Chinese track team takes aim at Rio
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11-05-2013 17:59 BJT
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The Chinese National Track team has gathered in Jing'gang'shan one of China's revolution bases from the 1930s as they begin a new round of preparation for the Rio Olympics. Former Olympic hero Liu Xiang, who once again went down in London, rejoined his teammates for the first time since returning from the U.S. following his recovery from his latest achilles injury.
Dressed like Red Army soldiers, China's track and field athletes see their Rio Olympic preparations as a modern Long March, which was completed by the Red Army in the 1930s.
It's been two months since the 2004 Olympic hurdles champion Liu Xiang came back from United States to deal with his achilles injury. And is unsure about whether he can race in the next Olympics.
"I don't know if I can do this in the future. I really can't say right now. But one thing is for sure, I will try my best. I hope I can do this," Liu Xiang, 2004 Olympic Gold Medallist, says.
"Overall I think he is recovering well. Our goal now is to get his body used to working out again. We hope this can be done by the end of the year. After that we can do some specialized training, but I think it will still be some time," Sun Haiping, Liu's coach, says.
The new athletes on the team have become China's main hopes for gold in Brazil. And as a veteran, Liu had a chance to share his experience with them.
Liu says, "I am happy to be with these young athletes, to share our feelings. As a veteran, I have high hopes for them."
One of the hopefuls is Chen Ding, who won the 20k race-walking gold medal at the London Olympics. And Jing'gang'shan is familiar to him. He began his London Olympics training there four years ago. And hopes that history repeats itself.
"After winning gold in London, I said I'd like to come back here, and that has happened. This is the starting point for my next Olympics. I want to learn from the Red Army soldiers to overcome numerous difficuties, and eventually we will see victory," Chen Ding, London Olympic Gold Medallist, says.
China's new track and field team consists of 60 athletes. There best chance for gold in three years time will probably in race-walking, women's throwing events and the 110-meter hurdles.
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