Beijing Olympics: While Georgia burned George W Bush played volleyball

Beijing Olympics: While Georgia burned George W Bush played volleyball

While Georgia burned Dubya gurned. A tour of patriotic duty took the outgoing American president George W Bush across a sweep of Olympic stadia including the beach volleyball emporium of Chaoyang Park.

U.S. President George W. Bush poses with U.S. Women's Beach Volleyball team, Misty May-Treanor and Kerri Walsh
George Bush got more than he bargained for when Olympic champion Misty May-Treanor bent over and invited him to slap her rear
He got more than he bargained for when Olympic champion Misty May-Treanor bent over and invited him to slap her rear, as it is customary for team-mates to do between points Photo: AP
George Bush enjoys a a game of women's beach volleyball
George Bush also kept a keen eye on Kerri Walsh Photo: AFP/GETTY

The contrast between events in Gori, pummelled by Russian jets, and east Beijing could not have been greater. The Americans, gold medal favourites in the men's and women's events, were not even on court.

In swept the world's most powerful man in dressed-down slacks to join his compatriots in practice. Secret service agents looked on nervously as Dubya flung himself about the sand gingerly in pursuit of a picture opportunity.

He got more than he bargained for when Olympic champion Misty May-Treanor bent over and invited him to slap her rear, as it is customary for team-mates to do between points. “Mr President, want to?” she teased.

Mr Bush flicked a response towards the small of her back, seemingly confirming the view of casual observers that beach volleyball serves little purpose beyond the interests of ageing people with bottom fetishes.

Dubya will argue that he was actually paying attention to Misty’s tattoo, located marginally above her coccyx. Get outta here. One hopes the First Lady does not see the snap.

The president later turned his attention to the American men, Todd Rogers, Sean Rosenthal and Jake Gibb, and chatted casually with some Brazilian players before moving on to the Fengtai Sports Centre to catch up with the US softball team.

Mr Bush, who engaged former Russian president Vladimir Putin about the Georgia conflict on the night of the opening ceremony, refused to answer questions about the crisis but was briefed throughout the day.

Saturday was supposed to be about family and fun. George HW Bush, former head of the US liaison office in Beijing, is also part of the family group. Matters take a more serious turn today when Mr Bush is scheduled to meet President Hu Jintao and other senior Chinese political figures.

He is also due to speak about religious freedoms. Worship in China is allowed only in churches sanctioned by the government.