Liaoning's Women Athletes: Hopeful Yet Greater Effort NeededCui Dalin, director of Liaoning Sports Department, lately said on Duoba Plateau of Qinghai that Liaoning's middle- and long-distance race women athletes under Coach Ma Junren all feel in excellent shape to prove their worth though strong opponents they may meet in oncoming Olympic contests in Sydney.Cui Dalin said that some foreign athletes have set good records in three events in which the Chinese women athletes will participate in Sydney. In women's 5 kilometers, an Ethiopian athlete has set this year's best world record of 14:30:88, also the best record in recent years, on August 5. This record made the athlete the third one having set the record around 14:30:00 in the world. In women's 1500 meters, American, Polish and Rumanian athletes have set the records within 4:00:00. In women's 10 kilometers, three athletes set the records in less than 31:00:00 this year. This shows the difficulties and strong opponents Liaoning's women athletes will meet in Olympic contests in Sydney. But it is not always good for strong athletes to set good records only once. Because their best shape will not last long, their levels are possible to downgrade during the period from August 5, the date that they set good records, to September 22, the contest date of Olympics. And it gives us an early signal and sounds the alarm for Chinese athletes to set goals for their training. Cui Dalin finally said women's middle-, long-distance race will be an intensely fought and cruel game in the Olympics. Liaoning's women athletes are making full preparations to win out through contests in Sydney. |
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