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Beijing Strengthens Security

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The Associated Press

Published: August 11, 2008

BEIJING - Police tightened security Sunday as they investigated the fatal stabbing of the father of a former U.S. Olympian, an attack that stunned the athletic community and embarrassed Chinese authorities determined to hold the most successful Summer Games ever.

Todd and Barbara Bachman of Lakeville, Minn. - parents of 2004 volleyball Olympian Elisabeth "Wiz" Bachman and in-laws of U.S. men's volleyball coach Hugh McCutcheon - were attacked by a Chinese man while visiting the 13th-century Drum Tower on Saturday. The assault came only hours after the spectacular opening ceremony for the games.

The U.S. Olympic Committee confirmed Todd Bachman died from knife wounds and that Barbara Bachman suffered life-threatening injuries. She and their Chinese tour guide, who was also injured in the attack, were being treated in a Beijing hospital.

The committee said Sunday that Barbara Bachman suffered multiple lacerations and stab wounds. She underwent eight hours of surgery and was in critical but stable condition.

Rob Browning, leader of the men's volleyball team, said the team was united in supporting the Bachmans.

"We are absolutely devastated by what has occurred, for their loss and for everything they are going through," Browning said.

"We are a family, and we'll get through this together as a family."
Elisabeth Bachman was with her parents at the time of the attack, but was uninjured. Her father was chief executive officer for Bachman's Inc., a home-and-garden center based in Minneapolis. The family also has a residence in Naples in Collier County.

Shortly after the attack, the assailant, Tang Yongming, 47, leapt to his death from a balcony on the Drum Tower, just five miles from the main Olympics site, the official Xinhua News Agency reported.

Wang Wei, vice president of the Beijing Olympic organizing committee, said Sunday that security in and around the Olympic venues was already sufficient but would be increased at scenic spots around the city.

He said Chinese investigators and U.S. Embassy officials think Saturday's attack was "an isolated incident" and suggested such random acts are difficult to prevent.

IN CHINA

•The violence in the western Chinese region of Xinjiang rose sharply Sunday morning with the deaths of a security guard and at least six suspects after a daring series of bombings that began with a predawn assault on a police station, the state news media reported.

•Security agents detained a Christian activist Sunday who was on his way to a church service attended by President Bush, and the man was being held at an undisclosed location, a relative said.

Hua Huiqi, a member of Beijing's underground Christian church, and his brother were bicycling near dawn when they were taken away in separate cars by security agents, whom the brother said he recognized from previous encounters.

•President Bush on Sunday prodded China's leaders over religious freedom, saying they had nothing to fear from believers, but he avoided public confrontations over it or any other issue during his trip for the Olympics.

Behind closed doors, the leaders discussed a range of issues, including the nuclear activities of North Korea and Iran.

A wire report

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