The human Olympics may be coming to China in two years, but the animal competition has already begun in Shanghai.

Roo in the ring : An Australian kangaroo boxes with a man in a clown suit during the 2006 Animal Olympics at the Shanghai Wild Animal Park. (Photo: AFP)

Over 300 animal athletes took part Thursday (September 28) in the opening competitions at the fourth National Animal Olympics, held in Shanghai.

Among the featured events were boxing bears, a bicycle race involving monkeys, bears and humans and a monkey climbing competition.

The competitions will continue over the next two months with events ranging from track and field to soccer.

More than 30 species of animals on teams from 26 Chinese provinces and cities will take part.