"Play Clean, Play True" reads a board placed inside the Main Press Center of the 10th National Games at the Olympic Center in Nanjing.

It is a far cry, however, from what have happened in the first week of the Oct.12-23 event being held in east China's Jiangsu province, as the games has been marred by a string of scandals including match-fixing and refereeing controversies.

The women's over 78kg judo final had to be rematched Saturday because, as hinted by coach Liu Yongfu, Sun Fuming of Liaoning province deliberately lost to her provincial teammate Yan Sirui, who represented for the Chinese Army in the games, in Thursday's final.

"Why you reporters make such a fuss?" asked Liu after the final.

"They are actually both from Liaoning province, so whoever wins the title doesn't matter," added the legendary coach, who has groomed three Olympic champions including Sun.

The match-fixing incident resulted from a regulation especially designed for the National Games which is aimed to promote exchanges of athletes between provincial teams and the army team. According to the regulation, if Yan wins the gold, a gold medal could also be counted for her native province, Liaoning.

Yan eventually won the rematch and the title, putting an end to the scandal.

"I am really happy as I won this time by my real power," said the 20-year-old Yan.

Liu was given a warning by the organizing committee of the National Games.

"If the punishment handed to me could let all the others learn a lesson, I would welcome the decision and be willing to be the target of criticism," said Liu after Saturday's rematch.

Zhang Hongyan, a professor of sociology at Nanjing University, said that the incident was a breach of ethic code and would tarnish the image of Chinese sport.

"We can lose a game but must not lose our credibility. Credibility is a nation's symbol," said Zhang.

Earlier, there were also refereeing scandals surrounding the National Games. Three wrestling judges were banned for life on bribery charges, and Zhong Ling, the country's leading rhythmic gymnast, accused referees of fixing the competition results.

Zhang attributed the scandals to an unhealthy philosophy of athletes and sports officials.

"Some local sports officials and athletes attach too much importance to medals instead of participation and sportsmanship," said Zhang.

"These scandals set off the alarming bell for the society," he added.

Competition at the quadrennial National Games, billed as China's mini-Olympics, has always been extremely fierce as a gold medal will earn the winner tens of thousands US dollars, even apartments,from local governments.

China has taken this year's National Games a dry run for the 2008 Olympics in Beijing. The fact that the country's all 32 Athens Olympic gold medallists are taking part underlines the serious nature.

Liu Peng, president of the State General Administration of Sport, warned all participants in the National Games against discipline offense following the judo scandal.

"We will show no mercy on offenders," said Liu. "We must uphold the justice in sport."