China's gold rush at Beijing Olympics can never be ignored first because winning is universally adored. And second in particular, the world's premier sports gala will be on its home soil.

It is Beijing's turn to play the host for the first time. Chinawas second on the medals tally in Athens and is there still any room to move up?

During the Chinese National Games concluded here on Sunday, IOCPresident Jacques Rogge tipped China to top the table at the 2008 Olympic Games.

"The results that you achieved at the Athens Olympics last yearhave shown Chinese sports is really getting to the top," he said, "I would not be surprised if China leads the medals count in 2008 Olympics in Beijing."

The allegation, which was widely carried on the following day'snewspaper, is not merely a good-will joke. Just count the number of China's gold medals in Athens- 32, only three behind the top-ranked United States.

And powerhouse Russia had to settle for third in 27.

China is consolidating its ruling in all its traditional domain-table tennis, badminton, diving, shooting, gymnastics, judo and weightlifting- the last two reserved only for Chinese women. And Some surprises in Athens from aquatics and taekwondo, for example,provided new hopes.

Considering the home advantage, it might not be a day dream forhosts to reach the pinnacle of world sports.

NATIONAL GAMES REHEARSAL

The 10th National Games, largest-ever in the history, has attracted 9,986 athletes to participate in 32 sports, including all 28 summer Olympic ones.

As its blossoming juniors stole limelight from Olympic veterans,the 12-day tournament epitomized the country's strength in depth, which awaits for fruition three years later.

Chinese Shooting officials were happy to see young guns sweep onto the podiums while none of the Athens' big names, like Du Li, Zhu Qinan and Jia Zhanbo, managed a final berth.

A high school student Cao Yifei of Sichuan, 17, won the men's rifle prone with a national record of 702.7 points and the men's trap title went to 17-year-old Yu Xiaokai.

All the title winners would automatically become candidates forthe Olympic shooting team, said a jubilant national head coach Wang Yifu.

And the list of talents extended in diving pool, Ping-Pong table and badminton court.

Yuan Peilin, 14, crowned in the women's 10-meter platform, re-igniting the hope to restore China's glory on this event. Flag-bearers Tian Liang and Guo Jingjing defended their prestige but a couple of Olympic diving champions including Hu Jia and Lao Lishi suffered unexpected losses.

On badminton court, current world number one Zhang Ning, 30, was embarrassed twice by rookies, and new generation paddlers havematured to beat Olympic veterans Kong Linghui, Ma Lin and Chen Qi.

Keep the momentum and pocketing all the Olympic titles in the two sports is at sight, experts said.

Let alone the weightlifting. The strong Chinese women have madethe world records fragile on the platform, which were bettered dozens of times in a high frequency.

The gold medals China collected over these signature events in Athens amounted to 23, nearly three quarters of its total account.In Beijing, the number would stand solid and it will not be a tough job for hosts to add two or three to it.

POTENTIAL OPPORTUNITIES

However, little surprise came from track and field. Except phonemes Liu Xiang and Xing Huina who claimed men's 110m hurdles and women's 10,000m titles in Athens respectively, no more future Olympic champions could be detected so far through the lackluster results at the National Games.

Swimming and Aquatics, in contrast, provided fresh medal opportunities.

In the pool, most results of the women's individual events could be ranked within this year's top ten. The accumulated time from top four in the women's 200m free was better than the best of4x200m free relay since last year. Qi Hui's performance in the women's 200m and 400m individual medley and 200m backstroke could enable her to stand on the podiums of the three events at Montrealworlds.

The aquatics potentials have surfaced since Meng Guanliang and Yang Wenjun struck China's first-ever aquatic gold on men's canoeing at last year's Olympics. Their women's counterparts are gearing up for a breakthrough in rowing in 2008.

Although some team events, like women's volleyball and hockey, only boasts a sole title, those could accumulate to build up the hosts' edge.

Besides, Chinese are also expected to thunder in fencing, trampoline, cycling and wrestling.

But a senior Chinese sports official shrugged off a fantastic scenario, contributing China's gorgeous performance in Athens to abit of luck.

"We are lucky that we got all the anticipated gold medals, and stole a couple of ones from Russia," said Xiao Tian, vice president of the State General Administration of Sport.

"I wonder if the good luck will still be on our side although the Games is held on our soil."

It would be irrational to expect more harvest than 32 in Athensand some around 25 is a realistic figure, according to Xiao.

"Anyway, it's not all about gold medals for Beijing to hold a Olympics. We hope for good performance in all aspects including organization and public participation," he said.

"We are glad to notice that China has been reckoned as a major force in the world's sports arena."

"Things might change with three years to go. But one thing for sure, Beijing is ready to impress the world, not only with a good result on the medal tally."