2008 8 18 Walt Perkins Sports Commentary

[0:54]..." here in China we'll tell you that the US is ahead because United States has the most overall levels right now including. Gold silver and bronze 73 total keeps changing but. Right now 73. China has 68 so it's pretty close but if you talk to the Chinese. Bill tell you that there are ahead in the race because they have the most gold medals 39 golds verses the United States 23 Great Britain is in third. Guy in the overall medal count. But he what's fascinating you go to new anywhere in this city right now including we went two historical site today part of one of the walls not the great wall what. A wall that are protected Beijing many many years ago. An outside of the wall they got the medal count listed. And they've got China on top because gold is all that matters to them they believe it shows superpower status in the world if they can win the gold medal count. They could care less about silver and bronze but if you -- anybody from the US we say give it all to us we want to see gold silver and bronze and in the US is ahead. You kind of feel for the Chinese athletes who come home of the silver and bronze. But well you agonize especially in some of -- the athletes and they've had a few who have gotten hurt and the "...

[0:05]..." counting the hardware. Where are we in terms of the gold and bronze the silver who's leading the race. "...

[0:44]..." And the number count in terms of who's got the gold the bronze the silver. "...

[0:05]..." women's softball team failed in its attempt to win a fourth consecutive Olympic gold medal in softball. Japan beat the American women 321 day in the gold level game USA settling for the silver medal. The US women's basketball team beat Russia in the semifinals 67 to 52. They'll play for the gold on Saturday. Which all the joy -- Walton misty may -- they won the gold medal in women's beach volleyball defeating China. And on and on it goes with the summer Olympic Games. Suppose -- finally got Fed up with the Manny "...

[0:05]..." The Olympic torch has begun it's journey around the world the plane will visit 22 cities and five continents. Before it arrives in Beijing for the summer games. But it is already shining a light on some big obstacles ahead. Just days after the US State "...

[0:41]..." 1980 the US did boycott the Moscow games the -- protested the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan. For the games to remain a symbol of hope and unity for the world. The Chinese government must seize the "...