Liu Xiang leads Chinese squad at East Asian Games
(AP)
Updated: 2005-10-27 14:41

The East Asian Games will serve to highlight tiny Macau, a gambling enclave just west of Hong Kong, which is enjoying a booming economy amid a revived casino industry. Organizers have built new sports complexes, including a tennis center, a shooting range and a dome for indoor events.

Athletes will compete for 234 gold medals in 17 sports.

The Macau contest features some unconventional events, including dancing and dragonboat racing _ a traditional Chinese sport inspired by the search for an ancient poet who committed suicide by jumping into a river.