Vinicius, the Olympic mascot, starts the countdown for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games as it rides from the top of the Sugarloaf Cable Car in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on March 23, 2015. (Photo : Getty Images)
China’s delegation of sport shooters arrived in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, for the ISSF World Cup Stage in Rifle, Pistol and Shotgun events 10 days ahead of the schedule, according to China Daily.
The Chinese shooting team want to accustom themselves to the country’s climate and to have enough time to deal with jet lag.
Air travel from Beijing to Rio takes some 22 hours.
Yi Siling, 2012 Summer Olympics gold medalist, said that she experienced jet lag.
Wang Yifu, the head coach, said that it would be the first time for most of the team members to go to Rio, so they want to familiarize themselves with the place.
“Coming to the Olympic host city, I'm very happy, but at the same time I'm a bit nervous,” Yi said. "I have to be patient and clear about what I should do during the competition."
The test competition will be on April 14-25 at the National Shooting Center in Deodoro, Zona Oeste (West Zone), Rio de Janeiro.
The country’s shooters will train at the Brazilian Naval Academy on Villegagnon Island in Rio.
The team is composed of 17 members.
For the men, there are 10, including Pang Wei, 2008 Summer Olympics gold medalist; Pu Qifeng, 2014 Asian Games silver medalist; Yang Haoran, gold medalist at the 2014 Summer Youth Olympics, Asian Games and World Championships; Wang Zhiwei, 2012 Summer Olympics bronze medalist; and Zhu Qinan, 2008 Summer Olympics silver medalist and 2004 Summer Olympics gold medalist.
There are seven female members, including Chen Ying, 2012 Summer Olympics silver medalist and 2008 Summer Olympics gold medalist; Du Li, 2004 Summer Olympics gold medalist; and Guo Wenjun, gold medalist at the 2008 and 2012 Summer Olympics;
According to Gustavo Nascimento, the venue management director for Rio 2016, the test marathon held on April 10 “went very well,” reported Xinhua.
The Rio 2016 Summer Olympic Games will be held on Aug. 5-21.
