China plays down medal expectations in London
Source: Xinhua |
April 20, 2012, Friday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
A TOP Chinese sports official has played down expectations at the London Olympics, saying it will be tough to repeat the medal-table-topping performance of four years ago in Beijing.
"Based on a study of the past five Games, the host country wins record high medals at their home Olympics, but their medal total drops dramatically at the next edition," said Cai Zhenhua, China's vice minister of sports.
"Because a number of Olympic and world champions retired after the Beijing Games, a younger generation will form the bulk of the Chinese Olympic legion," Cai told Xinhua news agency in Beijing.
"Some of our young athletes lack international exposure and consistency, so we cannot be very optimistic about their performances," said Cai, with the Games less than 100 days away.
At the 2008 Beijing Games, China won 51 gold, 21 silver and 28 bronze to top the medal table for the first time, compared to the United States' 36 gold, 38 silver and 36 bronze.
Cai, a former table tennis player and coach, noted that the world sports scenario has changed in the post-Beijing Olympics era.
"The United States has maintained its overall strength, and countries like Russia and Britain have increased their input in sports, while China is less competitive in some sports," he said.
"Our target for 2012 is just to remain in the lead pack on the gold medal table.
"We will face strong challenges in London. It won't be an easy job (for our athletes," Cai noted.
China expects to send up to 380 athletes to London, with 310 spots for the 172 events already locked up by prospective athletes.
"Based on a study of the past five Games, the host country wins record high medals at their home Olympics, but their medal total drops dramatically at the next edition," said Cai Zhenhua, China's vice minister of sports.
"Because a number of Olympic and world champions retired after the Beijing Games, a younger generation will form the bulk of the Chinese Olympic legion," Cai told Xinhua news agency in Beijing.
"Some of our young athletes lack international exposure and consistency, so we cannot be very optimistic about their performances," said Cai, with the Games less than 100 days away.
At the 2008 Beijing Games, China won 51 gold, 21 silver and 28 bronze to top the medal table for the first time, compared to the United States' 36 gold, 38 silver and 36 bronze.
Cai, a former table tennis player and coach, noted that the world sports scenario has changed in the post-Beijing Olympics era.
"The United States has maintained its overall strength, and countries like Russia and Britain have increased their input in sports, while China is less competitive in some sports," he said.
"Our target for 2012 is just to remain in the lead pack on the gold medal table.
"We will face strong challenges in London. It won't be an easy job (for our athletes," Cai noted.
China expects to send up to 380 athletes to London, with 310 spots for the 172 events already locked up by prospective athletes.
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