China has never thought of winning the biggest number of gold medals at the Beijing Olympics, a senior sports official said in Beijing on Wednesday.
In quite a number of items, China hangs behind countries such as the United States and Russia, said Cui Dalin, deputy director of the State General Administration of Sport.
"It's the responsibility of Chinese athletes and coaches to strive for medals at the Games. But we had never thought of winning the most gold medals," he said.
Cui, also a member of the 11th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), made the remarks at a press conference on the sidelines of the annual session of the top political advisory body.
The United States won 103 medals at the Athens Games and Russia92, well above China's 63, Cui said.
U.S. athletes won 31 world titles in swimming and track and field events last year, which was close to the 32 golds China won at the Athens Games, Cui said.
"I simply cannot predict how many gold medals Chinese athletes can win at the Olympics," Cui said.
Source: Xinhua
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