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21 world and Asia records broken at National Games

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2009-10-28 15:42

JINAN, East China: The 11th Chinese National Games, which is due to close on Wednesday night, witnessed both record-breaking feats and doping scandals, a senior official with the State General Administration of Sports told a press conference.

Olympic champion Liu Zige powers to victory in the women's 200m butterfly at the National Games Wednesday. The Chinese swimming sensation finished in an amazing time of 2:01.81, shaving more than a second and a half off the previous world mark of 2:03.41 set by Australian Jessica Schipper at the Rome WorldChampionships in August. [Xinhua]

Five world records, along with 16 Asian records and 39 national records were broken at this year's National Games, said Xiao Tian, deputy director of country's sports governing body.

Athletes pulled off a great performance particularly in swimming and track and field.

China's Olympic champion Liu Zige set a new world record in the 200m butterfly final in 2:01.81, knocking over two seconds off previous world best set by Australian Jessica Schipper at the Rome World Championships.

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In track and field, Li Yanxi of Hebei jumped a distance of 17.59 meters, breaking triple jump Asian record of 17.35 and also refreshed the oldest Chinese track and field national record set in 1981.

"Although Chinese athletes amaze the world with thrilling performances, we could not ignore those controversies and doping scandals," said Xiao.

The 11th Chinese National Games have witnessed three doping scandals although the organisers vowed serious punishment upon those who violated anti-doping rules.

Guo Linna, a female rower from Henan, Li Jie, a shooter from Inner Mongolia and women's 100-meter dash champion Wang Jing, failed their doping tests in the games.

Also several cases of serious violation of good sportsmanship by players, coaches or spectators have blemished the games.

In women's cycling event last Tuesday, the race was interrupted after seven cyclists, who have been overlapped in the race, refused to leave the track in spite of chief referee's warnings and whistles. This aroused great controversy at this year's National Games.

"It is time to launch reform at the National Games," said Xiao, referring to the long-standing abuse of National Games, especially the downsizing.

Xiao acknowledged the significance of National Games as it plays an important role in preparing the athletes for the Olympic Games, "but we still see that Chinese athletes play badly at some events like soccer, basketball, wrestling and cycling, which need further improvement".

The National Games is held commonly every four years since 1959. More than 10,900 atheletes competed in the 13-day competition.