Russia and China to send a combined 832 athletes to London

Russia is to send 436 athletes to the London Olympics, slightly fewer than the Beijing 2008 contingent and China will send 396 athletes in 23 sports categories, it was announced on Tuesday. The final figure was confirmed after a meeting among Russian Olympic Committee and sports ministry officials. Competing under the Russian flag will be 228 women and 208 men from 59 of the country’s 83 regions, Zhukov said. “The Russian team is totally prepared,” he said. [caption id=“attachment_374048” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  China’s team, consisting of 171 men and 225 women athletes, will also be accompanied by 225 officials. Reuters[/caption] At the Beijing Games, Russia had 468 representatives, with 453 in Athens four years earlier. Russia has set the target of third in the medal table, expecting to battle with host nation Britain for the position. Team GB will be represented by 542 athletes. Meanwhile, the total Russian delegation, including coaches, masseurs and other specialists is 805-strong, Zhukov said. Zhukov is a deputy prime minister who was appointed president of the national Olympic committee in 2010. China’s team, consisting of 171 men and 225 women athletes, will also be accompanied by 225 officials for the Games which start July 27, reports Xinhua. According to the Chinese Olympic Committee (COC), China will be represented in 23 of 26 sports at the Summer Games after it failed to qualify for football, equestrian and handball. Li Changchun, member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee Tuesday encouraged the athletes to do their best at the London Games and make the country proud again. At Beijing 2008, host China sent its biggest-ever Olympic team of 639 athletes winning 51 gold medals, and stunned the world by standing on top of the medal table on home soil. By winning 51 golds, 21 silvers and 28 bronzes, China also relegated the United States to second place. China’s sports head Liu Peng said China will face strong challenges in repeating the feats of Beijing Olympics and has warned against complacency. “The athletes from around the world have worked very hard for the Games and they are so eager to make breakthrough and win medals, so the competitions will be hotly contested,” said Liu, head of the Chinese General Administration of Sport. “The Chinese athletes must get fully prepared and ready to face the challenges. We have to fight for each gold.” IANS