But the question remains, can they beat the USA?

   With the Beijing Olympics now just a handful of months away, the question on everybody's lips, more than the city's pollution concerns, more than the security, more even than the readiness of the Olympic venues, is this: how many gold medals can China win?
   The sports authorities of China are playing down any ?suggestions of a record haul, or even a serious challenge against the domination of the United States, especially as the pressure mounts before early August, but any sports ?pundit worth their salary will confirm that China will surely sweep away a record number of golds in Beijing this summer.
   However, the Vice Minister of China's Administration of Sport, Cui Dalin, has already used the words "sober" and ?"objective" in the same sentence in order to temper the ?public's irrepressiblly high hopes of a medal goldrush, even though China came second in golds at the 2004 ?Olypic Games in Athens (though its overall medal tally was ?significantly below that of the United States).
   Table tennis, diving, shooting, weightlifting, badminton, gymnastics and possibly basketball should prove to be a ?happy hunting ground for Team China, but athletics (with the exception of 110m hurdle world champion Liu Xiang), ?swimming, rowing, soccer and volleyball all look limited in potential success. Apart from hot competition from the United States, China will also be eyeing Russia with concern.
   Team China, however, should be able to easily conquer the competition in two specific sports – table tennis and diving – also known as the "dream sports" among Chinese fans.   
As a host nation, the sports authorities are also aware of the psychological pressures facing the athletes, and have hired an experienced group of psychologists to give counseling and support "whenever necessary".
In truth, the sports where China might surprise the world are rowing, sailing, fencing, boxing, the pentathlon, the women's marathon and trampoline. 
   The sports authorities are still keeping mum about their own prospects, but an independent study in the Pacific Economic Review predicted Team China to win 14 percent more medals than their 144 medals at Athens in 2004. While this may not be enough to top the United States, the study also predicted that China would remain in second place and not be troubled by Russia, Japan, Australia, or any European nation.

VISIT THE OLYMPICS . . . IN HONG KONG!
There are two Hong Kong venues for the Equestrian events of the 2008 Olympic Games - the Jumping and Dressage events will take place at the Hong Kong Olympic Equestrian Venue (at Shatin, the former Hong Kong Sports Institute), while the grueling Cross-Country test will take place at the Hong Kong Olympic Equestrian Venue (at Beas River, which used to be the Country Club). The former can hold an amazing 18,000 spectators as well as stables for up to 200 horses. The latter is a 6km cross country track 10-meters in width. While you have more chance of becoming the next Pope than gaining a ticket to one of these venues, we suggest you go down to one of the 13 practice arenas around the New Territories to catch a glimpse of an Olympian training for action.

WHERE TO CATCH THE TORCH RELAY
Hong Kong May   2
Macau   May   3
Sanya  May   4
Haikou  May   6
Guangzhou May   7
Shenzhen May   8
Huizhou May   9
Shantou May 10
Beijing  Aug    6