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Chinese women's basketball facing tough Olympics

Xinhua, August 3, 2016 Adjust font size:

The Chinese women's basketball team arrived here on Tuesday, getting ready for one of the toughest Olympics in the history.

"This is one of the toughest Olympic tournament for us, both for the men's and women's Chinese teams, but we are ready for the challenge," said team leader Hu Jiashi at the airport on Tuesday.

China are bracketed with the United States, Canada, Senegal, Serbia and Spain in Group B of the preliminary round.

The squad spent last week in Miami, Florida to get adjust with the time zone and weather, playing two games against a U.S. team with selected WNBA players.

"The trip to Miami was good to the team. We played two good games and the squad is healthy and excited," Hu said.

China finished sixth four years ago in London, after placing 3rd in the group stage. "I think we can finish into the top eight here, and hopeful we can make it into top six again," Hu added.

Veteran center Chen Nan, 33, was called back after maternity leave and was the pivot for the victory against Belarus in the Olympic Qualifying Tournament in France last month.

"I feel great. My body is healthy. I am so ready for the tournament," Chen said.

China will kick off their Rio Olympics journey with an encounter with Canada on August 6. Endit