Feng plays down China's prospects of more medals
Chinese athletes face an uphill struggle to become masters of the medals table, claims a top mainland sports official. 'There are a lot of unfavourable factors though we have the advantages of competing at home,' Feng Jianzhong, vice-president of the State General Administration of Sports, said. 'We almost delivered our full potential in the Athens Games, and it is very difficult to make further breakthroughs,' he added. China's athletes won a record 32 gold medals at the 2004 Athens Games - just three behind the first placed United States - and 63 in total, well behind the Americans' 103. Russia were third with 27 gold and 92 total medals. 'Promoting mass sports participation, healthy lifestyles, and the Olympic spirit, are major goals of these Olympics,' Feng said.
British sailors lead entry for Qingdao regatta
Many of the world's top sailing powerhouses begin competitions at the first Olympic test event in Qingdao tomorrow at the ISAF Grade II International Regatta. Britain currently rules the waves and double gold medalist Ben Ainslie will be seeking victory in the Finn class. Hot, humid and windless conditions greeted the teams when they arrived in Qingdao this week.
Government move could increase obesity, critics say
The Chinese government is entertaining the possibility of making video gaming a demonstration sport at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, claims Australian Institute of Sport national talent search co-ordinator Dr Jason Gulbin. 'Even at the moment there is a group of video gamers who are lobbying the Chinese government to at least have video gaming as a demonstration sport at the Olympics,' Dr Gulbin said on Australian TV. 'We may have Xboxers, PlayStations, Nintendo freaks who are now hoping to vie for Olympic medals in the future,' his said. The inclusion has upset world health experts who fear such a move could worsen child obesity.
