China downplays expectations for Vancouver Games

By contrast, China won 51 golds at the Beijing Olympics, topping the standings for the first time.

Zhao would not put a figure on how many medals China expected in Vancouver.

“It’s hard to say how many gold medals we must win. In general, it should be no fewer than the previous Olympics,” he told reporters.

Pairs figure skater Tong Jian, who is seeking his first Olympic medal after finishing fourth in Turin, hopes the games will spur winter sports development in China.

“We still don’t have so many ice rinks and ski parks like there are in North America,” he said. “I hope that through our hard work in competitions, Chinese will have more and more interest in winter sports and will participate in these events. If more people take on winter sports, then that’s when our Winter Olympics results will get better.”

The Vancouver Olympics begin on Feb. 12 and close on Feb. 28.