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Prologue already visible for China at 2008 Olympics |
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13:29, December 25, 2007 |
Like many of the post-80s generation from China, Olympic champion Liu Xiang makes no bones of his intention of earning more, but he prefers to leave nothing to chance in defending his Olympic title next year.
The 24-year-old, who keeps the world record of the men's 110m hurdles at 12.88 seconds, is now among over 1,000 elite Chinese athletes taking part in the behind-door winter training program in build-up for the upcoming Beijing Olympics on home soil.
"Winter training will be closed and I'll be cut off from the outside world," Liu said.
Liu, whose status as the pin-up boy of Chinese athletics has brought lucrative corporate endorsements and mobs of fans wherever he goes, also said he would be cutting out all public appearances in the run-up to the Olympics.
"I'll definitely not be participating in any commercial activities next year. My whole being will be devoted to preparing for the Olympics," he said.
The State Sports Administration of China (SSAC) has forbidden all the athletes to take part in the commercial and social activities since the end of the 2006 unless they have permission from the governing body.
"It (winter training) is time to overhaul the whole training system, enhance the performance, improve on weak points and keep injuries under control," said SSAC director Liu Peng early November.
"The Beijing Olympic Games are just around the corner, now it is wartime," he added.
While sports officials found themselves under pressure and are reluctant to make any medal predictions, average onlookers believe that China will be looking to dethrone the United States in the medal standing at next year's Beijing Olympic Games.
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