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Opening ceremony cheers for Taiwan, Iraq teams

Fri, 08/08/2008 - 12:19pm
Clive Rose/Getty Images

Opening ceremony update:

Taiwan, classed as a breakaway province by China's rulers, were given a rapturous welcome when their 24 competitors filed through with softball player Lai Sheng-Jung at the head. [...]

Iraq's five-strong delegation received a huge roar after their 11th-hour inclusion at the Games. Their participation had been in doubt up over political interference in the running of the Iraqi National Olympic Committee.

It doesn't sound like Sudanese-American runner Lopez Lomong, the U.S. flag bearer, drew loud applause. [UPDATE: Actually, the U.S. delegation did get big applause.]

(Hat tip: Drudge)

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As a Taiwanese, I am not impressed.

by BonJourLausannr on Fri, 08/08/2008 - 1:48pm
Like many Taiwanese, I chose not to watch the opening ceremony. Taiwan is the name of my country. China has forced many international organizations, such as World Health Organization and UN, not to take Taiwan as a member conutry. In other cases, China has forced the international organizations to ask Taiwan changing name as 'Chinese Taipei' in order to join. Taiwan is not, and does not, want to be part of China. When China has more than 1000 missles targeting Taiwan on daily basis, I really do not care whether Chinese cheered Taiwanese athelets or not.

Taiwanese? see recent South Ossetia report

by Steve Rose on Wed, 08/13/2008 - 1:42am
Remember where US is when you need them. End of story.

The US is Obligated to Defend Taiwan by Law

by DDuana on Sat, 08/16/2008 - 8:32am
Whereas no such pact exists between Georgia and the US, no matter how much the US wants to intervene. Moreover, Georgia was clearly the aggressor when it bombed Tskhinvali back to the stone ages. And finally, Taiwan has bipartisan support in Congress and presidencies of both parties. Remember: The 1996 Crisis was resolved when President Clinton, a Democrat, sent two Aircraft Carrier Battle Groups to the Taiwan Strait.