Kristi Heim: The World in China

Seattle Times reporter Kristi Heim explores a changing China on the world stage.

August 10, 2008 9:28 PM

The power of sports to uplift and inspire

If you want to see what's beautiful about the Olympics, these faces say it all.

Like the image of Russian and Georgian athletes embracing on the podium yesterday, this is the Olympics at its best.

I met some amazing fans at last night's basketball game between the U.S. and China. The event embodied the kind of friendly competition and mutual admiration that left everyone walking away happy.

The two young Americans are Stephen and George Pond of Winston-Salem, N.C. They could barely contain their excitement.

"This is the best thing ever," Stephen Pond said before turning around to high-five a Chinese fan holding a large red Chinese flag behind him.

Actress Glenn Close was sitting nearby, but I didn't recognize her immediately. She was in Beijing with her husband to watch the games, and apparently enjoying a rare bit of anonymity because she even got up to buy her own beer. I was interviewing another fan, Ron Meyer, when she came up to chat with him. She was completely down to earth and friendly. After the game, she took a picture of some Chinese fans. I bet this beats courtside seats at a Laker game.

Below are the Chinese fans that attracted Close's attention (and mine). They are Beijing residents Jia Dongzhuo (right) and Zhan Yi. Even though China lost the match, Jia said that just being there was "brilliant."

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Posted by merrybob

9:08 PM, Aug 11, 2008

The (sports) events are wonderful, but equally delightful experiences take place in the stands at Olympic Games! Thank you for this particularly lovely piece!

Posted by betty ford

4:35 PM, Aug 12, 2008

Although I have never been a proponent of face painting, I agree that the sportsmanship shown by the US and Chinese fans at the this event captures the Olympic spirit much more than any fireworks display or awards ceremony.

Posted by farmer gnome

8:20 PM, Aug 17, 2008

It's really nice to see stories like this- it reminds me of the true spirit of what the Olympics used to seem to be about...it is nice to cut through all the corporate packaging and find that the core spirit is still there.