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China's Cyclists Aiming for Gold in Sydney Games
There are so many people who use bicycles in China that the nation could legitimately be described as a "Kingdom of Bicycles', according to Chinadaily.'
But in the athletics field, China's cyclists have a rather poor record -- they have never won an Olympic medal.
The Chinese cycling team is poised to ease this embarrassment. Two of the team's ace cyclists plan to win the first Olympic cycling medal for China in the upcoming Sydney Olympics.
The team has won five tickets to Sydney, two in mountain cycling and three in track racing. Hopes are pinned on the track events spearheading by Jiang Cuihua, a specialist in the women's 500 metre time trial, and veteran Wang Yan.
In the Asian Cycling Championships, which ended last week in Shanghai, Jiang swept three gold medals to help the home team continue their dominance in women's events.
China won 10 gold medals in Shanghai, all from the women's side, third in the total medal count behind South Korea and Japan.
However, triumphs in Shanghai meant little to Jiang, a strong title favourite.
The 26-year-old said she is willing to do the same in the international field, especially at the Olympics.
"It is my responsibility to win a gold for China to accomplish the dream of a generation,'' she said after the Shanghai event.
It seems she is justified in her big ambition because of her victory over archrival Felicia Ballanger of France for the first time at May's World Cup race in Moscow.
The French world champion is Jiang's biggest obstacle to landing a gold.
Jiang had lost all their encounters with world-record holder Ballanger before the Moscow event..
"She is a great cyclist and she always maintains a very high standard, making it difficult for others to keep pace,'' Jiang said.
The win in Moscow definitely encouraged Jiang and challenges French dominance.
"The Sydney Olympic Games would be the best time for Jiang to beat Ballanger and it is also the best chance in twenty years for China to win a gold,'' said Tian Junrong, secretary-general of the Chinese Cycling Association.
Jiang's coach Li Hongxin is also confident that the 26-year-old can overcome her long-time world No 2 status.
He said Jiang is still improving and overwhelming Ballanger, 31, was only a matter of time.
Wang, a two-time Olympian, is also expected to make a big slash at the games.
The 27-year-old ranked eighth and seventh in the women's pursuit in Barcelona and Atlanta Olympics and has many international titles under her belt.
Together with Jiang and Ballanger, Wang is also a frequent medal winner in World Cup competitions, but she had never won an Olympic gold medal.
She is planning to compensate in her third Olympic appearance.
In addition to her specialty, she will help Jiang in the 500 metre race to ensure a Chinese victory.
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