PORT ARTHUR — By Sherry Koonce

The News staff writer

While gymnastics and swimming have dominated most Southeast Texans’ Olympic interests, some local residents have watched with national pride events that are more common in the countries they were born.

Other locals are witness to the beautiful pageantry orchestrated by their Chinese countrymen, who are hosting the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

Jackie Tang, 27, of Nederland, has lived in the U.S. for the last 13 years. The first half of his life was spent in China, his native country. He moved to Southeast Texas from New York 10 years ago, and is watching the Olympics every night while his heart swells with pride — both for his country and for all the Olympians.

“I think China has done a real good job hosting the Olympics. When I watched the opening ceremony, I was very proud of my country,” Tang said.

Admittedly, this is his first Olympics to watch in earnest, but he says it won’t be the last.

While he cheers for Chinese teams — he really likes men and women’s gymnastics — he is appreciative of all the athletes, regardless of the country they represent.

“Just to be there is a great compliment to the different athletes’ abilities. What nationality each athlete is not important. To me they are all the best,” Tang said.

Of the U.S. athletes, Tang said he has been watching women’s gymnast Shawn Johnson, and saw her win the gold medal.

“She is doing a real good job,” he said.

Michael Phelps captured his attention, too, he said.

“He is a really good swimmer, an extremely good swimmer,” he said.

As manager of Famous Buffet in Groves, Tang seldom has opportunity to watch the games during the day. He’s been reading the newspaper, watching television late at night, or going to a Chinese television Web site to keep up with the games each day.

His co-worker, Saiyu Tang, 39, of Groves, said she enjoys watching the games because it gives her the opportunity to see a spotlight shined on her country.

She cheers for China and loves gymnastics, but mostly likes to see profiles of the country she left behind when she moved to the U.S.

“I am very, very proud of China, but get homesick when I watch the games,” she said.

For Jofi Fernades, 26, of Port Arthur, it is football. Called soccer to U.S. fans, and football to the rest of the world, the game has captured Fernandes’ interest since he was a youngster. He played college football in India. He boasts a national certificate for his abilities on the field and remembers playing — and beating — Japan while in college.

Since moving to the U.S. he has kept up with many of the clubs from his homeland.

An employee of Fusion Grill in Port Arthur, Fernandes said he watches the 2008 Olympics every night, but has to wait until after the restaurant closes to turn the television set on.

If the U.S. played India, Fernandes admitted he’d be conflicted, but knew who he’d cheer for.

“It would be India for sure,” he said.

Indonesia native, Joe Suwandi, 23, now of Groves, watches the Olympics every night. On the Internet, he watched Indonesia win the gold in badminton doubles against China.

“I was proud of my country,’ he said.

Jackie Tang said when the games are over, he hopes people will remember why they were were started so many years ago.

“They are a symbol of people coming together as one in peace. If the whole world is at peace, then we are happy,” he said.

Contact this reporter at skoonce@panews.com.