Former Chinese gymnast Li Ning was richer Monday when shares in his company soared thanks to a starring role at the Olympics opening ceremony, when he was hoisted by cables to light a cauldron.

Investors snapped up shares in his Hong Kong-listed sportswear firm, Li Ning Co Ltd, hoping that global recognition would follow last Friday's spectacle. Although the impact on sales of Li Ning's clothing line may be hard to gauge, shares in the firm shot up 3.52 percent Monday to close at HK$18.24 (US$2.34). The gain followed a 3.7-percent share price rally last Friday as rumors swirled that he would feature in the opening ceremony. The stock is down 34 percent this year, in line with falling stock markets, after more than doubling in 2007. Li controlled 266.8 million shares of the firm as of July 11, according to Thomson Reuters data.

IOC President Rogge visits CCTV´s IBC office

IOC President Jacques Rogge and his party visited the International Broadcast Center for the Beijing Games on Monday morning.

Jacques Rogge, the IOC President, was interviewed in  the IBC. (CCTV.com)

He took some time to check out the workspace of China Central Television.

Rogge talked with personnel of the host broadcaster of the Games. He expressed his appreciation for the remarkable telecast of Friday's opening ceremony, which has scored impressive figures in both audience share and ratings.

He also spoke highly of CCTV's efforts in the Olympic telecast, which is expected to reach about 3,000 hours.