China will send a 151-member squad to next month's Turin Winter Games. 76 Chinese athletes will compete in skating, skiing and biathlon events.

The announcement was made Wednesday afternoon in Beijing.

China's world champions Li Nina in aerials, Shen Xue and Zhao Hongbo in doubles figure skating, and Wang Meng in speed skating are all title contenders in Turin.

However, injuries have cast a shadow over their golden prospects. Zhao Hongbo is still rehabilitating his Achilles which he snapped five months ago.

Li Nina's injur has kept her away from the world series earlier this month at home.

China's gold drought at the Winter Games was eased by speed skater Yang Yang (A) in Salt Lake City four years ago.

(CRI English, January 18, 2006)