China will enter 639 athletes for next month's Olympics, its biggest team ever, it was announced at a press conference on Friday.

Four years ago in Athens, the country finished second on the medals table, behind the United States, with a record 32 golds. In total, it picked up 63 medals, ranking it third overall, behind the US and Russia.

"This is our biggest and strongest Olympic delegation in history," Liu Peng, director of the State General Administration for Sports and the delegation's chef-de-mission, said at the conference.

"The Games is going to be highly competitive because almost all of the world's elite athletes will be here in Beijing. I hope my athletes perform at their best and do not let the Chinese people down," he said.

Including officials, the Chinese delegation will total 1,099, Liu's deputy Duan Shijie said.

The US will send 596 athletes to the Games, he said.

Defending 110m hurdles champion Liu Xiang, NBA all-star center Yao Ming and diving diva Guo Jingjing will spearhead the national team, which will be represented in each of the 38 Olympic events across 28 sports.

Guo will be contesting her fourth Games, as will veteran basketball player Li Nan and shooter Tan Zongliang. Thirty-seven athletes will be taking part in their third Olympics, while 469 will be making their debuts.

Among the coaching staff, 38 are foreigners, Duan said.

"The delegation is a good combination of youth and experience," he said.

"I am confident we will show our competitiveness and sportsmanship at the Games."

Liu Xiang, who in 2004 became a national hero after winning China's first-ever Olympic gold in men's athletics, said he was ready for the challenge.

"I'm getting better with training and have had no injuries," he said. "All I have to do on the Olympic track is beat myself."

While people throughout China are trying to decide how many gold medals the team will win, Liu said the more important mission for athletes is keeping the Games clean.

"I think the No 1 goal is to have a clean Olympics that is free of drugs, rather than chasing gold medals," he said.

"Staying away from drugs is always our top priority."

At the announcement of the team, all those present vowed, while facing the national flag, to compete in a clean and fair manner, and to respect their opponents, judges and spectators.

A full team list will be published soon on the official website of the Beijing Olympics, Liu said.

Source:China Daily