Special report: 2008 Olympic Games

    BEIJING, Aug. 2 (Xinhua) -- The Mexican diving team has not thought about beating China, and only one medal will be satisfied for them, said the coach in the Water Cube here on Saturday.

    "I have never thought that we could beat the Chinese divers," said Ma Jin, coach of the Mexican team, a Chinese who came to Mexico six years ago. "But as a coach, I hope my players can perform their best in the Games. A medal will be good."

    "We have no specific plans," Ma said. "Our synchronized diving is quite weak."

    Paola Espinosa, 22, bronze medalist in the women's 10-meter platform in the FINA Diving World Cup in February, was a favorite in the Beijing Games. Espinosa has an advantage in her high difficulty degree, which is only lower than American veteran Laura Wilkinson and Canadian Emily Heymans.

    "Paola is good," said Ma. "She felt a little tired after arriving, but she said she liked the food here. Paola is our biggest hope in the Beijing Olympic Games, and if she can win a medal, that will be very good."

    Yahel Castillo, who will be compete in the men's 3m springboard, might be another threat to the Chinese. "Castillo is not as consistent as the Chinese divers Qin Kai and He Chong," said Ma. "It is hard to say what result he will get in the Olympic Games."

    Ma said the men's 3m springboard would be quite tough: "There are many talented divers in this event. But I think He Chong will be the best."

    Having stayed in Mexico for six years, Ma said there are lots of differences between Chinese divers and the Mexicans: "The Mexican divers are more enthusiastic and undisciplined than the Chinese. When they are in mood, they can perform very well, but when they are not, it is hard to let them practise."

    "Under these circumstances, I'll let them do whatever they want," Ma said. "If they felt like to watching a movie, I'll go with them. I think if there's no mood, then we should not continue."

    Six years ago, Ma wanted to have a new environment and decided to learn a foreign language, so she chose Mexico. "Mexico is good and I like to learn Spanish," said Ma. "It took me two years to learn the new language, and now I can communicate with the divers easily."