CORRECTED: Olympics-Bush chides China over rights record

(Corrects surname of China expert at Asia Society in New York)

By Simon Denyer

BEIJING (Reuters) - U.S. President George W. Bush flew in for China's Olympics party on Thursday fresh from criticising its rights record -- but attention finally swung to sport with soccer powerhouses Brazil and Argentina off to winning starts.

Bush touched down the day before Friday's opening ceremony after some of his bluntest comments yet about a nation many view as likely to rival his own for global hegemony this century.

China wants the 16-day Games to show its best face and paraded the Olympic torch at daybreak along a mist-shrouded Great Wall, surrounded by cheering masses, in a tradition dating back to the 1936 Berlin Olympics.

But to the annoyance of the Communist government, the Olympics have also galvanised its global critics, especially over Chinese rule in Tibet.

Away from the politics, a Ronaldinho-led Brazil, who have never won Olympic gold in men's soccer despite five World Cup triumphs, beat Belgium 1-0.

Argentina kicked off against Ivory Coast, with Lionel Messi playing after a tug-of-war with Barcelona over his appearance. He celebrated by scoring in Argentina's 2-1 win.

The soccer has started before Friday's official start of the Games in the Bird's Nest stadium that is the main venue. China's women's team also delighted the host nation with a win.  Continued...