Tiff in Chinese Olympic team over media black-out

Updated on: 16 February,2010 08:24 AM IST |
AFP |

Split between team boss and coach over a controversial media blackout leaves China's olympic medal hopes in disarray

Split between team boss and coach over a controversial media blackout leaves China's olympic medal hopes in disarray

China open their campaign tomorrow against Great Britain, but the players have been prevented from speaking to the press, a decision reportedly opposed by the team's Canadian coach Dan Rafael.

"We just want them concentrating on practice and preparation before the game, and give them a quiet time and a quiet place," said Li Dongyan, the team leader.

In response to suggestions that Rafael opposed the ban, Li added: "The Chinese women's team have very different ages and experience to other teams here. I am more knowing of the players than the coach, he is a Canadian.

"But most of the other teams have players more an age like 30-year-olds, they have more life experience. The Chinese curling rink is a young team. "We (the team and Rafael) have a good relationship."

Li suggested that the media blackout could continue into the tournament which is played on a round-robon basis with the final not taking place until February 26. "We will see what happens and maybe open to the media," said Li.

Rafael refused to comment on the ban, preferring instead to discuss the conditions at the Vancouver Olympic Centre.

"The rocks are probably a little more aggressive than at the worlds, but the ice is curling just the same, so we just need to watch the rocks," he said. "But the team is pretty good, they are loose and they are pretty focused."

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