BEIJING: China has named a team of nearly 400 athletes to defend its title as the top gold medal winner when the Olympic Games start in London in just more than two weeks.
After topping the medal table with 51 golds four years ago at home, China will be looking to hold off traditional powerhouse the United States, which finished with 36 golds in Beijing and edged China in overall medals 110 to 100.
State media and Chinese sports officials are cautious about forecasting China’s prospects in London, but do not expect a repeat of the dominating performance on home ground.
They are projecting at least 35 and possibly 40 gold medals and that China should finish in the top three. Including officials, China will send 621 people to London.
