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GoldenRod
10 years on LIF!
Member since 11/06 26792 total posts
Name:
Shawn
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Officials: Olympics opening ceremony dancer paralyzed
By Barbara Demick | Tribune Newspapers
August 15, 2008
BEIJING — After downplaying the incident, Beijing's Olympic organizers acknowledged Thursday that a dancer was paralyzed after a platform collapsed during rehearsals for the Opening Ceremony.
Liu Yan, 26, fell July 27 as she was rehearsing a sequence called "Silk Road," in which she was supposed to dance on a painting with swirling scarves around her. The sequence was supposed to last two minutes; Liu is now expected to be paralyzed from the waist down for life.
Making up for its belated reporting, China's official news media have spun Liu's tragedy into a tale of national heroism. She has been photographed smiling angelically from her bed at a Beijing military hospital, making a victory sign with her fingers.
"I'm not going to feel sorry for myself. I fell at the Olympics, but I will be back to create beauty for the world in one way or another," she was quoted as telling an official Chinese news service.
Although it is unclear when they first visited, the Chinese media are now full of reports of teary bedside visits from Olympic organizers.
"You sacrificed so much for the Olympics and for China," Opening Ceremony director Zhang Yimou was quoted as telling her.
Nevertheless, the Beijing Olympic organizers are taking flak for their late and scanty reporting on the accident.
Initial reports said Liu had missed a step and was lightly injured, and for two weeks afterward all news of the accident disappeared.
But after rumors swirled on the Internet, which in China often carries news that is censored in the official media, the Chinese government was forced to admit what had happened.
The state-controlled China Daily reported Thursday on its online edition that the accident took place when Liu leapt onto a movable platform that collapsed, plunging her into a 10-foot deep shaft where she landed on her back on a steel track.
She was rushed to a military hospital, where she underwent six hours of surgery. The newspaper described her condition as "high position paraplegia" and said she might remain paralyzed from the waist down.
From her hospital bed, Liu watched another dancer perform her sequence in the Aug. 8 Opening Ceremony before 91,000 people, including President George W. Bush and Chinese President Hu Jintao.
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That's terrible that she might not be able to walk again.... It's also a shame that China felt the need to sweep it under the rug...
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Posted 8/15/08 1:29 PM  |
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SweetTooth
I'm a tired mommy!
Member since 12/05 20105 total posts
Name:
Lauren
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Re: Officials: Olympics opening ceremony dancer paralyzed
How sad for her.
It is disgusting how things are coming out about the lying the Chinese government is doing with concern to the Olympics.
I am sure the dancer is just thrilled at never being able to dance or WALK again in the spirit for the sake of her country.
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| Posted 8/15/08 1:45 PM |
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Shanti
True love
Member since 6/05 12653 total posts
Name:
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Re: Officials: Olympics opening ceremony dancer paralyzed
What a horrible story
Seems like China tried to sweep A LOT under the rug this Olympics...
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| Posted 8/15/08 1:45 PM |
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vmac
Mommy VMac
Member since 8/07 1860 total posts
Name:
Vanessa
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Re: Officials: Olympics opening ceremony dancer paralyzed
I really think it's sad how China handles their own people.
I feel for them. 
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| Posted 8/15/08 1:52 PM |
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anonttcer
BOOOO for fall!
Member since 7/06 10082 total posts
Name:
Meaning a NON ttcer!
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Re: Officials: Olympics opening ceremony dancer paralyzed
They treat their citizens like pawns in their game... very disgusting!
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| Posted 8/15/08 2:34 PM |
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seaside
LIF Adult
Member since 6/08 3101 total posts
Name:
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Re: Officials: Olympics opening ceremony dancer paralyzed
You'tre not supposed to sacrifice your bodily health to the OLYMPICS--especially when you're an opening dancer. They're trying to make it sound noble, when there is no excuse for why they can't seem to keep people SAFE. It's an international athletic competition, not a pyre!!!!
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| Posted 8/15/08 2:41 PM |
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Shelly
She's 7!!!
Member since 8/05 14624 total posts
Name:
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Re: Officials: Olympics opening ceremony dancer paralyzed
Posted by anonttcer
They treat their citizens like pawns in their game... very disgusting!
You should see how the treat the Tibetans. Its terrible.
Which is why I was against China hosting the Olympics. But maybe its a good thing because all this stuff is coming to the public's knowledge.
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| Posted 8/15/08 3:30 PM |
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anonttcer
BOOOO for fall!
Member since 7/06 10082 total posts
Name:
Meaning a NON ttcer!
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Re: Officials: Olympics opening ceremony dancer paralyzed
Posted by seaside
You'tre not supposed to sacrifice your bodily health to the OLYMPICS--especially when you're an opening dancer. They're trying to make it sound noble, when there is no excuse for why they can't seem to keep people SAFE. It's an international athletic competition, not a pyre!!!!
Exactly- they act like she got injured fighting for the freedom of her country.
It's the friggin' OLYMPICS!!!
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| Posted 8/15/08 4:08 PM |
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SweetestOfPeas
J'taime Paris!
Member since 3/06 32345 total posts
Name:
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Re: Officials: Olympics opening ceremony dancer paralyzed
that's the thing with communism... every sacrifice people make is for "the good of the country" 
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| Posted 8/15/08 6:22 PM |
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