China Purges Athens Medalists

CHINA PURGES ATHENS MEDALISTS

More than half of China's gold medalists from the Athens Olympics have been purged from the country's team, some allegedly for political reasons. Although China is determined to top the medal tables at the Beijing Games next month, its sports administrators have taken the draconian decision to drop 22 gold-medal winning athletes. Some of the athletes were forced out by injuries or strong competition, but the China Daily newspaper, thought to be the mouthpiece of the government, also said politics had played a part.

The Daily Telegraph

BERLUSCONI TO SKIP BEIJING, CITING HEAT

It's too darn hot for Prime Minister Berlusconi of Italy, and the opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympics is off his itinerary. The reason Mr. Berlusconi cited for missing the event was the weather. Last week, temperatures in Beijing topped 93 degrees with 94% humidity.

Associated Press

CHINA BLOCKS INTERNET SITES AT PRESS CENTER

Olympic organizers are backtracking on another promise about coverage of the Beijing Games, keeping in place blocks on Internet sites in the Main Press Center and venues where reporters will work. The blocked sites will make it difficult for journalists to retrieve information, particularly on political and human rights stories the government dislikes.

Associated Press