Canada sent one of its biggest delegations in history to the 24th Winter Universiade in Harbin with a goal to defend the men's ice hockey title.

Chris Hodges, the sports information manager in the delegation, told Xinhua in the main athletes' village on Wednesday that they would compete in six sports in Harbin, a city in the northeast China.

"There are 97 athletes and 30 coaches and officials in the delegation. We will competing in hockey, curling, speed skating, short track speed skating, biathlon and cross-country skiing," said Hodges.

Canada took four medals including two golds, one silver and one bronze at Turin Winter Universiad in 2007. The best result Canada had ever made at Universiade was in 1985 when they won 18 medals, 17 of which were from the short track speed skating.

"The delegation here in Harbin is not the biggest in history, but it is one of the biggest," he added.

"We hope we can do better this time. Our men's ice hockey team is the defending champion, so we are determined to win again here."

"We also have some excellent skaters, hoping to win a gold medal. The women's ice hockey is also very popular in Canada and our team here is quite good and can challenge a medal."

All the students in Cnada delegation are full-time university students from the western part of the country.

"Students are very proud to be part of the Universiad here. We took a small tour yesterday and visited the ice and snow festival in the city. Harbin is very beautiful."

(Xinhua News Agency February 18, 2009)