To many, the idea of spinning their body around a horizontal bar or doing a single-handed cartwheel on a thin piece of wood may seem impossible. However, gymnasts continue to push the limits of human physical capability. On July 27-29, Shanghai welcomes the Federal International Gymnastics World Cup 2007, the highest level gymnastic competition staged in China since 1999. With representatives from over 30 countries including Hungary, Australia and China, the competition will include not only budding gold medalists, but also world renowned athletes such as Chang Fei and Xiao Qin, who both received first place medals in the 2006 World Championships.

"In every competition, there are lessons to be learned as well as medals to be won," says Lu Shan Zheng, head coach of the Chinese women's team. "In this competition, the main purpose is to study and analyze the skills of others as many prominent athletes are to attend." One such talent is Sapronenko Evgeni, who received a silver medal in the Athens 2004 Olympics in the vault competition. With the World Cup Gymnastics being held on the Chinese mainland, Zheng believes the competition will portray China as a global force and will "allow other nations to see how China is a strong [athletics] competitor that has room to improve."

Though Zheng does not believe that competing in their homeland will give the Chinese team any advantage during the competition, he does think it will instill a sense of pride in the athletes as well as the Chinese people. "Having such a prestigious competition that will allow people to have a look at the athletes who will appear in the Beijing 2008 Olympics, will not only increase the excitement but will also cast a light on China's athletes," says Zheng. "With this, other countries will be more aware of China's talents, which will attract competitors from all parts of the world." –

Details:

FIG World Cup Gymnastics 2007

Date:

July 27-29

Venue:

Shanghai International Gymnastic Center, No. 777 Wuyi Lu, Changning District

Tel:

6273-7780

For tickets, visit piao.com.cn