World swimming champion Zhang Lin swore an oath on behalf of 34 Olympic and world champions to fight doping at the 11th Chinese National Games to open on Friday.

Zhang, China's only male swimming world champion in history, took the oath in the National Games village. "We will resolutely say no to doping at the 11th Chinese National Games," said Zhang, who won the men's 800 meters freestyle champion at the Rome world championships.

Also present at the oath-swearing ceremony were 33 Olympic medalists including champions Du Li (shooting), Wang Feng (diving), Zhong Man (fencing) and Jiang Yuyuan (gymanstics).

"It's a great honor to represent so many Olympic medalists to take the oath," Zhang said. "I will be very strict with myself during the National Games."

The 22-year-old Zhang, who won a silver in the Beijing Olympics, has become China's new sports icon since star hurdler Liu Xiang shocked the country by withdrawing from the Olympic Games.

The swimming competition will be held from Oct. 17 to 24. Zhang is expected to do better than his three-gold medal winning performance at the last National Games in Jiangsu.

"I will surely try my best at the National Games," said Zhang, who represents Beijing delegation at the Games.

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