China will have its largest delegation for any Olympics at the Beijing Games with more than 600 athletes in a squad aiming to wrestle the United States from the top of the medals table.

As the Games turn the eyes of the world towards a rapidly changing China, they are being seen as a coming out party for both the nation - and its richly talented competitors.

Here we look at some of the Chinese sportsmen and women who are likely to be dominating the headlines during the Olympics...