Cabinet approves establishment of national medical tourism council to boost healthcare sector    Egypt's investment authority GAFI hosts forum with China to link business, innovation leaders    CBE governor meets Beijing delegation to discuss economic, financial cooperation    Egypt's Gypto Pharma, US Dawa Pharmaceuticals sign strategic alliance    Egypt to unveil 'national economic development narrative' in June, focused on key economic targets    Egypt's Foreign Minister calls new Somali counterpart, reaffirms support    Italy's consumer, business confidence decline in April '25    "5,000 Years of Civilizational Dialogue" theme for Korea-Egypt 30th anniversary event    Egypt's Al-Sisi, Angola's Lourenço discuss ties, African security in Cairo talks    Two new recycling projects launched in Egypt with EGP 1.7bn investment    Egypt's ambassador to Palestine congratulates Al-Sheikh on new senior state role    Egypt's TMG eyes $17bn sales from potential major Iraq project    Egypt's Health Min. discusses childhood cancer initiative with WHO    Egypt pleads before ICJ over Israel's obligations in occupied Palestine    Asia-Pacific stocks rise on Wall Street cues    Egypt's EDA discusses local pharmaceutical manufacturing with Bayer    Sudan conflict, bilateral ties dominate talks between Al-Sisi, Al-Burhan in Cairo    Egypt expresses condolences to Canada over Vancouver incident    Cairo's Madinaty and Katameya Dunes Golf Courses set to host 2025 Pan Arab Golf Championship from May 7-10    Egypt's Health Min. strengthens healthcare ties with Bayer    Egypt's Ministry of Health launches trachoma elimination campaign in 7 governorates    EHA explores strategic partnership with Türkiye's Modest Group    Between Women Filmmakers' Caravan opens 5th round of Film Consultancy Programme for Arab filmmakers    Fourth Cairo Photo Week set for May, expanding across 14 Downtown locations    Egypt's PM follows up on Julius Nyerere dam project in Tanzania    Ancient military commander's tomb unearthed in Ismailia    Egypt's FM inspects Julius Nyerere Dam project in Tanzania    Egypt's FM praises ties with Tanzania    Egypt to host global celebration for Grand Egyptian Museum opening on July 3    Ancient Egyptian royal tomb unearthed in Sohag    Egypt hosts World Aquatics Open Water Swimming World Cup in Somabay for 3rd consecutive year    Egyptian Minister praises Nile Basin consultations, voices GERD concerns    49th Hassan II Trophy and 28th Lalla Meryem Cup Officially Launched in Morocco    Paris Olympic gold '24 medals hit record value    A minute of silence for Egyptian sports    Paris Olympics opening draws record viewers    It's a bit frustrating to draw at home: Real Madrid keeper after Villarreal game    Russia says it's in sync with US, China, Pakistan on Taliban    Shoukry reviews with Guterres Egypt's efforts to achieve SDGs, promote human rights    Sudan says countries must cooperate on vaccines    Johnson & Johnson: Second shot boosts antibodies and protection against COVID-19    Egypt to tax bloggers, YouTubers    Egypt's FM asserts importance of stability in Libya, holding elections as scheduled    We mustn't lose touch: Muller after Bayern win in Bundesliga    Egypt records 36 new deaths from Covid-19, highest since mid June    Egypt sells $3 bln US-dollar dominated eurobonds    Gamal Hanafy's ceramic exhibition at Gezira Arts Centre is a must go    Italian Institute Director Davide Scalmani presents activities of the Cairo Institute for ITALIANA.IT platform    







Thank you for reporting!
This image will be automatically disabled when it gets reported by several people.



China sending 396-member team to London
China expects to win most of its golds from the six sports where it normally dominates - table tennis, badminton, diving, shooting, gymnastics and weightlifting
Published in Ahram Online on 11 - 07 - 2012

China is sending a team of nearly 400 athletes to defend its title as the top gold medal winner when the Olympic Games start in London in just more than two weeks.
After topping the medal table with 51 golds four years ago at home, China will be looking to hold off traditional powerhouse the United States, which finished with 36 golds in Beijing and edged China in overall medals 110 to 100.
State media and Chinese sports officials are cautious about forecasting China's prospects in London, but do not expect a repeat of the dominating performance it had on home ground.
They are projecting at least 35 and possibly 40 gold medals and that China should finish in the top three.
"If a country wins more than 40 golds, it must be No. 1," Jiang Xiaoyu, a former vice president of the Beijing Olympic Organizing Committee, was quoted as saying by the China Daily newspaper.
At a rally for the delegation on Tuesday, Sports Minister Liu Peng asked the 396 athletes to inspire their people's patriotism with excellent achievements. Including officials, China will send 621 people to London.
Liu warned against any complacency.
"We must overestimate the difficulties, the challenges and our competitors, be thoroughly prepared and do everything we can think of to provide more assurance for our final victory," said Liu, who will lead a team that includes 29 gold medalists from Beijing.
China expects to win most of its golds from the six sports where it normally dominates - table tennis, badminton, diving, shooting, gymnastics and weightlifting.
Those sports accounted for 36 of the 51 gold medals China won in Beijing.
In table tennis, badminton and diving, Chinese athletes are expected to compete against each other for golds. China also could sweep golds in diving and table tennis.
Veteran diver Wu Minxia is expected to shine on the 3-meter springboard, where she is likely to win her first Olympic individual title after being overshadowed by star diver Guo Jingjing in both Beijing and Athens in 2004. Other prominent athletes include table tennis player Zhang Jike, who is seeking his first Olympic singles gold, and badminton player Lin Dan, who is defending his Olympic title.
China also is hoping to see breakthroughs in swimming and athletics.
Swimmer Sun Yang, who has the world's best time in the 1,500-meter freestyle, is aiming to become the country's first male swimmer to win an Olympic gold.
Hurdler Liu Xiang, the first Chinese man to win an Olympic athletics gold in Athens in 2004, will compete in London after shocking the home crowd in Beijing when he had to leave the track because of an injury.
(For more sports news and updates, follow Ahram Online Sports on Twitter at@AO Sportsand on Facebook atAhramOnlineSports)


Clic here to read the story from its source.