February 22, 2000

http://sports.sina.com.cn/others/200002/2225347.shtml

On the Feburary 21 night, a squad of seven from the Chinese team flew to Australia for the Olympic test event. They are Zheng Li Hui and Dong Zhen from the men's team, Kui Yuan Yuan and Yang Yun from the women's team, Lu Shan Zhen and Cui Tian Zhen as the women and the men's coach respectively, and former team member Huang Li Ping as a judge.

January 12, 2000

http://sports.sina.com.cn/others/200001/1219634.shtml

Just three days before Christmas, Sang Lan went outdoors with her mother and she got cold. Many people asked her former coach Lu Shan Zhen about how Sang Lan was doing, Lu said: "She had been vomitive for a few days.she's okay now... We wanted her to join us on the Christmas day, but she was in hospital and couldn't come."

The preparation of the Olympics almost fills up the schedule, but Lu and his present and former pupils (Liu, Kui, Bi, Meng) still go to visit Sang Lan. Her apartment is near the rehab center. They chat and sing

karaoke. "Everytime we go to see her, she is very happy. She doesn't look ill at all."

Sang Lan has gained some weights. "When she came back [from USA], she could not turn around or change clothes by herself. Now she can do these no problem." Lu said. Now she has physical training. She goes online to do e-mail at leisure time. "She's now a student of the Qing Hua University (one of the most famous universities in China). Her teachers go to her house for her lessons."

"We didn't see her crying. She's very practical now. She wants to learn and hopes she won't become a burden to her parents in the future."

January 8, 2000

http://sports.sina.com.cn/others/200001/0818980.shtml

The Chinese team had a short period of military training from Dec. 16 to 18. The Olympic training was officially started after they came back to the training center in Beijing, which is 3 to 4 months longer than previous Olympic training period!

All gymnasts are required to stop using any cell phones or pagers. In the dorm, there are no TV, stereo, or video games. Names are called at 9:50p.m. every night and lights are out at 10:00p.m.

Huang Man Dan cried

Her coach Wang Qun Ce said: "Dan Dan won't be able to defeat Khorkina if he doesn't make changes to her routines. We are trying a new routine, and it takes time for her to get used to the new skills." Huang Man Dan kept falling from the bars as the interview took place. She became impatient and cried. Besides Huang Man Dan, there was the tiny Liu Wei, who also practiced a new bars set. Coincidentally, she was also crying. "She always rushed on the skills. It caused her falling so frequently." Said her coach.

Not many injuries

Xu Jing injured her right ankle before the Worlds and she had a surgery. Dong Fang Xiao injured her waist half months ago and her condition is being monitored. Huang Man Dan injured her knee in Japan but she wants to continue training. Kui's knee injury is healed and she has normal training session now. She will help a lot on floor and vault.

January 4, 2000

http://sports.sina.com.cn/others/200001/0418603.shtml

With support of the Beijing Sports University, many Chinese gymnasts will have university education in the Gymnastics Training Center in Beijing. The professors visit the training center three times a week.

The gymnasts can have training and university lessons simultaneously. CGA considers this really helpful for the preparation of the Olympics.

The team leader Qian Kui said: allowing elite gymnasts to have university education in their career has been a dream of the Chinese team for many years. Education is very important, it helps the gymnasts understand the instructions better and it will improve quality of training.

Many World champions were very excited about this policy. Before they could only attend university after they retire; now they can train and study at the same time.

(I think this will help the Chinese stay longer in the sport.)

http://sports.sina.com.cn/others/199912/2817884.shtml

December 28, 1999

The tradition of selecting the best gymnasts and coaches of the year took place in Beijing on December 27.

The best male gymnast coach: Chen Xiong

The best female gymnast coach: Xie Zhi Min

The best male gymnast: Li Xiao Peng

The best female gymnast: Ling Jie

No surprise, they all came Hunan, the province where China has most of its best gymnasts.

http://sports.sina.com.cn/others/199912/0315000.shtml

December 3, 1999

HB--Yang Wei 3^rd

UB--Ling Jie 3^rd

PH--Xing Ao Wei 4^th

VT--Lu Yu Fu 4^th

(taken from the "Elaborate Shopping Guide" Magazine)

http://sports.sina.com.cn/others/9910/198771.shtml

October 19, 1999

Mo Hui Lan--The first time I hold a microphone

It was very tiresome and difficult to handle a journalist's job. I was a gymnast, it helps me conduct interviews easier than other journalists. A few days ago I had an exclusive interview with Nemov. Before the competition started, I went to see Khorkina. She recognized me far away and called me "Mo", then gave me a big hug.

The Chinese girls gained a lot of experience with leader Liu Xuan. It was not easy for them. Ling Jie was sick, Xu Jing was injured. They've got good results considered all the difficulties they had. Dong Fang Xiao is a good all-arounder and has the consistency, but she is weak on bars and not very fluid; Ling Jie is a good event specialist but she needs to concentrate more; Bai Chun Yue was the first up, she must have had big pressure; Huang Man Dan had good performance.

The girls had many mistakes on vault. After the rules changed, there are two different vaults required. Most of the gymnasts concentrate on one vault, and they lack strength training. Our team is not as artistic as the Russians on floor. Khorkina, for example, she changes her choreography every year. She uses turns and jumps wisely to cover her weakness in difficulty.

Bi Wen Jing--My future my dream

I have been looking forward to the Tianjin Worlds. Too bad I was not a team member but only a guest in the audience. Just a few months ago, I was still preparing for this competition. It was a pity that I missed it.

People in Tianjin were zealous. I felt honoured that many fans recognized me. They asked for pictures and autographs. I really appreciate their support to me. I had to repeat signing my name many times but all I wanted to do was to satisfy them. Papa and Mama always tell me that it's lucky to have people admire you and support you. I will cherish all of these. As I get further and further away from gymnastics, I understand this feeling more and more.

This World Championship was a success for the Chinese team. The men's team won without question. The women's team competed with full strength under the leadership of Xuan Jie ("jie" means elder sister). They have a lot of potential. As a former member, I wish they will stand on the medal podium in the Olympics.

I met many familiar faces in Tianjin. They care about my future, honestly I haven't made any decisions yet, I'm only certain that it will be university. I started gymnastics too young. I didn't have too much education and I thirstily want more lessons.

I have many, many, many dreams and hopes for the future, I want to realize everyone of them.

Meng Fei--Two different mood

It was my first time sitting in the audience to watch the competition. The nerve is very different from competing in the field. I watched my teammates performing all the difficult skills. It was more intense to me. This is different from competing. I still remember when I watched the 1990 Asian Games. I saw Li Li and her teammates performed wonderfully, I was very envious.

Our young members were quite good. The most impressive to me was Dong Fang Xiao's floor. It's too bad that Khorkina fell. But everyone makes mistakes, it's impossible to win every time. The all-around champion Olaru had good performance. She was very stable, and showed few errors. Amanar is still strong on vault, she has been competing for 5 years since 1994.

In the competition, the athletes could hear scream from the audience. This would affect the athletes. When the gymnasts compete on beam, the audience better make no noise. Beam requires great concentration. A quiet environment would help them perform better. On other events, cheering does help. I still have memory of the 97 World Championships in Lassaune. When I was competing, I could hear Bi Wen Jing cheering loudly for me far away. It gave me much more strength.

Since I am sick, I have treatment in the team. I read and do light exercise everyday. Yes, I like to watch the Elaborate magazine, especially the Luxury section. I'm reading books for gymnastics rules. I want to judge in the future. In the near future, I will take English and computer courses.

Kui Yuan Yuan--Learn from other's strength

During the first two days of the Worlds, I was in Tianjin watching the gymnasts competing. These days I have to move back and forth between Beijing and Tianjin. I will resume normal training with the team tomorrow. I could not compete here because of my knee. It is quite sad. But I have gained a lot too by watching other gymnasts.

I'm weak on the bars. In Tianjin I paid special attention to this event. I watched the Russians and the Romanians' performance. It helped me a lot. In terms of difficulty, quality, and consistency, we're behind. Only learning from their strength would help us improve. I have recorded some skills that I think I could try.

For judging, I think if you concentrate and perform with your best effort, the surrounding would not be a factor. Every competition we had, the judging was not easy. It all depends on yourself, that if you can be mentally strong enough.

I was very nervous watching the competitions, especially during the girls were competing. My heart goes up and down with my teammates. The Olympics will take place next year. I am seriously preparing for this competition.