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China promises `clean` athletics team for Athens Olympic games
Beijing, May 24: Asian Sporting Giant, China has promised to send a `clean` track and field team to the upcoming Athens Olympic games.
Beijing, May 24: Asian Sporting Giant, China has promised to send a "clean" track and field team to the upcoming Athens Olympic games.
All the winners in the Chinese Olympic trials have had urine tests after competitions and would undergo frequent tests till the games, deputy director of the Chinese athletics administration centre Feng Shuyong said.
"All the star athletes had blood tests right a few days before the trials, which can guarantee that they are EPO-free at this Olympic qualifying tournament," Feng, who is also head coach of the Chinese national track and field team, said.
He promised that the Olympics-bound athletes will have frequent out-of-competition tests in the next three months before they fly to Athens.
"We will make every effort to ensure the Olympic team is clean from banned drugs," he was quoted in the north Chinese city of Shijiazhuang.
China had dropped over seven athletes from the Olympic squad before the Sydney Olympic games four years ago over doping concerns.
Meanwhile, China's sprint queen, who at 26, is still Asia's fastest woman, has expressed her hope to be part of the Chinese team for the Olympics.
"It will be my last chance to run in the Olympic games, I want to be there dearly," Li said after winning the 100 meters in the ongoing Chinese athletics Olympic qualifying tournament.
Bureau Report