CHINA DAILY THURSDAY, AUGUST 9, 2012 olympics 5 off track ... TALKING TO HERSELF Two-time beach volleyball gold medalist Kerri Walsh Jennings has found a way to keep herself from overthink- ing during her matches. “You have to give your brain another job to do,” she said after advancing to her third straight Olympic gold medal game. And what is that job? “I spell ‘pass’ 20 million times a day,” she said. “P-A-S-S. Right when they’re getting ready to serve.” BETTER LATE THAN NEVER Britain’s military has started pulling back personnel from the Olympics Park after a private security contractor made good on its numbers. Although G4S failed to provide some 10,000 workers it was contracted for, it is now sending more than 7,000 workers to Olympic venues each day. G4S spokesman Adam Mynott told AP: “It’s gone as well as it could given our revised position.” The Ministry of Defense says because of the develop- ment, some military personnel have been put on standby. Although there have been a few issues — guards turning up at the wrong place or minor skirmishes — G4S says the security operation has gone smoothly. But, Mynott said: “Given it’s not quite over yet, it’s still a crossing-your- fi ngers exercise.” IT’S ALL FOR THE LADIES A gold medal brings pride to a nation and satisfaction to the athlete who worked so hard to achieve it. Winning can also bring endorsements and riches that otherwise would CHRISTIAN PETERSEN / AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE be unattainable, and etch the athlete’s name in the history China’s Wang Zhizhi drives for a shot against Britain’s Dan Clark (left) and Joel Freeland during their men’s basketball preliminary-round match on Monday. The London books. Games is Wang’s last Olympics. “I will remember all those years with my brothers,” he said. So what is 26-year-old Scott Brash, one member of Brit- ain’s champion show jumping team, most looking forward to about becoming a gold medal winner? “I really hope this win improves my pulling power with the women, if I’m honest,” Brash told the BBC after the Veterans bid court farewell win. “That’s about it.” is going to fall to the next gen- PARTY AT THE PALACE Chinese basketball will undergo a eration. I hope more rising teens will come out and help China Three months after thousands celebrated Queen Eliza- changing of the guard after Games become one of the world’s best beth II’s Diamond Jubilee, Buckingham Palace will be the teams.” scene of partying for Britain’s Olympians and Paralympians. By CHEN XIANGFENG na fi nish eighth at the Beijing British athletes have enjoyed success at the Olympics in London Games, equaling its best Olym- Women’s veterans not seen since 1908 when London last hosted the games. chenxiangfeng@ pic result. The women’s team, which And the British Olympic Association is hoping millions chinadaily.com.cn But age and injury limited his finished fourth at the Beijing turn out on the streets of the capital for a victory parade minutes in London. Games, also wrapped things that will fi nish at Buckingham Palace the day after the They’re among the greatest Donewald said the team up in London on Tuesday aft er Paralympics closing ceremony. basketball players in China’s needs new players like Wang losing to Australia in the quar- BOA chief executive Andy Hunt hopes children are history. and Yi to emerge. terfi nals. allowed out of school to join the celebrations on the after- They’ve played in the NBA “I hope more Wang Zhizhis It meant the end of the road noon of Monday, Sept 10. and the WNBA. They’ve won and Yi Jianlians will grow from for Miao, 31, and Chen, 29. numerous domestic titles and the domestic league,” he said. Coach Sun Fengwu praised Asian championships. “China can’t rely on one Wang their contributions to the team NAMESAKE CHEETAHS Now, they’re saying goodbye. or one Yi to compete against the and said young players could The men’s world’s top teams.” learn from studying them. Carmelita Jeter and Justin Gatlin — meet Carmelita and national team will Wang was signed by the Dal- “They would like to inspire Justin, the cheetah cubs. They may be only three months lose Wang Zhizhi las Mavericks in 2001 — the those young guns,” Sun said. old, but they will soon leave you in the dust. and the women’s fi rst Chinese player in the NBA “Th ey did a good job as team MARK RALSTON / AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE The National Zoo in Washington has named two cheetah team will lose — and later played for the Los leaders and veterans. Australian forward Rachel Jarry (left) vies with Chinese guard cubs after the fastest Americans in the Olympics. Miao Lijie and Chen Nan, forc- Angeles Clippers and Miami “I know it’s their last Olym- Miao Lijie during their women’s quarterfi nal match on Tuesday. Jeter won the silver medal in the women’s 100m, fi nish- ing both squads to brace for a Heat. A tall, athletic player at pics. Th ey are among the great- Miao joined the national team in 1997. ing in 10.78 seconds. Gatlin took the bronze in the men’s changing of the guard as the 2.14 meters, he was primarily est women’s players in history. I 100 with a time of 9.79. London Olympics wind to a utilized as a long-range shooter always told the rest of the team, but we cannot. “I really wish we had a bunch Cheetahs are the fastest animals on land. Their top pace close. in the NBA. most of whom were born aft er “We went to great lengths in of good players and then I was is nearly three times as fast as Gatlin’s bronze-winning run. Four-time Olympian Wang, Wang made his Olympic 1990, to learn from them during every game and did not want to dismissed from this team,” said 35, was Asia’s No 1 center before debut at the Atlanta Games the Games.” be sorry when we looked back a smiling Chen, who played Yao Ming rose to prominence. in 1996, where he started and Miao joined the Sacramento on this Olympics after many most of the 2009 WNBA sea- LONG SWIM He’s calling it quits on the heels averaged 11.1 points and 5.6 Monarchs of the WNBA in years.” son with the Chicago Sky. “I am of fi ve straight losses in group rebounds, helping China fi nish 2005, but left aft er a short time. Miao joined the national really unwilling to accept the HOME play. in eighth place. She was the best guard in Asia team in 1997. She retired aft er truth that I have to leave due to “We need veterans like “My last Olympics is over,” and no one in China has been the Beijing Games, but was my physical condition. Chinese netizens have sug- Wang,” said coach Bob Done- Wang said. “I will remember all able to fi ll her shoes in terms of recalled because she played “Women’s basketball needs gested Sun Yang can swim back wald Jr, who’s also leaving now those years with my brothers.” shooting and penetration. such a pivotal role. more players to take over.” home, if nothing else works. that his contract has expired. He said he believes China Miao said she gave all she Now, it’s all over. Up next for Chen is a wed- The Chinese swimmer, who “Th is team is building up and can become one of the world’s could. “I’m worn out now. It’s over. ding banquet in her hometown scooped gold medals in the the CBA is building up. But the top teams if the Chinese Bas- “We are old, but we didn’t Everything will be in my mem- with her husband. men’s 1,500m and 400m team still needs him. But this is ketball Association continues allow ourselves to slow down ory,” she said. Th ey got married earlier this freestyle in London, said on his sports, and everyone gets old to improve. and lower our play on the court,” Chen was one of the best cen- year but had no time to host the micro blog on Wednesday afternoon that he was worried and new blood coming up.” “We saw in London that she said. “We told ourselves ters in the world in her prime. event as she prepared for the about trains taking him back home. Teaming up with retired NBA there’s a big gap between us and we needed to set an example. She didn’t want to leave, but the Games. “High-speed train service has been suspended for three center Yao and power forward the world’s top teams,” he said. Young players can make mis- battles against age and injury “After that, I will enjoy my hours in Zhenjiang because of Typhoon Haikui. Can I get Yi Jianlian, Wang helped Chi- “Th e huge task of catching up takes and they can slow down, became too much. honeymoon,” Chen said. back home tonight?” Sun wrote on his Sina Weibo. Typhoon Haikui, the third typhoon to hit China in the past week, brought downpours and fl oods to East China after landing in Zhejiang early on Wednesday morning, forcing cancellation of most transportation services. “Do not hesitate to get off the train.