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Ge and Gu Ready to Continue Olympic Glory
There is little doubt that China's women's doubles sensations Ge Fei and Gu Jun could continue their Olympic glory at Sydney, experts agree and even the two had seen themselves as firm favourites to win the event.
The pair won the first badminton Olympic gold medal for China four years ago in Atlanta. They are definite champion names in the past few years, collecting all the main titles of international tournaments including Olympics, World Championships and World Cup.
``I believe there is no problem if we play normal there,'' said the outspoken Gu. ``And everyone in the Chinese camp sees us as certain winners.''
Anyway, the huge and torturous pressure brought by their big names had driven the pair hardly wait for the impending sporting gala.
``I only hope that the Olympics could come earlier so I can finish my mission soon,'' said the implicit Ge who could be the first badminton double winner in Olympic history at Sydney with her another partner Liu Yong in mixed doubles.
Gu reacted more drastically:``It is really an affliction to wait. I would rather play tomorrow so I can escape.''
The two started pairing as early as 1987 when both were at twelve in Jiangsu Provincial team. Since their first national title in 1992, they soon established their names in the international arena with the all-conquering smashes, delightful net drops and solid defence.
Then a long-time dominance followed as the formidable pair lost only one match in their over a hundred international shows since the 1996 Olympic winning performance -- they lost to their teammates Yang Wei and Huang Nanyan in the 2000 Japan Open earlier this year.
But the talented shuttlers admitted that there will be serious challenges from some powerful rivals -- their up-and coming teammates Yang and Huang and South Korean pair Ra Kyung-Min and Chung Jae-Hee, ranking second and third respectively in the current world standing.
``We are a big target for others and we are not allowed to lose,'' said Ge who is to marry her world champion teammate Sun Jun after the Sydney Olympics. (Chinadaily)
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