China's world No 4 Chen Hong is to retire soon and will not compete at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, the Beijing News reported yesterday.

The 27-year-old retained his China Open title and won the Denmark Open in a hot run of form at the end of last year but was dropped for December's Asian Games.

"Retiring is my next step," he told the paper. "I think my family are more important.

"Although 2008 is close at hand, it is beyond my reach," he wrote about his decision on his blog.

"My age is a factor. My chance is becoming smaller and smaller as time goes by. Will I be able to stay in form? Will I get a fair chance?"

Chen said the exact time of his retirement was not yet certain.

"My aiming time limit is three months, maybe another three months, maybe more," Chen wrote. "I have no idea myself.

Coach Li Yongbo left Chen out of the China team for the Asian Games in Doha because he said he wanted to give some younger players international experience.

The paper said Li was surprised when he was told about Chen's intention to retire.

"I'm supposed to talk with coach Li around the Chinese New Year," Chen said.

Li has no lack of talent to choose from as world No 1 Lin Dan and another four of the world top 10 are Chinese.

Former world champion Xia Xuanze, who was displaced from the team for the Athens Olympics by Chen, has also said he was coming close to retirement.

The 28-year-old, Olympic bronze medallist in Sydney in 2000 and world championships gold medallist in 2003, is ranked 72nd in the world.

(China Daily via Agencies January 11, 2007)