Diving

English teacher invited to enrich team`s preparations

As a way to enrich players` Olympic preparations and intensify their mental conditioning, China`s diving team, dubbed the "Dream Team" due to its overwhelming dominance in the sport, has invited an English teacher to give language lessons, organize speech contests and set up a yoga class during the team`s winter session in Jinan, Shandong province.

"We are aiming to keep them healthy both physically and mentally," said team manager Zhou Jihong. "Giving English lessons is also not just improving their language. We hope they will pay extra attention to something else. It will help release the pressure on their shoulders."

The players are now fighting for the final spots during one of the Olympic qualifying competitions, which started yesterday in Jinan.

Zhou said the list will not be determined immediately but the performances during the competitions will be put into consideration.