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China to pardon shunned athletes for Games
(Reuters)
Updated: 2006-02-17 19:25
China will reach out to national athletes it had cast off as trouble makers
to field the strongest possible team at the 2008 Olympics, a Chinese newspaper
said on Friday.
Chinese diver Tian Liang speaks during a
conference in Xian, China, in this September 23, 2004 file photo. Liang
was kicked off the national diving team in 2005 for taking part in too
many 'commercial activities' but is on a list of 'problem stars' that
China will consider for the 2008 Olympics, a Chinese newspaper said
February. [Reuters] |
Chinese sports authorities had a list of "problem stars" to "pardon" that
included Olympic champion diver Tian Liang, towering basketball player Wang
Zhizhi and tennis players Peng Shuai and Li Na, Titan Sports reported.
"It doesn't matter who they are, if athletes can add to the 2008 Olympics and
they have not made any principle mistakes, then bygones will be bygones and they
will be welcomed back," the report said.
Tian Liang was kicked off the national diving team in 2005 for taking part in
too many "commercial activities," despite having won a gold and bronze medal at
the Athens Games and the 10 meters platform title at the Sydney Olympics.
"The General Administration of Sport thinks having a strong, experienced
athlete like Tian Liang take part in the 2008 Games will definitely bolster
chances of grabbing gold," Titan Sports quoted an unnamed "related" source as
saying.
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