An official of Chinese judo sports said Monday that China expects for at least one gold medal at the Athens Olympic Games next year.

Song Zhaonian, vice director of judo division under the Chinese Sports Administration Bureau, told Xinhua that it could be very difficult for China to take more golds in Athens than that in Sydney.

"One gold is our aim in Athens, two golds could be perfect," he said, adding that China will face stiff challenge in Olympic Games.

In the 2000 Sydney Olympics, Chinese judokas returned home with two golds, one silver and one bronze, a breakthrough for China in Olympics.

At the World Judo Championships in Osaka, Japan last month, China secured three berths for Athens. "It is far beyond our target, " said Song Zhaonian, "we hope to have four to six berths in the Olympics."

The Asian Championships earlier next year could be the last chance for China to take extra tickets for Athens.

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