Chinese athletes have been told not to take part in social activities in the lead-up to the 2008 Olympic Games.

"All the athletes, including those big stars, are forbidden to take part in all kinds of social activities to avoid distractions from training," Liu Peng, President of China's State General Administration of Sports (SGAS), told a meeting Wednesday held in the capital of southwest China's Guizhou Province.

"But exceptions will stand if they get the permission from the SGAS in advance," he added.

Expectations have run high in the host country of the 2008 Games since China finished second in the medals table at the Athens Olympics in 2004 with just three golds shy of the United States, although its total of 63 was far behind the American's 103.

Chinese sports authorities keep a low key about the country's prospect of topping the Olympic medals table in 2008, but they are deploying their full forces to fulfill the mission.

"We face a very stern test at the 2008 Olympics," said Liu. "Everybody should stay focused."