Buoyed by their unprecedented success in Athens, Chinese athletes are expected to set another record number of gold medals in 2008. China's 32 golds had not been expected by a nation which argued that conditions were not suitable for a record-breaking haul. How wrong they were.
The mainland exceeded expectations. Some Chinese officials had hoped for a total of 24 golds, while others expected only 20. The Chinese downplayed expectations after their previous record of 28 in Sydney.
Athens proved a fertile hunting ground for China's aspiring athletes, who were stronger, faster and more skilful than in previous Olympics.
With only three gold medals separating China from traditional superpowers the United States, not only could China smash the 40 gold medals barrier in four years, they could dominate the Olympics like never before. And this domination could come just 24 years after China returned to the Olympic fold at the Los Angeles Games in 1984.
'The excellent performance by China's athletes again shows the spirit of the Chinese nation and its unrelenting efforts to improve itself,' the Chinese state said.
'The government has urged athletes not to be complacent in victory or disappointed in defeat but to make even greater contributions to pushing forward the Olympic cause and the realisation of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.' Prophetic words they might be.