We must understand that China is still not a strong sports country in the world, says an article in Beijing Youth Daily. The following is an excerpt.

At the ongoing sessions of the CPPCC, Cui Dalin, the deputy head of the General Administration of Sports, said China has beefed up the psychological training of athletes to help them overcome the pressures at this year's Beijing Olympic Games. Cui also tried to lower outside expectation of the number of medals China may get at the Games. He said: "Basically speaking, we are not a strong athletic country; we should be more practical and rational."

Compared with what he said last year, Cui's description of China's sports strength this time is more rational.

China can be called a large sports country at best, but not a strong one. This is a fact, and it cannot be changed by vows and meaningless words. The whole country could be hurt psychologically if the slogan "a strong sports country" adds so much pressure on athletes that they cannot perform well at the Games.

If we bear in mind we are not yet a strong sports country, we can have a better attitude toward the Games. We should encourage our athletes to try their best at the Games without putting too much pressure on them.

It is not a question of how many medals we win and the ranking of China in the final tally, but the honor of competing. It is useless for us to seek the superficial title of a strong sports country.

(China Daily March 12, 2008)