The overall medal standings will not appear in the Chinese City Games to avoid delegations pushing young athletes too hard, said an official in the organizing committee in Wuhan on Thursday.

"The overall medal standings are quite normal in the sports games, but there is no such standings this time in the 6th City Games," said Guo Jianjun, the deputy secretary-general of the organizing committee at the City Games.

Guo told the press that the purpose of the decision was to give the young buds easy atmosphere in the competition.

"I hope the athletes will try their best without feeling nervous. Over 70 coaches from the national teams will show in the venues, aiming at finding potential rookies in the City Games," he added.

Tipped as the cradle of the future stars, the 10-day City Games from October 25 to November 3 will find the talents with potentials for the 2008 Olympic Games.

The quadrennial sports gala also sets strict age limits as over 6300 athletes, most under 20, will compete in 288 events from 24 sports.

(Xinhua News Agency October 25, 2007)