China's Liu Hong breaks the world record in race walking at the 2015 IAAF Race Walking Challenge in La Coruna, Spain. (Photo : www.eurosport.com)
China unveiled on Monday the largest ever squad comprised of 69 athletes, 30 men and 39 women, who will compete in the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) World Championships in Athletics on Aug. 22 to 30 in the iconic Beijing Bird's Nest stadium.
The squad is hoping to win medals in men's and women's race walking, women's shot put and women's hammer throw.
Feng Shuyong, deputy director of Chinese Athletics Association, has expressed that he hopes the Chinese team can do better than the last one that competed in the Bird's Nest.
The last time a Chinese athletics team competed in the iconic national stadium in a major event was at the 2008 Summer Olympic Games, where Chinese spectators witnessed Liu Xiang, defending Olympic champion, limp off the 110-meter hurdles track. China eventually collected only two bronze medals.
"You have many advantages competing on home soil but there is also huge pressure. Last time Liu Xiang was over burdened with excessive expectations. I think this time the athletes won't be under as much pressure," said Feng.
Feng is optimistic of China's chances and wants to make the most of the opportunity after Russia withdrew most of its race walking team following doping allegations.
Chen Ding and Wang Zhen, who won gold and bronze medals, respectively, at the London Summer Olympic Games in 2012, will be competing for the men's 20km race title. Lyu Xinzhi is hoping to win the women's medal.
For women's shot put, Gong Lijiao, who won two bronze medals in previous years, will again compete in women's shot put.
The Chinese squad is also anticipating results for breakthroughs in men's jumping and sprint events.
"A department focusing on jumping, sprint and hurdles training was set up in 2012 and we can see rapid progress in the relevant events. What we lack now is breakthrough," Feng said.
The team was inspired by China's swimming team, whose outstanding performance during the FINA World Championships in Kazan, Russia, yielded 15 gold medals, 10 silver medals and 10 bronze medals, besting U.S.A. and host Russia.
"I hope I can hear the national anthem in Beijing and see the national flag raised as many times as possible," Feng said.
