet users with visual impairment, so that they can also conduct online search conveniently.
Meanwhile, an online radio program dubbed "1+1 on-line studio for the visually disabled" turned popular during the Paralympics. Initiated by a visually-impaired person, the program aims to deliver Games news to those who have seeing difficulties quickly and sufficiently.
The Internet helps to enhance the interaction between the athletes and spectators at these Games. The Olympians and Paralympians can write blogs to share their feelings and opinions with the netizens, while the spectators can participate in and record the Games through BBS, personal blogs and online forums.
Looking back at the Olympic history, people will find that the Games have served as a mirror of the development of new media and fresh communication technologies. In 1896, when the first modern Olympics were held in Athens, telegraph was used to spread information about the Games. In 1924, radio was introduced at the Games for the first time. TV had its Olympic debut in 1948, and assumed dominance over the past half century.
Since the beginning of the 21st century, the Internet has gradually grown into an important media platform for the Olympics. Though still far from perfection, particularly haunted by intellectual property contentions and reliability of information, it is set to change more people in their ways to enjoy the Games in the long run.
Source:Xinhua
Just as they did during the August Olympics, all major Chinese portal websites give real-time, comprehensive and in-depth reporting to the ongoing Beijing Paralympic Games, running tens of thousands of news stories, photos and audio-video clips each day.
For the country's 253 million netizens, sometimes it seemed more enjoyable to learn about the Games via the Internet, which has such unique advantages as being speedy, diversified, individualized and interactive in the spread of information.
Some Chinese websites claimed they were updating the Olympics and Paralympics-related information as fast as live TV broadcast, sometimes even at a faster speed.
Even people who are surfing the Internet for other purposes could easily get the latest information about the Games, mostly from news alert windows that suddenly pop out on the screen.
And if they find the news interesting and want to learn more, there are always plenty of links guiding them to all related stories.
Moreover, modern technologies have made the Internet accessible not only to PCs, but also mobile phones, of which China has some 600 million users.
To attract more visits during the Paralympics, many websites, such as xinhuanet.com, have set up their studios in the Games' press center, and invited athletes and coaches to share their stories online.
The need of people with disabilities is also taken care of -- China's leading search engine Baidu.com launched a voice prompt system for Internet users with visual impairment, so that they can also conduct online search conveniently.
Meanwhile, an online radio program dubbed "1+1 on-line studio for the visually disabled" turned popular during the Paralympics. Initiated by a visually-impaired person, the program aims to deliver Games news to those who have seeing difficulties quickly and sufficiently.
The Internet helps to enhance the interaction between the athletes and spectators at these Games. The Olympians and Paralympians can write blogs to share their feelings and opinions with the netizens, while the spectators can participate in and record the Games through BBS, personal blogs and online forums.
Looking back at the Olympic history, people will find that the Games have served as a mirror of the development of new media and fresh communication technologies. In 1896, when the first modern Olympics were held in Athens, telegraph was used to spread information about the Games. In 1924, radio was introduced at the Games for the first time. TV had its Olympic debut in 1948, and assumed dominance over the past half century.
Since the beginning of the 21st century, the Internet has gradually grown into an important media platform for the Olympics. Though still far from perfection, particularly haunted by intellectual property contentions and reliability of information, it is set to change more people in their ways to enjoy the Games in the long run.
Source:Xinhua
Indonesian Paralympic Committee needs persistent friendship with China
Although three Indonesian Para-athletes failed to earn medals, their participation in Beijing would attribute to bilateral relationship and friendship between Indonesian and Chinese sports committees, particularly Paralympics, said Dati Sosiawan Putra, a disabled-seeing Indonesian athlete on Tuesday.
Sosiawan, who has just returned from Beijing after representing the national paralympic committee of Indonesian and traveling together the whole contingent of Indonesian, said he really could not imagine how the government of China has made a wonderful success of world events, Beijing 2008 Olympics and Paralympics.
In an interview with Xinhua, he said China not only successfully organized the world sport events, Olympic and Paralympic Games but also the boosted the country's economy.
"Wherever we went to some tourist destinations in China, I felt a kind of generous feeling of Chinese people," he said.
Sosiawan said that after the games, the whole Indonesian contingent moved around Beijing for sightseeing. They went to a historical ancient mosque in Beijing, and also visited the Great Wall. Wherever he went, his assistant guided him due to seeing disability condition. His assistant, wearing Moslem veil led him patiently by grasping his hand.
Sosiawan is an extrovert man. He said he had suffered seeing disability since he was five years old. "I was born in 1966. I started to feel something different with my sightseeing in 1971. Since then, I struggled to keep survive, and started to play chessboard. I guess, my achievement is not too bad, by earning silver medal in Thailand 2007. And I am looking forward to Malaysia 2009 for gold medal during the Fespic Games X," he said.
He felt the Chinese people's support for Beijing 2008 was really extraordinary, saying Chinese spectators supported not only their athletes, but also foreign paralympians with full respect and gave them warm welcome.
Source:Xinhua
Sosiawan, who has just returned from Beijing after representing the national paralympic committee of Indonesian and traveling together the whole contingent of Indonesian, said he really could not imagine how the government of China has made a wonderful success of world events, Beijing 2008 Olympics and Paralympics.
In an interview with Xinhua, he said China not only successfully organized the world sport events, Olympic and Paralympic Games but also the boosted the country's economy.
"Wherever we went to some tourist destinations in China, I felt a kind of generous feeling of Chinese people," he said.
Sosiawan said that after the games, the whole Indonesian contingent moved around Beijing for sightseeing. They went to a historical ancient mosque in Beijing, and also visited the Great Wall. Wherever he went, his assistant guided him due to seeing disability condition. His assistant, wearing Moslem veil led him patiently by grasping his hand.
Sosiawan is an extrovert man. He said he had suffered seeing disability since he was five years old. "I was born in 1966. I started to feel something different with my sightseeing in 1971. Since then, I struggled to keep survive, and started to play chessboard. I guess, my achievement is not too bad, by earning silver medal in Thailand 2007. And I am looking forward to Malaysia 2009 for gold medal during the Fespic Games X," he said.
He felt the Chinese people's support for Beijing 2008 was really extraordinary, saying Chinese spectators supported not only their athletes, but also foreign paralympians with full respect and gave them warm welcome.
Source:Xinhua
Popovich: Sports have huge influence on disabled
"Sports have a huge influence on the disabled -- both athletes and the average," said U.S. paralympic swimmer Erin Popovich on Monday.
Sports can help them strive for physical fitness and physical awareness of the body, and raise their everyday life quality, she added.
"Hopefully, the Paralympics here is helping create awareness in all people with physical disabilities, and we really see an increase in Paralympic Games," said Popovich.
Popovich bagged four golds and two silvers at the current Paralympics. Feted as as the "Michael Phelps" at the pool of Paralympics, she won three gold medals in Sydney and another seven in Athens.
Popovich said she felt proud to be honored as Phelps -- "the greatest swimmer of all time."
"He is a phenomenal athlete. I'm very proud to be mentioned in the same sentences with him," said Popovich with a smile.
The 23-year-old also said she has a great time in Beijing. "To be able to compete in this venue, the Water Cube, has been phenomenal. Every night, there is a wonderful crowd, and it really welcomes us with open arms," said Popovich.
Popovich said she planned to go out and see sights in the next few days, so as to "experience more about Beijing and China as a whole."
Source:Xinhua
Sports can help them strive for physical fitness and physical awareness of the body, and raise their everyday life quality, she added.
"Hopefully, the Paralympics here is helping create awareness in all people with physical disabilities, and we really see an increase in Paralympic Games," said Popovich.
Popovich bagged four golds and two silvers at the current Paralympics. Feted as as the "Michael Phelps" at the pool of Paralympics, she won three gold medals in Sydney and another seven in Athens.
Popovich said she felt proud to be honored as Phelps -- "the greatest swimmer of all time."
"He is a phenomenal athlete. I'm very proud to be mentioned in the same sentences with him," said Popovich with a smile.
The 23-year-old also said she has a great time in Beijing. "To be able to compete in this venue, the Water Cube, has been phenomenal. Every night, there is a wonderful crowd, and it really welcomes us with open arms," said Popovich.
Popovich said she planned to go out and see sights in the next few days, so as to "experience more about Beijing and China as a whole."
Source:Xinhua
Official: Paralympics boost cause of disabled people
The Beijing Paralympic Games has a profound impact on the cause of the disabled people, a senior Chinese sports official said on Monday.
"China's hosting of the Paralympics has deepened the whole society's understanding of 'humanism, humanity and human rights,' and will have a profound impact on improving the disabled people's welfare, including recovery, employment and education, as well as the culture undertaking of the disabled people," said Feng Jianzhong, deputy head of the General Administration of Sport , during an exclusive interview with Xinhuanet.
"Moreover, it will further build up the whole society's awareness to respect, care about and help the people with disabilities, and fully demonstrate China's progressin civilization," Feng added.
"By hosting the Paralympics, Beijing and co-hosted cities have become the barrier-free cities, thus further improving the living conditions and living standards of the disabled people," Feng said.
Feng also said the Paralympics provide people with a positive sense of value. By watching the Paralympics, people can vividly feel the positive attitude of the para-athletes, and can thus face the setbacks in their own life with courage.
Feng also said the hosting of the Paralympics in Beijing has raised the social concerns for the disabled people, and interpreted the concept of "Transcendence, equality and Integration," thus realizing the ideal of "One world, One dream."
Source:Xinhua
"China's hosting of the Paralympics has deepened the whole society's understanding of 'humanism, humanity and human rights,' and will have a profound impact on improving the disabled people's welfare, including recovery, employment and education, as well as the culture undertaking of the disabled people," said Feng Jianzhong, deputy head of the General Administration of Sport , during an exclusive interview with Xinhuanet.
"Moreover, it will further build up the whole society's awareness to respect, care about and help the people with disabilities, and fully demonstrate China's progressin civilization," Feng added.
"By hosting the Paralympics, Beijing and co-hosted cities have become the barrier-free cities, thus further improving the living conditions and living standards of the disabled people," Feng said.
Feng also said the Paralympics provide people with a positive sense of value. By watching the Paralympics, people can vividly feel the positive attitude of the para-athletes, and can thus face the setbacks in their own life with courage.
Feng also said the hosting of the Paralympics in Beijing has raised the social concerns for the disabled people, and interpreted the concept of "Transcendence, equality and Integration," thus realizing the ideal of "One world, One dream."
Source:Xinhua
Germany edges out Israel for 5th place of men's wheelchair basketball
Avraham Lehrman of Israel vies the ball with player of Germany in the 5/6 classification match of men's wheelchair basketball at the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games in Beijing, Sept. 16, 2008. Germany defeated Israel 63-54 and took the fifth place.
Germany hit several key shots to pull ahead of Israel 63-54 in the Beijing Paralympics men's wheelchair basketball classification play-off game for 5th-6th place on Tuesday at the National Indoor Stadium.
Although two points separated the two teams with only a few minutes left on the clock, Germany just held on to edge out Israel for the victory.
German forward Dirk Passiwan was the game's highest scorer with 22 points, including a clutch 3-pointer in the last minute of play.
Germany also made important free throws in the last minute, contributing to their 67 percent free-throw success rate, which was nearly double Israel's figure.
Germany gained 14 points from Israel's 13 turnovers.
Forward Dotan Meishar led Israel in points of 19 and grabbed the game's most rebounds of 14. Centre Lior Dror provided solid offensive reinforcement to Meishar with 14 points.
In a previous game for 9th-10th place playoff, Brazil crushed South Africa 68-46.
Source: Xinhua
Germany hit several key shots to pull ahead of Israel 63-54 in the Beijing Paralympics men's wheelchair basketball classification play-off game for 5th-6th place on Tuesday at the National Indoor Stadium.
Although two points separated the two teams with only a few minutes left on the clock, Germany just held on to edge out Israel for the victory.
German forward Dirk Passiwan was the game's highest scorer with 22 points, including a clutch 3-pointer in the last minute of play.
Germany also made important free throws in the last minute, contributing to their 67 percent free-throw success rate, which was nearly double Israel's figure.
Germany gained 14 points from Israel's 13 turnovers.
Forward Dotan Meishar led Israel in points of 19 and grabbed the game's most rebounds of 14. Centre Lior Dror provided solid offensive reinforcement to Meishar with 14 points.
In a previous game for 9th-10th place playoff, Brazil crushed South Africa 68-46.
Source: Xinhua
Roundup: China dominates Paralympic powerlifting
As the curtain was lowered for the seven-day powerlifting competitions at the Beijing Paralympic Games here on Tuesday, China became the biggest winner with nine gold, two silver and three bronze medals.
China and Iran shared the last two golds of powerlifting on Tuesday. In the men's 100kg category, Chinese Qi Dong, winner of the event in 2007 European Championships, won the gold with a new world record.
The 26-year-old lifted 243kg in his first attempt, snatching the gold medal and breaking the previous record of 242.5kg set by Rajabigolojeh Kazem of Iran at the Athens 2004 Paralympic Games. Qi made a second attempt at 245kg and set another world record. Qi lifted 247.5kg in his third attempt to further refresh the world record.
Qi returned for a fourth attempt, ordering the bar loaded to 248.5kg, but he failed.
Obioma Daleth Aligekwe of Nigeria took the silver in 245kg, while the bronze went to Ali Sadeghzadeh Salmani of Iran in 230kg.
"I'm very excited," Qi said. "At first I didn't want to lift 243kg in my first attempt but my warm-up was very good, so I said to myself that a man should play like a real man."
"If nothing unpredictable happens, I will compete in the London 2012 Paralympic Games and the 2016 Paralympic Games," he said.
Iran's Kazem Rajabi Golojeh claimed the last gold in powerlifting, as he dominated the men's over 100kg category.
The hercules lifted 245kg in his first attempt to top the competition, and hoisted 257.5kg to break the world record. He lifted 265kg in the fourth attempt to further improve the world record.
Darren Gardiner of Australia lifted 230kg to take the silver, while Chinese Li Bing won a bronze for the host in 225kg.
China claimed 15 medals in 2004 Athens Paralympics with five golds, four silvers and six bronzes, while Egypt claimed ten medals with five golds, six silvers and two bronzes at that time, two more silvers than China.
This time the host made an amazing performance as Chinese powerlifters took nine of the 20 gold medals on offer.
Egypt took the second place with four golds, three silvers and three bronzes, while Nigeria finished third with 2-3-1.
Source: Xinhua
China and Iran shared the last two golds of powerlifting on Tuesday. In the men's 100kg category, Chinese Qi Dong, winner of the event in 2007 European Championships, won the gold with a new world record.
The 26-year-old lifted 243kg in his first attempt, snatching the gold medal and breaking the previous record of 242.5kg set by Rajabigolojeh Kazem of Iran at the Athens 2004 Paralympic Games. Qi made a second attempt at 245kg and set another world record. Qi lifted 247.5kg in his third attempt to further refresh the world record.
Qi returned for a fourth attempt, ordering the bar loaded to 248.5kg, but he failed.
Obioma Daleth Aligekwe of Nigeria took the silver in 245kg, while the bronze went to Ali Sadeghzadeh Salmani of Iran in 230kg.
"I'm very excited," Qi said. "At first I didn't want to lift 243kg in my first attempt but my warm-up was very good, so I said to myself that a man should play like a real man."
"If nothing unpredictable happens, I will compete in the London 2012 Paralympic Games and the 2016 Paralympic Games," he said.
Iran's Kazem Rajabi Golojeh claimed the last gold in powerlifting, as he dominated the men's over 100kg category.
The hercules lifted 245kg in his first attempt to top the competition, and hoisted 257.5kg to break the world record. He lifted 265kg in the fourth attempt to further improve the world record.
Darren Gardiner of Australia lifted 230kg to take the silver, while Chinese Li Bing won a bronze for the host in 225kg.
China claimed 15 medals in 2004 Athens Paralympics with five golds, four silvers and six bronzes, while Egypt claimed ten medals with five golds, six silvers and two bronzes at that time, two more silvers than China.
This time the host made an amazing performance as Chinese powerlifters took nine of the 20 gold medals on offer.
Egypt took the second place with four golds, three silvers and three bronzes, while Nigeria finished third with 2-3-1.
Source: Xinhua
Paralympics to conclude, care for the disabled never ends
When his disabled students, including some mentally-impaired ones, said "welcome to our 'Sweet Home'" in English to visiting para-athletes on the Mid-Autumn Day on Sept. 14, Jiao Shi felt quite satisfied.
"I'm deeply moved as some of them, who are not quick-learners, kept practicing after the class," Jiao said.
He has been teaching the disabled persons English in a community in south Beijing's Fengtai District for several times during the Paralympics.
Jiao, 23, a teacher with a foreign languages training company, worked as a city volunteer in the district to provide language service for foreign visitors after local disabled persons federation asked him whether he'd like to provide some English training for the disabled at the "Sweet Home", a community care and rehabilitation center.
He went there alone for the first time, and began to bring his volunteer friends with him.
Their classes on simple daily English attracted about 20 disabled students every time.
"Most of the time, we just talk with them about their daily life in Chinese. We are actually there to accompany them as many of the disabled, especially the youth, are eager to make friends," Jiao said.
He said the Paralympics gave him an opportunity to get close to the disabled, to understand them and to help them.
"My friends and I will continue to teach them after the Paralympics," Jiao said, adding that he wanted to extend the training to other communities.
Spyros Stavrianopoulos, president of the Greek Paralympic Committee, which successfully hosted the 2004 Paralympics, said on Sept. 8 that the Paralympics brings the society closer to the disabled.
"The most important is Paralympic Games brings society close to the disabled, and improves the social recognition of the disabled," said the president.
The president believes the same thing will happen in China.
It is happening.
In the seven-year run-up to the Games, tens of thousands of barrier-free facilities, including ramp, blind walkway, voice prompt system and guidance handrail, were put in place, while parking lots, public transit stations, elevators and public toilets were renovated to improve accessibility for the disabled. The changes took place not only at Games venues, but also tourist attractions such as the Great Wall and the Forbidden City.
Wen Ge, chairman of "Zhang Hua Green Home", a self-help organization of the disabled in Renqiu City of north China's Hebei Province, has tried the barrier-free facilities in Beijing during the Paralympics on the invitation of a Beijing-based non-governmental organization.
Wen, who uses a wheelchair, made some suggestions about the improvement to current facilities, including the Tongrentang, a famous Chinese traditional medicine pharmacy, should lower its counter to provide convenience to the people in wheelchairs.
"The suggestions will be handed in to the China Disabled Persons' Federation by the organization," Wen said.
She also went to the Bird's Nest to watch the opening ceremony with the help of a local oil company, which also provided tickets of the Paralympic events for another 18 disabled people in the "Green Home".
"I'm happy to see that the whole society, from state leaders to general public, began to pay more and more attention to the disabled," she said, adding that she believed the care for disabled people won't end after the Paralympics.
However, she said building barrier-free facilities is the first step of helping the disabled with their integration into the society. What's more important is to help them get rid of the "psychological barriers".
"The society should understand what help we really need, and meanwhile the disabled should take the good opportunity to improve ourselves," Wen said.
Source: Xinhua
"I'm deeply moved as some of them, who are not quick-learners, kept practicing after the class," Jiao said.
He has been teaching the disabled persons English in a community in south Beijing's Fengtai District for several times during the Paralympics.
Jiao, 23, a teacher with a foreign languages training company, worked as a city volunteer in the district to provide language service for foreign visitors after local disabled persons federation asked him whether he'd like to provide some English training for the disabled at the "Sweet Home", a community care and rehabilitation center.
He went there alone for the first time, and began to bring his volunteer friends with him.
Their classes on simple daily English attracted about 20 disabled students every time.
"Most of the time, we just talk with them about their daily life in Chinese. We are actually there to accompany them as many of the disabled, especially the youth, are eager to make friends," Jiao said.
He said the Paralympics gave him an opportunity to get close to the disabled, to understand them and to help them.
"My friends and I will continue to teach them after the Paralympics," Jiao said, adding that he wanted to extend the training to other communities.
Spyros Stavrianopoulos, president of the Greek Paralympic Committee, which successfully hosted the 2004 Paralympics, said on Sept. 8 that the Paralympics brings the society closer to the disabled.
"The most important is Paralympic Games brings society close to the disabled, and improves the social recognition of the disabled," said the president.
The president believes the same thing will happen in China.
It is happening.
In the seven-year run-up to the Games, tens of thousands of barrier-free facilities, including ramp, blind walkway, voice prompt system and guidance handrail, were put in place, while parking lots, public transit stations, elevators and public toilets were renovated to improve accessibility for the disabled. The changes took place not only at Games venues, but also tourist attractions such as the Great Wall and the Forbidden City.
Wen Ge, chairman of "Zhang Hua Green Home", a self-help organization of the disabled in Renqiu City of north China's Hebei Province, has tried the barrier-free facilities in Beijing during the Paralympics on the invitation of a Beijing-based non-governmental organization.
Wen, who uses a wheelchair, made some suggestions about the improvement to current facilities, including the Tongrentang, a famous Chinese traditional medicine pharmacy, should lower its counter to provide convenience to the people in wheelchairs.
"The suggestions will be handed in to the China Disabled Persons' Federation by the organization," Wen said.
She also went to the Bird's Nest to watch the opening ceremony with the help of a local oil company, which also provided tickets of the Paralympic events for another 18 disabled people in the "Green Home".
"I'm happy to see that the whole society, from state leaders to general public, began to pay more and more attention to the disabled," she said, adding that she believed the care for disabled people won't end after the Paralympics.
However, she said building barrier-free facilities is the first step of helping the disabled with their integration into the society. What's more important is to help them get rid of the "psychological barriers".
"The society should understand what help we really need, and meanwhile the disabled should take the good opportunity to improve ourselves," Wen said.
Source: Xinhua
Britain defends bronze of men's wheelchair basketball
Britain successfully defended their third- place finish from Athens 2004 by defeating the United States 85-77 in the Paralympic men's wheelchair basketball at the National Indoor Stadium on Tuesday.
Britain built on their one-point halftime lead through a determined offence in the second half.
They outscored the United States 24-11 in the third quarter, and held off the United States' scoring drive in the fourth quarter for the victory.
British forward Terence Bywater was the game's top scorer with 32 points, a total which included five successful free throws in the last two minutes of the game.
"Although we met a tough team today, we still played really well. Our teamwork is the most important reason for our winning," said British coach Thomas Richford Sinclair. "Our next goal is the London Paralympic Games."
On the Chinese audience's reaction to the game, Sinclair said: "They were fabulous. They have been a most lively and energetic group during the tournament. We have never heard such big noise before."
Forward Simon Munn, the game's top rebounder, and guard Jon Pollock combined for 35 of Britain's points.
Forward Steve Serio and guard Jeremy Lade each hit two field goals in the last minutes of play, but the United States could not offset the British team's steady shooting.
"They started to hit some shots, and we were missing our shots. We weren't getting the stops we needed. Whenever we would get close, they would come back with another score. It was hard for us to overcome that," said U.S. coach Steve Wilson.
"We always try to stop their big three, and obviously we didn't do a good job of that. Terry ended up with 32 points, Simon had 20, and Pollock had 15, which means our defence didn't do a good job," added he.
"They had a lot of experience, and they played like it. They executed.Britain is a really good team. They have been together for 10 years. They are experienced and have been to the Paralympics many times."
"We need to go back to the starting point, with the guys we have, and try and get better."
Center Joe Chambers was the United States' leading scorer with 25 points.
Source: Xinhua
Britain built on their one-point halftime lead through a determined offence in the second half.
They outscored the United States 24-11 in the third quarter, and held off the United States' scoring drive in the fourth quarter for the victory.
British forward Terence Bywater was the game's top scorer with 32 points, a total which included five successful free throws in the last two minutes of the game.
"Although we met a tough team today, we still played really well. Our teamwork is the most important reason for our winning," said British coach Thomas Richford Sinclair. "Our next goal is the London Paralympic Games."
On the Chinese audience's reaction to the game, Sinclair said: "They were fabulous. They have been a most lively and energetic group during the tournament. We have never heard such big noise before."
Forward Simon Munn, the game's top rebounder, and guard Jon Pollock combined for 35 of Britain's points.
Forward Steve Serio and guard Jeremy Lade each hit two field goals in the last minutes of play, but the United States could not offset the British team's steady shooting.
"They started to hit some shots, and we were missing our shots. We weren't getting the stops we needed. Whenever we would get close, they would come back with another score. It was hard for us to overcome that," said U.S. coach Steve Wilson.
"We always try to stop their big three, and obviously we didn't do a good job of that. Terry ended up with 32 points, Simon had 20, and Pollock had 15, which means our defence didn't do a good job," added he.
"They had a lot of experience, and they played like it. They executed.Britain is a really good team. They have been together for 10 years. They are experienced and have been to the Paralympics many times."
"We need to go back to the starting point, with the guys we have, and try and get better."
Center Joe Chambers was the United States' leading scorer with 25 points.
Source: Xinhua
Yao Ming builds school in quake-hit Sichuan
NBA star Yao Ming's two-day visit of the earthquake-hit Sichuan Province ended on Monday.
The Chinese sports icon on Sunday attended the groundbreaking ceremony for a primary school in Guangyuan, which will be built with the money from "The Yao Ming Foundation".
Yao launched the foundation after a deadly earthquake devastated the southwestern Chinese province on May 12 and killed over 70,000 people.
Yao also attended the groundbreaking ceremony for a school to be built by China Life Insurance Company.
Chinese basketball star Yao Ming mourn for the victims of the Wenchuan quake in front of the ruins of the Beichuan Middle School in Beichuan County, Sichuan Province, southwestern China, Sept. 14, 2008. Yao Ming made a charity tour of southwest China's Sichuan Sunday which was devastated by a deadly earthquake on May 12, attended the foundation ceremony of a hope primary school in Guangyuan City and mourned for the quake victims at the ruins of the Beichuan Middle School.
In his two-day visit to Sichuan, Yao Ming visited Beichuan, one of the worst-hit areas by the 8.0-magnitude earthquake, spent the Mid-autumn Festival with quake-affected children and played basketball with students who study and live in tents in Mianyang.
"People in the disaster-hit areas are strong and optimistic," said Yao Ming on Monday.
Zhang Mingji, who heads "Yao's Team" of Chinese and American agents, said Yao's foundation has collected 25 million yuan .
Source: Xinhua
The Chinese sports icon on Sunday attended the groundbreaking ceremony for a primary school in Guangyuan, which will be built with the money from "The Yao Ming Foundation".
Yao launched the foundation after a deadly earthquake devastated the southwestern Chinese province on May 12 and killed over 70,000 people.
Yao also attended the groundbreaking ceremony for a school to be built by China Life Insurance Company.
Chinese basketball star Yao Ming mourn for the victims of the Wenchuan quake in front of the ruins of the Beichuan Middle School in Beichuan County, Sichuan Province, southwestern China, Sept. 14, 2008. Yao Ming made a charity tour of southwest China's Sichuan Sunday which was devastated by a deadly earthquake on May 12, attended the foundation ceremony of a hope primary school in Guangyuan City and mourned for the quake victims at the ruins of the Beichuan Middle School.
In his two-day visit to Sichuan, Yao Ming visited Beichuan, one of the worst-hit areas by the 8.0-magnitude earthquake, spent the Mid-autumn Festival with quake-affected children and played basketball with students who study and live in tents in Mianyang.
"People in the disaster-hit areas are strong and optimistic," said Yao Ming on Monday.
Zhang Mingji, who heads "Yao's Team" of Chinese and American agents, said Yao's foundation has collected 25 million yuan .
Source: Xinhua
Cracking the Chinese code
If someone could read the strange pictographs on a yellowing book of some 30 pages, he or she could not only pick up a 10,000-yuan reward, but also be privy to understanding the birth of the Chinese written language, thousands of years ago.
However, that may not happen any time soon, going by the travails of Pan Chaolin, the owner of this rare book. He has been journeying with it to remote mountain villages in Southwest China's Guizhou province in the hope of finding someone who can decode the 1,500 strange words in the book titled, Chanting of the Nine Stars .
A mirror-image of ancient Chinese characters, this language of the Shui minority, also known as Shuishu, has been attracting growing international attention in recent years. But researchers are now racing against time to protect it from disappearing altogether.
The Shui is a small ethnic minority of some 400,000 people in Guizhou province. Like many of China's 55 minorities, it also has a long, mysterious past. It is commonly believed that the ancestors of the Shui people lived in the Central Plains thousands of years ago, until wars drove them south.
Pan Chaolin examines a document with the help of two Shuishu masters.
Of the 17 Chinese minorities who have their own traditional written language, the Shui and the Naxi people, who live in Yunnan province, are the only two minorities that use pictographs.
The Shui language attracted attention even before the better known Jiaguwen - a pictographic inscription on animal bones and tortoise shells used in the Shang Dynasty . Jiaguwen first came to notice around 1900 and has been seen as the embryo of the Chinese language.
However, Jiaguwen is highly abstract and researchers believe it must have evolved from older characters.
As early as 1860, Shuishu had attracted Mo Youzhi, a famous scholar of Guizhou, who speculated that Shuishu was an ancient language that had existed before the time of Qinshihuang, the First Emperor of the Qin Dynasty .
But contemporary researchers have argued that Shuishu developed from Jiaguwen. However, this year, Shui scholar Wei Zhangbing, who is based in Dushan county of Guizhou, raised a more daring theory.
In his new book, Glimpses into China's Shuishu, Wei said Shuishu was the source of the Chinese language and was present in an ancient book mentioned by Confucius as very important but had long been lost.
Furthermore, Wei said that Gong Gong, a legendary tribal leader who fought against other tribes long before the Xia Dynasty , was the ancestor of the Shui people.
Professor Pan Chaolin of the Guizhou University for Nationalities is a Shui researcher who is doing his best to study Shuishu and preserve Shui culture.
Over the years, he has collected some 600 precious books from his fellow Shui people. In Guizhou province, research institutes have collected a total of 15,000 Shuishu books. Last year, Chinese Shuishu, a huge collection of 160 volumes, was published.
Shuishu again came under public glare this March, when eight Shuishu books of the highest value were included in the nation's first ever National Classics Treasures List. The 2,392 ancient books are given priority in protection and research.
Among the eight books is Pan's Chanting of the Nine Stars, which "follows the theory of 'harmony between man and nature' and observes the position of nine stars in the belief that they influence human activities", says Pan.
Wu Guibiao, director of the China Ethnic Library, who visited Pan last year to appraise the book, said Chanting of the Nine Stars is "very valuable because it contains a large number of characters previously unknown".
"The Shui people threw away many old books which is why Shuishu books are so hard to find and of such great value," Wu says.
Researchers have, to date, deciphered the pronunciation, meaning and context of some 600 Shuishu characters. But Pan's book has 1,500 words that no one has been able to read.
The discovery of the old book was quite dramatic.
In the 1990s, when Pan was compiling a dictionary of minorities' religions and legends, he went back to his hometown in Sandu county, where he grew up in a remote mountain village, which got its first road in 2001.
"Both my parents were illiterate farmers and I was a naughty boy, which is why I earned the pen name 'Ren Sui A Nao' - 'Naughty Boy of the Shui People'," Pan says.
Luckily, the village had a Shuishu master named Pan Yuyin who was eager to preserve the group's cultural heritage. In the late 1950s, he taught primary school students, including young Pan Chaolin, the Shuishu characters, for free.
When he revisited the home of his first teacher, who died in 1960, Pan was shocked to find the Chanting of the Nine Stars.
The master's grandson was happy to find someone who knew the book's real value.
To find the meaning of the 1,500 unknown words, Pan sought sponsors to make stone slabs inscribed with the words and erected the "World's Number One Shuishu Stele Forest" at Sandu county. He promised to give 10,000 yuan to anyone who could read the words.
Of the 60 Shuishu masters he visited, Wei Guangrong, the 13th generation descendant of a famous Shuishu master, held the most promise. But the old man admitted that his knowledge was less than a tenth of his predecessors.
Rapid economic development is drawing youngsters away from their cultural roots and Pan is worried that very few are really interested in preserving Shui culture as represented by the Shuishu masters.
"Without the Shuishu masters, the Shuishu language would be 'a dead body without a soul'," Pan says.
Not long ago, a Japanese collector offered a high price to buy Chanting of the Nine Stars, but Pan refused.
"This is a prized treasure, I hope I can unravel its mysteries in my lifetime," he says.
$Source:China Daily
However, that may not happen any time soon, going by the travails of Pan Chaolin, the owner of this rare book. He has been journeying with it to remote mountain villages in Southwest China's Guizhou province in the hope of finding someone who can decode the 1,500 strange words in the book titled, Chanting of the Nine Stars .
A mirror-image of ancient Chinese characters, this language of the Shui minority, also known as Shuishu, has been attracting growing international attention in recent years. But researchers are now racing against time to protect it from disappearing altogether.
The Shui is a small ethnic minority of some 400,000 people in Guizhou province. Like many of China's 55 minorities, it also has a long, mysterious past. It is commonly believed that the ancestors of the Shui people lived in the Central Plains thousands of years ago, until wars drove them south.
Pan Chaolin examines a document with the help of two Shuishu masters.
Of the 17 Chinese minorities who have their own traditional written language, the Shui and the Naxi people, who live in Yunnan province, are the only two minorities that use pictographs.
The Shui language attracted attention even before the better known Jiaguwen - a pictographic inscription on animal bones and tortoise shells used in the Shang Dynasty . Jiaguwen first came to notice around 1900 and has been seen as the embryo of the Chinese language.
However, Jiaguwen is highly abstract and researchers believe it must have evolved from older characters.
As early as 1860, Shuishu had attracted Mo Youzhi, a famous scholar of Guizhou, who speculated that Shuishu was an ancient language that had existed before the time of Qinshihuang, the First Emperor of the Qin Dynasty .
But contemporary researchers have argued that Shuishu developed from Jiaguwen. However, this year, Shui scholar Wei Zhangbing, who is based in Dushan county of Guizhou, raised a more daring theory.
In his new book, Glimpses into China's Shuishu, Wei said Shuishu was the source of the Chinese language and was present in an ancient book mentioned by Confucius as very important but had long been lost.
Furthermore, Wei said that Gong Gong, a legendary tribal leader who fought against other tribes long before the Xia Dynasty , was the ancestor of the Shui people.
Professor Pan Chaolin of the Guizhou University for Nationalities is a Shui researcher who is doing his best to study Shuishu and preserve Shui culture.
Over the years, he has collected some 600 precious books from his fellow Shui people. In Guizhou province, research institutes have collected a total of 15,000 Shuishu books. Last year, Chinese Shuishu, a huge collection of 160 volumes, was published.
Shuishu again came under public glare this March, when eight Shuishu books of the highest value were included in the nation's first ever National Classics Treasures List. The 2,392 ancient books are given priority in protection and research.
Among the eight books is Pan's Chanting of the Nine Stars, which "follows the theory of 'harmony between man and nature' and observes the position of nine stars in the belief that they influence human activities", says Pan.
Wu Guibiao, director of the China Ethnic Library, who visited Pan last year to appraise the book, said Chanting of the Nine Stars is "very valuable because it contains a large number of characters previously unknown".
"The Shui people threw away many old books which is why Shuishu books are so hard to find and of such great value," Wu says.
Researchers have, to date, deciphered the pronunciation, meaning and context of some 600 Shuishu characters. But Pan's book has 1,500 words that no one has been able to read.
The discovery of the old book was quite dramatic.
In the 1990s, when Pan was compiling a dictionary of minorities' religions and legends, he went back to his hometown in Sandu county, where he grew up in a remote mountain village, which got its first road in 2001.
"Both my parents were illiterate farmers and I was a naughty boy, which is why I earned the pen name 'Ren Sui A Nao' - 'Naughty Boy of the Shui People'," Pan says.
Luckily, the village had a Shuishu master named Pan Yuyin who was eager to preserve the group's cultural heritage. In the late 1950s, he taught primary school students, including young Pan Chaolin, the Shuishu characters, for free.
When he revisited the home of his first teacher, who died in 1960, Pan was shocked to find the Chanting of the Nine Stars.
The master's grandson was happy to find someone who knew the book's real value.
To find the meaning of the 1,500 unknown words, Pan sought sponsors to make stone slabs inscribed with the words and erected the "World's Number One Shuishu Stele Forest" at Sandu county. He promised to give 10,000 yuan to anyone who could read the words.
Of the 60 Shuishu masters he visited, Wei Guangrong, the 13th generation descendant of a famous Shuishu master, held the most promise. But the old man admitted that his knowledge was less than a tenth of his predecessors.
Rapid economic development is drawing youngsters away from their cultural roots and Pan is worried that very few are really interested in preserving Shui culture as represented by the Shuishu masters.
"Without the Shuishu masters, the Shuishu language would be 'a dead body without a soul'," Pan says.
Not long ago, a Japanese collector offered a high price to buy Chanting of the Nine Stars, but Pan refused.
"This is a prized treasure, I hope I can unravel its mysteries in my lifetime," he says.
$Source:China Daily
Hollywood's most overpaid movie star
Nicole Kidman was named the most overpaid celebrity in Hollywood in the second annual list of least bankable stars by U.S. magazine Forbes, taking the top slot from fellow Australian Russell Crowe.
Kidman's films were estimated to only earn 1 dollar for every dollar the Oscar-winning actress was paid compared with 8 U.S. dollars a year ago.
"The Invasion," a remake of the 1956 classic "Invasion of the Body Snatchers," even lost 2.68 dollars for every dollar earned by
Kidman who was reportedly paid 17 million dollars for her role.
"Despite winning an Oscar for her performance in 2002's "The Hours," Kidman has become the most overpaid celebrity in Hollywood," said Forbes, adding that her upcoming movie "Australia" could give her a boost.
Second in the list came Jennifer Garner, whose movies including "The Kingdom" and "Catch and Release" have underperformed at the box office. Her movies were calculated to earn 3.60 dollars for every 1 dollar she was paid.
Kidman's ex-husband, Tom Cruise, came third in the list with a 4 dollars return for every dollar he was paid, mostly because of the failure of last year's movie "Lions for Lambs." For every dollar the star earned the film returned only 1.88 dollars.
Forbes said the ranking was compiled by looking at a star's past three movies and dividing their total earnings by the films' gross income to get the actor's payback figure.
Making up the top 10 of overpaid Hollywood celebrities were Cameron Diaz, Jim Carrey, Nicolas Cage, Drew Barrymore, Will Ferrell and Cate Blanchett.
The actor whose bankability improved most over the past year was Crowe, who was ranked the most overpaid celebrity last
year when Kidman was in second place.
Last year, Forbes estimated the movie "Cinderella Man" earned 5 dollars for every dollar that Crowe was paid.
But this year, he was the 18th best earner on a previously issued list of which actors were worth their paychecks, with a return of 6.88 for every dollar he earned.
This bump was attributed to last year's movie "American Gangster" with Denzel Washington, for which Crowe returned a healthy 10.80 dollars for every dollar he was paid.
Source: China Daily\agencies
Kidman's films were estimated to only earn 1 dollar for every dollar the Oscar-winning actress was paid compared with 8 U.S. dollars a year ago.
"The Invasion," a remake of the 1956 classic "Invasion of the Body Snatchers," even lost 2.68 dollars for every dollar earned by
Kidman who was reportedly paid 17 million dollars for her role.
"Despite winning an Oscar for her performance in 2002's "The Hours," Kidman has become the most overpaid celebrity in Hollywood," said Forbes, adding that her upcoming movie "Australia" could give her a boost.
Second in the list came Jennifer Garner, whose movies including "The Kingdom" and "Catch and Release" have underperformed at the box office. Her movies were calculated to earn 3.60 dollars for every 1 dollar she was paid.
Kidman's ex-husband, Tom Cruise, came third in the list with a 4 dollars return for every dollar he was paid, mostly because of the failure of last year's movie "Lions for Lambs." For every dollar the star earned the film returned only 1.88 dollars.
Forbes said the ranking was compiled by looking at a star's past three movies and dividing their total earnings by the films' gross income to get the actor's payback figure.
Making up the top 10 of overpaid Hollywood celebrities were Cameron Diaz, Jim Carrey, Nicolas Cage, Drew Barrymore, Will Ferrell and Cate Blanchett.
The actor whose bankability improved most over the past year was Crowe, who was ranked the most overpaid celebrity last
year when Kidman was in second place.
Last year, Forbes estimated the movie "Cinderella Man" earned 5 dollars for every dollar that Crowe was paid.
But this year, he was the 18th best earner on a previously issued list of which actors were worth their paychecks, with a return of 6.88 for every dollar he earned.
This bump was attributed to last year's movie "American Gangster" with Denzel Washington, for which Crowe returned a healthy 10.80 dollars for every dollar he was paid.
Source: China Daily\agencies
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