Gymnastics team practises for Olympics

GMT Xinhua English Chinese gymnast Yang Yilin practices floor exercise at the National Indoor Stadium in Beijing, China, Aug. 7, 2008. The Chinese women's gymnastics team held a training session here Thursday, preparing for the upcoming Beijing Olympics. (Xinhua/Lin Hui Photo)

China's flag bearer? Yao is a big favorite

GMT China Daily Days of speculation reached a frenzy Wednesday when rumors began swirling that basketball star Yao Ming had been selected to carry China's flag during the Opening Ceremony of the Beijing Olympic Games.

Gymnasts practice ahead of Games

GMT China Daily Yang Yilin of China practises on the floor during an artistic gymnastics training session at the National Indoor Stadium ahead of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games August 7, 2008. [Agencies]

Chinese swimmers training in the Water Cube

GMT Xinhua English Swimmwes of China’s national swimming team are training for the Olympics in the National Aquatics Center or the Water Cube,August 4th, 2008.[Xinhua]

Hot at the beach volleyball ground

GMT China Daily Cheerleaders perform during a practice session at Beijing's Chaoyang Park Beach volleyball ground, on August 6, 2008, two days before the beginning of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. The US, Brazil and China, three nations blessed with more sand and sun than most, will resume their battle for beach volleyball domination in Beijing after virtually monopolising gold in previous editions. [Agencies]

Taufik says unable to communicate with rival Lin Dan

GMT Xinhua English BEIJING, Aug. 5 (Xinhua) -- Athens Olympic gold medalist Taufik Hidayat of Indonesia on Tuesday refused to comment on the amicable stance taken by his rival Lin Dan, the world's number one men's singles player.

Olympic sailors arrive at Qingdao venue

GMT Xinhua English QINGDAO, East China, Aug. 7 (Xinhua) -- All the 400 sailors from 62 countries and regions have arrived at Qingdao Olympic sailing center as of Aug. 6, according to the Sailing Committee (Qingdao) of BOCOG.

Messi to play Olympics despite verdict

GMT Xinhua English BUENOS AIRES, Aug. 6 (Xinhua) -- Argentine soccer player Lionel Messi will stay in China to play the Olympic Games with the Argentine national soccer team, although Wednesdya's verdict of the Court of Sports Arbitration (CAS) favored Barcelona club from Spain.