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BEIJING (Originally posted on Aug. 11, 2008)—For the past three days since we’ve arrived in China, as soon as we’ve arisen and stepped out on the bustling streets, we’ve joined the one sport that millions of people here do every minute of every day: Walk.

My wife Jasmin and I estimate no less than 8 kms. of trekking—each day. So at the rate we’re hiking (with the Great Wall looming ahead for us to climb), we’d have finished a full 42-K marathon in five days or can represent RP in the Olympic sport of Walkathon!

Last Saturday, taking a break between the Opening Ceremony and our first Olympic sport to watch (tennis), we meandered to a tourist spot with the most number of visitors: The Forbidden City. After riding the ultra-efficient bus and subway lines here, we got off at Tiananmen East and stepped out of the underground to see the red wall of this gargantuan site called the Imperial Palace.

(Originally posted on Aug. 10, 2008)

Twelve months ago, the most lavish and best-prepared Olympics happened for the first time in China. In the next week or so, I’ll be re-posting my articles from those 08-08-08 Games.

BEIJING (Originally written on Aug. 8, 2008)—Yesterday, after only four hours of sleep each of the past two nights (that’s what happens when you tour a metropolis as large as Shanghai in only 36 hours), as soon as our Air China flight lifted off the Shanghai airport runway, my eyes went shut. But it didn’t take long for the stewardess to nudge me off my sleep; she brought along a present for all passengers: a Boeing 737-700 replica of the same Air China plane, with an added signage at the plane’s tail-end that’s symbolizes this country: “BEIJING 2008.”

Photos taken last Aug. 8, 2008

www.sugbutriathlon.com

There’s a new website I just stumbled upon a few days ago. Called “The Science of Sport,” it analyzes, in full detail, the accomplishments of some of the world’s top athletes. In the case of the past two weeks, it’s the Tour de France riders… in particular, Alberto Contador. Visit the site here. Also, read this fabulous piece (and watch his interview), “A new Lance shows old determination,” by Bonnie D. Ford.

One of the funniest messages I received this morning…

Why is Father’s Day celebrated just days after June 12, Independence Day? To remind us, fathers, that we were once free men!

Now on to the more serious ones… Here are quotations I compiled about dads…

“I actually tell my son that I don’t have any hair because he asked me the same question that I gave him when he was born, so he actually still believes that. He’s five years old.” – Andre Agassi

“Don’t make a baby if you can’t be a father.” – Anonymous

If you’re a Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal follower, you’ve got to read this.

At the basketball gym of Barangay Hipodromo, children swing, waltz and cha-cha

“It was an emotional moment, and I think this also lifts up sport, to see a great champion like Federer expressing his emotions. It shows his human side. But in these moments, when you see a rival, who is also a comrade, feeling like this, you enjoy the victory a little bit less.”

Rafa on Roger’s post-match pool of tears