BEIJING (Reuters) - China has named an experienced gymnastics squad for the 2020 Olympics starting this month in Tokyo as they aim for a return to the top of the podium after failing to win a gold medal in Rio de Janeiro four years ago.
Former world all-round champion Xiao Ruoteng, two-times parallel bars world champion Zou Jingyuan, Olympic bronze medallist Lin Chaopan and Olympic debutant Sun Wei will compete in the men’s all-round event.
The quartet were part of the team that won gold at the 2018 world championships and finished second, behind Russia, the following year.
Parallel bars specialist Lin, who won bronze in the all-round team event at Rio in 2016, was picked over Zhang Boheng for his superior international experience, despite the latter having higher scores in all three Olympic trial events.
Liu Yang and You Hao, who were also part of the bronze-winning team in Rio, will head to their second Olympics and compete in the individual events.
Tang Xijing, the all-round silver medallist at the 2019 World Championships, will lead the women’s team, with Ou Yushan, Lu Yufei and Zhang Jin completing the line-up.