体坛英语新闻：Chinese athletes learn to communicate, says Chinese sports legend

BEIJING, March 2 (Xinhua) -- Chinese sports legend Deng Yaping Tuesday praised Chinese athletes for more open manner in Vancouver Winter Olympic Games which ended on Sunday.

Deng Yaping said that the new generation of Chinese athletes are learning the ability to communicate with the world as Chinese sports fans expressed their admiration on seeing Chinese champions' accommodating and humorous behavior in interview and before camera.

"Unlike our generation when everybody values modesty and collectivity, they have more personality and want to express themselves," Deng said in a 2010 Laureus Awards press briefing.

"We dare not talk too much because we were taught to be low-key but times changed. China is more open and the young people are much more active. That's very good. I've heard a lot of positive comments."

Shen Xue/Zhao Hongbo, figure-skating champion pair in Vancouver, amused press conference with clever answers while triple gold medallist Wang Meng was greeted with prolonged ovation for her humorous gesture in the awarding ceremony.

The four-time table tennis Olympic champion believed that good communication is very important for Chinese athletes' and China's international image.

"Chinese culture is unique and we have to learn the international way to express and communicate. That's the only way to make ourselves understood," said Deng, who was a member of both IOC Ethics Commission and Sport and Environment Commission.

"Communication challenges Chinese athletes more than the others first because Chinese tradition teaches people to be introvert, and also, language is always a barrier. But they can learn the way, communication skills and use their body language."