Legendary figures

Guo Yuehua, a former table tennis world champion (left) and Mu Xiangxiong, the first Chinese swimmer to break a world record, hold the trophy for the Top 60 Most Influential Sports Figures in New China, which was unveiled yesterday in Beijing. The selection process, which is organized by the Stated General Administration of Sport and Shanghai Media Group, started on June 5 and the results will be announced on Sept 6. There are 120 candidates, including athletes and coaches who made remarkable achievements in their fields after the founding of the People's Republic of China in 1949. The final results will include the voting through internet (40%), sports experts (30%) and media (30%). Badminton mixed doubles Olympic champion pair Zhang Jun/Gao Ling are leading the internet vote, which has attracted more than 600,000 online voters.