Chinese ready to perform their best in Sochi

SOCHI - Chinese athletes will try their best at the Sochi Winter Olympic Games after achieving their best ever results in Vancouver 2010,  said a senior official of the Chinese delegation after arriving Sochi on Wednesday.

"We are fully prepared and very confident," deputy chef de mission Xiao Tian told media upon his arrival at Sochi Airport.

"Winning as many medals as possible is our goal. If we have the chance to win gold, we won't miss it," he added.

The Chinese Olympic Committee sent a 139-member delegation, including 66 athletes, to the 22nd Winter Olympic Games in Sochi, Russia. With a half of the athletes making their Winter Olympic debuts, the Chinese delegation will feature competitors in four sports with 49 events, out of 98 events in seven sports in total.

"We expect our skaters and skiers to show the sportsmanship," Xiao said.

Asked about who will bear China's flag at the opening ceremony of the Games, Zhao Yinggang, the executive deputy secretary general of the Chinese delegation, said it has not been decided.

Already a powerhouse in the Summer Olympics, China is still weak in winter sports. The world's most populous country didn't break its gold medal draught in the Winter Olympics until 2002 when Yang Yang took two short track speed skating titles.

China won five gold, two silver and four bronze in Vancouver in 2010, which marked the country's best Winter Games performance in history.

Around 6,000 athletes from 85 countries and regions are expected to compete in Sochi with 98 gold medals up for grabs.