As the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games looms down, athletes worldwide have great concern over anything pertinent to the Olympics. Pre-Olympic archery trial opened up in Beijing on Monday to render archers much-valued experiences.

 

For US top archer Jennifer Nichols, the experiences in the Olympic venue are much valued than results before the Olympic Games officially show up.

 

"Actually, I don't have any expectation. I just came here to experience the weather and the venue. It's my first time in China. I'm here for experience," said Nichols after the women's preliminaries, who finished fourth in this year's World Championships in Leipzig of Germany.

 

For Nichols, the weather in Beijing is not in her favor, but the venue impresses her.

 

"The weather does take some time to get used to, because I come from a very dry place and here is much more humid. But the venue is so beautiful, I like it very much. There is a little wind today, but it's an excellent location," said Nichols.

 

Nichols revealed her knack of easing up during competition. "Sometimes we (archers) just talked about the weather or how we shot one end or another. Sometimes about family at home. Just all kinds of stuff. It helped me to be more concentrated and relaxed," added Nichols.

 

Nichols' concern is echoed by Chinese Taipei's coach Li Zheng Lan.

 

"We do not have a set goal. We just came here to experience the field and adapt to the conditions here," said Li after the women's preliminaries.

 

Chinese Taipei is ranked in the fifth place in women's team in 1,923 points. They captured the silver at the Leipzig World Championship last month.

 

Japan's Hayakawa Nami, who is originally from South Korea but now competing for Japan, also put her priority on test like the tournament does.

 

"Well, my priorities are to test the field and my form as well. They are equally important for me here. Medals? No, I don't think that's what I came here for," Hayakawa said.

 

Hayakawa took gold at the Indoor World Championships in Turkey this year.

 

In terms of results in the preliminaries, it's an awful day for British archer Naomi Folkard, but she was not depressed for she met her main objectives here.

 

Folkard shot to the clicker in the seventh end, and then got a one in the eighth end.

 

"The outcome does not matter. I am just learning for next year, like becoming familiar with the surroundings, the weather and the wind," said Folkard, adding that could help her to be mentally stronger next year.

 

Folkard is worried with the hot weather here, so to experience more is a must for her to acclimatize herself to the Beijing Olympics better.

 

"It's very hot, and maybe it will affect my performance and concentration, so the experience here beforehand is extraordinarily significant," said Folkard.

 

International Archery Tournament is one of a series of pre-Olympic test events in the run-up to the Beijing Olympics.

 

There are 113 archers from 27 nations and regions taking part in the "Good Luck Beijing" Olympic archery test slated for August 20-26.

 

(Xinhua News Agency August 21, 2007)