Beijing —- Jim Scott of Sandy Springs is over here a lot. His company, In Zone Brands, produces apple juice products for kids with cutesy names like Tummy Ticklers.

“Did you know China produces 65 percent of the world’s apples and apple juice?” he asks. “China produces a lot more than trinkets.”

He’s here now for the Games. More importantly, he’s here with some dad-daughter time with Natalie, 14, who will be a freshman at Holy Innocents’ Episcopal School this year.

“I’m just excited to spend time with her,” said Scott, echoing what parents of teenagers around the globe have undoubtedly felt now and then. Natalie’s a gymnast, so they were keen to take in gymnastics events. They’re also touring a factory that Jim’s company works with.

“China is the next superpower,” he says. “I want all my children to understand what’s going on in China.”

Wait. “All my children?” Lily, 10, is at Disneyland with her mother, and son Zach, 16, is at football camp.

“My dad loves me the most,” Natalie says drolly, offering the only possible explanation as to why she’s here and the others aren’t.

“I do love you, and you’re special, but not necessarily the most,” Jim says, perhaps calculating the souvenirs he’s going to have to throw the other two now that a journalist from his hometown has nabbed him in a Starbucks.

Still: The Games are great, but a teen who wants to be dad’s favorite? That’s gold.

http://www.ajc.com/sports/content/printedition/2008/08/16/olyatl.html