Leaping Liu to lead the track attack

Athletics

Is China ready to go head-to-head against Team USA on the track?

Liu Xiang will be the centerpiece of the country's track and field campaign.

The 2004 Olympics champion hurdler clocked a wind-assisted 12.97 sec result at the Eugene, Oregon, meet last month, matching Dayron Robles' world record time, as he looks to atone for Beijing, where he withdrew from the race in front of a disappointed home crowd due to a heel injury.

Although American Aries Merritt recorded a season-best time of 12.93 to win the US Trials this month (Liu's Eugene result didn't count because of the tailwind), the Shanghai native remains the favorite.

Still, head track and field coach Feng Shuyong warned of the foreign challenges, including the enigmatic Robles.

"People think Liu will have no problem winning because all of his major opponents have not performed better than him (this season)," Feng said. "But that's not true. Robles is still young and he is the man who has run under 13 seconds the most times. He is still dangerous."

Women's discus thrower Li Yanfeng will join Liu as another gold medal hope after winning the country's only title at the Worlds last year.

Medals could also be won in six other events, including the women's marathon, shot put, hammer and men's race walk, Feng said.

RESULTS AT PREVIOUS OLYMPICS

2004 Athens Games: 2 gold medals (110m hurdles, women's 10,000m)

2008 Beijing Games: 2 bronze medals (women's marathon, women's hammer throw)

China Daily's gold-medal projection for London: 2 gold medals

ROSTER

Men: Cai Zelin, Cao Shuo, Chen Ding, Cheng Wen, Cui Zhide, Dong Bin, Dong Guojian, Guo Fan, Lao Yi, Li Jianbo, Li Jinzhe, Li Zhilong, Li Zicheng, Liang Jiahong, Liu Xiang, Qin Qiang, Shi Dongpeng, Si Tianfeng, Su Bingtian, Wang Hao, Wang Zhen, Xie Wenjun, Xie Zhenye, Yang Yansheng, Zhang Guowei, Zhang Jun, Zhang Peimeng, Zhang Xiaoyi, Zhao Jianguo, Zheng Dongsheng

Women: Chen Rong, Gao Ni, Gong Lijiao, Huang Xiaoxiao, Li Ling (shot put), Li Ling (pole vault), Li Yanfeng, Li Yanmei, Li Zhenzhu, Li Lingwei, Liu Hong, Liu Xiangrong, Lu Huihui, Lu Xiuzhi, Ma Xuejun, Cheyang Sigya, Sun Yawei, Tan Jian, Wang Jiali, Wang Xueqin, Wei Yongli, Xie Limei, Yin An'na, Zhang Li, Zhang Wenxiu, Zheng Xingjuan, Zhou Chunxiu, Zhu Xiaolin

STARS TO WATCH

LI YANFENG, 33

Birth place: Qinggang, Heilongjiang province

Highlights: 2010 IAAF Continental Cup discus title, 2011 IAAF World Championships discus title

After winning China's first discus world title in Daegu in 2011, Li is looking forward to an Olympic crown at the London Games. Li achieved her best throw of 67.98m at the 2011 IAAF Diamond League meet in Schoenebeck, Germany, and is considered the country's best medal hope in the field.

(China Daily 07/12/2012 page22)