Chinese athletes have so far qualified for 171 events in the Athens Olympic program, more than half of a total of 301, a Chinese top sports official said Wednesday in Beijing.

Xiao Tian, director assistant of the State Sports General Administration, told Xinhua that 345 Chinese athletes have clinched berths in Athens with 100 days away to the opening of the Athens Games and others are still to vie for more tickets in 12 sports, such as aquatics, athletics, Judo, rowing and cycling.

Until now, China is set to participate in 24 sports out of a total of 28 in Athens, having missed baseball and equestrian and still hopeful to qualify for tennis and triathlon in the following days.

Xiao estimated that over 400 Chinese athletes could make it to Athens but said the delegation of Chinese Olympians would be restrained to a reasonable size.

About 284 Chinese athletes competed in 166 events of 24 sports in Sydney four years ago. China collected 28 gold medals out of a total of 300 to rank third in the overall standings.

Some 10,500 athletes from 201 countries and regions will compete for 301 gold medals from August 12 to 29 in the Athens 2004 Olympics.

(People's Daily May 6, 2004)