Clean host

Chinese sports were embroiled in doping scandals in the 1990s and officials are making sure the scandals will not repeat.

Seven Chinese swimmers tested positive for steroids at the 1994 Asian Games in Hiroshima. Four years later, another four swimmers failed pre-competition tests before the world championships in Perth, Australia.

To redeem its reputation, China launched a vigorous anti-doping campaign with more intensive drug testing and harsher penalties for the cheaters.

Ahead of the Olympics, the battle against deceitful glories are even more intense.

China's sports chief Liu Peng called on zero-tolerance on drug cheats and ordered more rigorous punishments.

Eight positive cases were reported until June 20 after over 5,000 tests were carried out this year, according to Zhao Jian, deputy director general of the China Anti-Doping Agency.

A top backstroker Ouyang Kunpeng and wrestler Luo Meng were banned for life for failed tests along with their coaches.

In April, China launched a nationwide inspection to tighten the management of performance-enhancing drug suppliers and manufacturers.

The inspection, conducted by eight government departments, specially focused on Olympic host cities and regions with a concentrated chemical industry.

(Xinhua News Agency July 31, 2008)