China Crowns Men's Gymnastics Team Title

China Lands First Olympic Gymnastic Team Gold

China won its first-ever gymnastics men's team event at the Olympic Games Monday evening in Sydney.

"I did very well, I hurt myself before," said Xing Aowei, member of the champion team, "but when the competition started I forgot everything. The whole Chinese team was determined to win the championships today and we did it."

Ukraine finished second, ahead of Russia who took the bronze medal.

Valeriy Pereshkura, member of the Ukrainian team, said that "no one expected this. We thought we would be the third one. I cannot explain in words how happy I am."

Alexei Nemov of Russia said on his performance that "Whatever I have done, God has helped me."

Russian team coach Leonid Arakev said that "everything went not quite as expected, they were not in the best of health but they did their best."