China ramps up psychological training

China has begun ramping up psychological training for its athletes to help them cope with the pressure at this year's Beijing Olympics, a top sports official told an advisory body to China's parliament.

Deputy sports minister Cui Dalin also made another effort to reduce the weight of expectation by playing down the hosts' chances of topping the medals table at the Aug. 8-24 Games.

"To compete at home demands a stronger mentality from the athletes," Cui told reporters at a meeting of the sports group of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Committee (CPPCC) on Wednesday.

"When their parents, relatives and friends are watching from the stands, the athletes are under great pressure.

"We have therefore intensified psychological training and guidance for every national team."

Cui said the gymnastics team had recently invited their parents to watch them train and the impact had been noticeable.

China won the second best tally of 32 gold medals at the last Olympics in Athens, four fewer than the US.

Given home advantage in 2008, many Chinese expect their athletes to top medals table in August.

"Basically we are not yet a strong nation in sport, we must be practical and realistic," Cui said. "We've got only (world champion high hurdler) Liu Xiang for athletics, and I don't see much hope in swimming."

Although their relative weakness in swimming and athletics will hinder their chances of a gold rush in Beijing, China is expected to dominate the diving, gymnastics, shooting, table tennis, women's weightlifting, badminton and women's taekwondo.