Wang was director of China Daily's photography department. Photographer Xie was familiar with the name and knew it would be useful to him.

At least one person in the crowd doubted that the imposter could be the well-known photographer, musing: "Surely Wang's got to be taller than that?"

Nevertheless, in an age where vetting of personal credentials for big events was far more relaxed than it is today, Xie, camera gear at the ready, was ushered through the gate. It proved to be a turning point in his career, one in which he would richly contribute to photography and photo journalism for the next 32 years.

One of the photos he took at the Games was widely reproduced in domestic newspapers, and went on to win first prize in a national photographic competition that year.