As the Chinese delegation heads to Turin they believe they are set to become a Winter Olympics force and possibly garner gold in four sports. But, with the opening ceremony only days away, there are still major concerns hanging over figure skating star Zhao Hongbo, who is battling to return to full fitness.
Zhao, 32, snapped his Achilles tendon six months ago and although his condition has improved quickly he has still not attempted a triple-jump combination, a key manoeuvre in his routine with partner Shen Xue. The pair, two-time world champions and bronze medallists in Salt Lake City, would be favourites in many eyes to take gold providing Zhao's heel - and head - holds out.
Zhao picked up the injury while attempting a triple jump in training, and after his last warm-up session in Beijing before departing for Italy he admitted that although his foot felt fine he still did not feel mentally prepared to attempt the jump.
Yao Bin, head of the figure skating team, has been coaching Zhao for 18 years and is still hopeful his star skater can come good in the next week.
'We will not give up because of Zhao's injury. Even if there is only the slimmest chance, we will try our best to make a miracle,' he said.
'If Zhao can recover in time, he and Shen will be the best hope we have for pairs gold in Turin.'
China's rising stars, Zhang Dan and Zhang Hao, are also expected to pose a strong medal challenge after they picked up a couple of pairs figure skating Grand Prix titles last year, but, with the cloud of uncertainty hanging over Zhao, the favourites' mantel for the glamour event is in the hands of the Russian pair, Tatiana Totmianina and Maxim Marinin, the reigning world champions.