Li Changchun (C,front), a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, poses for a group photo with members of the Chinese sports delegation to the upcoming London Olympic Games in the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, July 10, 2012. (Xinhua/Xie Huanchi)

China will send a total of 396 athletes to compete in 23 events at the London Olympic Games later this month.

The team, consisting of 171 men and 225 women athletes, will be accompanied by 225 officials for the Games which start on July 27.

According to the Chinese Olympic Committee, China will compete in 23 of the 26 events after it failed to qualify for soccer, equestrian and handball events.

A total of 29 Beijing Olympic winners, including badminton star Lin Dan, swimming ace Liu Zige and sharp shooter Du Li, will lead the team at the quadrennial games.

Li Changchun, member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, on Tuesday encouraged the athletes to do their best at the London Games and make the country proud again.

At the 2008 Beijing Games, China had a squad of 639 athletes - its biggest-ever Olympic contingent - who won 51 gold medals to stand on top of the medals table and push the United States into second place.

Now China will look to extend its domination to London as the squad has been strengthened by hurdling star Liu Xiang and swimming prodigy Sun Yang.

China's sports head Liu Peng said China will face strong challenges in repeating the feats of Beijing Olympics and has warned against complacency.

"The athletes from around the world have worked very hard for the Games and they are so eager to make breakthrough and win medals, so the competitions will be hotly contested," said Liu, head of the Chinese General Administration of Sport.

"The Chinese athletes must get fully prepared and ready to face the challenges. We have to fight for each gold."

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