Now that the Olympics are less than a year away, it’s time for the psychological pre-game show to begin.
During an interview with the Chinese national media, Wang Jian, leader of the Chinese national fencing team, was asked why the country’s top fencers did not participate in the 2007 World University Games in Bangkok. "Chinese top fencers did not come to Bangkok for the Universiade. Instead, they will compete in the Asian Championships to be held this month in China and the World Championships in Russia in September," Wang said.
Wang Jian went on to say: "Our aim is to win at least a gold medal at the Beijing Olympics and we have that strength." Another senior fencing official also vowed that China will clinch it’s second Olympic title in Beijing.
China’s only gold medal in fencing came from JuJie Luan at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics in the Women’s Foil event. Since then China has managed several silver medal performances – including Xue Tan’s loss to US fencer Mariel Zagunis at the 2004 Athens Olympics.
Wang has stated that the focus for the Chinese national team is on the Asian games to be held in late August and then the World Championships in St. Petersburg, Russia in September. Good placements at those two events would secure berths for several of the Chinese teams.
Close but no Cigar
China has medaled, but not won an Olympic Gold in several events recently. Here are the latest:
2004 Athens Olympics:
Men’s Team Foil – Silver Medal (Lost to Italy)
Men’s Individual Epee – Silver Medal – Lei Wang lost to Marcel Fischer (SUI)
Women’s Individual Sabre – Silver Medal – Xue Tan lost to Mariel Zagunis (USA)
2000 Sydney Olympics:
Women’s Team Epee – Bronze Medal
Men’s Team Foil – Silver Medal – Lost to France
