On the Scene in Beijing -- Hu Wants a Politics-Free Games, Berlusconi Balks at Steamy Weather, Nike Offers Speedo Exemption

Hu Jintao met with foreign press on Friday and joked that he would like to compete in table tennis for China. (Getty Images)Hu: Politicization of Games "Runs Counter" to Olympic Ideals

In a rare meeting with foreign press, Chinese President Hu Jintao told the media to keep the Games politics free.

"It's only inevitable that people from different countries and regions of the world don't see eye to eye on certain issues," Hu said, without naming any issues.

"I don't think politicizing the Olympic Games will do any good to address these issues. It runs counter to the Olympic spirit and also to the shared aspirations of the people of the world. `We have only one wish, that is to make the Beijing Olympic Games, a global sports gathering, a success.''

Hu added that China would pursue liberalizing reforms after the Olympics.

"The current dream of the Chinese people is to accelerate building a modern country, realize the great renaissance of the Chinese nation, and with the peoples of the world seek peaceful progress, amicable co-existence and harmonious development."

Hu also said he hoped the Games would give China a chance to show its gentler side.

"By hosting the Beijing Games we will show the world that the Chinese people are a peace-loving nation," he said.

"For a long time China has pursued a military policy that is defensive in nature. It will never seek hegemonism... China's development will in no way affect or threaten the interests of others."

Berlusconi Can’t Take the Heat

Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi said the Beijing heat was unbearable and canceled his appearance at the opening ceremony. (Getty Images)Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi says he will skip the opening ceremony of the Beijing Olympics.

Berlusconi wouldn’t offer any reasons for missing the ceremony but did say Beijing’s often oppressive heat and humidity make him uncomfortable. Cooler weather has come to Beijing in the past two days, but typical August temperatures in excess of32°C/90°F should be returning, along with sultry humidity.

Foreign Minister Franco Frattini will go to the August 8 ceremony in lieu of the PM.

Nike Allows Its Swimmers to Wear Rival Suits Swimmers wearing the Speedo LZR swimsuit say it has helped them break world records. (Getty Images)

Nike will set new ground for the company in Beijing, allowing swimmers who are sponsored by the company to wear the revolutionary Speedo LZR Racer. Nike has traditionally exercised tight control on what its athletes can wear—normally only Nike gear.

"It is about putting their performance and their focus first," said Nike spokesman Dean Stoyer. "This is what they have trained for, it is the biggest moment of their lives."

Swimmers wearing the LZR suit have set dozens of world records since its release in February. Competitiors left in the wake of the world record times were begging their sponsors to waive exclusivity rights in order to wear the revolutionary LZR.

Olympic Debut for Video Refereeing in Fencing

The International Fencing Federation will implement video refereeing at the Beijing Olympics. The advancement is meant to prevent a repeat of the Athens Olympics fiasco when a Hungarian official committed multiple judging errors in a gold medal match. The errors cost China the top spot in men’s team foil; the judge was expelled.

With the new system, fencers can launch appeals and use video evidence to challenge calls. This is an important development especially when ruling on cases of simultaneous of contested hits. Fencers will be able to launch two appeals and will have one appeal deducted for every failed appeal. In team events only one appeal will be allowed.

FIE Technical Director Ioan Pop said protests were impossible under the old system.

"Objectivity is an enormous advantage of viedo refereeing" Pop said.

Gold medalist Cristina Stahls said the technology will "help fencing". She added "before, it was a little annoying that you had to depend on the referee."

Quote of the Day

"Since the team line-up is already finalized and announced, it seems my wish would be difficult to grant". Chinese Premier Hu Jintao on his dream to play table tennis at the Olympics.

Written by Ed Hula III.

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