Games tidbits

SWIMMING

Funny Fu's fame no surprise to father

Funny, cheerful and instantly lovable, 100m backstroke bronze medalist Fu Yuanhui won hearts and minds on the internet after her down-to-earth post-swim interviews went viral on Chinese social media, amassing millions of likes and followers in a few days.

Seeing his daughter becoming a sensation, Fu Chunsheng couldn't help but shake his head and laugh. "I am not surprised. She is always this genuine, both in and out of the pool," he said.

Three months before the Olympics, Fu's family watched the 20-year-old swimmer undergo her most intensive training to date. "She is always trying to surpass her limits, even with shoulder injuries and calloused palms," her father said.

Fu has loved swimming since she was 5 and chose to become a professional athlete at 10, and her dedication has often moved her parents to tears. When she was 12, her mother discovered a motivational phrase above her bed: "I will finish the road I take, even if I have to crawl."

Fu's outgoing personality enables her to make friends wherever she goes. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, calligraphy and learning English.

BEACH VOLLEYBALL

Crowd warms to Egyptian duo

The Brazilian crowd has taken a liking to the Egyptian women's beach volleyball team.

Outperformed on the sand, the partnership of Doaa Elgobashy and Nada Meawad lost their second match in as many attempts on Tuesday, but they stood out in their full-length outfits amid the bikinis and board shorts. The crowd chanted "E-Gi-To!" (Egypt) between points.

MEDIA

Journalists left shaken on bus

Two windows were shattered when rocks, or possibly gunfire, hit a bus carrying Games journalists on Tuesday. There were no injuries.

Rio organizing committee spokesman Mario Andrada said: "We don't know yet if the bus was shot at, or if it was a stone."

Andrada said three of the 12 journalists on the bus sustained minor injuries. Photos showed two shattered windows.

A witness on the bus said the occupants hit the floor when they heard a "popping noise".'

The bus was traveling from venues at Deodoro to the main Olympic Park.

TONGA

Island hopes to oil tourism wheels

The tiny island kingdom of Tonga is hoping more tourists will pay visits after its chiseled flag-bearer became an unexpected sensation at the opening ceremony of the Games.

Pita Taufatofua carried a Tongan flag while wearing a traditional ta'ovala mat, with his bare chest oiled and shining. The taekwondo competitor won the hearts of many and has been in hot demand since, even making an appearance on NBC's Today show.

Tourism Tonga spokesperson Seini Taumoepeau said in an email on Tuesday there has been lots more online interest in the Pacific nation since Taufatofua's appearance on Friday, and she hopes it will result in increased tourist arrivals in the coming months.

GYMNASTICS

Wild night out ends in disgrace

Dutch gymnast Yuri Van Gelder - dubbed the 'Lord of the Rings' - returned home in disgrace on Tuesday after being kicked off his country's team for a night of drinking in Rio.

The 2005 world rings champion had sealed a place in the finals after finishing seventh in Saturday's qualifiers.

But, flouting strict rules imposed on the Dutch team, he went out to celebrate on Saturday, failing to return until the early hours.

"This has been a very difficult decision for us," Dutch team ambassador Maurits Hendriks said.

"I think this is really terrible for Yuri, but such behavior is unacceptable. It does not belong in the Olympics or any kind of sporting competition."