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Goodwill Compels China to Let Chen Run for US
Chinese sports authorities are emphasizing that they gave Chinese-born Chen Yueling permission to represent the United States in next month's Olympics to enhance Sino-American sports relations and Olympic spirit, according to Chinadaily.
They said there was nothing backhanded - such as a ploy to host the Olympics in 2008 - about the approval.
As a national race walker, Chen earned China its first Olympic athletics gold in Barcelona in 1992.
Working and studying in the United States now, Chen wanted to walk for the United States in the women's 10-kilometre race at the Sydney Olympics.
However, according to International Olympic Committee rules, athletes are only eligible to represent adopted countries until they have had that country's nationality for at least three years.
And Chen did not get America's nationality until 1998.
"We originally said 'no' to Chen's issue because we respected the regulations of the Chinese Athletics Association," said Chinese Olympic Committee (COC) spokeswoman He Huixian. "But considering the relationship and friendship between COC and the United States Olympic Committee (USOC), we finally decided to endorse Chen's Olympic trip."
He said it is amazing that Chen can go back to the track after retiring for so many years. The spokeswoman said never giving up is one aspect of Olympic spirit.
"Therefore, we believe that this is an act worth encouraging and praising," He said.
In a fax to American counterpart William Hybl, Yuan Weimin, president of the (COC), met the USOC's request to let Chen participate in the 2000 Olympics.
Some international media doubt the purity of the Chinese committee's decision, saying it is a plot to win Beijing the right to host the 2008 Olympics.
Chinese committee members said China would give the same approval to Chinese athletes in other countries, too.
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