September 14, 2008

Nadal tames Querrey to give Spain 1-0 lead over U.S.

Spain's Rafael Nadal reacts after beating Sam Querrey of the United States during the first game of the Davis Cup World Group semifinal at Las Ventas bullring in Madrid, Sept. 19, 2008. (Source: Shanghai Daily)

BEIJING, Sept. 20 -- Top-ranked Rafael Nadal rallied to beat Sam Querrey in four sets Friday and give Spain a 1-0 lead over the United States in their Davis Cup semifinal.

Nadal overcame Querrey's booming serve and early momentum before settling in to dictate the match on his favorite clay surface, winning 6-7 (5), 6-4, 6-3, 6-4 in the opening singles at the Las Ventas bullfighting arena.

Eighth-ranked American Andy Roddick faced No. 5 David Ferrer in the second match later yesterday.

The 39th-ranked Querrey, making his Davis Cup debut as a late substitute for James Blake, came out strongly and took the first set in a tiebreaker after Nadal hit a shot into the net.

But unforced errors cost Querrey as Nadal took the second set on his second break point to even the match. The Spaniard never looked back, hitting winner after winner and breaking Querrey two more times to close out the match.

Querrey had 17 aces and 76 winners, but finished with 74 unforced errors. Nadal had 59 winners and 35 unforced mistakes.

"It was very difficult," Nadal said. "Never in my life have I had so many service points scored against me on a clay court. It's very important for us to start with a victory."

Makeshift squad

Spain, which hasn't lost a clay court Davis Cup series in nine years, is looking to reach its sixth Davis Cup final. The US, winner of a record 32 Davis Cup titles, has assembled a makeshift squad following the withdrawals of Blake and doubles player Bob Bryan. The winner will face either Argentina or Russia in the final.

The Americans are 29-44 when dropping the first singles match.

Fernando Verdasco and Feliciano Lopez will team up in today's doubles against American pair Mike Bryan and Mardy Fish, who is filling for Bob Bryan. Nadal plays Roddick and Ferrer faces Querrey in Sunday's reverse singles.

Querrey's previous record against left-handed players (3-5) and on clay (5-9) didn't bode well, especially since he was up against a player who came in with a 155-14 career record and 22 titles on the surface.

The 1.98 meter American started well with an ace to take the opening game. Nadal, playing for the first time in Spain since winning Wimbledon and Olympic gold, finally had the home crowd cheering after smacking a winner down the line to set up the tiebreaker.

The 20-year-old Querrey raced to a 4-1 lead in the tiebreaker after serving a 216-km down the middle. Nadal battled back to 5-4 before double-faulting, and Querrey closed out the set two points later.

Querrey broke Nadal for the first, and only, time to open the second set. The Spaniard, who has lost only twice in his last 116 clay matches, broke back for 2-2. Both players held serve until the 10th game, when Querrey missed two straight backhands and Nadal evened the match at 1-set apiece.

Nadal took control in the third set, breaking Querrey in the fourth game with a crosscourt forehand and celebrating with a running jump and fist-pump. In the fourth set, Querrey saved two break points in the seventh game and held for 4-3.

But his serve was wilting in the afternoon sun, and a double-fault in the ninth game preceded a backhand into the net to give Nadal the decisive break.

(Source: Shanghai Daily/Agencies)

Chinese basketball player Yao Ming (L) and Chinese hurdler Liu Xiang pose for media upon their arrival at a welcome reception for the 2008 Shanghai Golden Grand Prix track and field event in Shanghai, China, Sept. 19, 2008. The grand prix will be held on Saturday.(Xinhua Photo)

Chinese hurdler Liu Xiang (L) and U.S. hurdler Allen Johnson pose for media upon their arrival at a welcome reception for the 2008 Shanghai Golden Grand Prix track and field event in Shanghai, China, Sept. 19, 2008. (Xinhua Photo)

Chinese basketball player Yao Ming (L) chats with hurdler Liu Xiang before the welcome reception for the 2008 Shanghai Golden Grand Prix track and field event in Shanghai, China, Sept. 19, 2008. The grand prix will be held on Saturday.(Xinhua Photo)

Chinese hurdler Liu Xiang waves to media upon his arrival at a welcome reception for the 2008 Shanghai Golden Grand Prix track and field event in Shanghai, China, Sept. 19, 2008. The grand prix will be held on Saturday.(Xinhua Photo)

Chinese hurdler Liu Xiang poses for media upon his arrival at a welcome reception for the 2008 Shanghai Golden Grand Prix track and field event in Shanghai, China, Sept. 19, 2008. The grand prix will be held on Saturday.(Xinhua Photo)

Workers await the arrival of FIFA President Sepp Blatter at Cape Town's Green Point stadium September 15, 2008. Blatter is in the country visiting stadia to check on progress for soccer World Cup 2010.(Xinhua/Reuters Photo)

JOHANNESBURG, Sept. 18 (Xinhua) -- Construction workers at all the 2010 Soccer World Cup stadiums are guaranteed two free tickets each to the soccer matches, The Star reported on Thursday.

The decision was announced by FIFA president Sepp Blatter on Wednesday, hours before he left the country after his four-day visit.

"I have good news for the workers. We have decided, with the Local Organizing Committee (LOC), to offer about 20,000 workers two free tickets (each) to the stadiums where they are working," Blatter said at Johannesburg's Coca-Cola Park.

"It's a merit to the workers in recognition of their work in preparing for 2010," he said.

The tickets will form part of the 120,000 bulk free tickets to be given to South African residents in 2010, a decision announced by FIFA during the 2010 preliminary draw in Durban last year.

The decision came a day after a LOC board meeting agreed that the cheapest World Cup ticket would be 140 rand (20 U.S. dollars).

Tickets for the World Cup will be sold from January, 2009.

Venus Williams of the U.S. (L) holds her winners trophy as she stands with her sister Serena, holding her runners-up trophy, after their finals match at the Wimbledon tennis championships in London July 5, 2008. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo)

LAGOS, Sept. 18 (Xinhua) -- The formidable Williams sisters, Serena and Venus, are on their way to Nigeria to motivate and inspire Nigerian youths with their story and talent, in what will be their first-ever joint visit to Africa in November.

Godwin kienka, coordinator of the Venus-Serena visit committee told a media conference on Thursday afternoon that the tennis stars had confirmed that they would be visiting Nigeria and were intent on promoting the game on the African continent.

He said the Williams sister had begun finalizing arrangements for their visit later this year.

"They would be coming to Nigeria with their mother, sister and some corporate managers" he said.

He said the Serena sister plan to play an exhibition match and run a short clinic for over 1000 youths that would be assembled from all over Nigeria.

"We will in return make them feel the full weight of the Nigerian hospitality by celebrating what they have achieved for themselves, the black race and Africa as a continent," he added.

He informed that the theme of the historic visit will be "Touching 1000 lives," adding that in addition to the sisters adopting an orphanage for sports programs.

Jelena Jankovic of Serbia reacts to a missed point against Elena Dementieva of Russia during their semi-final match at the U.S. Open tennis tournament at Flushing Meadows in New York, September 5, 2008.(Xinhua/Reuters Photo)

BEIJING, Sept. 19 -- Top seed Jelena Jankovic blazed into the quarterfinals of the Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo with a crushing 6-2, 6-1 victory over Italian Flavia Pennetta yesterday.

But fellow Serb Ana Ivanovic suffered a shock exit when the French Open champion was upset 6-1, 1-6, 6-2 by Russian Nadia Petrova in her opening match on the shore of Tokyo Bay.

Jankovic, beaten by Serena Williams in the US Open final earlier this month, will recapture the world No. 1 ranking from the American if she wins in Japan.

She overpowered Pennetta in a match played under a closed roof because of an approaching typhoon, wrapping up an easy win with an ace after just 61 minutes.

"I would like to be No. 1 again," Jankovic told reporters. "But the most important thing is to finish the year as the No. 1 player."

Ana Ivanovic of Serbia celebrates winning the match against Vera Dushevina of Russia at the U.S. Open tennis tournament in Flushing Meadows, New York August 26, 2008.(Xinhua/Reuters Photo)

Jankovic faces Russian Svetlana Kuznetsova next after the fifth seed blew away Japan's Ayumi Morita 6-1, 6-1.

Second seed Ivanovic, who had declared herself fully fit after withdrawing from last month's Beijing Olympics with a thumb injury, lost after an error-strewn performance.

"I haven't played many matches so I'm happy to get back playing again," she said. "It was obviously frustrating but the surface was very fast and she was going for her shots."

Dinara Safina of Russia reacts to a point against Flavia Pennetta of Italy during their match at the U.S. Open tennis tournament at Flushing Meadows in New York, September 3, 2008.(Xinhua/Reuters Photo)

Earlier, Olympic champion Elena Dementieva booked her place in the season-ending WTA Championships by crushing France's Alize Cornet 6-0, 6-3 in her opening match.

The world No. 4, who won gold in Beijing last month, took just 69 minutes to reach the last eight of the US$1.34 million Pan Pacific tournament.

Dementieva, the Pan Pacific Open's third seed, became the fifth player to qualify for November's showcase event in Doha, exclusive to the world's top eight.

"It's great to be there months before," said the Russian, winner in Tokyo two years ago. "I remember years before fighting right up to the end to get into the tournament."

Williams, Jankovic, Ivanovic and Russian Dinara Safina have already secured their spots in the US$4.45 million end-of-season shootout.

Six of the world's top 10 players are appearing in Tokyo, although No. 1 Williams is not taking part.

In China, top-seeded Vera Zvonareva of Russia beat China's Xu Yifan 6-1, 7-6 (4) yesterday to move into the quarterfinals of the Guangzhou International.

Zvonareva, a bronze medalist at last month's Olympics, will next face Italy's Karin Knapp, who beat eighth-seeded Mariya Koryttseva of Ukraine on Wednesday.

Austria's Tamira Paszek defeated seventh-seeded Pauline Parmentier of France 6-2, 2-6, 6-3. Her next opponent will be unseeded American veteran Jill Craybas, who on Wednesday upset sixth-seeded Olga Govortsova of Belarus.

(Source: Shanghai Daily/Agencies)

Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Matt Garza works from the mound against the Boston Red Sox during the first inning of their American League MLB baseball game in St. Petersburg, Florida September 17, 2008. The AL East-leading Rays beat the Red Sox 10-3 Wednesday night, moving closer to their first playoff berth with another "star-less" effort that's become their signature. The victory moved Tampa Bay two games in front of Boston in the division. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo)

Tampa Bay Rays outfielder Fernando Perez makes a sliding catch against the Boston Red Sox during the second inning of their American League MLB baseball game in St. Petersburg, Florida September 17, 2008.(Xinhua/Reuters Photo)

Tampa Bay Rays first baseman Carlos Pena (R) talks with pitcher Scott Kazmir during the fourth inning of their American League baseball game against the Boston Red Sox in St. Petersburg, Florida September 15, 2008.(Xinhua/Reuters Photo)

Boston Red Sox Dustin Pedroia (R) watches his teammates bat, alongside the Red Sox Alex Cora (C) and Mike Lowell, during the ninth inning of their American League MLB baseball game against the Tampa Bay Rays in St. Petersburg, Florida September 17, 2008. (Xinhua/Reuters Photo)

Tampa Bay Rays Dioner Navarro (R) congratulates WIlly Aybar (C) on his two-run home run against the Boston Red Sox during the first inning of their American League MLB baseball game in St. Petersburg, Florida September 17, 2008. At left is teammate Jason Bartlett.(Xinhua/Reuters Photo)

Boston Red Sox David Ortiz runs towards home plate after hitting a home run against the Tampa Bay Rays during the first inning of their American League baseball game in St. Petersburg, Florida September 17, 2008.(Xinhua/Reuters Photo)

Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Matt Garza wipe his head after giving up a home run to the Boston Red Sox David Ortiz during the first inning of their American League MLB baseball game in St. Petersburg, Florida September 17, 2008.(Xinhua/Reuters Photo)

Robles pulls out of Shanghai Grand Prix due to foot injury

BEIJING, Sept. 18 -- Beijing Olympic 110-meter hurdles champion and world record holder Dayron Robles of Cuba is giving the Shanghai Golden Grand Prix a miss due to a foot injury, the organizers said yesterday.

American David Oliver, the bronze medallist in Beijing, who outran the Cuban in Laussane, Switzerland, earlier this month, is now the favorite at the Shanghai GP, which will be held this weekend.

Dayron Robles of Cuba celebrates after men's 110m hurdles final at the National Stadium, also known as the Bird's Nest, during Beijing 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China, Aug. 21, 2008. Dayron Robles won the title with 12.93 seconds. (Xinhua/Chen Jianli)

"I will not be lonely at all as there will be other competitors next to me. And I will run just like I compete against Robles," said David when asked if he would feel lonely on the track without the two big names in hurdles -- China's Liu Xiang and Robles.

"Fans in China are always great, which we saw at the Beijing Olympic Games," said David. "I will just go out there for them and put on a great show."

David's view was also echoed by the 200m Olympic champion Veronica Campbell, who will be looking for a personal best in the 100m at the Shanghai Grand Prix.

"A world record is still way beyond me, since WRs in women's dash are too hard to break," the Jamaican said. "But I will give my best and make sure that everybody who attends the event can enjoy."

Besides them, Russian pole vault queen and Olympic champion Yelena Isinbayeva is coming.

The 2008 Shanghai Golden Grand Prix will be held from 7:30pm to 10pm on Saturday at the Shanghai Stadium.

(Source: Shanghai Daily)

London's 8 minutes at Paralympics closing ceremony

BEIJING, Sept. 17 (Xinhua) -- Following is a detailed description of London's 8-minute performance at the closing ceremony of the Beijing Paralympics on Wednesday night:

0 to 1 min

Title sequence

A short animated title sequence (drawn by a team of young animators from Soho - one of London's creative hubs) establishes the tone of contemporary London and the rest of the UK - colorful and diverse with the friendly icon of a big red double-decker bus acting as a guide around world-famous landmarks and marking the start of a journey.

1 min to 2.30 mins

Arrival of the transformed London bus

The journey continues the atmospheric arrival of the bus, transformed to reveal an interior of green, populated by dancers. Paralympic medalist Ade Adepitan guides the transformed bus in to the stadium. He is accompanied by young Paralympic gymnast and winner of a competition on the UK's most famous children's television program "Blue Peter", Gareth Picken (aged 9, from Gloucestershire). Some of the dancers beat out an edgy urban rhythm on their bodies. A living facsimile of Nelson’s statue in Trafalgar Square stands above the London skyline.

2.30 mins to 3.30 mins

The mood changes

The cast descend from bus as a drummer appears with a full drum kit on the rear scissor lift, sending up a solid "four to the floor" rhythm. The drummer is a young London musician, Cherisse Osei.

The central column rises and the figure of Nelson puts on his sunglasses and is handed an electric guitar on which he plays a funky riff - an image both of an iconic landmark and also of Britain's easy ability to be respectfully irreverent.

3.30 mins to 5.30 mins

Dancers

Dancers separate into two groups and engage in a call and answer dance section - street dance on one side, integrated contemporary dance on the other and sport in shape of wheelchair basketball ace Ade Adepitan in the middle. Culture meets sport in a competitive exchange with basketball as a symbol both of sport and urban street life.

5.30 mins to 6.30 mins

Time for tea

The dance section reaches a climax and then - tea break! The appearance on the third rising platform of a tea lady - staple of British comedy - and two trolleys of tea, cakes and cucumber sandwiches for the cast signals a complete change of gear.

Tea break over, the dance battle resolves into a series of partner dances. The Waltz then the Lindyhop reference Britain's love of ballroom and our ability to embrace other cultures.

6.30 mins to 7.30 mins

All change please

The announcement "All change please!", familiar to rail and tube passengers across London, marks an abrupt change in the music to a cheeky modern Bossa Nova. The cast form a single unit with Ade and Gareth. The bus begins to transform back into its original form.

7.30 mins to 8 mins

Transformed

The "petals" of the bus fold up to reveal that it has been further transformed from its traditional red to a vibrant colorful rendering of the London 2012 Paralympic logo.

8 mins to 8.30 mins

Journey home

The entire cast move to the front of the bus and, headed by a dancer holding aloft a single umbrella, they parade out leading the bus towards its journey home. They are accompanied by leading competitors from ParalympicsGB. Enditem

LOCOG chief Coe confident of "Great Games"

BEIJING, Sept. 18 -- The chief of the London Organizing Committee of the Olympic Games (LOCOG) is confident the city will deliver a great Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2012 after learning from his Beijing counterparts.

"The Beijing Games will be remembered, in my view, for wonderful elite sports, superb organization, stunning venues and spectacular Opening and Closing Ceremonies," said Sebastian Coe, the British double Olympic medallist and chairman of LOCOG.

Sebastian Coe, chairman of London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games (LOCOG), speaks during a press conference held at the Beijing International Media Center (BIMC) in Beijing, China, Aug. 22, 2008. (Xinhua Photo)

"Beijing (organized) a great Games. We have a great responsibility and we will match Beijing and also deliver a great Games."

Coe said he had learned a lot from the Beijing organizing committee (BOCOG) during the Olympics and Paralympics.

"The attention to detail that BOCOG brought to both the Olympic and Paralympic Games, and particularly the Paralympic Games, is something we would want to emulate in London," he said on Tuesday. "Service provided to competitors has been of the highest order."

Photo taken on Sept. 17, 2008 shows the London's 8-minute performance during the closing ceremony of the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games held in the National Stadium, also know as the Bird's Nest in Beijing, capital of China.(Xinhua/Li Ziheng)

Coe said London had learned from Beijing that the Games was not just about the timely delivery of infrastructure, but also about legacy and correct emphasis.

"Athletes have to be at the center of these championships. If you have athletes at the center of the project, you have to deliver well in so many other areas," he said.

"Secondly, presentation of the sports should further foster understanding of these sports, with one aim in mind, to broaden interest among young people in Olympic and Paralympic sports."

The London 2012 Olympic Games will run from July 27 to Aug 12, while the Paralympic Games will take place from Aug 2 to Sept 9.

Photo taken on Sept. 17, 2008 shows a scene of the London 2012 flag handover presentation on the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games closing ceremony in the National Stadium, or the Bird's Nest, Beijing, capital of China. The closing ceremony kicked off at 8 p.m. sharp on Wednesday. (Xinhua/Li Ga)

"Our responsibility over the next four years is to deliver a Games that will continue to excite and engage young people both in Olympic and Paralympic sports and to leave structures behind that go on delivering for young people," he said.

Coe also promised that all venues would be completed on schedule and tickets would be available in 2011.

"All the venues will be delivered on time. That's the essential requirement of the Games. I'm entirely confident that will be the case," he said.

"We have started much of our Olympic infrastructure ahead of schedule. (Building of) the Olympic venues started three months ahead of schedule."

The venues will also be a valuable legacy for young people in the city.

"Londoners have a rich tradition of being involved in sports. But for many years, it has not had the facilities or the infrastructure to realize many of those ambitions. So these facilities will provide a valuable quality of service for the local community," he said.

"We also want those facilities to inspire young people throughout the whole country to take care of Olympic and Paralympic sports."

(Source: China Daily)

Related entries:

London's 8 minutes at Paralympics closing ceremony

Paralympic Games helps open more doors

BEIJING, Sept. 18 -- For Beijing, the Olympics and Paralympics have brought the clearest and bluest skies to the capital in the last 10 years, reduced traffic congestion by half, promoted the concept of queuing at bus stops and subway stations, improved infrastructure with new sidewalks and resurfaced streets, promoted public politeness, increased green spaces in the city and last but not least increased access for persons with disabilities in public spaces around the city.

A spectator waves the national flag of China and the flag of International Paralympic Committee ahead of the closing ceremony of Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games in the National Stadium, or the Bird's Nest, Beijing, China, Sept. 17, 2008. The closing ceremony will kick off at 8 p.m. sharp on Wednesday. (Xinhua/Guo Dayue)

It does not get any better for disabled persons living in Beijing than September 2008, at least near the Olympic park where the subway has elevator access for wheelchairs, where wheelchair ramps have been recently built for some local businesses, and where banners marking the Paralympics give a sense that disabled people will be out and about.

Increased disability access is evident in the many public buses that are equipped with automated wheelchair ramps and sound systems that indicate the number of the bus for blind persons. Also, one might spot one of the 30 new wheelchair accessible taxis on the streets.

An athlete in wheelchair communicates with performers as she leaves the field after the closing ceremony of Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games in the National Stadium, or the Bird's Nest, Beijing, China, Sept. 17, 2008. (Xinhua Photo)

In general and in short, Beijing is among the more physically accessible cities in Asia. But there are still problems. For example, some taxi drivers are not willing to pick up wheelchair users. The introduction of the 30 accessible taxis has actually added to the problem in a way, because drivers of regular taxis use them as an excuse for not picking up wheelchair users, saying that the potential passenger should take a special taxi instead.

Drivers of buses with wheelchair lifts claim to not know how to operate the lifts, and the more honest drivers saying they do not want to make the effort. In some public restrooms, the handicapped stalls end up as broom closets or are simply locked. Around the city, signage will sometimes indicate that a space is handicapped accessible, when in fact there is no access.

Physical access problems aside, one would expect that disabled persons would be going about their daily lives in Beijing just like everyone else. But where are they? It is rare to see a person with an evident physical disability on the streets of Beijing, yet government statistics say that 6 percent of the country's population is either mentally or physically disabled and that Beijing has close to 1 million disabled residents.

Performers celebrate with the mascot of Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games after the closing ceremony of Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games in the National Stadium, or the Bird's Nest, Beijing, China, Sept. 17, 2008. (Xinhua Photo)

Although there are many three-wheeled scooters on the streets with stickers indicating that the operator is disabled, few of these persons seem to have any disability and likely operate the scooter based on a disabled family member's special permit. The answer to why we do not see many disabled people "going about daily life" is that despite strides in physical access, societal barriers keep many disabled persons from finding work, attending school, or even getting out of their home.

The China Disabled Persons Federation, which has worked tirelessly to improve the quality of life for persons with disabilities, notes that some companies deliberately break employment laws that require them to hire a percentage of disabled persons. These companies would rather pay fines than hire workers with disabilities.

And in the area of education, many schools simply lack access or cite outdated school policies for not opening their doors to disabled students. This is particularly discouraging as barriers snowball if one has no education.

The federation says that Chinese society is "not fully informed of the disabled people's suffering", and that the government needs to increase publicity efforts so that society on the whole, and the disabled, can better communicate with each other.

The government is now doing just that with its unprecedented coverage of the Paralympics by the Chinese media. Also, tickets to the Paralympics are selling well. This means that the 4,200 national and international Paralympians have had large crowds to cheer them on. It is perhaps the greatest promotional effort thus far to increase awareness of persons with disabilities in the country. Chinese society can witness firsthand the abilities of disabled persons in the sporting arena.

The next step will be for the abilities of disabled persons on the Paralympic field to be translated into a realization of their abilities to study, work, and go about daily life in a barrier-free society. The Paralympics is not an event to give the disabled something to do. It is to showcase that disabled persons, despite whatever perceived disability, are just as able as the non-disabled to contribute to society. They should not be considered a burden.

Dedication and hard work will be on display at the Paralympics. And all those fortunate enough to have witnessed the athletes need to know that such dedication translates to the workplace in terms of having a more productive and loyal employee in a company. In the academic arena, excluding the disabled means a country is not fully reaching its own potential: educational opportunities should be provided to all citizens.

The clear blue skies these past few weeks have spurred Beijing residents to call for keeping such measures as traffic reduction permanent. Perhaps with increased awareness of the abilities of the disabled, calls for positive change for these citizens will be made as well.

(Source: China Daily/By Eric Roeder)

Red leaves of Fragrant Hill, a famous scenic spot in Beijing, are shaked off at the center of the field during the art performance "A Letter to the Future" of the closing ceremony of Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games in the National Stadium, or the Bird's Nest, Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 17, 2008. The closing ceremony kicked off at 8 p.m. sharp on Wednesday. (Xinhua/Guo Dayue)

Photo taken on Sept. 17, 2008 shows a scene of the art performance "A Letter to the Future" in the closing ceremony of Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games in the National Stadium, or the Bird's Nest, Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 17, 2008. The closing ceremony kicked off at 8 p.m. sharp on Wednesday. (Xinhua/Liao Yujie)

Photo taken on Sept. 17, 2008 shows the art performance named A Letter to the Future during the closing ceremony of the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games held in the National Stadium, also know as the Bird's Nest in Beijing, capital of China. (Xinhua/Wang Yebiao)

The military band performs behind a mailbox at the beginning of the closing ceremony of Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games in the National Stadium, or the Bird's Nest, in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 17, 2008. The closing ceremony kicked off at 8 p.m. sharp on Wednesday. (Xinhua/Li Ga)

Red leaves of Fragrant Hill, a famous scenic spot in Beijing, are shaked off at the center of the field during the closing ceremony of Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games in the National Stadium, or the Bird's Nest, Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 17, 2008. The closing ceremony kicked off at 8 p.m. sharp on Wednesday. (Xinhua/Guo Dayue)

Chinese national flag and the flag of International Paralympic Committee(IPC) are raised during the closing ceremony for the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games held in the National Stadium, also know as the Bird's Nest in Beijing, capital of China, on Sept. 17, 2008. (Xinhua/Li Ziheng)

Photo taken on Sept. 17, 2008 shows a scene of the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games closing ceremony in the National Stadium, or the Bird's Nest, Beijing, capital of China. The closing ceremony kicked off at 8 p.m. sharp on Wednesday. (Xinhua/Li Ga)

Photo taken on Sept. 17, 2008 shows the fireworks of the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games closing ceremony in the National Stadium (R), or the Bird's Nest, Beijing, capital of China. The building on the left is the National Aquatic Center, or the Water Cube. (Xinhua/Xu Zugen)

Fireworks are displayed during the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games closing ceremony held in the National Stadium, or the Bird's Nest, Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 17, 2008. (Xinhua/Ren Yong)

Fireworks are displayed during the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games closing ceremony held in the National Stadium, or the Bird's Nest, Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 17, 2008. (Xinhua/Liu Lihang)

Fireworks are displayed during the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games closing ceremony held in the National Stadium, or the Bird's Nest, Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 17, 2008. (Xinhua/Du Huaju)

Fireworks are displayed during the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games closing ceremony held in the National Stadium, or the Bird's Nest, Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 17, 2008. (Xinhua/Zhang Yanhui)

Actresses perform during the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games closing ceremony in the National Stadium, or the Bird's Nest, Beijing, capital of China. The closing ceremony kicked off at 8 p.m. sharp on Wednesday. (Xinhua/Li Ga)

Artists perform during the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games in the National Stadium, or the Bird's Nest, Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 17, 2008. The closing ceremony kicked off at 8 p.m. sharp on Wednesday. (Xinhua/Guo Dayue)

Photo taken on Sept. 17, 2008 shows the art performance titled Red Leaves of Fragrant Hill during the closing ceremony of the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games held in the National Stadium, also know as the Bird's Nest in Beijing, capital of China. (Xinhua/Li Ziheng)

Artists perform during the closing ceremony of Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games in the National Stadium, or the Bird's Nest, Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 17, 2008. The closing ceremony kicked off at 8 p.m. sharp on Wednesday. (Xinhua/Guo Dayue)

Photo taken on Sept. 17, 2008 shows the art performance named Red Leaves of Fragrant Hill during the closing ceremony of the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games held in the National Stadium, also know as the Bird's Nest in Beijing, capital of China. (Xinhua/Wang Yebiao)

Photo taken on Sept. 17, 2008 shows a scene of the art performance Red Leaves of Fragrant Hill on the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games closing ceremony in the National Stadium, or the Bird's Nest, Beijing, capital of China. The closing ceremony kicked off at 8 p.m. sharp on Wednesday. (Xinhua/Liu Dawei)

An actress drops a letter into the mailbox among the red leaves of Fragrant Hill, a famous scenic spot in Beijing, which are shaked off at the center of the field during the art performance "A Letter to the Future" in the closing ceremony of Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games in the National Stadium, or the Bird's Nest, Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 17, 2008. The closing ceremony kicked off at 8 p.m. sharp on Wednesday. (Xinhua/Liao Yujie)

Cloth dolls of different countries and different skin colors walk the steps of cartoon characters during the art performance "A Letter to the Future" in the closing ceremony of Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games in the National Stadium, or the Bird's Nest, Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 17, 2008. The closing ceremony kicked off at 8 p.m. sharp on Wednesday. (Xinhua/Liao Yujie)

Photo taken on Sept. 17, 2008 shows a scene of the art performance on the closing ceremony of Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games closing ceremony in the National Stadium, or the Bird's Nest, Beijing, capital of China. The closing ceremony kicked off at 8 p.m. sharp on Wednesday. (Xinhua/Li Ga)

Fireworks blossom in the sky during the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games closing ceremony held in the National Stadium, or the Bird's Nest, Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 17, 2008. The closing ceremony kicked off at 8 p.m. sharp on Wednesday. (Xinhua/Li Ga)

Fireworks blossom beside the moon during the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games closing ceremony held in the National Stadium, or the Bird's Nest, Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 17, 2008. The closing ceremony kicked off at 8 p.m. sharp on Wednesday. (Xinhua/Li Ga)

Artists perform during the closing ceremony of the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games held in the National Stadium, also know as the Bird's Nest in Beijing, capital of China, on Sept. 17, 2008. (Xinhua/Du Huaju)

Photo taken on Sept. 17, 2008 shows the fireworks of the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games closing ceremony in the National Stadium, or the Bird's Nest, Beijing, capital of China. (Xinhua/Chen Kai)

Photo taken on Sept. 17 shows the closing ceremony of the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games held in the National Stadium, also know as the Bird's Nest in Beijing, capital of China. (Xinhua/Du Huaju)

Photo taken on Sept. 17, 2008 shows a scene of the art performance on the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games closing ceremony in the National Stadium, or the Bird's Nest, Beijing, capital of China. The closing ceremony kicked off at 8 p.m. sharp on Wednesday. (Xinhua/Li Ga)

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