Test Event a Dry Run for Durante, U.S. Men

Print version

Comment

E-mail This Article to a Friend To: Bcc: Your e-mail address: Message:

The U.S. men hope to put pressure on the Chinese team, starting with the Olympic test event that begins Wednesday in Beijing, U.S. national champion Dave Durante told IG.

Thirteenth at the world championships in 2006 and fourth in 2007, the U.S. men are hoping to move up another few spots — possibly even three — at the Olympics next summer.

Beating the eight-time world champion Chinese men's team is a difficult — but not an impossible—feat, U.S. national champion Dave Durante told IG.

"We want to not only medal at the Olympics, but we are going in to try and win — which of course will be very difficult, but it is not out of the realm of possibility," he said.

The U.S. men hope to start challenging China at the "Good Luck Beijing" Olympic test event that begins Wednesday. Joining Durante on the U.S. team in Beijing are Sean Golden, Sho Nakamori, David Sender, Clay Strother and Todd Thornton.

"We are training to put pressure on China," said Durante, 27.

The Chinese are fielding a team of newcomers — none of the six gymnasts on the roster for this week's competition were at the 2007 World Championships in Stuttgart. Japan, second in Stuttgart, is also sending a less experienced team. Germany, which eclipsed the U.S. by 1.35 points to take the bronze in Stuttgart, is sending its top team.

"I don't know where we will finish, but we will be competing hard and doing what we can to represent the U.S. well," Durante said.

Belarus, Canada, France, Korea, Romania, Russia and Spain are also sending full men's teams. Of the 12 countries that qualified men's teams to the 2008 Olympics, Italy is the only one not to send a full team to the test event.

The artistic gymnastics competition will feature men's team, women's all-around, and men's and women's individual event finals.

Despite a slight shoulder injury a few weeks ago, Durante plans to compete increased difficulty on floor exercise and rings.

"I am looking forward to get a sense of what Beijing is like and to get a feel for the arena," Durante said. "I think this will help me out for next summer."

The competition is one of a series of test events to prepare the city for next summer's Olympic Games, the first in China. A record 740 journalists have received credentials for the gymnastics events, which also includes rhythmic and trampoline competition.

"I have heard lots of great things about what they are doing for the Olympics and I am excited to see everything," Durante said.