China leads gold race despite Phelps phenomenon

By Andrew Cawthorne

BEIJING (Reuters) - China go into the sixth day of the Olympics on Thursday ahead of sporting arch-rivals the United States in the medals table despite Michael Phelps's exploits.

After becoming the all-time most successful Olympian with 11 career golds, American swimming phenomenon Phelps faces a relatively quieter day with just one semi-final to contest.

Topping the medals table is a tangible sign of China's new global status and Beijing has invested heavily in a Soviet-style sports system that finds potential champions at an early age.

Following another great day for its gymnastic, diving, weightlifting and shooting teams, China headed the overnight medals table with 17 golds to 10 for the United States.

South Korea and Germany followed with six golds while Italy, Australia and Japan had four.

Mirroring its increasing economic clout, China have replaced America's old Cold War foe Russia as their main Olympics rival.

So with American-dominated track events to start at the end of this week, the hosts face an intriguing battle to go one better than their second place in the overall 2004 Athens table.

Chinese fans have roared on their country's every success in Beijing but are playing down the significance of coming first.

"What is important is to show China and to show Beijing to the whole world," said local businessman Sun Weiming, 46.

"Several months ago, everyone was talking about Tibet but foreigners need to know the truth about China, and we believe that through the Olympic Games the world will know the truth."

A dazzling opening ceremony followed by five magnificent days of sport have, indeed, displaced the Western media's pre-Olympic spotlight on rights issues like Chinese rule in Tibet.

Many Chinese resent the focus on that and Beijing's smog at a moment of national pride, though they remain scrupulously kind and hospitable to visitors for the Olympics. Critics say Beijing is using the Games to gloss over suppression of dissent.

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Phelps, 23, took two more golds in the Water Cube on Wednesday to make it five so far in Beijing after six in Athens.