Two Chinese sailors withdraw, reasons unclear

Sydney: Chinese sailors Xu Chunjuan and Shen Sheng have withdrawn from the Olympic regatta for undisclosed reasons, officials believe.

"I think that is the case but I don't know anything for sure," Olympic regatta manager Glenn Bourke told Reuters on Thursday.

Sailing officials were talking with Chinese team delegates about the withdrawals, Bourke said.

Another regatta spokesman said he believed the pair had missed their flights in China. Xu, 23, finished 49th in the women's Europe class world championships last year.

Shen's best previous international result was 52nd in the open Laser class at the world championships in Cancun, Mexico, earlier this year. He is 21.

The sailing regatta, which features 11 events using nine classes of boats, is due to start on Sunday. Xu and Shen's first races are scheduled next Wednesday.



(c) Reuters Limited.