Daredevil highwire act launches Games

By Paul Majendie BEIJING (Reuters) - China's "Prince of Gymnastics" Lin Ning launched the Beijing Olympics on Friday by lighting the cauldron in a daredevil high wire act that had the crowd in the Bird's Nest stadium gasping in astonishment. The triple gold medallist, showing amazing courage and athleticism at the age of 44, was hoisted high above the 91,000 spectators, including more than 80 world leaders and royals. They held their breath as he circled way over their heads like a runner racing round a track in slow motion. Then, hovering in mid-air, he lit the cauldron with a streak of flame. The show-stopping feat wrapped up a breath-taking ceremony that began with a legion of 2,008 drummers pounding out a hypnotic beat that rumbled like thunder. Their red drumsticks glowed in a darkened Bird's Nest stadium. In the land... [read full story]