Ma sets sights on double gold
(China Daily)
Updated: 2004-08-07 13:37

World table tennis champion Ma Lin says he won't show any sympathy for his major rivals at the Athens Olympics just because they happen to be his teammates.

"I will not loosen my hands. We are friends off-court but we are enemies once we face each other on the court," Ma said at a Wednesday ceremony in Beijing organized by Coca-Cola and dubbed "Cheering for Olympics and China."

Ma also revealed the team is aiming to clinch 3-4 gold medals, with the men's singles and doubles the most difficult categories to win.

"Women's singles and doubles are relatively easier. But It will be great if I get both gold medals in my competitions," said Ma, who will compete in men's singles and doubles.

Meanwhile, Coca-Cola announced Ma Lin, hurdler Liu Xiang and gymnast Teng Haibin have been selected as the company's image ambassadors and will be featured in a series of activities promoting the Olympic spirit.

Attendees at the event were asked to hang a "gold medal" on a big 'V' sculpture, symbolizing their hopes for China to bring home as many gold medals as possible.

Coca-Cola, which sponsored the event, invited Ma and Liu to open a "China Gate" in Beijing as part of a campaign called "Coca- Cola Olympic Walking around China" - symbolizing the nation's first stride towards Athens.

Ma an Liu also expressed their ambition to win gold medals.

"As a table tennis player my aim is nothing but to win gold. If not, national people will not be satisfied and I will not accept it," said Ma, who is gunning for medals in men's singles and doubles in his Olympic debut.

Liu, who will also make his first Olympic appearance at Athens, said he is confident heading into the 110m hurdles, in which he'll challenge world record holder Allen Johnson.

Holding the big 'V' in their hands, Ma and Liu expressed similar motivation.

"It's the Olympics ... anything can happen," said Ma. "Liu Guoliang won two gold medals at his first Olympics, so the pressure is on me."

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