BEIJING, Sept. 7 (Xinhuanet) -- The Chinese Paralympic delegation will head to Athens on Friday to attend the 12th Paralympic Summer Games opening next week.

    The delegation, including 200 athletes, 86 coaches and officials, constitute the country's largest turnout in Paralympic history since China first began participating in 1984.

    The Athens-bound Chinese athletes are from 29 areas thought the country and are an average of 26 years of age.

    They will compete in 11 out of the 19 sports listed on the Games program in Athens.

    China ranked sixth in the medal tally in the Sydney Paralympics with 34 gold medals.

    In Athens, China is aiming to improve its final gold medal and medal tally rankings from Sydney and prepare their athletes for the 2008 Games in Beijing. Enditem

(CRIENGLISH.COM)