China is aiming for its first Olympic title

China has won two of the four mixed relay shortcuts for the World Cup this season and is expected to have a strong, led by Zheng Zwei and Wu Daqing, to bring the hosts their first gold from the Beijing Games when the discipline makes its Olympic debut on Saturday.

 Wu Zheng, Fan Qusin and Zhang Yuiting will be the favorites that everyone on the ice must comply with when competing in the 2,000 meters.

The Chinese missed two training sessions and were not available to foreign media in Beijing, avoiding some of the pressure of the Games, but Zhen said the team looks in good shape.



"It's not just me, the whole team is in good shape and everyone is actively preparing for the upcoming games," he told local media.

Jean was part of the team that won silver in the men's 5,000m relay in Pyeongchang four years ago, but was in the quartet that competed in the final.

"I feel less excitement and tension this time compared to the last games, when my mind was empty and I was quite confused. This time I prepared it as for a normal competition. I am relatively calm and all team members are also very close." he added.

The Republic of Korea is the most successful nation in the Olympic Games in the short track with 24 gold medals since the sport made its debut in 1992.

The Netherlands, led by rising star Suzanne Schulting, is among the top other contenders, along with Hungary, the Russian Olympic Committee and Canada.


Russian athlete Denis Hayrapetyan said the key to everything is to be in control.

"Control over everything - over your opponents, over your technique. And the most important thing is to concentrate and show high speed," he said.