China dumps gold medallists from Olympics 'for political reasons'

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>Although China is determined to top the medal tables at the Beijing Games next month, its sports administration has taken the draconian decision to drop 22 gold-medal winning athletes.

China won a total of 32 golds in Athens, and is hoping to top the 40 mark in Beijing.

Some of the athletes were forced out by injuries or strong competition, but the China Daily newspaper, thought to be the mouthpiece of the government, also said "politics" had played a part.

"There were some surprising exclusions ... who would have a realistic shot at winning gold next month," the paper said.

The most obvious political victim was Tian Liang, nicknamed the "diver prince" after winning gold medals in the ten-metre platform dive at both the Sydney and Athens Olympics.

Tian, 28, was kicked off the national team in 2005 for unashamedly endorsing everything from wooden floors to seafood snacks. "He was producing a negative influence on the preparation for the 2008 Olympics," said a sports official.

He also hit the gossip columns for his relationship with fellow diver Guo Jingjing and they were dubbed the "Posh and Becks" of Chinese sport. She managed to stay on the team after she publicly denounced her behaviour.

Since then, Tian has tried to rehabilitate his career by competing at provincial level and refusing to criticise the administration for what happened. He carried the Olympic torch as it passed through Xi'an. However, he was still left out of the team and has voiced his "regrets".

Other notable exclusions included Zhu Lin, the 2007 world badminton women's singles champion, and Zhu Ting, a forward in the Chinese football team. Zhang Guozheng, the reigning champion weightlifter in the 69kg category, and Yang Lian, the favourite in the women's 48kg weightlifting category, were also dropped.</div>

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