Four spectators stand with their hands over their mouths, trying not to break the pistol shooter's concentration. The crowd raises huge cheers for every weightlifter, whether Chinese or not. By applauding winners and encouraging losers; cheering on Chinese athletes, and inspiring those from overseas, the fans in the Beijing stands have won their own gold medal for sportsmanship.

August 13, South Korean weightlifter, Sa Jaehyouk, acknowledges the cheers of spectators after winning the men's 77kg class with a total lift of 366kg.

In the Men's weightlifting 69kg class on August 12, Frenchman Vencelas Dabaya-Tientchieu attempted to lift a personal best of 197kgs. He waved to the crowd to ask for their support. Even though his opponent in the tussle for gold was China's Liao Hui, the audience responded with prolonged, thunderous applause.

The basketball match between America and China on August 10 was one of the hottest games of the tournament so far. Although the Chinese team was losing, the crowd cheered every time their favorite, Kobe Bryant, scored.

Two soccer fans cheer their side. On the afternoon of August 13, Italy drew 0-0 with Cameroon in a Men's soccer match at the Olympic Stadium in Tianjin.

''Chinese audiences are blurring the concept of nationality in this Olympics. It's almost like a home game for every team,''said one blogger.

When Du Li and Zhu Qinan failed in their quest for gold; when Colombian weightlifter Oscar Figueroa was eliminated from the competition after 6 valiant attempts; in short, whenever athletes try their best but fail, the Chinese spectators encourage and console them with cheers and applause.

The applause encourages the athletes to keep trying after a setback, and inspires them to continue in the midst of a tough contest. This is the true spirit of the Olympics, and it is setting a good example to the world.

Chinese and overseas fans cheering swimmers in the Water Cube.

(China.org.cn by Hou Xiaoying August 14, 2008)