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Usain Bolt Wins Third Gold; Security Highest Sought After Amenity For Travelers; Live Streaming Growing in China; Trump Set to Make Foreign Policy Speech Outlining Vision. Aired 8-9a ET
Aired August 15, 2016 - 08:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
[08:00:49] ROBYN CURNOW, CNN HOST: It was all over in a flash, but it will be long remembed
by his fans, Jamaican track legend, Usain Bolt, won his third straight gold medal in the men's 100 meter dash on Sunday. He is the first athlete to
win gold in that event in three Olympics. Perhaps no one is more happy to see him win than his fans back home.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Oh my god, the living legend proves himself once again.
CROWD: Usain Bolt! Usain Bolt! Usain Bolt! Usain Bolt!
UNIDENITIFIED FEMALE: Overwhelmed, overjoyed, Usain Bolt to the world.
UNIDENITIFIED FEMALE: Words can't express. I am extremely excited, elated and happy. Usaint Bolt is one of the greatest athletes of all-time.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
CURNOW: He is, indeed, isn't he? Well, our Amanda Davies is there in Rio with more on this very exciting moment in sports history.
I mean, there was some stunning sprints on the track, but this one really stands out, doesn't it?
DAVIES: It does. This is always the flagship, pinnacle, really, of the athletics meetings at an Olympic games, isn't it, the 100 meters final.
But this year, because of everything surrounding Usain Bolt, it's perhaps more special than most.
I just have to say that we've got open water swimming about to start behind us. So, if you can hear the helicopters flying overhead and the
loudspeakers, that is what's going on. Very exciting here on Copacabana this morning.
But last night it was Usain Bolt flying for his third straight 100 meters Olympic gold medal. He did say afterwards he was maybe a little bit
disappointed he didn't go faster. It wasn't as fast as we've seen from him in London four years ago, or indeed, in Beijing. But the important thing
from his perspective, from the history books perspective, is that he did take that victory. Justin Gatlin, his closest rival, finishing second,
facing quite a significant amount of boos, actually, from the crowd here. He'd been portrayed in the buildup as the bad guy, really, to Usain Bolt's
good, because of those two doping suspensions that he had served.
But this, of course, is just the start of this athletics meet for Usain Bolt. He's aiming for the treble-treble overall. The 200 meters, gets
under way on Tuesday. As Usain himself puts it, two more medals before I can sign off immortal. The 200 meters the next to come as I said.
He's actually also being challenged to a race over 200 meters by the other star from the track on Sunday night. Robyn, I know you'll have an interest
with South Africa's Wayde van Niekerk. He was the champion in 2015, but it wasn't just the impressiveness in him claiming his first Olympic gold medal
in the 400 meters, it was the fact that he absolutely smashed a 17-year standing world record in the process. And he did it from lane eight, which
is the lane that everybody always says you never want to be drawn in, particularly in the 400.
You run round the bend on your own, completely blind, have no idea where your rivals are. And he stormed to victory. Some fantastic scenes of
celebration there in the stadium.
He said afterwards he doesn't remember anything of the race, but Robyn, you suspect that it's a race that we will see and he will be seeing for many,
many years to come, another one firmly in the history books here.
CURNOW: Yeah, he just popped up in those final few seconds, didn't he? He really finished so beautifully and indeed all my fellow South Africans
very excited about that gold medal.
A little about Russian athletes, though. The controversy continuing.
DAVIES: Yes. We thought we were done, didn't we, in terms of which Russian athletes were competing or not competing at this games. Darya
Klishina, the long jumper, had been the one Russian track and field athlete who had been cleared to compete here in Rio, because it was felt she
satisfied enough of the criteria that the IAAF, the International Athletic Federation were confident enough
that she had proved herself clean from doping away from all the scandal that has emerged and those allegations from the McLaren report in recent
times.
But, then, because of new information, as they put it, the IAAF actually took the late decision to suspend Klishina at the back end of last week.
She then appealed that decision, and the Court of Arbitration for Sport late last night said that they upheld her appeal. They have decided that
she is clear to compete. They said that the athlete complied with the relevant criteria because of her permanent residence outside Russia. The
athlete established she was subject to fully compliant drug testing in and out of competition outside of Russia for the relevant
period.
So she is due to start competition on Tuesday in the long jump. She finished tenth in the world
championships in Beijing in August last year.
But, Robyn it's going to be very, very interesting to see what kind of reception she gets, because there's been this growing trend in the last
couple of weeks to Russian athletes, and athletes who have previously served doping suspensions, are facing booing, and really not the
best reception from the crowd here.
We saw it at the volleyball arena last night, and of course, in the swimming pool -- in the swimming pool earlier last week as well. So,
Klishina has never failed a doping test, but by association you fear what kind of reception she will get.
CURNOW: Yeah, indeed. And it's not just the fans, also some of the athletes, indeed, reacting
to Russian swimmers. Thanks so much. Amanda there on the scene, helicopters and all. Appreciate it.
And the U.S. is well ahead of the top of the medal table, but things are a little tighter lower down. Britain and China have 15 gold medals apiece,
Russia follows with 9 gold medals. Rounding out the group is Germany with 8 golds.
Now, the Nigerian army wants to question three people who may know where the missing Chibok girls can be found. They are seen on new Boko Haram
video. Families have identified some of them. As you remember, more than 200
schoolgirls were kidnapped from Chibok two years ago. The end of this video shows several dead girls Boko Haram says they were killed in a
Nigerian airstrike.
Well, let's get more on this from Nima Elbagir from London. She's reported extensively on the
missing Chibok girls. And Nima there's a lot to ask, importantly. Tell us about the end of this video. What does it show?
NIMA ELBAGIR, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: It is incredibly difficult to
watch. In fact, we really have to give our viewers a warning before we roll this out for them. It shows dead girls, girls that look like they
would match the Chibok girls in age, being turned over by Boko Haram soldiers so that they can be -- so that their faces can clearly be shown to
the cameras.
Now Boko Haram purports that this is in the aftermath of a government aerial strike which
the Nigerian government does deny. But it is Boko Haram's justification for why they say all of the Chibok girls that were kidnapped are not still
alive.
The entirety of this video is incredibly emotive. It is intentionally emotive. You can see that this is really an escalation in Boko Haram's PR
war with the Nigerian government because this is the first time that we're hearing from them directly what it is they want. And they say that they
want their jailed comrades, they want Boko Haram soldiers currently held in Nigerian government prisons to be released in exchange for these girls.
Otherwise, they say, these girls will never be freed and they will never, and this is said in
the most sinister way possible, they will never be freed or found alive.
It really is an extraordinarily difficult video to watch. So you can only imagine how heartbreaking this has been for the parents, Robyn.
CURNOW: Indeed. And we've had a lot of conversations over this. There has been an aching,
heartwrenching story for those parents.
Before we get there in terms of the government response, what is this Nigerian army wanting to
question three people saying that they know where these girls are? What is that all about?
ELBAGIR: Well interest seems to be in the aftermath of the release of this video and while the
Nigerian government has released some detail about these individuals, one is a journalist that they allege has had close associations with Boko Haram
in the past and in fact was the first to report on the existence of this video, another is an NGO worker and the third very limited detail is known
about them.
It is a concern for many of those sources that we've been speaking to that this seems to have only happened in the aftermath of this critical, very
critical response to the fact that we are now dealing with another Boko Haram video that shows the girls, that has agitated and upset the parents
hugely, and now the government says that it's seeking these three.
The government of course maintains that it has continued to negotiate with Boko Haram, that it has sought both martial and negotiated solutions to
this. But the reality is that people are very, very angry that we are over two years now since the abduction happened and yet the girls have not been
found, Robyn.
[08:10:24] CURNOW: Indeed. A new broadcast, CNN broadcast, a proof of life video showing
the Chibok girls back in April, Nigeria's senate then called for heads of security to explain why this has taken so long. Has there been any
response to that video, and now of course there's a second one?
ELBAGIR: Well at the time the security apparatus said that they were in the process of ratcheting up the military campaign, which is probably why
it's so interesting that Boko Haram has alleged that these girls were killed in the aftermath of an aerial strike.
That seems to be another public pressure point that they are really prodding against for the Nigerian
government possibly to try and get them to ease up on that.
But realistically it took so long to respond in this case, by the previous administration, admittedly. But for many of those that you speak to, many
FBI agents, or those around the world who handle hostage cases, they say those first hours, those first days, are so
crucial. And the Nigerian government didn't move in those first hours and those first days. So now, it's dealing with an incredibly
cold case, and angry, understandably angry, heartbroken parents who are ratcheting up the pressure.
CURNOW: OK. Nima, great to have you on the show. Thanks so much for joining us with your perspective and analysis.
Well, police in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, say they've restored order following another night of
unrest. Protests broke out on Saturday after police shot and killed an armed African-American man
following a traffic stop. In the latest protest, a policeman was taken to hospital after rocks were thrown through his windshield. The county
sheriff made an appeal for calm.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SHERIFF DAVID CLARKE, MILWAUKEE COUNTY, WISCONSIN: We have an untenable situation in Milwaukee. I made it clear as it related to the riots of
Ferguson and of Baltimore that people have to find a more socially acceptable way to deal with their frustration, their anger, and their
resentment.
All right, this is an orderly society. And we have processes. We have institutions with which to deal with these things. And as frustrating as
it can be sometimes it takes a long time to work through the institutions and the processes that we have, it's still what we have to do, because we
cannot have the social upheaval, the chaos that we saw last night, that frightens good law-
abiding people in those neighborhoods, and destroyed businesses.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
CURNOW: Well, police say Smith was shot after he failed to comply with orders to put his gun down. The African-American officer who fired the
fatal shots was not injured and is now on administrative leave during the investigation.
Well, Donald Trump is preparing to lay out his plan to fight Islamic extremism. The U.S. Republican presidential candidate will outline his
strategy in a major speech in Ohio. He's long touted his ability to rid the world of ISIS.
Well, the speech comes as Trump lashes out at the media in wake, though, of singing poll numbers. Our Jessica Schneider joins us now from New York
with more.
Donald Trump -- hey there, Jessica.
What more can you tell us about this speech? I mean he's known to go off message, but really some talking points though.
JESSICA SCHNEIDER, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Yeah, that's right. Looking to get back on message. Donald Trump railed against the media at his rally in
Connecticut this weekend. But this afternoon he will look to get back on point with appointed policy speech in Ohio. A campaign official says he'll
outline a three pronged approach to combat ISIS and he's going to paint the fight as an ideological struggle on par with the cold war.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
GOV. MIKE PENCE (R), VICE PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: And he's going to lay out his vision and his strategy for defeating radical Islamic terrorism.
SCHNEIDER: Donald Trump turning his ISIS-centric foreign policy ideals -
DONALD TRUMP (R), PRESIDENTIAL NOMINEE: We have to get ISIS.
We will defeat ISIS.
SCHNEIDER: Into a three-pillar policy proposal to defeat them.
SEN. JEFF SESSIONS (R), ALABAMA: He's going to talk out how you target your enemies and work with your friends. You don't overreach and destabilize
countries like the Obama/Clinton administration has done.
SCHNEIDER: A senior campaign official says Trump will unveil several proposals today. He'll declare an end to nation building and consider any
country willing to help defeat ISIS, an ally. A call that could include Russia, a country he originally wanted to back in the fight.
TRUMP: Russia wants to get rid of ISIS. We want to get rid of ISIS. Maybe let Russia do it. Let them get rid of ISIS. What the hell do we care?
SCHNEIDER: Two, Trump will propose suspending visas from any country with heavy terrorist activity and raise the bar for entry into the U.S. The
officials suggests Trump's camp will formulate an ideological test for entry, including stances on issues like religious freedom, but no specific
mention was made of the Muslim ban he called for just nine months ago.
[08:15:21] TRUMP: Donald J. Trump is calling for a total and complete shutdown of Muslims entering the United States.
SCHNEIDER: And, finally, Trump will promise to make a clear statement to the world that the U.S. is fighting a battle not just militarily and
financially but ideologically, a point far from Trump's bombastic rhetoric of the past.
TRUMP: I would bomb the (EXPLETIVE DELETED) out of them.
We have to knock the hell out of them.
You have to take out their families. When you get these terrorists, you have to take out their families.
SCHNEIDER: The speech comes after Trump repeatedly used a false claim on the campaign trail.
TRUMP: I call President Obama and Hillary Clinton the founders of ISIS.
SCHNEIDER: And paraded his self-proclaimed expertise on the terrorist group.
TRUMP: I know more about ISIS than the generals do, believe me.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
SCHNEIDER: And Donald Trump will also make clear in his speech that the U.S. won't be, quote, remaking the Middle East into one democracy after
another at the point of a gun.
He'll also continue to hammer home on his criticism of the Iraq War -- Robyn.
CURNOW: OK. Let's also talk about the allegations against Trump's campaign chairman. I mean there are some very serious ones made in The New
York Times today about payments made to him. He has responded as well. Tell us about that.
SCHNEIDER: Yeah, that's right.
Paul Manafort coming back strongly and swiftly about these reports in The New York Times that he accepted millions of dollars in cash payments from
the Ukrainian government, the pro-Russian Ukrainian government.
And he came back today this morning with very strong words. I'll read you some of his statement. He said I have never received a single off-the-
books cash payment as falsely reported by The New York Times, nor have I ever done work for the governments of
Ukraine or Russia. Further, all of the political payments directed to me were for my entire political team."
And he continued. The suggestion that I accepted cash payments is unfounded, silly and nonsensical.
He also said that his work in Ukraine actually ceased following the country's parliamentary elections in October 2014.
So Paul Manafort coming back hard against The New York Times. And of course, Donald Trump has been railing against the media for the past week
or more. So this report just adding more fuel to that fire -- Robyn.
CURNOW: Jessica in New York, thanks so much.
Meanwhile, in the coming hours, members of the U.S. congress could soon see notes taken during the FBI's interview with Hillary Clinton. The
democratic presidential nominee was not under oath but did spend more than three hours answering questions about her use of private email servers
while she was secretary of state.
Several Republican lawmakers say she risked national security by using her private server for
email that includes classified information.
Well for more news about the U.S. election watch state of the race with Kate Bolduan. It airs Tuesday to friday at 2:30 p.m. in Hong Kong, 7:30
p.m. weeknights in London right here on CNN.
Well, people in the southern U.S. state of Louisiana are dealing with what's really considered
historic flooding. And the national weather service warns that swollen rivers are expected to continue to rise.
At least five people have perished in the floods. Thousands have been forced from their homes. U.S. President Barack Obama has signed an
emergency declaration to speed up help for the response and recovery efforts.
Well, coming up here at News Stream, Kurdish forces set their sights on Iraq's second largest city. We've got the latest from the front lines in
the fight against ISIS.
And vacationers heading for the beach want more than just the sun this year. Security is now a top priority. We'll look at what's done to
Europe's travel industry.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
[08:21:15] CURNOW: This just in to CNN, officials in Nepal say a bus plunged more than 300 meters down a hill killing at least 33 passengers.
Devastating accident. Dozens of people were injured. They're being airlifted to the capital Kathmandu.
Crews are working to rescue more victims. It's difficult, as you can see, from the terrain, as investigators try to determine what actually caused
the accident.
Of course, we'll bring you more details on this story as more details come in to CNN.
And Kurdish forces in northern Iraq are pushing towards the key city of Mosul. Right now, they're fighting to take back numerous small towns south
of the ISIS stronghold. They say they've seized at least 15 villages and killed more than 100 ISIS fighters.
Well, let's get more from our Ben Wedeman. He has reported from Iraq for year. He joins us now from Istanbul.
Hi there, Ben.
These are fresh attacks and pushing forward.
It seems we don't have Ben Wedeman. We will try and reestablish our communications with him. An important story that is developing there in
Iraq.
Well, Europe has been rocked by a wave of terror attacks in the past year. And as these attacks become more frequent, uncertainty and fear have taken
hold. No way is that more visible than in the travel industry.
Isa Soares takes a look at how terrorism is influencing the way we travel.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
ISA SOARES, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): From Paris to Nice, Brussels to Ansbach in Germany, Northern Europe has been shaken by acts of brutality
this year. The message from European leaders has been one of unity.
FRANCOIS HOLLANDE, PRESIDENT OF FRANCE (through translator): It is clear that we must do everything that we can to fight against the scourge of
terrorism.
SOARES: And resolve.
ANGELA MERKEL, GERMAN CHANCELLOR (through translator): I am convinced despite the difficulties that we will win this fight.
SOARES: Despite these words, fear and hesitation is quietly growing in the continent and in particular the travel industry. Take the view from
Britain.
Here, according to the Association of British Travel Agents, UK sun seekers want their summer sun with the certainty of security. Holidays to Tunisia,
which suffered a terror attack on one of its beaches is down 90 percent compared to last year. Egypt is down 70 percent and Turkey, which recently
saw a failed coup has fallen by 30 percent.
SEAN TIPTON, SPOKESMAN, ASSOCIATE OF BRITISH TRAVEL AGENTS: There has been a marked shift in the way and the kind of holidays that people are taking.
They have moved away from the Eastern Mediterranean, places like Turkey, Egypt and Tunisia and shifted to perennial favorites.
SOARES: Instead holiday makers are looking to the sun, sea and sangria of Spain as well as Portugal. In Spain in the first six months of this year
alone, nearly 33 million foreigners visited the country. That's an increase of almost 12 percent from last year.
CRAIG LEVER, BRITISH TOURIST: The way the world is at the moment, it's not the safest to get there. It's not the safest there. So a place like
Portugal, you would think is much safer and much more relaxed security-wise than the Gulf.
SOARES (on-camera): And what some have gained from what has been a summer of shocks be it a cascade of attacks in Europe or the fallout from Brexit,
others in particular, European airlines and investors have been rattled by it.
EasyJet's stock price has fallen 43 percent since the beginning of the year. Low cost operator RyanAir was priced off for just over a fifth. And
then travel agent Thomas Cook has seen 50 percent of its value wiped off during the same period.
(voice-over): For the time being, the terror attacks did not seem to have put people completely off traveling. But it is affecting their choice of
destination. And for so many here in Europe, safety and security are now paramount.
Isa Soares, CNN, London.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
[08:25:14] CURNOW: Well two students in Hong Kong have avoided jail time over their role in pro-democracy protests in 2014, while a third has been
given a suspended sentence.
Now, the young men were found guilty of unlawful assembly linked to the so- called Umbrella Movement. Mallika Kapur has the details.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
MALLIKA KAPUR, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Another eastern law court's building where three Hong Kong student activists were sentenced on
Monday morning for their part in Hong Kong's pro-democracy movement.
A court gave Joshua Wong, who has become the face of the movement, 80 hours of community service, Nathan Law 120, and Alex Chao a 3 week suspended
prison sentence,which basically means he may not go to prison at all if he maintains a clean record for the next year.
It's a much lighter sentence than the two years they could have received in jail. The court explained that by saying it believes these three students
are genuinely guided by their political ideals and were not out to harm anyone.
In 2014, these students were at the forefront of the umbrella movement in Hong Kong, which
brought the city's financial district to a halt for 79 days. They say no matter the sentence, they will continue their fight for democracy.
JOSHUA WONG, HONG KONG PRO-DEMOCRACY ACTIVIST: There is just facing the sentencing of eight years -- 80 hours, community service. But it will not
affect my persistence and my courage and the social movement.
In the future, I will continue to (inaudible) action and civil disobedience, hope to motivate all of the Hong Kongers to fight for
democracy and human rights.
This sentence also means that they can take part in local politics. And that's crucial, especially for Law, who is standing for local elections
next month, something he wouldn't have been able to do if he received any prison time at all.
Mallika Kapur, CNN, Hong Kong.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
CURNOW: And in the UK, an independent investigation has been launched into the fatal tasering of a man identified in local media as former footballer
Dalian Atkinson.
The 48-year-old former Aston Villa player was tasered by police in West Mercia. Police say they were responding to a report for the concern for
the safety of an individual, and have released no additional details.
You're watching News Stream. We'll have much more news in just a moment. Stay with us.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(HEADLINES)
[08:31:18] And Jamaica's Usain Bolt is setting his sights on winning a triple-triple on Sunday. He won gold in the men's 100 meter dash, his
third gold in that event in three straight Olympics. Now he's looking to add to the 200 meter and the 4x100 meter title to all of that.
Well, our Don Riddell takes a closer look at this larger than life athlete.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
DONALD RIDDELL, CNN WORLD SPORT ANCHOR (voice-over): It's the most electrifying 10 seconds in sports...
(CHEERING)
RIDDELL: ...and the one moment every four years when Olympic fans hold their breath.
ANNOUNCER: Usain Bolt! Usain Bolt!
RIDDELL: The men's 100 meter final. But this year, an historic occasion with Jamaica's Usain Bolt targeting a third consecutive gold medal in the
marquee event. And he didn't disappointment.
CROWD: Bolt! Bolt! Bolt!
RIDDELL (on camera): How does it feel to watch him run like that?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Incredible. Truly humbling to be here and to be present for this moment. It's a true honor to see him run.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: He has been such a great ambassador for the sport, especially when the sport has been under so much controversy. We're so
pleased that he has kept himself clean and he has really lifted the sport.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Oh, he is our hero, man. He is a national icon.
RIDDELL (voice-over): Thousands of his fans were in the stadium to cheer him to victory. This was the scene at the team headquarters across town in
Rio. And this was how they celebrated back home in Jamaica, known as the island of speed, where Bolt has long been a national hero.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: He is amazing. I wish he --
RIDDELL: His trademark swagger, flamboyant showmanship and ubiquitous lightning bolt celebration have made him the highest paid athlete ever in
the field of track and field and, more importantly, one of the most iconic athletes the world has ever seen.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I can't think of another athlete since Muhammad Ali that has so captured the public imagination and with such global depth of
affection.
RIDDELL (on camera): One day, I'll be telling my grandchildren about seeing this amazing athlete in the flesh. That was another sensational
performance. But we should enjoy it while it lasts. He says next year he'll be retiring from the track, maybe to start a family of his own.
JENNIFER BOLT, MOTHER OF USAIN BOLT: He told me that, many times, that he is going to start his family.
RIDDELL (voice-over): Bolt now turns his attention to the 200 meters and then the relay on Saturday. He won all three events in Beijing and London,
and remains on course for a remarkable triple triple.
Don Riddell, CNN, Rio.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
CURNOW: Well, Simone Biles has dominated the Olympic gymnastic headlines as she bounces and leaps through the competition. The 19-year-old has won
three gold medals so far, and will compete for two more. Here's a look at what make her so special.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
SIMONE BILES, U.S. OLYMPICS GYMNASTICS: Once I go out there and compete it's all up to me. And I can't think about what everybody else is worrying
about.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Sometimes I just think she is unhuman just because she is just
so amazing.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: She is a very good competitor.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I'm always in awe when I watch her, but I have a lot of respect for her because normally when girls are like super, super
talented they don't work that hard, but she is super talented and she works very hard, which is why she has been unbeatable.
BILES: My signature move, named after me, is called the Biles. And it's on the floor. And it is a double A half out. So, I will flip twice in a
straight body and then at the end I'll do a half twist.
I've seen just like everyone so shocked whenever I do that skill, because it is a forward landing so it's harder. And to do a half twist is hard
also. So, nobody thought it was like possible. And so every time I do it, everyone just gets so excited.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
CURNOW: What a legend.
Well, this would have to be one of the best feel-good stories of the Rio games, and there have been a few, haven't there?
Monica Puig won the women's tennis singles title on Saturday earning Puerto Rico its first-ever gold medal. Well, she spoke to our Christina
Macfarlane about what the Olympics mean to her and her country.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
MONICA PUIG, PUERTO RICO OLYMPIC TENNIS PLAYER: It's just unbelievable. Coming into this week I had no idea that I'd be here at this moment with
the Olympic gold medal around my neck.
You know, but every match went on, I just saw it as more of a possibility, and I just started believing it.
CHRISTINA MACFARLANE, CNN WORLD SPORT: Yeah. Talk to me about that match, because there was so much going on and one of the biggest things we saw was
the crowd involvement in your game was extraordinary. They were chanting yes you can, I think, throughout all of it. What was that like?
PUIG: It kind of got me a little bit nervous because I was like yes I can. I actually can. And I was like how do I deal with all this emotion? But
it definitely helped boost me in the third set when I needed it the most, because I saw that all the crowd was backing me and
they wanted this so much and it made me want it even more. So it was a huge confidence booster there.
MACFARLANE: What was the first moment you could speak to your parents? And what did that conversation go like?
PUIG: When I finally got in to my room about midnight I called them and I had a super long talk with them. And just trying to relive that experience
of them, my mom was crying, my dad was ecstatic, my brother was super happy and I actually got a dog before coming here. Two days before coming to Rio
I got a brand-new Pomski (ph). She's 3 months old now. And I named her Rio after the Olympic Games.
MACFARLANE: Good luck charm.
PUIG: She is. She is. My mom is sent me a picture of her yesterday biting a bottle of champagne. And it was a golden bottle of Moet Chandon
and she was biting it and everybody was like, this is a sign. It was great.
MACFARLANE; Fantastic.
What was that moment like when you heard your national anthem play out? Can you describe it?
PUIG: I mean I've heard it several times before in the Central American Games, Pan American
Games, but there's nothing like hearing it at the Olympics. You know, people are already in
the stands at 5-0 in the third set were saying that we're going to hear it. We're going to hear our national anthem. And I was like, well, yes, you
guys are, because I'm going to go and I'm going to get it.
And it was the most emotional moment of my life. I think I ran out of tears by the end of the night.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
CURNOW: Good for her.
Well you're watching News Stream. Coming up, a popular Chinese swimmer becomes an internet sensation practically overnight. How one of china's
biggest video live streaming sites has launched her to social media fame.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
CURNOW: Chinese Olympic swimmer Fu Yuanhui has found unexpected stardom, not
just in the pool in Rio, but online, too. Her hour-long broadcast last Wednesday on Inky (ph), one of China's biggest live streaming platforms has
garnered more than 11 million views.
During the chatter, fans showered her with virtual gifts. Many people love her because of
her cheerful and sometimes quite funny answers in post-competition interviews, unlike typical somber responses from some of her fellow
athletes.
The 20-year-old won bronze in women's 100 meter backstroke.
And broadcasting yourself in China has become so profitable that everyone just seems to be
doing it. Matt Rivers now explains.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
[08:40:02] MATT RIVERS, CNN CORRESPONDENT : 1.9 million people spent Tuesday night Liu Xinyi (ph) put on lipstick. It's odd, but it is a daily
reality for this star of the Chinese livestreaming explosion.
She says in the next five years, online streaming will be as popular, if not more so, than TV. Liu (ph) uses live streaming to dole out style
advice while promoting her clothing line, just a part of a rapidly growing group of Chinese broadcasting everything online.
It's a newer phenomenon than in most western countries, but with hundreds of streaming websites the industry here is catching up fast. At any given
time you can watch just about anything.
This man is selling beef jerky to raise money for medical treatment. This woman is just eating lunch. That's it.
And 19,000 people watched live as this guy test drove a car while staring at his phone at the same time.
Chineses streaming services differ from others worldwide in that most offer a way to profit while hamming it up for the camera. Many live streamers,
some earning tens of thousands of dollars per month make money by accepting online gifts users pay for. The performers then redeem it for cold, hard
cash.
And while pornography is illegal here, sex still sells. Streams like these are everywhere, featuring attractive young women fully clothed asking for
gifts before doing something as simple as standing up.
But government regulation is tight. Streams that, quote, harm social morality are shut down and face punishment. More specifically, performers
are prohibited from eating bananas erotically or wearing suspenders and stockings during shows.
Liu Xinyi (ph) welcomes the regulations and says she's made money by following the rules, at least 1.5 million in the last few years by using
live streaming to help sell her clothing line online. But be it clothing, singing, cooking or driving it's all online and there's money to be made.
Matt Rivers, CNN, Beijing.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
CURNOW: Great piece there from Matt.
Well, Chinese diver He Zi got more than a silver medal after the women's three meter springboard final on Sunday. She also walked away with an
engagement ring.
Her longtime boyfriend, who is also a medal-winning diver, popped the question after the ceremony, and she did say yes.
This is the second athlete proposal of the Olympic games. Last week a Brazilian rugby player accepted her girlfriend's proposal on the rugby
field.
Well, that is News Stream. Thanks so much for joining me. I'm Robyn Curnow. Don't go anywhere. World Sport with Amanda Davies live in Rio is
next.
END
