tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-67659349636922924362024-02-08T10:53:24.712-08:00China OnlineAll about China Online , China Online basic information.daefraidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07420516702845453138noreply@blogger.comBlogger46125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6765934963692292436.post-17142127550260168472008-09-16T08:01:00.004-07:002008-09-16T08:02:00.692-07:00Hong Kong ship hijacked near SomaliaArmed 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. <br />
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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. <br />
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"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. <br />
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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. <br />
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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. <br />
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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. <br />
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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. <br />
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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. <br />
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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. <br />
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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. <br />
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Source:Xinhuadaefraidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07420516702845453138noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6765934963692292436.post-29882260582419892662008-09-16T08:01:00.003-07:002008-09-16T08:01:49.389-07:00S Korean FM to hold talks with Rice next weekSouth 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. <br />
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"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. <br />
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"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. <br />
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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. <br />
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The spokesman refused to reveal details on the MOU and other agenda items. <br />
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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. <br />
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Source:Xinhuadaefraidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07420516702845453138noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6765934963692292436.post-76463730574740195412008-09-16T08:01:00.001-07:002008-09-16T08:01:40.653-07:00Tainted milk powder sickens 1,253 babies in ChinaThe 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. <br />
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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. <br />
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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. <br />
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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. <br />
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Chinese Medical Association experts said there would be no permanent damage to the children's kidney functions if they received timely and proper treatment. <br />
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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." <br />
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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. <br />
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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. <br />
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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." <br />
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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. <br />
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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. <br />
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"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. <br />
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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. <br />
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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. <br />
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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. <br />
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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. <br />
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Source: Xinhuadaefraidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07420516702845453138noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6765934963692292436.post-38792384718246566652008-09-16T08:00:00.005-07:002008-09-16T08:00:29.136-07:00China pledges to treat all tainted milk-affected babiesChina's Health Ministry pledges free health care for all babies sickened after drinking contaminated formula. <br />
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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. <br />
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He ordered all public health authorities and medical institutions give priority to the diagnosis of suspect cases and provide treatment. <br />
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"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. <br />
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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. <br />
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An estimated 1,253 babies developed kidney stones after drinking the tainted milk powder. Two died as a result. <br />
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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. <br />
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Source: Xinhuadaefraidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07420516702845453138noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6765934963692292436.post-60493858790151400032008-09-16T08:00:00.003-07:002008-09-16T08:00:20.302-07:00Scarlett Johansson: I'm not a prima donnaScarlett Johansson has been labelled "the biggest prima donna," a claim the star denies. <br />
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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. <br />
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A source said: "The producers have been saying that Scarlett isn't the same and that she has turned into the biggest prima donna. <br />
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"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'." <br />
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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." <br />
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Scarlett recently revealed she hates leaving her movie characters behind when shooting on her movies has wrapped. <br />
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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. <br />
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"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. "<br />
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Source: China Daily\agenciesdaefraidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07420516702845453138noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6765934963692292436.post-8925148856032948792008-09-16T08:00:00.001-07:002008-09-16T08:00:09.075-07:00Jennifer Lopez completes first triathlonJennifer Lopez raised 127,000 U.S. dollars yesterday after completing her first triathlon in Malibu, California.<br />
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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. <br />
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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." <br />
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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. <br />
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The Nautica Malibu Triathlon raised a total of 950,000 dollars for the Children's Hospital of Los Angeles. <br />
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Source: China Daily\agenciesdaefraidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07420516702845453138noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6765934963692292436.post-64097577059810964242008-09-16T07:59:00.013-07:002008-09-16T07:59:59.355-07:00Brangelina donate $2m for kids in EthiopiaAngelina 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. <br />
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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. <br />
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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. <br />
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"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. <br />
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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. <br />
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The Jolie-Pitt Foundation helped set up a similar clinic in 2006 in Phnom Penh, Cambodia that is named after Maddox. <br />
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"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. <br />
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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. <br />
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Unicef estimates that more than 900,000 children have been orphaned by Aids in Ethiopia.<br />
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Source: China Daily\agenciesdaefraidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07420516702845453138noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6765934963692292436.post-34665919062757820072008-09-16T07:59:00.011-07:002008-09-16T07:59:50.583-07:00China's second generation of astronauts draws concern at home and abroadWith 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.<br />
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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. <br />
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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.<br />
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By People's Daily Onlinedaefraidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07420516702845453138noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6765934963692292436.post-60766892252644991622008-09-16T07:59:00.009-07:002008-09-16T07:59:42.804-07:003 astronauts for Shenzhou-7 mission confirmedChina's third manned spacecraft, Shenzhou-7 is set to launch on September 25, 2008. Three astronauts to undertake the mission have been confirmed. <br />
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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. <br />
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Zhai Zhigang <br />
Zhai Zhigang, 42, joined Chinese Air Force in 1985 and has more than 1,000-hour safe flight records.<br />
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By People's Daily Onlinedaefraidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07420516702845453138noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6765934963692292436.post-23087865765716699262008-09-16T07:59:00.007-07:002008-09-16T07:59:34.060-07:00Compulsory education law enforcement comes under inspectionChina'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. <br />
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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. <br />
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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. <br />
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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. <br />
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The inspection also aims to timely solve problems found in the law enforcement. <br />
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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. <br />
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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. <br />
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Funds to support such compulsory education in rural areas are co-financed by the central and local governments. <br />
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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. <br />
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Source: Xinhuadaefraidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07420516702845453138noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6765934963692292436.post-54798884466737604712008-09-16T07:59:00.005-07:002008-09-16T07:59:26.401-07:00Reporting from the front, for all to seeA guide stick usually lasts at least a couple of years. But his has worn out in just a few days.<br />
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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.<br />
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"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.<br />
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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.<br />
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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.<br />
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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.<br />
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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.<br />
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And since then they have been running between the venues, interviewing athletes and collecting as much first-hand material as possible for their editors.<br />
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"We are so busy that we can manage to have just one meal a day," said Xie, paralyzed since 2003 because of bone cancer.<br />
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Besides their own radio program, they also work for Beijing TV Station, producing a daily show: Paralympic 1+1.<br />
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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.<br />
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"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.<br />
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"No need for any commentary. Our listeners can enjoy the game just by listening to the sounds," Xie said.<br />
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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."<br />
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"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."<br />
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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."<br />
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"We now plan to ask people to help our friends in Kenya through our website," Xie Yan said.<br />
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The message won't be lost.<br />
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Source: China Dailydaefraidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07420516702845453138noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6765934963692292436.post-23339836619446272802008-09-16T07:59:00.003-07:002008-09-16T07:59:17.679-07:00FIFA boss eyes successful World Cup in South AfricaPRETORIA: 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.<br />
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"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.<br />
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"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."<br />
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Blatter is heading a four-day FIFA delegation to South Africa to inspect venues and meet political leaders, including former president Nelson Mandela.<br />
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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.<br />
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"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."<br />
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Mbeki said a change of government in next year's elections would not affect the cup preparations.<br />
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"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.<br />
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"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."<br />
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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.<br />
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The court ruling led to widespread debate over Mbeki's future in weekend media.<br />
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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".<br />
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Blatter said he had a special dedication and love for Africa, where football was "more than just kicking a ball".<br />
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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."<br />
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Source: China Daily/Agenciesdaefraidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07420516702845453138noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6765934963692292436.post-89549642885147740572008-09-16T07:59:00.001-07:002008-09-16T07:59:10.181-07:00Real picks up first win, Villarreal ready for Manchester UnitedMADRID: 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.<br />
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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.<br />
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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.<br />
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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.<br />
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"The games after the international break are the most difficult," said Real coach Bernd Schuster.<br />
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"They were always going to cause trouble for us as they had two weeks to prepare for this match and had beaten Barcelona."<br />
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Schuster also called for caution ahead of the BATE Champions League game.<br />
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"In theory they are the easiest opponent but we have to tread carefully," added the German manager.<br />
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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.<br />
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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.<br />
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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.<br />
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"I am satisified with the win," said Villarreal coach Manuel Pellegrini.<br />
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"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."<br />
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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.<br />
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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.<br />
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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.<br />
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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.<br />
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Espanyol is the new league leader following a 1-0 win over Recreativo Huelva with Luis Garcia striking six minutes from time.<br />
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Garcia was expected to leave in the summer but has scored in both of its opening wins to delight Espanyol coach Bartolome Marquez.<br />
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"I am really happy with Luis not just because of the goal but also because of his work rate," explained Marquez.<br />
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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.<br />
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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.<br />
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Alexis cancelled out Pablo Piatti's opener for Almeria but Alvaro Negredo, 23, enhanced his growing reputation with a great header four minutes later.<br />
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Villa levelled on 68 minutes to rescue a point for Valencia, in UEFA Cup action against Maritimo on Thursday, who goes second.<br />
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Source: China Daily/Agenciesdaefraidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07420516702845453138noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6765934963692292436.post-49495565079177543312008-09-16T07:58:00.012-07:002008-09-16T07:59:01.222-07:00Shaken Ashley puts Newcastle up for saleLONDON: 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.<br />
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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.<br />
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"I am putting the club up for sale," Ashley said in a statement on Newcastle's website.<br />
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"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."<br />
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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.<br />
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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.<br />
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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'.<br />
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Later Sunday, former chairman Freddy Shepherd said he had been approached by two separate consortiums thinking of taking over the team.<br />
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Shepherd, speaking on Sky Sports News, refused to give away too many details but did describe both potential bidders as "big-money players".<br />
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Ashley, who made his fortune by creating the Sports Direct chain of stores, bought Newcastle for more than 134 million pounds in May 2007.<br />
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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.<br />
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"I have really loved taking my kids to the games, being next to them and all the fans.<br />
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"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."<br />
<br />
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.<br />
<br />
"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."<br />
<br />
Newcastle hasn't won a major trophy since 1969.<br />
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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.<br />
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"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.<br />
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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 .<br />
<br />
"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."<br />
<br />
"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.<br />
<br />
"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.<br />
<br />
"I care too much about the club to merely abandon it."<br />
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Source: China Daily/Agenciesdaefraidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07420516702845453138noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6765934963692292436.post-56161347236422609552008-09-16T07:58:00.011-07:002008-09-16T07:58:53.443-07:00Russia routs Spain to retain Fed CupMADRID: 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.<br />
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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.<br />
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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.<br />
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Vesnina/Makarova breezed past Spanish doubles replacement Nuria Llagostera Vives/Carla Suarez Navarro 6-2, 6-1 for a 4-0 lead.<br />
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The final singles rubber was canceled<br />
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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.<br />
<br />
But although she managed to capture the opening set Kuznetsova stepped up a gear to polish off the win.<br />
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Kuznetsova put her win down to an improved service showing.<br />
<br />
"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.<br />
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"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.<br />
<br />
"I love Spain but I really miss my country. It's time to make the change," Kuznetsova said.<br />
<br />
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.<br />
<br />
"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.<br />
<br />
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.<br />
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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.<br />
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Source: China Daily/Agenciesdaefraidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07420516702845453138noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6765934963692292436.post-29789902047674839032008-09-16T07:58:00.009-07:002008-09-16T07:58:44.511-07:00Bali to offer big bonus in WTA revampNUSA 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.<br />
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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.<br />
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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.<br />
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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.<br />
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Officials at the popular tournament are looking forward to taking it to a new level.<br />
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"We are delighted that one of the most popular locations on the tour has been chosen Tournament of Champions," said tournament director Kevin Livesey.<br />
<br />
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.<br />
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Source: China Daily/Agenciesdaefraidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07420516702845453138noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6765934963692292436.post-84647930261743752442008-09-16T07:58:00.007-07:002008-09-16T07:58:35.458-07:00Richards and Defar finish season in styleSTUTTGART: 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.<br />
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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.<br />
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Defar outkicked Kenyan Vivian Cheruiyot for the second day in a row to win the 3,000m in 8 minutes 43.60 seconds.<br />
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Richards finished third in Beijing while Defar lost both her world record in the 5,000m and her Olympic title to compatriot Tirunesh Dibaba.<br />
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"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."<br />
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Despite chilly conditions, Jamaican Olympic champion Shelly-Ann Fraser clocked 10.94 seconds to win the women's 100m.<br />
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"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."<br />
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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.<br />
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Vlasic triumphs<br />
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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.<br />
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Friedrich's victory over the Croatian in Brussels last weekend cost Vlasic a half share of the Golden League jackpot.<br />
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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.<br />
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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.<br />
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Paul Kipsiele Koech, the season's undisputed number one despite missing the Olympics, won the 3,000m steeplechase<br />
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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.<br />
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Oliver, who joined the sub-13 second club this season, was the only man to defeat Robles this year.<br />
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Source: China Daily/Agenciesdaefraidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07420516702845453138noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6765934963692292436.post-49066023358799406852008-09-16T07:58:00.005-07:002008-09-16T07:58:26.544-07:00Stanford holds on for LPGA victory over China's FengMOBILE, 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.<br />
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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.<br />
<br />
But her 1-over-par final-round 73 was enough to give the 30-year-old American her first LPGA victory since 2003.<br />
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She finished with an 11-under total of 277 in the $1.4 million tournament to collect a first-prize of $210,000.<br />
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Stanford also received her first champagne victory shower from Tour friends Kristy McPherson and Brittany Lincicome.<br />
<br />
" 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.<br />
<br />
"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."<br />
<br />
Nearly five years ago, Stanford went wire-to-wire to emerge victorious at the ShopRite LPGA Classic.<br />
<br />
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.<br />
<br />
"I'm more relieved than excited," she said. "I'm sure I'll be excited later, but just relieved that I did it again."<br />
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Feng carded a final-round 68 for a 10-under total of 278, while Kim Hall was third on eight-under 280.<br />
<br />
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.<br />
<br />
She did all she could to catch Stanford with a birdie at 18, where she knocked an 11-iron to 3 feet.<br />
<br />
"I was pretty nervous at the last hole because I had a chance to win, but I had to make a birdie.<br />
<br />
"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."<br />
<br />
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.<br />
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"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."<br />
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Source: China Daily/Agenciesdaefraidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07420516702845453138noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6765934963692292436.post-64513773649975367982008-09-16T07:58:00.003-07:002008-09-16T07:58:18.528-07:00Swimming roundup: USA regains dominance at Beijing ParalympicsCurtain 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.<br />
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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.<br />
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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.<br />
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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.<br />
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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.<br />
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"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.<br />
<br />
Elsewhere, though losing the leading place on the medal table, China's dominance on the short race still exist.<br />
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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.<br />
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With the 25-year-old Du's lead, China clinched the last swimming gold medal on Monday night.<br />
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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.<br />
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China's newly-crowned leader Du said he didn't imagine he could make such feats before the Games.<br />
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"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.<br />
<br />
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.<br />
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More than 560 swimmers with disabilities from around the world competed here in 140 events.<br />
<br />
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.<br />
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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. <br />
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Source: Xinhuadaefraidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07420516702845453138noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6765934963692292436.post-743641847607583202008-09-16T07:58:00.001-07:002008-09-16T07:58:08.023-07:00Victor Vettel makes F1 historyMONZA, 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.<br />
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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.<br />
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"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.<br />
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"When I stood on the podium and saw the crowd it was a moment I will never forget for the rest of my life.<br />
<br />
"We had a difficult start to the season and so who would have believed this - a pole and a win."<br />
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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.<br />
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"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.<br />
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"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."<br />
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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.<br />
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Kovalainen was happy with his performance, and took the time to praise the German boy wonder.<br />
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"Sebastian and Toro Rosso were strong all weekend and I had problems early on with the extreme wet tyres and my brakes.<br />
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"I think this was the best we can do today - good points and just look ahead now. I'm disappointed not to win."<br />
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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.<br />
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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.<br />
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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.<br />
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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.<br />
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Vettel romped into a strong lead after the safety car left the track, and soon established a comfortable margin in his Toro Rosso.<br />
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In the midfield, where Hamilton and Raikkonen started 15th and 14th, it took time before they could work their way forward and gain positions.<br />
<br />
But Hamilton soon surged into a points-scoring eighth place, passing Kubica in his BMW Sauber.<br />
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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.<br />
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Hamilton, clearly relishing the performance of his McLaren car, then ate into former team-mate Alonso's advantage and passed him for seventh place.<br />
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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.<br />
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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.<br />
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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.<br />
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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.<br />
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Source: China Daily/Agenciesdaefraidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07420516702845453138noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6765934963692292436.post-86958706398412899802008-09-16T07:56:00.010-07:002008-09-16T07:57:02.532-07:00Australia holds off Japan for bronze medal of women's wheelchair basketballAustralia outlasted Japan 53-47 in the bronze medal game of women's wheelchair basketball at the Beijing Paralympics on Monday.<br />
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Despite 21 turnovers and a flurry of missed scoring opportunities in the fourth quarter, Australia proved to be a tough team for Japan.<br />
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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.<br />
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"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.<br />
<br />
"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."<br />
<br />
"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.<br />
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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.<br />
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"It's unreal. We are third in the world, and it's a great achievement," said Shelley Chaplin, Australian forward.<br />
<br />
"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.<br />
<br />
"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." <br />
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Source: Xinhuadaefraidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07420516702845453138noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6765934963692292436.post-82379093689134745872008-09-16T07:56:00.009-07:002008-09-16T07:56:49.622-07:00U.S., Australia to fight for wheelchair rugby gold at Beijing ParalympicsThe 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.<br />
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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.<br />
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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.<br />
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The IOC president was so impressed and showed great interest with the sport after the match.<br />
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"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."<br />
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American Will Groulx scored 13 goals to lead his side, while Troye Collins contributed 14 goals for Britain.<br />
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Groux, who won a bronze in Athens, said he was looking forward to his first individual Paralympic gold.<br />
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"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.<br />
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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.<br />
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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.<br />
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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.<br />
<br />
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.<br />
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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.<br />
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"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. <br />
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Source: Xinhuadaefraidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07420516702845453138noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6765934963692292436.post-14089257834658163612008-09-16T07:56:00.007-07:002008-09-16T07:56:40.845-07:00Athlete's sight depends on goldIf 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.<br />
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"I don't think it's possible," she told China Daily over the weekend.<br />
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"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."<br />
<br />
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.<br />
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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.<br />
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"In front of me everything is blank," she said.<br />
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"When I sprint, I only see colors, and the track on either side of my feet."<br />
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Running blind is as unnerving as it sounds, especially for the long jump, she said.<br />
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"I often feel scared," she laughed.<br />
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"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."<br />
<br />
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.<br />
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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.<br />
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"Of course she can run the 200m in a decent time," Vladimir Radosnov, her 72-year-old coach, said.<br />
<br />
"But we've really got no idea how fast she'll go. Maybe 28 seconds."<br />
<br />
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.<br />
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Money is a major issue for Kazakhstan's Paralympic athletes, who are unpaid, and Makeyeva is no exception.<br />
<br />
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.<br />
<br />
She needs 20 injections - 10 in each eye.<br />
<br />
All of which puts Makeyeva heavily in the spotlight, as the only person under 45 in the country's three-person Paralympic squad.<br />
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The other two, a male swimmer and female weightlifter, are veterans from the Soviet Union era.<br />
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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.<br />
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Makeyeva was destined to be an athlete.<br />
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She was already involved in volleyball, gymnastics and dancing before her eyesight started to deteriorate.<br />
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"I worry about her health," her coach said.<br />
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"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."<br />
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"The important thing is that she must not focus only on the result, but rather the techniques I taught her," Radosnov said.<br />
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"Then we could get a result."<br />
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Source: China Dailydaefraidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07420516702845453138noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6765934963692292436.post-91555082836225637902008-09-16T07:56:00.005-07:002008-09-16T07:56:31.166-07:00U.S. beats Germany for gold, Australia takes bronze in women's wheelchair basketballDefending 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.<br />
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Canada, defending bronze medallist, knocked out the Netherlands in the 5th-6th place playoff and China outlasted Britain in 7th-8th.<br />
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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.<br />
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Center Marina Mohnen Hnen, who scored 13 points, was the only German to have scored over six points.<br />
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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.<br />
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Germany committed several fouls in the fourth quarter and allowed a game total of 19 turnovers, from which the United States scored 11 points.<br />
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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.<br />
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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.<br />
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Forward Mari Amimoto was the game's top scorer with 18 points.<br />
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Canada crushed the Netherlands 61-32 to finish fifth.<br />
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Three players scored in the double digits for Canada, whose tight defence limited the Netherlands to scoring only 10 points in the second half.<br />
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The Netherlands hit fewer than half of the field goals and two-point shots that Canada did.<br />
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Guard Inge Huitzing was the only player from the Netherlands to have scored over six points.<br />
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China thrashed Britain 57-38 in the play-off game for 7th-8th place.<br />
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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.<br />
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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. <br />
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Source: Xinhuadaefraidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07420516702845453138noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6765934963692292436.post-42833864132225284432008-09-16T07:56:00.003-07:002008-09-16T07:56:17.488-07:00Determination leads to silverChina-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.<br />
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"It's so special to get a silver medal on a traditional Chinese festival day," she said, dressed in her lucky No7 T-shirt.<br />
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"It is the best moon cake I could possibly share with my parents.<br />
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"The special feeling is being here with the US team, playing alongside them and having fun in Beijing," she said.<br />
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Sugui was born in Kunming, Yunnan province, but was adopted at the age of 8 by American couple Charles and Marilyn Kriss.<br />
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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.<br />
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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.<br />
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Her parents accompanied her to China.<br />
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"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.<br />
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"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.<br />
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"She couldn't speak any English and left her birthplace lonely and silently," her father said.<br />
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"Today, everything is different!"<br />
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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.<br />
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She is better than many able-bodied people when she wears the artificial foot, her father said.<br />
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Sugui said she wanted to show she could overcome any difficulty.<br />
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"Despite my disabilities, I can do anything I want, so for everybody, just keep going."<br />
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Source: China Dailydaefraidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07420516702845453138noreply@blogger.com0