Team China

Wang can win any distance at any time

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2010-02-11 13:44

VANCOUVER - An American coach in Chinese short track speed skating team believed that the Olympic champion Wang Meng had the ability to win any distance at any time in the upcoming Winter Olympics.

Wang Meng of China leads South Korean skaters during the women's 1000 metre final race at the ISU World Cup Short Track speed skating competitions in Seoul September 27, 2009. Wang won the silver medal. [Photo/Agencies]

Paul Marchese, coach in the Chinese team, said after training on Wednesday that Chinese team did some final speed preparation before the competition started on Saturday.

"The ice was better than I expected today. It was a little soft, and it was a little slow. On the night of competition, after a few thousand runs, and with the crowds, it will be hard to tell," he said.

Wang, winner in the 500m in Turin Games, aimed at defending her crown here. Marchese praised Wang that she was "the alpha not just on the team, but in the world".

"Wang is the world champion. She could win any distance at any time," he said.

It is a coincidence that the first day of the short track competition was the Eve of Chinese Lunar New Year. Marchese said the team had no special plan for the fesitival.

"I think it will be a quiet one for them."