清扫

Ok...the title is what I got for an online translation of the phrase "to sweep" in Chinese.

The Chinese are continuing their efforts to become the world's dominant sports power. In Beijing in 2008 China won the most gold medals, even though the United States still captured the most medals overall. With the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, expect China to find success in sports they have not previously exceled.

China has never before qualified a team to compete in the tranditional sport of Curling. For years, curling has been dominated the Scotland, where the sport originated and where the stones are still quarried, and Canada, where curling is a national obessission. In 2007, the Chinese women finished seventh at the World Championships. In 2008 they captured the silver medal, and last year the Chinese team, skipped by Wang Bingxu, defeated the team of defending Olympic champion Annette Norberg of Sweden to capture the gold.

The Chinese men made their first World Championship appearance in 2008, finish just out of the medals, losing the bronze medal match to Norway. They finished seventh a year ago.

Chinese have previously enjoyed success in short track speed skating, freestyle aerials, sprint speed skating events and pairs figure skating. In addition to curling, China will also contend in women's halfpipe snowboarding.

The Curling event should be one of the highlights of the 2010 Games. In the Vancouver Olympic Centre which will hold 6,000 people should be an exciting venue. Canada has never failed to medal at the Olympics, and the Canadians will be strong contenders in both men's and women's events.

PREDICTIONS:

Men:
Gold: Canada
Silver: Great Britain
Bronze: Norway

Women:
Gold: Canada
Silver: China
Bronze: Sweden