Special report: 2008 Olympic Games

    BEIJING, Aug. 3 (Xinhua) -- The Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) lifters and coaches visited Olympic weightlifting events competition and training venues in the Beijing University ofAeronautics and Astronautics (BUAA) Sunday morning but refused to disclose their gold prospect at Beijing Olympics.

    Coach Kim Kwang Dok first said the team has aimed at three goldsbut immediately denied it.

    "I was joking," he said, adding that the team will try to make breakthroughs in light bodyweight classes.

    The DPRK weightlifting team arrived in Beijing on Saturday. The lifters will take their first training sessions Sunday afternoon from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., according to the coach.

    He was satisfied with the facilities and services in the competition and training venues.

    "The competition venue is very good," Kim said after asking O Jong Ae, who will compete in the women's 58kg class, to step onto the platform and try a small barbell.

    The DPRK sent four strongmen and three strongwomen to Beijing, including world champion Cha Kum Chol in the men's 56kg category.

    The DPRK players often show up in international competitions as "dark horses". Cha, 21, beat Chinse veteran lifter Li Zheng in 2007World Weightlifting Championships by lighter bodyweight. China's Long Qingquan, 18, will compete in the 56kg category at Beijing Olympics and there will be a fierce competition between him and Cha.

    "Chinese players have more pressure than us as they are competing in front of the home crowd," Kim said.