After a flying start at the Winter Asiad in 2007, the Chinese biathletes decide to keep their feet firmly planted on earth in Harbin as they only aim to strive for a medal at the 24th Winter Universiade.

Gao Xuedong, deputy secretary-general of Chinese Skiing Association, told Xinhua that a reserve team studded with 16 youngsters would take part in the biathlon events to be kicked off on Saturday.

"We send a reserve team just aiming to train our young players. Our main opponent like Ukraine keeps a strong squad here. It is very difficult for us to get a medal, but we will try," said Gao, who was also the director of the cross-country skiing and shooting combined sport.

According to him, China's top athletes were now in South Korea for the World Championships. Considering the weak spot in the shooting leg of the individual events, Chen Haibin and the other three first-team players who should have been tipped to play the leading role for the host, all decided to quit the biennial gala, choosing the season-ending championships for more experience.

"Though missing the individual contests, they will return to compete in the following team and short race events," Gao added.

Featuring a total of 10 events, namely men's 20km and women's 15km individual, men's 10km and women's 7.5km short race, men's 12.5km and women's 10km pursuit, men's 2x7.5km and women's 2x6km mixed relay, men's 15km and women's 12.5km mass start, the five-day biathlon competitions will be staged at Maoershan ski resort, the branch venue of the host city Harbin, the Chinese northeastern city famous for annual Ice and Snow Festival.

Under the guide of German coach Klaus Siebert, Chinese biathletes came to the spotlight at the sixth Winter Asiad by stunning the favorites to wrap up five gold medals including a clean sweep of four women's events and the first title for men in the 4x7.5km race.

Among them, Liu Xianying and Dong Xue, the ace biathletes of the national team who made good results in recent seasons' World Cup series, were all away from the Universiade and were promising to lead Chinese legion onto more breakthrough victories in Vancouver Winter Olympics.

The 11-day Winter Universiade, which will officially open on Wednesday evening, has attracted some 2,500 athletes and officials from 44 countries and regions. They will compete in 12 sports and 81 events.

(Xinhua News Agency February 18, 2009)