China
Hometown athletes to shine in Guangzhou Asiad
(China Daily)
Updated: 2010-11-02 10:48
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Olympic and world champion diver He Chong takes the plunge during a training session in the lead-up to the Asian Games, which starts in his hometown of Guangzhou on Nov 12. He is considered a runaway favorite for gold in the men's 3-meter springboard event. [Photo/Xinhua] |
Asian Games host city is proud to present its elite athletes and hopes for their best-ever showing, Tang Yue reports in Guangzhou
While citizens and volunteers are busy getting Guangzhou ready for the Asian Games, the city's athletes are preparing to shower their hometown in glory.
Spearheaded by World No 1 women's table tennis player, Liu Shiwen, and Olympic gold-medal winning gymnast Yang Yilin, 37 athletes from Guangzhou will compete in the Asiad, which kicks off on Nov 12.
"Twenty-five Guangzhou athletes went to the Doha Asian Games four years ago and won eight gold medals, two silver and five bronze. Hopefully, they can get a better result this time," Liu said.
Undoubtedly, 19-year-old paddler Liu is a firm favorite to win here. She also claimed her first world title in Guangzhou when she won the 2009 World Cup.
Meanwhile, Yang, a member of the gold-winning women's team at the 2008 Beijing Olympics and bronze medalist in the all-around event, is also expected to give local fans plenty to cheer about.
However, former women's world No 1 badminton player, Xie Xingfang, another famous athlete from Guangzhou, will not appear on court this time.
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Trampolinist Huang Shanshan, bronze medal winner at the Athens Olympics, is another gold-medal favorite competing in her hometown at the Asian Games. [Provided to China Daily] |
"It would be great to win the Asian Games gold medal in my hometown, but my physical condition has made me much less competitive," said Xie, who won singles bronze in Doha.
"Now I am serving the Asian Games in another way and it also gives me a great sense of achievement," she said.
Despite Xie's absence, badminton is still the main game in town, where about 3 million people play it regularly. Among all the star athletes, Lin Dan, the boyfriend of Xie, will be one of the most heavily scrutinized at the games.
"Although we won't be able to see Xie win the title here, there is still Lin to watch. He's really a super star and, don't forget, he's a 'son-in-law' of Guangzhou. We will spare no effort to cheer for him," Shu Ting, a 22-year-old student, said of the Olympic champion, who would love to add an Asian Games' title to his world and Olympic crowns.
Meanwhile, 148 athletes from Guangdong are on the Chinese roster which accounts for almost a sixth of the 977-member squad.
Four years ago, 74 athletes from Guangdong went to Doha and won 47 gold medals.
One of them was He Chong in men's singles and synchronized springboard diving. In Guangzhou, he will only compete in the singles.
"This time, I will try two new dives and build up my confidence for the new difficulties," said He, who is from Zhanjiang, a city 400km away from Guangzhou.
While the athletes are busy preparing for the competition, the organizers have already set their sights on enhancing the lives of the people of Guangzhou after the event.
According to Liu Jiangnan, Guangzhou has built 15 venues for the Asian Games and intentionally scattered them in 12 districts.
"It may be a little inconvenient during the Games and make the traffic a big challenge. However, it will surely benefit residents living in different parts of the city for years to come," said Liu.
"What we want is not only a glorious 16-day event. We hope our citizens will also be inspired by the athletes and keep up that enthusiasm for sport all through their lives."
