Olympics-2008

Players of Guangdong team celebrate after winning the men's basketball final against Shandong team at the 11th Chinese National Games in Jinan, east China's Shandong Province, Oct. 28, 2009. Guangdong won 81-76 and took the gold medal. (

Cao Zhenhua (R) of Shandong team vies with a player of Guangdong team durnig the men's basketball final at the 11th Chinese National Games in Jinan, east China's Shandong Province, Oct. 28, 2009. Shandong team lost the match 76-81 and took the silver medal.

Players of Guangdong team celebrate on the awarding podium after the men's basketball final against Shandong team at the 11th Chinese National Games in Jinan, east China's Shandong Province, Oct. 28, 2009. Guangdong won 81-76 and took the gold medal.

 (Xinhua/Yang Lei)

Players of Shanghai team celebrate during the awarding ceremony for the men's volleyball final at the 11th Chinese National Games in Jinan, capital of east China's Shandong Province, Oct. 27, 2009. Shanghai won the match against the People's Liberation Army (PLA) team 3-0 and claimed the title.

Players of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) team salute during the awarding ceremony for the men's volleyball final at the 11th Chinese National Games in Jinan, capital of east China's Shandong Province, Oct. 27, 2009. The PLA team won the silver after losing to Shanghai team 0-3.

Players of Shanghai team celebrate their victory after the men's volleyball final against the People's Liberation Army (PLA) team at the 11th Chinese National Games in Jinan, capital of east China's Shandong Province, Oct. 27, 2009. Shanghai won 3-0 and claimed the title.

He Jiong (Top) of Shanghai team passes the ball during the men's volleyball final against the People's Liberation Army (PLA) team at the 11th Chinese National Games in Jinan, capital of east China's Shandong Province, Oct. 27, 2009. Shanghai won 3-0 and claimed the title.

Fang Yingchao of Shanghai team spikes during the men's volleyball final against the People's Liberation Army (PLA) team at the 11th Chinese National Games in Jinan, capital of east China's Shandong Province, Oct. 27, 2009. Shanghai won 3-0 and claimed the title.

Players of Shanghai team celebrate during the awarding ceremony for the men's volleyball final at the 11th Chinese National Games in Jinan, capital of east China's Shandong Province, Oct. 27, 2009. Shanghai won the match against the People's Liberation Army (PLA) team 3-0 and claimed the title.

Shen Qiong (R) of Shanghai team spikes during the men's volleyball final against the People's Liberation Army (PLA) team at the 11th Chinese National Games in Jinan, capital of east China's Shandong Province, Oct. 27, 2009. Shanghai won 3-0 and claimed the title.

(Xinhua/Fan Jun)

    JINAN, East China, Oct. 26 -- A female runner competing in China's National Games has tested positive for a banned substance, in the third doping scandal to stain the Oct. 16-28 competition.

Wang Jing of Fujian Province dashes to the end point during the final of women's 100m sprint at the 11th Chinese National Games in Jinan, east China's Shandong Province, Oct. 22, 2009.

Wang Jing, winner of the women's 100m race on Thursday, was kicked out of the competition and her results were stripped off, awarding Jiangsu province representative Jiang Lan, silver medalist in the women's 100m, the gold.

It is the third doping case at the Games after Guo Linna, a rower from Henan Province and Li Jie, a shooter from Inner Mongolia were found to haven taken banned substances earlier at the Games.

Elsewhere in athletics, Li Yanxi of Hebei broke the oldest Chinese track field national record as he rewrote the men's 28-year-old triple jump record with 17.59 meters on Monday.

The 25-year-old Li, the 2006 Asian Games champion in Doha, also broke the Asian record of 17.35 set by Kazakhstan's Oleg Sakirkin in 1994.

The national mark of 17.34 was set by legendary Zou Zhenxian at the 3rd Athletics World Cup in Rome in 1981.

In Monday's program, Peng Shuai took central stage of the competition by winning her third gold at Games after partnering Xu Yifan to claim the women's doubles title.

The team from Tianjin were hardly tested by Sichuan's Grand Slam winners Zheng Jie/Yan Zi to secure the gold at 6-4, 6-1.

The title came as the icing on the cake as Peng has inspired the team of Tianjin for the women's team title and secured the mixed doubles gold on Sunday.

The 23-year-old is also in the run for a record four golds at the prestigious meet by reaching the final at the singles event, where Peng will take on Zhejiang's Han Xinyun on Tuesday.

"I haven't thought too much about the singles event," said Peng, "I'm very happy at the moment, and meanwhile very tired. I just want to take a good rest and fight tomorrow.

"Either lose or win, I will be happy, since I have already harvested three gold medals."

In road cycling, veteran cyclist Wong Kam-po sprinted in the end of a 201-kilometer route and brought Hong Kong the first gold medal at the national meet.

It is also Wong's third gold medal in the road cycling event in four National Games.

(Xinhua) -

Chinese sailor Liu Juncheng, 54-year-old, starts his global voyage alone with his "Ho Yo" unpowered sailing ship from a pier of the Yalujiang River in Dandong, northeast China's Liaoning Province, Oct. 25, 2009. Liu planned to finish about 36,000 sea miles of global voyage alone in three years without stopping overland except supplement provisions.

Chinese sailor Liu Juncheng, 54-year-old, poses with Chinese national flag as he starts his global voyage alone with his "Ho Yo" unpowered sailing ship from a pier of Yalujiang River in Dandong, northeast China's Liaoning Province, Oct. 25, 2009.

Chinese sailor Liu Juncheng, 54-year-old, waves to friends and relatives as he starts his global voyage alone with his "Ho Yo" unpowered sailing ship from a pier of the Yalujiang River in Dandong, northeast China's Liaoning Province, Oct. 25, 2009.

(Xinhua/Chen Hao)

JINAN: Athens Olympic champion Liu Xiang ignited a sold-out Olympic sports center with victory in the men's 110m hurdles finals at the 11th Chinese National Games here on Sunday.

Olympic gold medalist Liu Xiang (C) from Shanghai jubilates while Ji Wei(L) of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) team and Shi Dongpeng from Hebei watch on the podium after the men's 110m hurdles of athletics at the 11th Chinese National Games in Jinan, east China's Shandong Province, Oct. 25, 2009.

The 26-year-old Liu, who finished second at the Shanghai Golden Grand Prix last month, exploded out of the starting blocks and hit the line first with a last-gasp burst in 13.34 seconds.

The result was good enough for the 2007 world champion to win the title, but far off his former world record and personal best of 12.88 seconds.

"I just wanted to keep the pace, keep steady. I kept watching my opponents during the race. I didn't make my upmost to spurt," Liu said after the race.

Ji Wei of the Peoples Liberation Army, who placed first in the Saturday's heats, finished second in 13.42. Liu's national teammate Shi Dongpeng stood third in 13.63.

Liu made an iconic bug-eyed expression to amuse the audiences before the race. The former record holder trotted around the stadium after crossing the line, waving arms to audiences, attracting thunderous cheers and applauses from a more than 50,000 crowd.

Olympic goldmedalist Liu Xiang (R) from Shanghai competes during the men's 110m hurdles of athletics at the 11th Chinese National Games in Jinan, east China's Shandong Province, Oct. 25, 2009.

"Thanks a lot for the Shandong peoples' support and also the media. I felt great tonight," Liu added.

The race was Liu's first since he staged his comeback from Achilles tendon surgery last month at the Shanghai Golden Grand Prix. He finished second in a wind-aided 13.15 seconds after crossing the line neck and neck with American Terrence Trammell.

"After I accepted the surgery, I was in doubt of myself and cannot see my future. But with one match after another, I gradually recovered. I believed in myself." said Liu.

As the first Chinese male athlete to win an Olympic track gold, Liu is one of the nation's favorite sports stars like NBA Houston Rockets' center Yao Ming.

Supporters were shocked and heartbroken when Liu limped out of the Bird's Nest last year at the Beijing Olympics due to the foot injury.

Thirteen months later, the strong-minded man thrilled the home crowd with strong comeback in Shanghai and proved he still had the strength to catch up with current record holder Dayron Robles of Cuba.

Liu's victory on Sunday made him become the first Chinese athlete to win an event in a row in three straight Games.

"To be a triple champion was great. I still hope to win the fourth next time," said a beaming Liu.

Olympic goldmedalist Liu Xiang (R) from Shanghai competes during the men's 110m hurdles of athletics at the 11th Chinese National Games in Jinan, east China's Shandong Province, Oct. 25, 2009.

Olympic goldmedalist Liu Xiang (C) from Shanghai competes during the men's 110m hurdles of athletics at the 11th Chinese National Games in Jinan, east China's Shandong Province, Oct. 25, 2009.

[Xinhua]

Peng Shuai from Tianjin returns a shot during the women's singles semifinal of tennis against Yan Zi from Sichuan at the 11th Chinese National Games in Jinan, capital of east China's Shandong Province, Oct. 26, 2009. Peng Shuai won the match 2-0 and advanced into the final.

JINAN, East China, Oct. 26 -- Chinese tennis star Peng Shuai from Tianjin beat Sichuan's Yan Zi 6-0, 6-1 on Monday for the women's singles final at the 11th Chinese National Games.

"I am surprised and happy to achieve such results," said Peng Shuai, third seed of the singles event after Li Na and Zheng Jie.

Yan Zi from Sichuan returns a shot during the women's singles semifinal of tennis against Peng Shuai from Tianjin at the 11th Chinese National Games in Jinan, capital of east China's Shandong Province, Oct. 26, 2009. Yan Zi lost the match 0-2.

"I feel more grateful to the people who support and help me. I will hold on to the next matches. And then I will have a rest after the tournament," said Peng.

Peng has become the top favorite to win the title after Chinese number one Li pulled out of the tournament due to injury and Zheng's early exit.

Peng, already winning two golds at the team event and the mixed doubles, will also have a chance to win the women's doubles that is to kick off later on Monday.

Peng Shuai from Tianjin returns a shot during the women's singles semifinal of tennis against Yan Zi from Sichuan at the 11th Chinese National Games in Jinan, capital of east China's Shandong Province, Oct. 26, 2009. Peng Shuai won the match 2-0 and advanced into the final.

Peng Shuai from Tianjin returns a shot during the women's singles semifinal of tennis against Yan Zi from Sichuan at the 11th Chinese National Games in Jinan, capital of east China's Shandong Province, Oct. 26, 2009. Peng Shuai won the match 2-0 and advanced into the final.
(Xinhua/Yang Zongyou)

Yang Zhe from Shandong jubilates on the podium during the awarding ceremony after the men's 105kg final of weight-lifting at the 11th Chinese National Games in Jinan, capital of east China's Shandong Province, Oct. 26, 2009. Yang claimed the title with a total weight of 402kg.

JINAN, East China, Oct. 26 -- Teenager Yang Zhe of Shandong stunned veteran Wang Hailong with obvious advantage to win the gold medal in the men's 105kg weightlifting at the National Games Monday.

Yang, winner in the national championships in 2008, took the lead since the snatch to nail the gold with one attempt left, totalling at 402kg.

Yang Zhe from Shandong competes during the men's 105kg final of weight-lifting at the 11th Chinese National Games in Jinan, capital of east China's Shandong Province, Oct. 26, 2009. Yang claimed the title with a total weight of 402kg.

However, the 18-year-old Yang's winning result had a whopping deficit of 34kg, compared with the weight lifted by the Olympic champion Andrei Aramnau of Belarus in the Beijing Olympics.

"I'm still young. I will keep improving my result and surpass my idol Cui Wenhua one day," Yang told the press.

Cui, taking four golds in a row in the National Games, set the national record of the total at 420kg, before retiring after the 10th National Games in 2005.

"I know there is a wide gap between Cui and I, but I am confident. There is still time."

Wang of Heilongjiang, winner in last Games in the 94kg division, upgraded to the 105kg division due to the increasing bodyweight.

However, Wang could not dominate the new division when he just succeeded in one lift in jerk to take the silver at 393kg, nine kilos short of Yang.

Zhang Lixiong of Hebei, national champion in 2009, collected bronze at 390kg.

MALMO, Sweden: Germany beat England 4-0 to win the European Under-21 Championship on Monday night in front of a near sellout crowd at Malmo Stadium.

UEFA President Michel Platini (R) presents the trophy to Germany players after they defeated England to win the U21 European Championship final soccer match at Malmo New Stadium in Malmo June 29, 2009. Germany won the match 4-0.

Gonzalo Castro opened the scoring in the 23rd minute and Mesut Ozil made it 2-0 three minutes into the second half with a long-range free-kick that embarrassed stand-in goalkeeper Scott Loach, who appeared wrong-footed and could only palm the ball into his own net.

Sandro Wagner scored two late goals within a span of five minutes late in the final to seal the victory.

Ozil set up his first, nicking the ball in midfield before marauding forward and releasing Wagner, who shot between Loach's legs.

Wagner then added the fourth, in the 84th minute, curling the ball neatly into the far corner following a counterattack.

Germany goalkeeper Manuel Neuer did not have to make a save throughout the one-sided final.

England coach Stuart Pearce, who revealed he has signed a new two year-deal to lead the team until the next Under-21 championship, said he would take his time to analyze the team's failings.

"It is down to me sit back and let the dust settle on this tournament and work out how to improve at this level," said Pearce.

"Hats off to the Germans, they beat us 4-0. You have to be humble but it still hurts me."

(Agencies)

SHANGHAI: An intensive warmup followed by solid strides between hurdles and characteristically cool facial expressions.

Like he has a thousand times before, reigning men's 110m hurdles world champion and former world record holder Liu Xiang flew over the hurdles swiftly and squarely during an open training class at Xinzhuang Training Base of Shanghai.

Liu Xiang, China's 110m hurdles world champion and Olympic gold medal winner, rides a bike out of a training base in Shanghai to escape a media throng yesterday. Sun Haiping, Liu's coach, said during a press conference the hurdler was recovering well from his foot injury but is not yet 100 percent fit. [Gao Erqiang/China Daily]

Except for the fact that he was not wearing spikes, it recalled to mind a healthy Liu who stormed to inspiring victories at the 2004 Athens Olympics and 2007 Osaka World Championships. But with his Achilles tendon injury on his right foot still yet to fully heal, Liu is under doctors' orders to train in sneakers.

After being forced to withdraw from the heats at the Beijing Olympics, the 26-year-old is eager to return to the track, but according to the results from his latest physical check, is still not ready. Putting on a determined face, together with his team he is trying to convince himself and the world that he can rise to the top again.

"Our working team and Liu himself have never given up," coach Sun declared at the media briefing after training. "Liu's training today was satisfactory, although it was only 80 to 90 percent of his previous training quantity."

The Shanghainese did everything to please more than 100 media that swarmed to the training center in eastern Shanghai. Toward the end of the session, he even ripped off his shirt and ran topless to show how much effort he has been putting in.

Last week, Liu advanced the date of his physical check to avoid media focus, prompting speculation he would announce an early retirement yesterday.

But an optimistic Liu pays little heed to rumors.

"Liu is good at self control and self adjustment, which is good for his rehabilitation," said Yang Peigang, director of Shanghai Athletics Administrative Center, who witnessed Liu's recovery at Xinzhuang Base everyday.

"His mood in training is the same as before and he is very relaxed," Yang added.

Liu's enormous popularity was also evident in the huge contingent of fans - including several from overseas - who rushed to the Xinzhuan center to watch their hero.

Juliette Bourque, a French student studying business at East China Normal University in Shanghai, learnt of the open session while visiting his parents and went to watch her Chinese idol in person.

"He is the first Chinese to win the Olympic gold medal (in the event). I thought it's interesting, since normally it is always black guys that win. So I started to follow him. He is very young and there is so much pressure on his shoulders. So, all his stories are very interesting," said Bourque, who learnt of Liu two years ago during an internship in the nearby city of Hangzhou.

To escape the media after training, Liu rode away on a bicycle without saying a word, prefering to give victory symbol.

Although Bourque didn't get an opportunity to get close to him, a 40-minute one-man show was enough. "I'm happy that I saw him, although it is a little sad (that I didn't meet with him)," she said. "I won't come again since I don't want to bother him. I will give him my blessings."

Liu also received good wishes from former Olympic champion Edwin Moses.

"It's possible (for Liu to comeback and reach the same height as before)," the two-time Olympic 400m hurdles champion told China Daily earlier.

"The first thing he has to do is to get healthy again. And then, I think secondly, sometimes, athletes have some psychological problems that go along with the injury. That can hold you back. You have to overcome that as well."

Coach Sun already has a plan to ease his fellow hurdler back into the rigors of racing.

"If Liu's physical condition allows, we will enter Liu in some small events to help him first get back the feeling of competition," Sun said.

(China Daily)

Reports that a severe foot injury will end NBA all-star center Yao Ming's career have been quickly dismissed by his agent.

"I heard some reports say Yao's career might be over due to the worsening injury," said Zhang Mingji, who goes by the name of Eric Zhang in the United States. "I don't think it's the right time to say that.

"I can assure you the (Houston) Rockets have never come to a conclusion concerning Yao's career."

Zhang, however, did admit that the previous treatment on the superstar's broken left foot did not work as hoped.

"Obviously, the treatment on Yao's injury was not effective. The team is considering adopting new treatments. But it's yet to be determined."

Houston Rockets center Yao Ming's broken left foot could be a "career-threatening" injury. Dr Tom Clanton, the Rockets' team physician, told the Houston Chronicle on Monday that Yao's injury "has the potential for him to miss next season and could be career-threatening".

The China Basketball Administrative Center said it's been informed of the news but a chief official assumed it would not rule Yao out of the World Championships next year.

"We have got the news from Team Yao that his injury is not recovering well," said Hu Jiashi, deputy director of the sport's governing body. "But they did not say if Yao will miss the NBA season, not to mention the possibility of missing the World Championships next year."

On Monday, Houston Rockets team physician Tom Clanton told the Houston Chronicle that the Chinese superstar's broken left foot could cause the popular sports figure to miss all of next season and could be a "career-threatening" injury. Clanton pointed out that the injury in Yao's left foot has worsened.

"One of the things we are trying to get is a consensus opinion on that, to make certain there is no option we are overlooking at that would provide an earlier return or would be an option for treatment that (Yao) would prefer rather than doing additional surgery," Clanton said.

Yahoo! Sports first reported that the Rockets as well as Yao's representatives were concerned that the 7-foot-6 giant would never play again. Yahoo! Sports quoted "multiple league executives, officials close to Yao and two doctors with knowledge of the diagnoses".

The hairline fracture was discovered following the Rockets' May 8 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 3 of the Western Conference semifinals. The original treatment plan called for Yao to cease all physical training and to wear a walking boot to immobilize the foot.

Lingering injury

Less than two weeks ago, Rockets general manager Daryl Morey said the team was committed to building around Yao.

"Yao is the cornerstone of our franchise now and in the future," Morey said before the latest test results.

Yao played in 77 regular-season games in 2008-09, his most injury-free year since 2004-05, when he played in 80. Before last season, Yao missed portions of the previous three seasons with leg and foot injuries.

He missed 21 games in 2005-06 after surgery to heal an infection to his left big toe, but then broke a bone in his left foot with four games left in the regular season.

In 2006-07, Yao missed 32 games after breaking his right leg and suffered a stress fracture in his left foot in 2007-08. He then underwent surgery and sat out 26 games.

Yao recovered from that foot injury to represent China in the Beijing Games. He made it through the Rockets' season and the first round of the playoffs before breaking his left foot late in the Rockets' 108-94 loss to the Lakers in Game 3 of the second round at the Toyota Center.

Two days after the playoff loss, Yao said he didn't believe the injury was as serious as any of his previous ones. The Rockets said he would miss only 8-12 weeks.

(China Daily)