Nation's athletes are hoping to challenge the world's best in the pool and in track and field, China Daily reports.

With some big stars coming back even as a new generation rises, China is hoping for major breakthroughs in track and swimming, and maybe some surprises in sports like judo, taekwondo, cycling and fencing. Compared with the niche sports it dominates - table tennis, badminton and diving - China is lagging behind opponents like the United States in athletics and swimming. It was limited to four gold medals in those sports at the past two Games.

China sees London as a perfect opportunity to extend its supremacy to mainstream sports. A group of athletes led by Olympic champion hurdler Liu Xiang and swimmers like Sun Yang are all in position to win gold.