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Deng would be delighted to see her record broken

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Deng Yaping would be glad to see her record haul of four gold medals broken in the table tennis starting at Peking University Gymnasium today.

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The diminutive paddler, voted China's sportsperson of the 20th century, swept back-to-back women's singles and doubles titles at Barcelona 1992 and Atlanta 1996, still a record for the sport. But not for much longer, if Wang Nan or Zhang Yining have anything to do with it.

'Records are set for others to break,' said Deng, 35, who left the sport in 1997 and is now an official with Bocog, managing the Olympic Village as vice mayor.

'But I am honoured to be the one who set a record which has stood for more than a decade. Of course, there are always new faces coming through the ranks to threaten the record. I really don't mind if my record is broken in Beijing. In fact this is good for the sport when new faces replace the old ones and steal the limelight.'

China's Wang Nan, who turns 30 in October, stands a good chance of equalling or even surpassing Deng's achievement. She took the singles and doubles titles in Sydney and the doubles crown in Athens.

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Wang is taking part in both the singles and team events, but this will be her last shot at Deng's record.

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