BEIJING, July 25) -- China's badminton chief, Coach Li Yongbo, has announced that 19 players will represent China at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games.China will have the maximum number of players in both the men's and women's singles competitions. Only three players can represent each National Olympic Committee (NOC) in each category.
Deciding the women's singles roster was the biggest challenge given that China has four of the top ranked players in the world. No. 1 and No. 2 players, Xie Xingfang and Lu Lan were obvious choices; defending champion Zhang Ning was ultimately selected over 2007 World Champion Zhu Lin.
Missing the team placement was a hard call for 33-year-old Zhu, currently ranked No. 3 in the world. Zhang is only ranked at No. 7 due to her absence from key tournaments this year due to injury.
In Mixed Doubles, with only two teams representing each country, the younger duo of He Hanbin and Yu Yang were selected ahead of Xie Zhongbo and Zhang Yawen. World No2 duo Zheng Bo and Gao Ling, earned the other place.
Yu Yang will compete in the Women's Doubles with partner Du Jing and again in Mixed Doubles with He Hanbin.
While Xie Zhongbo and Zhang Yawen lost the Mixed Doubles place, they will still compete. Xie will play with Guo Zhendong in Men's Doubles and Zhang Yawen with partner Wei Yili in Women's Doubles.
China's top three players, Lin Dan, Bao Chunlai and Chen Jin, will all participate in the Men's Singles tournament.
Chinese Badminton team:
Men's Singles: Lin Dan, Bao Chunlai and Chen Jin
Women's Singles: Xie XingFang and Lu Lan and Zhang Ning
Men's Doubles: Fu Haifeng / Cai Yun and Guo Zhendong / Xie Zhongbo
Women's Doubles: Du Jing/ Yu Yang, Yang Wei / Zhang Jiewen and Zhang Yawen / Wei Yili
Mixed Doubles: He Hanbin / Yu Yang and Zheng Bo / Gao LingSource: http://en.beijing2008.cn/cptvenues/sports/badminton/index.shtm
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