Chinese team 'more united than ever'

The 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games will mark the first time a Summer Olympics has been held in Asia since Beijing 2008. The following is Xinhua News Agency's exclusive interview with Liu Guoyong, vice-president of the Chinese Olympic Committee and head of the Olympic Preparation Office.

Q: Could you brief on us how well Chinese teams have been preparing for the Olympics? Is there anything new that is worth mentioning?

A: "Since we have only one year left, we are facing mounting pressure and great challenges. Overall, Chinese teams are in good form after two years of preparation. To begin with, we are becoming more united than ever.

"Secondly, both athletes and coaches have realized their responsibility and mission with ever-stronger momentum. What's more, Chinese teams are constantly improving based on what we achieved at the world championships in 2018 and the first half of 2019.

"Despite fluctuations, we have done well, for the most part. In spite of mounting pressure and fierce competition, Chinese contenders will go all out for a win. We believe in ourselves.

"We have pursued four new characteristics. First is our systematic preparation, which refers to a comprehensive top-level design that involves a service support, media services and so on. Second is reform. The Tokyo Olympics will be the first time for China to have some sport associations directly involved in training and guidance all through the process.

"Reform and preparation can reinforce each other, which was rare in the past. The third is nationwide preparation. We enjoy unprecedented social involvement and specific data on this will be released after the Tokyo Olympics. The last point is openness. We've been actively participating in international competition, learning from other countries' experience and keeping track of what's going on around the globe."

Q: Can you discuss events in which Chinese teams are expected to excel?

A: "We're still strong in the six events we are traditionally good at - weightlifting, diving, table tennis, badminton, gymnastics and shooting. There are also some events in which we are competitive, such as athletics, swimming, cycling and fencing.

"Generally, we've maintained our strengths. For example, China made breakthroughs in the women's 10km open water at the FINA World Aquatics Championships in Gwangju, South Korea. If there's still something that deserves our concern, it should be the newly added events at the Tokyo Olympics, such as karate, sport climbing, baseball and softball. Although China has made great progress, there's still a long way to go before we catch up in those sports."

Q: How would you describe the current global sports landscape? Which teams might be tough opponents for China in Tokyo?

A: "The global sports landscape hasn't changed too much. The United States still dominates world championships, especially in athletics and swimming. Russia is rising by snatching 27 golds at world championships and tournaments, though it was prohibited from several events in 2018. France, as the next host of the Summer Olympics, has done a lot in preparation and layout. Britain and Germany are also improving. China is facing serious challenges if we want to stay in the top three.

"It's worth noting that Japan ranked no better than the second group on the medal tally when attending Olympic Games on foreign soil, but it's improving so rapidly that it has set a goal of over 30 golds, which we think is totally reachable through hard training.

"The host country will usually score better on home soil, let's say, a 60 percent increase, according to analysis from the previous eight Olympic Games. Japan has invested a lot in athletic sports and has borrowed our 'whole nation' system. More importantly, the new events are their strength but our weakness, which results in more pressure on us. Apart from its traditional strong events, such as karate, wrestling, and baseball, the Japanese have also shown momentum in events like cycling, fencing and tennis. In this sense, we have no absolute advantage over Japan."

Q: What does China aim to achieve in Tokyo?

A: "First, our number of athletes should hit a record high. Second, we need to be in the top three in the medal standings. No matter what we achieve, we must set off with courage and confidence. Third, zero tolerance for doping, which is our bottom line. Golds must be clean. We are also more than willing to promote exchanges between Chinese youth and their counterparts from all over the world.

"Wonderful performances can help improve China's image and national strength. We believe in ourselves and we will live up to the expectations of our people."

Xinhua