China’s Luo Xuejuan to Compete at 2008 Games

BEIJING, December 14. CHINESE Olympic champion Luo Xuejuan said on Tuesday that she plans to continue competing through the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, according to a story in the authoritative Chinese newspaper Xinhua today.

Luo, 20, who won the women's 100m breaststroke in Athens last summer in an Olympic record time of 1:06.64 said she will not even think of retirement before the 2008 Olympics.

"Do you think it's logical for me to retire when I am still in my prime?" said Luo at the Chinese National Championships in Tangshan, Hebei Province.

Luo, who also won the 100m breaststroke at last year's world championships in Barcelona, added: "I think the nation needs me to compete in the 2008 Olympic Games. I will try my best at that time."

Asked about her immediate goals, Luo said, "Maybe I should start thinking about defending my titles at next year's worlds," which are scheduled for Montreal in July.

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