Gou, minister of the General Administration of Sport of China, stressed that it's a top priority that all Chinese athletes have to compete with sportsmanship and discipline, holding a zero-tolerance stance against doping.

China will count on athletes from six traditionally strong sports－table tennis, diving, weight-lifting, shooting, gymnastics and badminton－to bolster its medal hopes. Yet the host's improving strength in both racket sports and the strong competition from the United States in gymnastics and Germany in shooting have heralded tough battles for gold.