The country's sports chief has warned that no tolerance will be
shown for cheating during the Beijing 2008 Olympics team selection
process.
"We have started to select players to prepare for the Beijing
2008 Olympics. The selection process must be open and fair. No
cheating is allowed," said Liu Peng, head of the State General
Administration of Sport (SGAS). "Selecting the best players to
compete in Beijing is one of the most significant tasks during the
preparation period."
?
Liu revealed his determination to eradicate unfairness and cheating
during a SGAS anti-corruption conference.
"The selection task is sensitive and related to different
departments. Everything is in the media spotlight. Any bribery
cases or scandals will undermine the image of Chinese sport.”
"We must be committed to selecting the best players for Olympic
preparations. Every department and administration center must obey
the rules. We will take cheating or bribery seriously and people
who make mistakes will be harshly punished."
There was controversy ahead of the Athens Games in 2004 when
two-time Olympic weightlifting champion Zhan Xugang was selected
for the team despite retiring after the Sydney Games four years
earlier. He failed all three snatch attempts, prompting questions
over why he had been selected over younger candidates.
Liu also stressed his resolve to fight against on-court
discipline problems, doping, bribery during venue construction, and
abuse of sports lottery and charity funds.
Test events
This year is seen as a tune-up for the Beijing Games in terms of
player selection, venue testing and security efforts.
From July to May 2008, China will host 42 test competitions,
with 26 of them taking place this year.
Beijing will host 23 events and the remaining tests will be in
Hong Kong, Qingdao, Shenyang and Qinhuangdao.
The events are an overall examination of the venue
infrastructure, technical system, scheduling, results processing
and security protection capabilities.
"Ensuring all the test competitions are a big success is the
most important task for the year. It is a rehearsal for the Beijing
2008 Olympics, and it is a showcase to the nation about how we are
prepared," said Liu Qi, president of the Beijing Organizing
Committee for the Games of the XXIX Olympiad (BOCOG).
Liu insisted all the test competitions must be planned and
organized to Olympic standards.
"We must host characteristic and high-level tournaments and make
sure we set up a solid base for the Beijing Olympics."
(China Daily January 24, 2007)