中国游泳队抵达奥运训练基地

The Chinese Olympic squad has arrived at their pre Games training base in Leeds to finalize their preparations for the London Games. With just 17 days to go the swimmers are enduring a tight training regime.

China’s swimming team take to the waters for the first time at their official base in Leeds, 200 miles north of the UK capital.

Among the stars, 18-year-old Li Xuanxu, who competed in the Beijing Olympics at the tender age of 14 and last year at the World Championships in Shanghai won bronze in the 1500 meters freestyle. In the next lane to her, 23 year-old Lu Ying a Bronze medalist at the world championships in the 100 meters butterfly. 19-year-old Chen Qian , a Shanghai bronze in the 4 X 200 meters freestyle relay.

Although it is a revamped squad for London 2012, most team members are battle hardened at the highest levels.

Yuan Haoran, swimmer, said, "For our preparation for the Olympics, I believe this is one of the strongest teams to date. They’ve achieved very good results…which are greatly improved on the past in so many different events. And for these Games, of course, our swimmers will do everything possible to win. "

The Swimmers are the first of what will be a cohort of more than 200 athletes, coaches and support staff basing themselves here in Leeds. And they’ll have support from thousands of Chinese residents and students in the city.

An army of Mandarin speaking volunteers will act as training camp hosts, many students from China studying in the city and excited at the prospect of meeting their heroes.

With just a few tense weeks to go before the start of London 2012, this will be the swimming squad’s watery home for much of China’s Olympic Squad.