Eyeing for its first gold at Winter Olympics, China has named a biggest ever squad for the 2002 Salt Lake City Games which begins early next month.

　　China will send a 133-member team including 71 skiiers and skaters to compete in seven sports and 38 disciplines at the Games, which will run from February 8-24.

　　"It is the biggest ever team since China made its debut at the Winter Olympics in 1980," Xiao Tian, chief of Chinese winter sports, said at a press conference on Tuesday.

　　As for the target for the 2002 Games, Xiao said that China will try to end its gold medal drought after a series of near misses at previous Games.

　　China ended its medal drought in 1992, collecting three silver medals, and reached a new height in the last Olympics in Nagano, Japan, garnering six silvers and two bronzes but nil golds.

　　China has greatest hopes of winning gold at short-track speed skating, boasting such world-class skaters as Yang Yang(A), Yang Yang(S) and Li Jiajun. The country is also likely to strike gold at figure skating and women's freestyle skiing. "In some events, we have had the strength of winning golds at the 2002 Games,"said Li Furong, vice minister of the State Sports General Administration. Besides, China will also compete at speed skating, biathlon, cross-country skiing and women's hockey. More than 2,000 athelets from about 70 countries and regions will compete at 15 sports and 77 disciplines in the Salt Lake City Games.

　　The Salt Lake City 2002 Winter Olympics will take place from February 8th to February 24th 2002. The Paralympics will take place in Salt Lake City from March 7th to March 16th 2002.

　　The International Olympic Committee awarded the 2002 Olympics to Salt Lake City on June 16th 1995 at Budapest, Hungary. With 15 sports being competed the 2002 Olympics will have more events than any previous winter games. Of special interest, an event from the annals of Winter Olympic History - the Skeleton will be reintroduced after several generations' absence. For the first time Women's Bobsleigh will be a medal event.

　　The Salt Lake City Olympic Committee is planning for the participation of approximately 2,345 athletes and 1,800 officials from 80 countries - plus the opening and closing ceremonies. A world television audience of over two billion people is anticipated. Of particular impact will be the contribution of over 26,000 volunteers involved in pre-game organization and the games themselves.