First Full Day of Olympic Competition Begins Saturday

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08 August 2008

Seven medal events open the first full day of competition Saturday at the Beijing Olympics. As VOA's Jim Stevenson reports from the games in China, athletes in weightlifting are among the first to hoist for gold.

The Beijing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics will host the women's 48-kilogram category of weightlifting, the first scheduled final of the Olympics.

The Beijing Shooting Range comes to life with the sound of gunfire as the women look down the sights of their air rifles in the 10-meter finals while the men aim for a title in the 10-meter air pistol.

Gymnastics is getting under way. American Justin Spring says it is time to put pre-Olympic criticisms about the host nation behind and focus on the competition.

"The great thing about beach volleyball is the longevity you can have," noted Treanor. "But also you do not have to be fast. You do not have to be tall. It is what you have got upstairs (your mind). You can out-think the other opponents. And it is a game that you can play in the park. You can have it at family functions. Anybody can do it. And it is just fun for all ages."

In Hong Kong, the three-day Equestrian competition begins. Phillip Dutton began his Olympic quest in 2000 as an Australian. He is now a U.S. citizen and is seeking gold again.

"Every friend, every family member I ever knew were there in Sydney were crying their eyes out and cheering," Dutton said. "To go back there and to be able win a gold medal there, and added to that I won a gold medal in Atlanta which was sort of my new country. So it has gone farther than I ever dreamed it would."

Other tournaments beginning Saturday include women's basketball, boxing and team handball. Qualifications and heats will take place in rowing, sailing, and swimming.