No! Really? Initial reaction to this picture invariably came out as incredulous or disbelieving. How about you? Just to clear things up in a jiffy, it’s a real photo, and it’s only a small portion of China’s preparation for the Olympics this coming August 8.

These soldiers are on “maneuvers” and “anti-terrorist drills”, and their choice of transport wasn’t based on looks, but on speed and maneuverability. Although they are quite a sight to see. According to Cnet which carried the initial report, the use of Segways for military maneuvers, while amusing to look at, is in fact not so surprising as Segway touts all four branches of the American Military as potential clients for its 2-wheeled balancing wonder. The Chinese troops have been trained to handle the machine while keeping their hands on their weapons, utilizing knees and weight shifting to steer the machine.

This results in soldiers holding up guns while crimping their crotches, which may certainly be effective, but also certainly amusing. Regardless, it may turn into just another attraction to look at, though I’m sure one can’t deny the dedication of these troops come one of the greatest sporting events in the world. Now if only I can get a ticket…