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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Phelps earns his first gold

Michael Phelps: One gold down, seven to go.    (Associated Press / The Spokesman-Review)

Michael Phelps dominated his first event of the Beijing Olympics this morning, crushing his own world record with a mark of 4 minutes, 3.84 seconds in the 400-meter individual medley.

Phelps, who will compete in eight events, is pursuing Mark Spitz’s record of seven gold medals.

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American slain

A Chinese man stabbed and killed the father-in-law of the U.S. men’s volleyball coach and injured the mother-in-law before leaping to his death from a 130-foot balcony Saturday in Beijing. The victims were Todd and Barbara Bachman, parents of ex-Olympian Elisabeth Bachman, who is married to men’s coach Hugh McCutcheon. A Chinese tour guide was also injured in the attack, which occurred in the ancient Drum Tower.

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Bush has busy day

President Bush juggled sports, strife and diplomacy in Beijing. In a clear reference to China’s tight control of churches, Bush emerged from a service saying no country should “fear the influence” of religious freedom.

Bush later watched Michael Phelps win his gold medal, and has been monitoring the military standoff between Russia and Georgia.