Chinese deputy Chef-de-Mission Xiao tips short track the best hope

Deputy Chef-de-Mission of the Chinese delegation for the Turin Winter Olympics, said Wednesday evening that short track speed skating would claim a gold medal for China.

The last of three groups of the delegation arrived for the 20th Winter Olympics late Wednesday via Frankfurt.

Gold medal hope has been pinned upon the short track speed skating team, spearheaded by Yang Yang (A) who awarded the first- ever Winter Olympic gold medal for China from the Salt Lake City Games in 2002.

Besides, Wang Meng, a 20-year-old, is also a medal hopeful as she claimed a 3,000 meters relay title in the 2003 World Championships and became the 500 meters gold medalist in the 2004 World Champs.

In 2002, Yang Yang (A) won both women's 500 meters and 1,000 meters at the 19th Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City and became the first winter Olympic gold medalist of China.

Apart from short track speed skating, Xiao said that free style aerials, speed skating and figure skating would also possibly win gold medals for China, but the number of golds would depend on the athletes' performance.

As for the flagman candidate for the Chinese delegation, Xiao said it would be announced in a press conference on Thursday.

During the coming Turin Olympics, the Chinese skaters will take part in all eight short track events, namely both men's and women's 500m, 1,000m, 1,500m, men's 5,000m and women's 3,000m relays, slated from February 12 to 25.

Source: Xinhua