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China Sports Schools Churn Out Olympians for Medal-Count Race

n the table tennis gymnasium at Beijing's Shichahai Sports School, 30 tables in continuous play generate the buzz of a busy factory.

     This is one of 300 elite sports schools where China trains its superstars, and 9-year-old Yu Xi knows it. He lives at the school and sees his family a few times a year _ they live 1,000 kilometers (650 miles) away.

     ``Sometimes I miss them, but the Olympics are a real hope of mine,'' he said, speaking through the din of a five-hour practice session. ``Famous athletes have come from this school, and here we are helping the national team in the Olympics.''

     The school has turned out 31 Olympic or world champions, and at least three graduates took gold medals in Athens. Zhang Yining won two in table tennis, and Teng Haibin and Luo Wei claimed single golds _ Teng in gymnastics and Luo in women's taekwondo. Luo began as a hurdler but was switched to minor sports with medal potential.

     ``Every mother, every family has the same dream,'' said Zhuang Huilian, whose son attends the school. ``I really believe the coaches can make him an Olympic champion.''

     China won its first Olympic gold medal in the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics and eventually won 15 gold, finishing fourth in a year the Soviet's boycotted the games. In 2004, China was second to the United States with 32 gold to 36 for the Americans. China won 63 overall and the United States claimed 102.

     ``There's a saying in Chinese,'' said Liu Hongbin, Shichahai's training director. ``When you use a knife, put all your force on the sharp edge.'' Competing at home, China may get the boost it needs in 2008 to surpass the Americans.

     ``China has an incredible system in their sports schools,'' said Steven Roush, chief of sport performance for the United States Olympic Committee. ``It is really something that's going to be a lot longer lasting than just 2008. They have created a system that will produce great talent for decades to come.''

     Two banners in the table tennis hall spell out Shichahai's methods and goals.

     ``Train hard, train scientifically,'' reads one in Chinese characters. The other: ``Future champions will come from here.''

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     Sun Guohua, assistant director of the Beijing Municipal Bureau of Sports said the annual budget for schools like Shichahai was about US$6 million (euro4.39 million). About two-thirds of China's top athletes come through an elite school, but as the country grows richer, more and more athletes in soccer and basketball train at private clubs or in professional leagues.

     ``The state system is still the best for China,'' Sun said. ``It may be inefficient and waste some resources. But nowadays, many western countries are interested in the Chinese system and can learn from us.''

     At Shichahai, the system's all business for its 560 students, all between the ages of 6 to 18. Up at 6 a.m. for academic classes. Next, 4-5 hours of rigorous training in the school's gymnasiums for table tennis, gymnastics, volleyball, boxing or taekwondo. Lights out at 9:40 p.m.

     ``The Olympics are a very precious opportunity for Beijing, for all Chinese and for the whole country,'' Liu said. ``The world's largest sports event is happening on our doorstep and we want to seize the opportunity and make the most of it.''

     Competition is tough.

     Some critics have suggested the training methods are abusive, a charge made after a 2005 visit to the club by British Olympic rowing champion Matthew Pinsent.

     ``I recall that British guy,'' Liu added. ``I think his motives for coming here were not good. Did he see a coach beat any student? No. The guy saw marks on a body. Chinese law protects the interest of juveniles and nothing like that is allowed in this school.''

     Following the Soviet Union model of the 1950s, schools like Shichahai have evolved. They're open to foreigners _ a handful train here _ and the atmosphere feels congenial. The government pays most of the bills, though families may pick up room and board charges according to their ability to pay.

     ``The biggest advantage is that we use all the social resources of the government, all the financial support of the central and local government,'' Sun said. ``We use all the factors available in the society to train athletes.''

     American Mike Filla saw that firsthand while training at the club for a week this summer with four students from the St. Louis Gym Centre, where he coaches. Filla left in awe and acknowledged Shichahai's gymnasts were three years ahead of his athletes.

     He also attended China's national championships and had words of caution for the U.S. team.

     ``I would say the guy who finished last in an event was as good as I've seen in America,'' Filla said. ``These guys are on a different level. I think Team USA needs to really be on point at the Olympics, and they may need for China to miss an event or two.''

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