Olympic champs compete for top sports awards

By winning 38 gold medals, 27 silver and 23 bronze at the London Olympics, the Chinese Olympians achieved their best result at an away Games this year. Now, back at home, those Olympic heroes will compete for more glory at the CCTV Sports Personality of the Year awards ceremony.

Regarded as China's "Sports Oscars", the awards, which honor the most outstanding groups and individuals in sports each year, were launched by the organizers last Saturday in the coastal city of Qingdao, Shandong province.

Olympic swimming champion Sun Yang and table tennis men's gold medalist Zhang Jike will compete for Male Athlete of the Year. On the women's side, world record holding swimmer Ye Shiwen, Olympic sailing champion Xu Lijia and table tennis gold medal winner Li Xiaoxia are strong contenders for Female Athlete of the Year, The women's epee team, which claimed the first gold medal for China in the event, will be a strong contender for Best Team of the Year.