Break interest link behind goldmedal craze

THE STATE GENERAL ADMINISTRATION OF SPORTS, which is under disciplinary inspection, on Feb 3 announced that it would not publish the gold medal rankings for provincial regions this year, breaking a decades-long practice. Yet a post on its website four days later said the list would be published. Facing criticism from people across the country, the administration says the online post was a mistake. Comments:

People know who the medal winners are at sports events, and the provincial officials can easily work out a ranking list, which preempts the need for the authorities to publish one. As long as the fierce competition for gold medals continues, canceling the ranking list will be just a symbolic move.

Beijing Youth Daily, Feb 9