Officials from the General Administration of Sport say the delayed announcement of China's Olympic athletes team has no direct linkage to the country's anti-doping effort.

During the same press conference on Monday, a Health Ministry spokesman also put into question the authenticity of a recent German report about Chinese clinics offering performance-enhancing stem-cell therapy treatment for athletes.

Director Du Lijun of the Sport Administration's Anti-doping Center says all athletes failing to pass the doping test will be expelled from the national team. So far, eight Chinese athletes have been punished for possible involvement in doping.

Du Lijun, Director of Anti-Doping Center of General Administration of Sport said "According to the new regulation issued by the Sport Administration in March, athletes who breach the rules are banned for life from competition."

Referring to a German TV report on stem-cell therapy in Chinese clinics, Health Ministry spokesman Mao Qun'an said there were few hospitals or medical institutions that had the capability of offering stem-cell therapy in China. The therapy was mainly used for the treatment of leukemia and lack of immunity, and not for performance-enhancing purposes, which is technically impossible at present.

Mao Qun'an, Spokesman of Ministry of Health said "The Ministry of Health has never approved any hospital or medical staff to operate stem-cell therapy with the aim of improving the performances of athletes."

Mao says he hopes the German TV company that aired the report will provide a clear explanation to the public. He also called on all foreign countries and media to help with China's anti-doping efforts, bringing about a clean Olympics.

(CCTV July 30, 2008)