USOC comments on Russia-China Games union
(Agencies)
Updated: 2005-07-16 08:46

The Chinese have long made it known they want to be the big winners in their own country in 2008. They even sacrificed some winnings last year to do it, in some cases leaving athletes in their prime behind to bring younger athletes who would be competing again in Beijing.

Scherr said defeating the Chinese in their home country won't be easy.

"They're putting a tremendous amount of resources toward that goal," he said. "The entire country, the public sector, the private sector, the government, are all keenly going toward that goal."

And now, the Russians, too.

News service RIA-Novosti cited Tyagachev as telling the Russian newspaper Izvestia that the Chinese have invited foreigners, including Russia, to the elaborate Beijing national training center.

"They hope that we will take some of the medals in sports that are traditionally considered 'American', i.e., swimming and track and field," Tyagachev said. "They speak openly about it: We cannot give in to the U.S."

Tyagachev said Russian leaders would have to agree on any partnership with China and said the Russians' ultimate goal was to win more medals than anyone, including the Chinese.

Scherr said there are "a lot of things that would clearly, clearly be suspect" if there was a designed program to go after the United States in certain sports.

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