Wang Gang, the secretary general of the Chinese delegation to the Bangkok Universiade, said the delegation’s aim remains the same, and that they want no less than 21 gold medals here.
“We are fully prepared that some of the excellent athletes can not come because of their preparation for Beijing Olympics,” said Wang.
China’s Ministry of Education managed to field a squad with many Athens Olympians, including Athens men’s diving champions Hu Jia and Peng Bo. But world swimming championships bronze medalist Zhou Yafei will not show up in the women’s butterfly event here as she is busy in preparing for the Beijing Olympic Games.
“Our goal is not changed because we believe in our strength in such events as table tennis, badminton and gymnastics,” he said.
The Bangkok Universiade is to kick off on Wednesday in the Thai capital.
China sent a 447-member delegation to their last multi-sport meet before the Beijing Olympic Games to open on Aug. 8 next year. The Chinese athletes will compete in 13 of the 15 events on the program.
Part of the delegation has arrived here and the delegation is expected to give a briefing in the Games’ Main Press Center on Tuesday.
Source: Xinhua