Tag: live from beijing
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China’s athletes have gone from good to great
BEIJING • When China competed in the 1984 Los Angeles Games he organized, Peter Ueberroth took pride in helping the country make its Olympic return. The first gold medal of those Olympics was won by Chinese shooter Xu Haifeng in 50-meter pistol. Fourteen golds followed for the Chinese, and Ueberroth was left in disbelief. “Wow,…
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Host China’s politics are fair game
Seven summers ago, China enjoyed a long celebration. The nation had been granted the 2008 Summer Olympics, and fireworks filled the nights. The goal was simple. China wanted to use the world stage supplied by the Olympics “to commemorate dramatic economic, social and cultural achievements over the past 30 years,” according to David Shambaugh, director…
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U.S. cyclists apologize for wearing masks upon arrival
BEIJING • Four American cyclists apologized Wednesday for arriving at Beijing’s airport in respiratory masks, then U.S. Olympic Committee leaders criticized their actions and tried to ease tensions with Summer Games organizers. Track cyclists Sarah Hammer, Bobby Lea, Jennie Reed and Mike Friedman, an Olympic Training Center resident, wore USA Cycling-issued black masks Tuesday that…
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WRESTLING: 9 from Springs going to Beijing
LAS VEGAS – Four wrestlers knew they would make the Olympics. Three figured they might get there. Two thought they would have to watch on TV. Nine Olympic Training Center residents entered the U.S. Olympic wrestling trials with different expectations. All left with tickets for the Beijing Games. Dremiel Byers, Steve Mocco and Adam Wheeler became the…
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VOLLEYBALL: Americans push Brazil to the limit
There were plenty of lows, a number of highs and the renewed belief that the U.S. women’s indoor volleyball team can hang with the world’s best. Relying on its size, power and speed, top-ranked Brazil beat the U.S. 3-2 on Wednesday in the first match of a three-match exhibition series before an announced capacity crowd of…
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JUDO & WRESTLING: Third time’s the charm for Reser
LAS VEGAS – Ryan Reser finally did it. The Olympic Training Center resident atoned for two failed Olympic bids by beating Chuck Jefferson twice to win the 160.9-pound division of the U.S. Olympic judo trials Saturday at Thomas & Mack Center. Reser, 28, topped Bill Shanahan and Nick Delpopolo before losing to Jefferson in the challenge bracket finals.…
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JUDO & WRESTLING: Cejudo makes it official
LAS VEGAS – Stephen Abas waved his index finger at Henry Cejudo less than a minute into their U.S. Olympic wrestling trials championship series, telling his Olympic Training Center teammate to back off. Of course, Cejudo didn’t listen. He never has let his opponent dictate the tempo. The Coronado High School graduate qualified for the Beijing…
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TRIATHLON: Springs athletes face last chance
Hunter Kemper wants an Olympic berth in triathlon. He wouldn’t mind a pile of cash. And a new car. The Olympic Training Center resident can get all three Sunday by outlasting Colorado Springs rival Andy Potts and a strong international field at the Hy-Vee Triathlon World Cup in West Des Moines, Iowa. Kemper, 32, and Potts, 31, headline…
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OLYMPIC DOPING: Stains hard to remove
There have been promises from athletes, assurances from national Olympic committees and guarantees from the International Olympic Committee. They’re good steps in the fight against doping. They’re not enough to lift the cloud of suspicion hanging over the Beijing Games. Forty years after the first Olympic doping tests, the 10,500 athletes headed to the Chinese capital, including…
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WRESTLING: Springs resident Olson headed to Games
LAS VEGAS – After five grueling wins, Brian Olson is headed to his fourth Olympics. The Olympic Training Center resident beat three opponents and Garry St. Leger twice to win the men’s 198.4-pound division of the U.S. Olympic judo trials Friday at Thomas & Mack Center. Olson, 35, knocked off St. Leger in the deciding match of…