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Badminton Match Fixing in 2004 Olympics

Monday, 24th March 2008 ~ Maggie ~ Link ~ Comments (0)

Zhou (right) looks on as teammate Zhang enjoys her gold medal.
Zhou (right) looks on as teammate Zhang enjoys her gold medal.
According to an AFP report yesterday: China's head badminton coach, Li Yongbao, acknowledged to CCTV (China Central Television) over the weekend that in the 2004 Olympics, he instructed Zhou Mi to let her teammate Zhang Ning win their head-to-head match. He felt that Zhang had a better chance to win in the final; Zhang went on to win gold. Zhou has moved to Hong Kong where she hopes to qualify for its Olympic team.

Coach Li reportedly told CCTV: "We told Zhou Mi not to work too hard and let Zhang into the final," and "It shows our patriotism and in fact I am proud of it."

As for Zhou's transfer to the Hong Kong delegation, Li painted her as a turncoat in this statement last year to the China Daily: "She should know who [China] cultivated her into a top player. She should know the seriousness of her decision. If she chooses to play for another nationality, she will harm national interests."

Image: AFP

Tags: badminton, China, Li Yongbao, match-fixing, Zhang Ning, Zhou Mi

Torch Madness

Monday, 24th March 2008 ~ Maggie ~ Link ~ Comments (0)

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The Olympic flame will be lit in Olympia today, and BOCOG (Beijing Organizing Committee of the Olympic Games) wants you to know that the torchbearer selection process is "basically complete." Also, the relay route is all set, and it includes that Himalayan city in the west whose recent unrest is likely to make the whole relay a little more interesting. A secondary flame is to be taken there in April, to await a May ascent of Mt. Everest.

The torch will arrive in Beijing on March 31, but doesn't begin its 115-city China leg in earnest until it arrives on Hainan Island on May 4. You can get your torch fix, complete with scheduling details, 3D animation and heartwarming stories here.

Image: IOC

Tags: BOCOG, Olympic torch, Olympics