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US 400m and 200m world and Olympic champion Michael Johnson says he is glad to see China's track and field abilities improving.

Johnson began helping Chinese athletes in 2004 and promises to offer more help before the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.

"I was invited to coach clinics in Beijing in 2004. So from that point we established a relationship with China Athletics Association (CAA)," said the five-time Olympic gold medal winner in Shanghai, where the Shanghai Golden Grand Prix took place at the weekend.

"We have seen success in the training program in the past two years. The athletes showed improvement after training in US."

China's leading 200m athlete Yang Yaozhu and three others went to the US last year and had the chance to compete with top US sprinters.

This year, China's 4x400 relay team was sent to the US and the nation's 400m athletes will soon follow them for high-level instruction.

Johnson believes that the program was a success and said, "Now, I'm looking forward to bringing more athletes to train with us in the United States.

"Chinese athletes are not really exposed to training and competition with high intensity. US athletes are more experienced.

"We will continue with the plan and hope to see Chinese athletes get good results at 2008 Olympics."

Johnson also said Chinese coaches will be offered the chance to learn from their counterparts in the US.

"I hope they are bringing positive and experienced trainings methods. The coaches will help Chinese athletes get better for 2008."

As 110m hurdles reigning Olympic champion Liu Xiang is set to spearhead the nation's track and field team in 2008, Johnson used his own experiences to help Liu overcome pressure on home soil.

"It is very difficult for him. Liu and his coach have to have a solid plan to eliminate the pressure and distractions. The 2008 Games is a home competition and it will be a different situation from that in Athens.

Johnson became the first man in history to win both the 200m and 400m golds at 1996 Atlanta Olympics.

"When I was competing in my country, I saw over 60,000 fans cheering. Sometimes it brings pressure, but it also gives you a huge advantage. It is the same for Liu."

At the weekend's Shanghai race, Liu rallied to pass veteran Allen Johnson over the last two hurdles to win in the almost sell-out 80,000 stadium.

China also grabbed one silver and one bronze. Huang Xiaoxiao finished third in the women's 400m hurdles while Gao Shuying was second in women's pole vault.

(China Daily September 26, 2006)