MANCHESTER, Britain, May 30 (Xinhua) -- At the sound of the starting signal, the athletes in four colorful dragon boats at Salford Quays near Manchester shot ahead and paddled mightily to the exhilarating beat of drums, watched and cheered on by crowds on the bank.
The fastest boat earned even louder cheers at the finishing line, where hundreds of spectators gathered. A few meters away, another crowd was enjoying Chinese cultural performances by singers, dancers and Shaolin Kung Fu warriors against the backdrop of a traditional costume show.
