Olympic gold medalist Cheng Fei performs at Kowloon Park's indoor sport center yesterday. The 24-strong delegation of national athletes paid a visit to Polytechnic University and put on a "friendship performance" before more than 400 university and secondary students. Edmond Tang

Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) will help prepare the country's athletes for the 2010 Winter Olympic Games under an agreement signed with the General Administration of Sport of China (GASC) yesterday.

Under the agreement, the university will render its expertise in rehabilitation services and prevention of injury and disease.

PolyU is also entitled as a designated research and technology partner and designated rehabilitation unit for the Winter Games.

"At present, we still need improvements in some sports (to reach the top level), so we hope to gain technical support," said Zhao Yinggang, director general of the Winter Sports Administrative Center of the GASC.

PolyU sent experts from various disciplines, including nursing and rehabilitation science and therapies, to the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

The school is also a long-term collaborative partner of National Sports Training Center and works with the Chinese Olympics Committee in research and technology development.

Zhao, together with 24 national athletes and Olympic gold medalists, paid a three-day visit to the university to express their gratitude for its efforts.

"We are privileged and honored by the presence of the sports stars. This will help students better understand the development of sports and the country as well," PolyU President Poon Chung-kwong said.

The delegation's visit attracted more than 400 people hoping to meet the athletes.

Though admission tickets could be issued only to PolyU students, fans outside the campus managed to get hold of some.

Kat and Cindy, who are both clerks, took leave to see their idol, Chen Yibing.

"We want to let them know their fans warmly welcome their visit," Cindy said.

A nursing student surnamed Wong felt nervous waiting for gymnast Zou Kai. "I have a lesson soon, but I want to catch a glimpse of him," she said.

"Thanks very much for their enthusiasm," Chen Yibing told the media. "Their support is especially touching when I encounter difficulties during training."

Meeting with students, Chen promised to consider going to Hong Kong to further his studies in the future.

When asked his impression of Hong Kong girls, teammate Xiao Qin said: "They are all very beautiful".

To many fans' surprise, gymnast Cheng Fei said it might be difficult for her to compete in the next Olympics.

"The athletic life is short, and I am quite old in gymnastics," she said. "I don't know when I will stop, but I will continue the practice for the time being."

(HK Edition 11/20/2008 page1)