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China's athletes chase golden goalNation points to 2008 Beijing Olympics as time to seize spotlight
Editor's note: CNN International TV brings its global resources to China in early April for its "Eye on China" special programming.  The physical development of Yao Ming, seen here playing for the Chinese national squad, has been closely guarded. RELATEDSPECIAL REPORTYOUR E-MAIL ALERTS(CNN) -- Few doubt that the 2008 Summer Games to be held in Beijing will be the most spectacular and extravagant sporting event in the Olympic movement's history. But for China, the pinnacle of achievement will be to see the nation usurp the United States to stand atop the gold medal tally -- for Beijing, such symbolism will be irresistible. And such an outcome is not beyond contemplation, given the resources the nation is investing in its sporting talent. From the time China re-entered the Olympic competition, winning a solitary gold at the 1984 Los Angeles Games, the climb up the medal ladder has been unstoppable. At the 2000 Olympics in Sydney, China had jumped to third place on the medal table; At Athens in 2004, the Chinese came second to the United States by just three gold medals. And with an estimated 17,000 athletes training full-time in the nation's elite sporting system, the Chinese administration is leaving little to chance. China already has dominant performers in table tennis, diving, badminton and weightlifting. But on the running track and in the swimming pool, where the United States is traditionally strong, there has been less success. That is changing however, with runner Liu Xiang winning the men's 110-meters hurdles in Athens in a world-record equaling time, and swimmer Luo Xuejuan triumphing in the women's 100-meter breastroke. The Chinese Swimming Association recently stated its goal for the Beijing Games was to win three golds in the pool. "As the hosts of the Olympic Games, we hope to grab two to three golds and three to five medals," CSA vice president Shang Xiutang was reported by the Xinhua news agency as saying. "Our swimmers should have had better performances in Athens. I think we still have much to improve," Shang said. High hopes are held for the newly appointed head coach of the swim team, Zhang Yadong, who is also the coach of Athens champion Luo Xuejuan. Zhang named the breaststroke, individual medley, mid-distance freestyle, freestyle and medley relay events as China's medal prospects. But do not be surprised to hear the Chinese national anthem played for a wide range of other sports, as well. Little left to chanceChinese officials have been assiduously following the dictates of the late leader Chairman Mao Zedong who encouraged the channeling of the nation's most gifted youngsters into training facilities of the country's 650,000-plus gymnasiums and stadiums. Take basketball sensation Yao Ming, once a basketball Olympian and now a superstar of the National Basketball Association competition in the United States. His rise has been anything but a matter of chance. Two generations of Yao's forebears had been singled out by authorities for their physiques, and his mother and father had both been drafted into the sports system. Be prepared for the emergence of many more "Yao Mings" at the Beijing Games and beyond. For China, the Games will be about portraying global power, prestige and "face." No expense nor effort is being spared to ensure its athletes deliver a clear message to the rest of the world: The 21st century belongs to China. 
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