The Summer Olympics 2008 began grandly with an impressive opening ceremony choreographed by Zhang Yimou, a movie director. The ceremony was topped off by Yao Ming carrying the Chinese flag along with a small survivor of the devastating earthquake that rocked the country a few weeks prior.
The lighting of the Olympic torch was a signal to the world to cease violence for just this moment. What should have been a celebration of competition and sportsmanship turned ugly in what seemed like 24 hours.
Over the weekend, an American Todd Bachman was fatally stabbed by a Chinese man. His wife, Barbara Bachman, was seriously wounded as well. The couple were the parent-in-laws of the US Men's Volleyball coach, Hugh McCutcheon.
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