President Bush wraps up Asian trip

Beijing: President Bush, increasingly distracted by the Russian-Georgian fighting, took in one final golden Olympic moment on Monday then ended what was likely his last trip to Asia before he leaves the White House.

It appeared that Bush was Michael Phelps' lucky charm as he went to the Water Cube for the second straight day to watch the American swimmer's pursuit of Mark Spitz's record of seven gold medals.

The president witnessed a stunning comeback as the 400-meter freestyle US relay team rallied to win, giving Phelps his second gold and second world record here.

But Moscow's military offensive in the former Soviet republic of Georgia was always looming in the background. In an interview with NBC Sports, Bush criticised the violence, calling it unacceptable and Russia's response disproportionate.

"I've expressed my grave concern about the disproportionate response of Russia and that we strongly condemn the bombing outside of South Ossetia," Bush said. He said he did so directly to Prime Minister Vladimir Putin before the opening ceremonies Friday - Putin left China the next day - and by phone to Russian President Dmitri Medvedev.

"I was very firm with Vladimir Putin," Bush said. "Hopefully this will get resolved peacefully."

The US military began flying 2,000 Georgian troops home from Iraq after Georgia recalled the soldiers following the outbreak of fighting with Russia. The decision was a timely payback for the former Soviet republic, which was the third-largest contributor of coalition forces in Iraq after the U.S. and Britain.

Putin criticised the US airlift on Monday, saying the effort would further hamper Russia's effort to resolve the conflict.

Still, the Olympics went on, and Bush took advantage of his final hours in Beijing, going to the Water Cube to watch the swimming. He sat in the VIP area with wife Laura on one side, daughter Barbara on the other. Former Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney and his wife were sitting in front of them, and Microsoft founder Bill Gates was right behind.

When photographers swung by to snap a few pictures, the president picked up a small US flag and waved it proudly.

The former co-owner of the Texas Rangers was clearly in his element as he took in a practice game between the US and Chinese men's baseball teams. He posed for a photo with both teams - the Americans in blue jerseys, the Chinese in red - before telling them: "Good luck. Play hard. Play hard."

The president threw out the first pitch three times, appearing to miss the strike zone each time. His family and staff applauded when he went to the stands.

In an interview just before leaving Beijing, Bush said the Olympics exceeded his expectations, calling them a "very uplifting experience" that he won't forget.

"The whole thing is genuine," Bush said. "That's the good thing about the Olympics."

He also said his attendance, which has been criticised by human-rights activists as endorsement of China's repression of free expression, was important.

"It's good to send a signal to the Chinese people that we respect them, that this is about their country," Bush said.

Bush used the visit to press President Hu Jintao over China's jailing of political and religious activists. In the NBC interview, he was asked if the message is getting through.

"It's hard to tell," Bush replied. "He listened politely. I can't read his mind, but I do know that every time I met with him I pressed the point."