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China's Quest for Glory Pushing Athletes Past Limits

Posted Jun 20, 08 2:18 AM CDT in Sports,  World 

(Newser) – China is going all-out in a sometimes destructive push to top the medal table at the Beijing Olympics, the New York Times reports. Athletes are risking their health by training while injured, and potential medal-winners are being pressed out of retirement. Olympic hopefuls are well aware that victory will bring fame and fortune—and failure a huge "loss of face" for the motherland.

Massive amounts of resources have been poured into the country's Olympic training program. Promising athletes are sent to special sports schools far from their families at young ages. Training is rigorous and the pressure, always high, has steadily increased as the games near. The Communist war slogan—“Don’t retreat from the front lines with light injuries"—has become a mantra for athletes and coaches alike.

Source New York Times

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A young table tennis player trains at a base in Wuhan, central China. China selects the best athletes at a young age and subject them to a rigorous training regimes   (AP Photo)
Jia Hu, left, and Linguang Yang, both of China, perform in the men's synchronized 10-meter finals at the USA Diving Grand Prix in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., on Sunday, May 11, 2008.   (AP Photo/Jon Way)
Chinese dancers perform during the 2008 Olympic Torch relay announcement and unveiling ceremony Thursday April 26, 2007.   (AP Photo/Elizabeth Dalziel)
Chinese NBA star Yao Ming, center, holds a Beijing Olympic flag during a ceremony to mark the one year count down to the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.   (AP Photo/Kyodo News)
The Houston Rockets' Yao Ming will be expected to compete in the Beijing Olympics despite having missed the last 2 months of the NBA season with a fractured foot.   (AP Photo/Matt Sayles,file)
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China • 2008 Beijing Olympics • athlete • Hu Jintao • sports injuries • Chinese athletes


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