China will send the biggest team of 45 swimmers to the upcoming
FINA World Swimming Championships slated to be held in Melbourne
from March 17 to April 1.
The sports governing body on Tuesday unveiled its lineup for the
tournament. China's two top-ranked swimmers, female breaststroker
Qi Hui and male butterflyer Wu Peng, will lead the contingent.
Chinese rising distance freestyler Zhang Lin is also on the
list. The 19-year-old outshone American Olympic medalist Klete
Keller in the 400m freestyle at the Pan Pacific titles in Canada
last August.
Meanwhile, China will also send several brilliant teenage girls
to the pool, with the youngest one Bai Anqi just 13.
Head coach Zhang Yadong said they aim to win gold medals in the
championships and will try to improve the abilities of the entire
team.
The Chinese team won only one silver medal and four bronzes at
the last World Championships in Montreal, Canada in 2005.
(CRI March 7, 2007)