China makes historic breakthrough in winter sports at Vancouver Olympics

VANCOUVER, Feb. 28 (Xinhua) -- Following consecutive two-gold finish in both Salt Lake City and Turin, China made historic breakthrough in winter sports as it claimed five titles plus two silvers and four bronzes at the Vancouver Games which concluded all competitions here on Sunday.

China's Sun Linlin (L), Wang Meng (2nd L), Zhou Yang (front in R) and Zhang Hui celebrate after the women's 3000m relay final of short track speed  skating at the 2010 Winter Olympic Games in Vancouver, Canada, Feb. 24,  2010. China's team won the title of the event with a world-record-breaking  time 4:06.610. (Xinhua/Shen Hong)

"We have made important breakthrough at these Games," said Xiao Tian, deputy chef de mission of the largest ever Chinese Winter Sports Delegation in history.

Having sent a total of 90 athletes to the Games, China shared a seventh place at the medal tally with Sweden while tying its own 11-medal performance in Turin four years ago.

And its record medals also marked the first top-eight finish for the summer sports powerhouse in the Winter Olympics.

"Actually the five-gold finish was within my expectation before we set off for the Games, but I couldn't say that at that time because I would not want to put any pressure on the athletes," Xiao added. "Now I can speak out."