Argentine minister foresees China-U.S. clash in 2008 Olympics

BUENOS AIRES, Dec. 20 (Xinhua) -- Argentine Sports Secretary Claudio Morresi on Thursday predicted China to clash with the United States for the top position of the 2008 Olympic medal standings.

"China is going to seriously fight for the supremacy with the United States," said Morresi.

The minister expected Argentina to do well in soccer, basketball, hockey and tennis.

"We hope more of our athletes will make it to the top 10 places in the 2008 Games," Morresi said.

Morresi, a River Plate soccer player in the 1980s, was sworn into the post recently for his second term. He started his first in 2003.

Argentina's sports budget for 2008 has increased from 65 million pesos to 107 million pesos (3.15 pesos equivalent to 1 U.S. dollar).

Argentina currently has 604 athletes with scholarships who are training for the Beijing Olympics.