China unveils biggest-ever Olympic team

Friday 25 July 2008

BEIJING - China on Friday announced it would field 639 athletes to compete at the Beijing Games, its biggest-ever Olympic team and over 40 more than the United States.

China are hoping their home advantage will help them knock the United States from the top of the medals table, after finishing just behind them at the 2004 Games in Athens.

Reigning 110m hurdles champion Liu Xiang and NBA basketball star Yao Ming were among the competitors announced Friday at a special ceremony in Beijing.

The ceremony was closed to the foreign press but details were posted on the website of the Beijing Olympic organisers.

In total, China will have a 1,099-member delegation, which includes coaches and officials.

The United States is sending 596 athletes to the Games, according to the country's Olympic website.

In Athens, Americans claimed 102 medals, 36 of them gold. Russians took 92 overall, 27 gold, while China had 63 overall with 32 gold.

The Games will take place from August 8-24, with most of the events taking place in the Chinese capital.