by Xinhua Writer Xiong Zhengyan
BEIJING, Aug. 11 (Xinhua) -- Like millions of sports fans immersed in the Beijing Olympics, U.S. President Georg e
W. Bush hopped from one sport to another, cheering his athletes on.
Bush, who stayed in the host city of the Games from
last Thursday to Monday, became the first incumbent U.S. president to attend an
Olympics on foreign soil.
AVID
CHEERLEADER
As president, Bush's schedules are always filled with
politics. But during the Olympics, it was not the case.
"I'm looking forward to cheering our athletes on,"
Bush said hours after his arrival. "I'm not making any predictions about medal
counts, but I can tell you that the U.S. athletes are ready to come and compete
in the spirit of friendship."
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U.S. President George W. Bush(second row
R2) and his wife Laura Bush(second row L2), Australian Prime Minister
Kevin Rudd (third row R1) watch swimming competition of the Beijing 2008
Olympic Games at National Aquatics Center in Beijing, China, August 10,
2008. (Xinhua/Wang Dingchang)
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At the opening ceremony Friday evening, when the U.S.
delegation was marching in the Bird's Nest, the National Stadium, Bush looked so
excited that he stood up and clapped hands.
The next day, the sixty-two-year-old president went
to various practice courts ranging from beach volleyball to softball, offering
encouragement to U.S. players.
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U.S. President George W. Bush plays
beach volleyable with an athelet of the U.S. women's beach volleyball team
in Chaoyang, Beijing, Aug. 9, 2008. Bush arrived in Beijing on Aug.
7 to attend the opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympic Games and
other events. (Photo: chinanews.com)
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But the real excitement came when Bush on Sunday
joined thousands of cheering spectators in the Water Cube, the cube-shaped
17,000-seat facility, to watch U.S. swimming sensation Michael Phelps demolish
his own world record.
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Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi (L,
C) talks to U.S. President Bush (R, C) while watching Men's Preliminary
Round Group B game 12 between USA and China of Beijing 2008 Olympic Games
basketball event at the Beijing Olympic Basketball Gymnasium in Beijing,
China, Aug. 10, 2008. (Xinhua/Meng Yongmin)
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Gallery>>> |
Bush also made his presence at a late night match
between Yao Ming-led China and the NBA-laden Team USA in men's basketball. Bush
and his father, former President George H. W. Bush, huddled with the U.S. team
before the game to wish them luck.
"I was impressed by them. And of course they go out and put on a great performance," Bush said later, referring to US' 101-70 win over China.
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