IN BRIEF (Page 22)
ATHLETICS
Troubled runner has new hope after financial help
Former long-distance runner Ai Dongmei, who announced she would sell her medals due to poor living conditions after retirement, was appointed image spokeswomen for a local company.
The 1999 Beijing International Marathon champion signed a four-year 100,000 yuan ($13,000) contract with a sanitary product company located in Xuzhou, Jiangsu Province.
"I am out of trouble now, I am very happy," said Ai. "With this sum of money, I can start my own clothing stall with my husband.
"I want to thank all the people who have helped me, I can live a life I want with their help."
Having stirred up a debate about the lives of retired professional athletes by selling her medals last month, Ai received donations from all walks of life - she was named an honorary employee of Nanjing company while a Beijing local kindergarten has promised to let her daughter in for free.
Together with another three former teammates, Ai is waiting for a court hearing after suing Wang Dexian, former head coach of China's athletics team, last September. They allege he defrauded them of competition earnings and training grants of about 50,000 yuan ($6,329) each.
BADMINTON
Top pair pass first hurdle in Indonesia Super Series
JAKARTA: Chinese top men's doubles Fu Haifeng and Cai Yun, in search of their second badminton Super Series title, won their opener in the Indonesia Open on Wednesday as did compatriots Zhang Yawen and Wei Yili in women's doubles.
Both pairs had only a two-day rest after winning the Singapore Super Series but still looked hungry for major titles in their opening matches at the Istora Senayan indoor stadium here.
Zhang/Wei took 30 minutes to beat Joanne Nicholas/Natalie Munt of England 21-10, 21-12.
But Fu/Cai's victory over local duo Uki Kasah Yoga and Yonathan Dasuki was not an easy one.
The Chinese came back from 15-18 to win 21-19 in the first game against the battling Indonesian youngsters.
In the second game, the world's No 1 duo was more precise on the net and much stronger in the defense to upset the locals 21-15.
(China Daily 05/10/2007 page22)
