Beijing Olympic Games

Updated: 2007-08-18 From: Xinhuanet

BANGKOK, Aug. 18 (Xinhua) — Seven gold medals in the Bangkok University Games sounded alarm to the Chinese diving Dream Team for the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.

China pocketed 10 out of 12 golds in the 2005 Universiade in Turkey.

“As we’ve seen here we are in some way fallback from the Izmir (Universiade in 2005),” said Bai Yongzheng, Chinese diving team manager on Saturday.

“We don’t have the first-team here and some of the young divers were inexperienced. It’s also obvious that our opponents are catching up fast,” he added.

Mexico’s Paola Espinosa won two gold, one silver and one bronze in the women’s springboard and platform, proving to be strong challenge to China in the Beijing Games.

“She has the ability to beat anyone, including the bests from China, if she repeated her performances in the women’s 10m platform preliminary round,” Bai said.

The 21-year-old, trained by former Beijing coach Ma Jin of China, led all the way into the final ahead of the eventual winner Lao Lishi of China.

Mexico won the women’s team gold medal because of Espinosa’s brilliant efforts.

Lao, however, is confident to stamp China’s domination on diving in the Olympics.

“I know her shortcoming. I’ve been watching her in several competitions. I’m not to worried about who is coming out for us. I just do my job here,” the Olympic silver-medalist said.