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 highwire 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 U.S. President George W. Bush and more than 80 other world leaders. 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 breathtaking ceremony that began with a legion of 2,008 drummers pounding out a hypnotic beat that rumbled like thunder. Their red drum sticks glowed in a darkened Bird's... [read full story]