Pressure on China to beat US in 2008

'It's good to see their progress, but they will have to work hard to overhaul the States,' says Edwin Moses

China's athletes will be under tremendous pressure as they bid to become the world's number one sporting nation at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, said two of the greatest names in Olympic history, Deng Yaping and Edwin Moses, yesterday.

'I would love to think that China can overhaul the United States four years from now when the Olympic Games are held in Beijing. But it will be a hard task for the pressure will be right on the Chinese athletes as they compete at home,' said four-time Chinese table tennis Olympic gold medallist Deng.

'The United States will be prepared,' said Moses, the legendary American 400 metres hurdler. 'We have a big advantage going for us in that we have a better infrastructure at collegiate and university level where athletes compete on a regular basis at a high level. It's good to see China's progress at the Olympics, but there are no guarantees in sport and they will have to work hard to overhaul the US.'

Both Deng and Moses were in town in their capacity as ambassadors for the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation. Moses is also the chairman of the Laureus World Sports Academy, which holds the annual sporting Oscars. They accepted a cheque for $70,000 from the Hong Kong Rugby Football Union and Cathay Pacific for the Foundation.

China finished second in the medal standings at the Athens Olympics this summer. The mainland won 63 medals, including 32 golds. The United States finished on top with 103 medals, including 35 golds, while Russia won 92 medals (27 golds) and finished third.