A dozen people opposed to the Syrian government have protested the presence at the Olympics of equestrian rider Ahmad Saber Hamsho, whose father is under U.S. and EU sanctions for supporting the regime of President Bashar Assad.

Hamsho competed Saturday in the show jumping individual qualifier.

He's been quoted in the British media as supporting Assad. On Saturday, he dismissed the protesters outside the gate as "stupid."

"They should be proud of us athletes who are representing Syria," he said.

In Damascus, heavy explosions shook the capital Saturday and helicopters circled overhead as rebels appeared to be renewing their offensive in the city.

— Nicole Winfield — Twitter www.twitter.com/nwinfield

___

EDITOR'S NOTE — "Eyes on London" shows you the Olympics through the eyes of Associated Press journalists across the 2012 Olympic city and around the world. Follow them on Twitter where available with the handles listed after each item.