Okay, the men's and women's eight crew heat races will now be held beginning at 2:50 a.m. (your time) on Monday. That's when Camden's Anna Goodale, Boothbay Harbor's Elle Logan and Portland's Wyatt Allen will make their first foray into Olympic competition this year.

So after getting soaked in a driving rain as I headed back to the Main Press Center . . . I hopped on the shuttle bus and am now sitting in the corner of the Wukozone, for the USA-China men's basketball game.

It's the most anticipated sporting event of the host nation, pitting their players, including Yao Ming, against the Kobe Bryant (who's huge here, huge!) and the rest of the Gold medal favorites. It's easily the toughest ticket in China.

And there's quite a host of dignitaries here, including President Bush, dressed casually in a blue oxford shirt.

BTW, LeBron James threw down the sickest dunk I've ever seen in pre-game warm-ups. Floating the ball toward the hoop from the 3-point line, then racing in as it bounced over the rim, catching it in his right hand and slamming it down.

Just thought I'd share that with you.

Ming just hit a 3-point for the first basket of the game and I can't hear myself think anymore.

Later.

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