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Olympic debutants Wang/Yue hope to enjoy the Games in Rio

Xinhua, August 1, 2016 Adjust font size:

As the only representatives of the Chinese beach volleyball team to Rio, Olympic debutants Wang Fan and Yue Yuan hope to enjoy the Games.

"I am so happy to be able to compete at the Olympic Games. It' s a dream come true! Now I can enjoy the Games," said the 22-year-old Wang, who paired with the 29-year-old Yue to clinch China' s only berth in the beach volleyball competitions of the Rio Games.

"I had been dreaming of taking part in the Olympic Games when I was a little child. It' s amazing to realize it," said Yue. "Of course we are under pressure as the only team from China. Nevertheless, we' d rather play our game and enjoy the world' s top competition than think too much about the results."

Wang/Yue inked their best finish at the FIVB World Tour by taking the silver medal at the Shanghai Grand Slam in May 2014 and repeated the feat at the Xiamen Open the same year. One year later, they settled for the fifth place at the annual World Championships.

"The Shanghai Grand Slam has been the most memorable event for me," Yue said. "Nobody expected us to take a podium finish, it' s a big surprise to us too. We also played well at last year' s World Championships and I think the key was our focus on our game."

Wang/Yue will face Kerri Walsh/April Ross of the United States, Isabelle Forrer/Anouk Verge-Depre from Switzerland and Australia' s Mariafe Artacho/Nicole Laird in pool C in the Olympic women' s beach volleyball competitions which start on Saturday. In order to keep a chance of advancing to the 16-team knock-out stage, Wang/Yue need to finish in top three of the pool.

"It is a very difficult group. Wang/Yue will do their best," said their coach Miao Zhihong. Endit