Word: augustness
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...when Ma embarks on his first overseas trip as president on August 12, he will be doing his best not to upset that fragile détente. Trips abroad by Taiwanese leaders are always diplomatically touchy since China does not recognize the island as an independent nation. But Ma is determined to keep his campaign promise of charting a smoother course with the mainland. Unlike his predecessor, Chen Shui-bian, who regularly traveled in a chartered 747, Ma will fly on a commercial airline to the U.S. on his way to attend presidential inaugurations in Paraguay and the Dominican Republic...
Michael Phelps' quest for eight gold medals remains alive and well after the U.S. men out-touched the French in a down-to-the-wire relay on August 11. It was the U.S.' shakiest event, given that the French squad boasts world record holder Alain Bernard, but Athens 2004 veteran Jason Lezak managed to beat Bernard to the wall in the last 100m by .08 of a second. The time set a new world record, dropping the previous one, set just the night before in the preliminary heat by the U.S., by nearly four seconds...
When it comes to diving, the Chinese expect nothing less than perfection. On August 11, Chinese pair Lin Yue and Huo Liang triumphed in the men's synchronized 10m platform event, winning by a resounding 17.76 points. Silver went to the German squad, with the Russians - one of whom just recently recovered from a spinal injury - rounding out the medals count...
...Once divers enter the Chinese sports system, any perceived wavering in dedication to the sport can elicit heavy punishment. After winning gold in Athens, divers Guo Jingjing (who won a gold on August 10) and Tian Liang were publicly chastised for devoting time to commercial activities without prior approval from sports bureaucrats. Tian did not apologize for his alleged infraction. He was summarily expelled from the national team. Guo, however, made a tearful public mea culpa, saying, "I belong to the country...
...China has rewarded Guo for her loyalty. The comely diver is China's most celebrated female Olympian, and that has translated into more, officially approved lucrative advertising contracts. (The Chinese state sports system makes sure to keep a chunk of her endorsement revenue.) On August 17th, Guo will defend her second Olympic gold, this time in the individual 3m springboard event...