WUHAN, Central China, Nov. 2 (Xinhua) -- Chinese rowers are showing their ambition to break the jinx by winning their first ever Olympic gold in 2008.

After upsets in 2000 Sydney and 2004 Athens Games, China made comeback in 2006 world championships with three golds, and now it is looking for a step further in the upcoming Beijing Olympics.

"I'm not sure if we can win a historic gold medal in 2008 Games but I can assure you that we will do better than all the previous Olympics," said Cao Jingwei, head of Chinese rowing.

So far the best result for Chinese rowers came from the Atlanta Olympic Games in 1996 when Cao Mianying and Zhang Xiuyun snatched a silver medal for women's double sculls.

Last year China stunned the rowing world to take one gold from the world championships as well as seven gold, five silver and three bronze from the first two world cups.

China has acquired eight Olympic berths at the 2007 worlds from women's single sculls, men's and women's lightweight double sculls.

"We only need to contend for a men's single sculls ticket and we can say it's already in our pocket since we are the strongest in the event in Asia, "said Cao.

On the website of International Federation of Rowing Associations (FISA), an article on June 24,2007 named "China Dominates Rowing World Cup II" showed special appreciation to Chinese rowing.

However, Cao kept a low profile on their achievements in the past few years.

"Rowing is highly competitive. For instance, we won gold medals in women's lightweight double sculls and men's lightweight four in2006 worlds but in 2007 we finished sixth and fifth place respectively.

"The fact that most world champions in the year prior to the Olympic Games fail to top the Olympic podium also proves rowing's competitiveness.

"After the highly intensive training in 2005 and 2006, we have reached a high level. So we cut national team rowers' workload moderately in order to make them less tense and that's why we didn't do well in 2007 worlds compared with last year.

"And it's understandable that rowers like Xu Dongxiang failed to defend the women's lightweight double sculls title," said Cao.

"However, in terms of Xu's overall strength, she is still among the world's best."

In September 29, Chinese national rowing team started its winter training and after the City Games, all national team rowers will compete in the national autumn champions tournament, which is also regarded as a tryout for new national members.

"We will make some slight changes to the national team list according to the results of the tourney," said Wei Di, director of Water Sports Administration under China's State Administration of Sports.