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Track coach disappointed with medal drought
HELSINKI: Feng Shuyong, head coach of China's track and field team, said on Tuesday that he is ashamed and feels sorrow for the China's no show on the medals table, mid-way through the world track and field championships in Helsinki. "The result is not satisfactory. I know fans always have high expectations for our team. I apologize to everybody," Feng said. With four of the nine days of the tournament already passed, China's medal hopes on the race walking and women's 10,000 were dashed while most of the young faces and veterans have failed to turn out good performances. The best finish so far is a disappointing fourth place from Olympic champion Xing Huina in women's 10,000m on the opening day. But Feng played down the pressure and encouraged the nation's athletes. "I am sure our athletes have tried their best. It is not the fault of a single person. We have had problems in training and at times have had to pay for the lack of experiences. "In fact, our athletes are full of fighting spirit." Feng believes that poor coaching is one of the main reasons behind China's sluggish show. "I think we have had big problems in the preparatory training before the tournament. Our coaches were not able to control the intensity of the training prior to the meet," said Feng. "I know our coaches are improving in the ways of training the athletes, but compared to foreign coaches, we still have a way to go," added Feng. To highlight the gap, Feng singled out race walking as the most disappointing event so far at the Worlds. "I think we have no problems with technique after we began to make extra efforts following (disqualifications in) 2002. We invited foreign experts and judges to instruct our athletes. "They are doing pretty well but we have not made any breakthroughs. There must be some other problems like how to maintain good physical condition." Feng still believes that China's track and field stars will show a remarkable improvement at 2008 Beijing Olympics. "We have no other choice but to look abroad for advanced training methods and more high-level competitions. It is important for our athletes to catch up internationally," Feng said. Sole hope on Liu Now China's only medal hope lies with men's 110m hurdler Liu Xiang, the Athens Olympic champion. But Feng has asked for less pressure from media on the nation's Olympic hero. "Liu is in good form these days. I hope after his first heat or the semi-final, we can give him more time and space to prepare for the final. "I am sure as long as he performs like he did at the Athens Olympics, he can produce a miracle once again,"said Feng. In the past at the World Championships, China have had six women athletes win seven titles but gold still eludes the men at the worlds.
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