Olympics: Largest ever squad for China

China has assembled its largest-ever Olympic squad for Athens, but says its real target is the 2008 Games in Beijing.

China unveiled the names of 407 competitors yesterday, saying it had put the emphasis on youth wherever possible.

"When older and younger athletes have roughly equal abilities, we did our best to send the younger athlete," said Li Furong, deputy head of China's Olympic Committee.

"We want to take the opportunity of the Athens Olympics to participate in more events, allow more athletes, especially more young athletes, to participate in Olympic competition and let them feel what the Games are like to amass more experience for 2008 in Beijing."

China won 28 gold medals at the Sydney Games in 2000, including five each in diving and weightlifting, and four each in table tennis and badminton.

Li played down the chances of a repeat.

"I personally think if we get 20 or more that would be fairly normal," he said.

The average age of China's competitors at next month's Games will be just over 23 - it was nearer 24 in Sydney - with 322 athletes going to their first Olympics.

Women make up two-thirds of the squad, which will compete in all but two events - baseball and equestrian.

China aims to compete in all events in 2008.