长跑“高原发展计划”启动

新华社报道，中国启动了“高原发展计划”在西部高原地区贵州、云南、甘肃和青海省训练长跑和马拉松运动员。当地12到13岁的男孩女孩将被选拔出来参加长跑训练。长跑需要很大的耐力，但中国的竞技水平还非常低，近年来只有偶尔一两个好的运动员出现。

根据这个计划，在上述四个省区将组织长跑竞赛以选拔潜在的长跑选手。国家体育总局也在考虑成立国家长跑队，所有的运动员均来自“高原发展计划”。这些年轻的运动员将接受为期五年的系统训练。

Program to train distance runners

China has commenced its "Plateau Development Plan" to train long-distance and marathon runners in its western plateau regions of Guizhou, Yunnan, Gansu and Qinghai provinces, Xinhua reported. Boy and girls 12 to 13 years old will be selected from local regions for the long-distance training program. The young athletes will receive systematic training for five years. Distance running requires great endurance; however, with the exception of one or two good runners in recent years, the competition level is much too low in China.

According to the plan, competitions will be organized in four provinces to choose the the best prospects. In addition, the General Administration of Sport is considering setting up a national distance-running team, with all members to be selected from the program.

(China.org.cn March 21, 2011)