Luan Jujie, the women foilist who won the only fencing gold for China at the 1984 Los Angeles Games, said Wednesday that China has the capability to make the breakthrough this time by winning one more gold medal in fencing.
"The overall abilities of China's fencers have been grealy improved in recent years, and if they perform well, they can win gold medals at the Beijing Olympic Games," Luan told Xinhua during intervals of her training at the Olympic Fencing Hall.
The 50-year-old female foilist represents Canada at the Beijing Games.
"The Chinese fencers have good skills, and this time the competition is in China, they have advantages as host team players," Luan said.
However, she noted that the fencing competition has lots of uncertainties, whether the Chinese fencers can break the 24-year gold medal hiatus depends on their performance at the Games.
Luan, who is a Canadian citizen now, said she visits China a lot and every time she comes back, she sees changes. "I see very big changes everywhere. This time I see the Olympic venues are very good and the Games very well-prepared," she said.
China will field in 20 fencers for the Olympic Games, including Athens silver medalists Tan Xue and Wang Lei for the women's sabre and men's epee events, as well as world ranking number two Li Na for the women's epee event.
The fencing event is slated for Aug. 9-17, with 10 gold medals on offer. Women's epee team and men's foil team events are not included in the Games this time.
(Xinhua News Agency August 6, 2008)