China Regains Some Lost Pride

The tears Li Duihong shed on the victory podium were for her country. The emotions tugging at her heart were for a stricken hero.

Li set an Olympic record in shooting and, along with teammates Yang Ling and Xiao Jun, helped mend China’s wounded pride.

Li won the gold medal in the 25-meter sport pistol, and Yang and Xiao finished 1-2 in the 10-meter running target.

The trio’s cache eased much of the pressure the Chinese shooters have felt since 1992 Olympic champion and national hero Wang Yifu lost the gold medal in the air pistol finals before collapsing on the opening day.

Li, the silver medalist in 1992, finished with an Olympic-record score of 687.9. Diana Yorgova of Bulgaria won the silver (684.8) and Marina Logvinenko of Russia the bronze (684.2).

Yang also set an Olympic record with his score of 685.8 points. Xiao finished with 679.8. Miroslav Janus of the Czech Republic won the bronze (678.4).

In skeet, American medal contender Bill Roy of Alamogordo, N.M., was tied with 10 other shooters for 14th place after the first day of qualifying. Only the top six advance after today’s final two rounds.

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MEDALISTS / SHOOTING

Men’s Running Game Target

GOLD: Yang Ling, China

SILVER: Xiao Jun, China

BRONZE: Miroslav Janus, Czech Republic

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Women’s Sport Pistol

GOLD: Li Duihong, China

SILVER: Diana Yorgova, Bulgaria

BRONZE: Marina Logvinenko, Russia