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Day 3 at the Olympics
August 10, 2008 10:36 AM
Jo Ling Kent, ABC News, Beijing
The sheets of rain in Beijing today didn't stop the Olympic drama from spilling out from every direction. Americans set world records in speed and age in the Water Cube, China tightened security in Beijing, and more protestors were carted away.
Phelps Wins, Anthem Cuts Off, Torres Sets Age Record
Michael Phelps swam his way to his first gold medal today in the futuristic, glowing blue Water Cube, smashing his own world record in the 400-meter individual medley. President George W. Bush Bush, who was in attendance with his father President George H.W. Bush, stood up and gave Phelps a double thumbs up from the stands as thousands of fans went wild.
After Phelps won the first of what many anticipate will be eight gold medals in swimming, he put his hand on his heart and began singing along to the United States national anthem. Just as the anthem was concluding, the notes were unexpectedly cut off with twenty seconds remaining. Phelps, with tears streaming down his cheeks, broke out into a good-natured smile during the awkward silence. When it seemed that the music would not continue, the crowd roared with applause and the three medalists gathered for photos.
The Associated Press reported that after spectators left the Water Cube, the U.S. anthem was played again in full to prevent any future mishaps.
Dara Torres, a 41-year-old American mother, also set an impressive record of her own when she took home a silver medal in the 400 meter freestyle. Torres became the oldest athlete to win an Olympic swimming medal in history.
"The water doesn't really know what age you are," she told reporters.
More Tiananmen Square Protests
On the same day President Bush met with Chinese President Hu Jintao, protestors yet again made their cases known at Tiananmen Square. This afternoon, five activists, including a Tibetan woman from Germany, 21-year-old Padma-Dolma Fielitz, staged a free Tibet protest waving a Tibetan flag just outside of Tiananmen Square. This protest was the first to have included someone from Tibet, according to a press release from the organization, Students for a Free Tibet.
The other four protestors, who were all American, and Feilitz were detained by Chinese authorities. One of the activists was John Hocevar of Austin, Texas who had been in Beijing since August 4 blogging about Tibet for the Wall Street Journal and other outlets. He is the founding director of Students for a Free Tibet.
Across town this morning, a Chinese Christian activist was reportedly detained while riding his bike to attend a service at Kuan Jie Protestant Church, which President Bush also attended.
"I told him not to go because it's during the Olympic Games and this period is sensitive," Hua Huilin told the Associated Press over the phone. "But he was determined to go because he said that church was where he was baptized. So I went with him hoping to protect him."
The line was disconnected three times during Hua's conversation, a sign that authorities were monitoring the call, said the Associated Press.
The string of protests and activism during the Olympics thus far has Beijing security and police forces on high alert. According to the Associated Press, the phone call with Hua was disconnected on three occasions, signaling that the conversation was monitored.
Official visit to American family
As the authorities crawled the streets for protestors, Chinese Vice Foreign Minister He Yafei visited the victims of yesterday's attack at the Drum Tower, which left a relative of a U.S. men's volleyball coach dead. He Yafei visited the hospital to the victim's wife and the Chinese tourguide, who were both injured in the attack.
"Relevant law enforcement departments had started investigation and would promptly handle the case in according with the Chinese law," said He. Beijing has announced they have further tightened security for the Games and declared the incident a random act of violence.
The dark clouds that hung over Beijing today finally exploded in sheets rain this afternoon. The heavy showers continued into the evening as China hit the basketball court versus Team USA in the most anticipated match thus far in the Games.
August 10, 2008 in Jo Ling Kent | Permalink | User Comments (3)
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I will not watch the Olympics for several reasons: 1) China is famous for human and animal abuse 2) they have no right to host the Olympics and threaten the well-being of the athletes with their pollution and 3) China sucks.
Posted by: GoldGlove | Aug 10, 2008 12:52:52 PM
When we should be celebrating, we instead are seeing communist china at work while the world is at war with each other. I don't feel much like celebrating even though I keep trying to remember that the Olympics are also about the athletes. However, the Olympics are also about bringing more peace and understanding among our disagreeing countries. I don't think China is as successful as it wants us to see it.
Posted by: Heather Woodside | Aug 13, 2008 1:41:12 AM
@ Goldglove,
Who deprived the Indians of their land? Who slaughtered the Indians?
If the air is so polluted, could the Kenyan have won the marathon? Who invaded Grenada, Panama, Iraq?
If China sucks, would Usain Bolt have donated 50 grand for the quake victims. You are probably are unaware of this because it is not reported in ABC, CNN or BBC.
Posted by: thomas | Aug 25, 2008 8:01:51 AM
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