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A Torchbearer's Commercial Coup

Mei Fong

Updated Aug. 9, 2008 11:59 p.m. ET

BEIJING -- It might be the best piece of free advertising in Olympic history.

China's selection of former gymnast and multimillionaire Li Ning as final torchbearer was a tribute to the nation's transformation from Communist state to business powerhouse. But Adidas AG, the official sportswear sponsor of the Games, isn't likely to join the...

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