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. China are sending 76 athletes to Turin, by far their biggest delegation for a Winter Olympics. Aside from figure skating, officials are hopeful they can take gold in three other sports: short-track speed skating, freestyle aerial skiing and biathlon, a combination of cross-country skiing and shooting. In Salt Lake City, Yang Yang became the pride of the nation when she won two short-track speed skating golds, China's first-ever gold medals in the history of the Winter Olympics. The 30-year-old was coaxed out of retirement in the hope she can put in a repeat performance in Turin. 'I wouldn't have come back if I didn't think I could win,' she said. 'I might be older than most of the other competitors this time but I have a lot of experience behind me and I believe that will be to my advantage.' She will be joined on the ice by newcomer Wang Meng, who is hot favourite to take the 500-metre event after she won all the World Cup races last year. The 21-year-old is firmly focused on gold: 'Of course, I'm going to Turin because I want to win. That's why we compete. And I think I can win,' she said. China have never taken gold in a ski event since their debut in 1980 in Lake Placid, but this time around they are the team to beat in the women's freestyle aerial skiing, particularly world number one Li Nina. Teammates Guo Xinxin and Xu Nannan have also been performing well in the World Cup events and are also contenders for a podium place. Chinese women have also been moving up the world rankings in biathlon, taking two silvers in recent World Championships, and their coaches believe they have an outside chance of taking a gold medal home from Italy. In total, China will be entering nine of the 17 sports on show in Turin. Xiao Tian, deputy director of the sports administration, said it was 'unrealistic' to expect medals in most of the other events but he was confident the team would surpass the Salt Lake City tally of two golds, a silver and a bronze. It was the first time they were sending more athletes in snow events than for ice events, he said, adding that the experience the young athletes picked up would hopefully lead to more medals at the Vancouver Games in 2010. Also looking to pick up as much experience as they can are the 150 delegates from the Beijing Organising Committee of the Olympic Games, who are on a mission to familiarise themselves with the intricate, behind-the-scenes details involved in running a major event. 'This is the last dress rehearsal as far as we are concerned,' a Bocog official said. 'It is our last chance to watch closely and learn. After this the spotlight of the world is on us.'