China marshals Olympic spirit to rebuild

China: Go Olympics
In the quake-hit city of Dujiangyan, T-shirts with "Go China" on the front and the Olympic torch on the back flew off the racks in the weeks after the quake, said shopkeeper Qin Ye, 26.

"We sold 40 or 50 a day," she said. "People were united in their need to help people. They wanted to buy something with the symbol of China. They wanted to not only support China but also support the Olympics.

"The Olympics is the pride of the Chinese people," she continued. "I don't want China to lag behind because of what happened in Sichuan."

At a temporary settlement outside Dujiangyan, earthquake survivor He Zichun, 39, recalled how he celebrated with friends in the street when Beijing was named host of this year's Olympics.

"I support the government and I support the Olympics," he said, sporting a pair of shorts with the Olympic rings logo. "Though they invested a lot there, they also helped us. These games are a matter of national pride for us."

The Olympic torch was scheduled to pass through Sichuan in mid-June, but it was rerouted after the earthquake. Now, Sichuan will be the final stop for the torch before it returns to Beijing for the opening of the Olympics on Aug. 8.

He, a barber, said he hopes China will find a way to acknowledge the earthquake during the opening ceremonies. "They should do something. Maybe they will have a minute of silence for tribute. At that moment, for sure, I will cry again," he said.

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