Special report: 2008 Olympic Games

    By Zhang Binyang, Gao Haorong

    PYONGYANG, July 11 (Xinhua) -- Athletes of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) expected to win over 10 medals in Beijing, better than last Olympics, a DPRK Olympic official told Xinhua.

    "Every DPRK athlete expects to win gold medal, thus doing credit to the country," said Yun Yong Gok, a member of the DPRK Olympic Committee.

    The DPRK will send a delegation of more than 140 to the Beijing Olympic Games, among them over 90 are athletes and coaches, Yun said, it will outnumber any DPRK Olympic delegation of the latest games.

    The DPRK athletes will take part in 11 events in the Beijing Olympics, including women's football, judo, table tennis, weightlifting, wrestling, boxing, shooting, gymnastics, marathon, archery, diving and synchronized swimming.

    Kye Sun Hui, famous woman judo player, was one of the hottest for crowning in Beijing. From 1996 Atlanta Olympics, she has won many gold medals in international contests.

    The judoka has set the goal of winning Beijing Olympic gold medal from the beginning of this year.

    "I have determined to win the gold medal," the 29-year-old champion said. "it was much valued than the others."

    Cha Kum Chol, winner of the 2007 World Men's Weightlifting Championships in the 56kg category, also has the capacity of winning gold medal in Beijing, according to Yun.

    DPRK women's football team is also a serious contender of the Olympic gold. It has just won the 2008 Asian Women Football Championship.

    Vice Premier of the Cabinet Kwak Pom Gi urged all coaches and players to undergo trainings with a higher aim and achieve greater successes in matches, in a welcome reception held by the DPRK government.

    "We have only one goal in the Beijing Olympics, that is to win the championship," said captain Ri Kum Suk, a star player of the team.

    The DPRK government has attached great importance to the Olympics as the DPRK Olympic Committee has put the Olympics on the first place.

    Athletes began training aimed at Beijing Olympics last December and the preparations have entered the final stage right now.

    The DPRK used to be called dark house in international sports contests. The rare contender of international arenas often amazed world.

    It is believed the DPRK has the capacity of winning medals on table tennis, wrestling, boxing, gymnastics and marathon.

    The DPRK athletes won more than 40 gold medals in various international sports contests held between February to May.

    "The DPRK won none gold medal in the last two Olympics in Sydney and Athens. So the priority for the DPRK was to win gold in Beijing," said Yun.