China's best sprinter Hu Kai said he and his teammates were aimed to be a finalist in the Olympic men's 4x100m relay.
Hu was disqualified for the semifinals of the men's 100m on Friday in the national stadium, clocking in 10.40 seconds in a second round heat, which was won by former world record holder Asafa Powell of Jamaica who finished in 10.02 seconds.
Hu said, "I'm not in the best form because of the leg injuries. I have to contribute to a team play for competing for a place of the men's 4x100 relay final."
Before Hu, no Chinese men athlete was able to go into the second round of the Olympic sprint.
The world universiad champion said he didn't have pressure of running with Powell in the same heat.
Commenting on the performance of strong foreign competitors, Hu, who is now pursuing an advanced degree in management, said, "They are very powerful during the course and they can maintain their speed all through to the end."
"We have put our biggest hope for the men's 4x100m relay game on Aug. 22," said Hu, whose family were in the stadium to cheer him up.
(Xinhua News Agency August 15, 2008)