Close-up: No Laxity by Chinese Ping-Pong Olympians in SydneyThe Chinese ping-pong team, which had pocketed all four golds in last Olympiad, arrived at Sydney September 12 and soon began training in Sydney National Sports Center in the afternoon.The Chinese team's training time was set from 17:00 to 19:00 p.m., local time. But they arrived at the Sports Center at 18:30 for the driver lost the way. The Chinese team got merely one hour's training September 12. Soon off training, Liu Guoliang, Kong Linghui, Wang Liqin and Liu Guozheng said that every player is in good form in their team. Cai Zhenhua, head coach of the Chinese team, said that things for all Olympians of his team have been fine except for a too short training course they are taking. When talking about Liu Guoliang, he said, Liu's problem is not with his form but his courage and strength. Lu Yuansheng, coach with the women's team, said that although the contest will take place on September 16, the players will play until September 19. So the Olympians have to adjust themselves to their best form gradually and "mustn't be too early in getting ourselves into an excited state. We had been here for the finals in January, but this time, the edges of ping-pong tables are covered with red cloth, the same color as the ground. Every team pays much attention to this Sydney Olympiad. The Chinese team has only three singles and two doubles players, losing advantage in number. Although we remain a formidable team, we should fully estimate the difficulties ahead", every ping-pong Olympian of the Chinese team is being thus warned. |
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