China isn't seriously expecting to medal when BMX racing is introduced at the Beijing Olympics, but that's not going to stop it from having a go.

"It's going to be difficult," said Jiang Guofeng, secretary general of the Chinese Cycling Association (CCA), in an interview with China Daily. "BMX is a new sport for us and we started very late."

For late, read three and a half years ago.

With only 32 men and 16 women allowed to join in the fun, the hosts know they have their work cut out in a sport usually dominated by the Americans. This is especially true for China's men, who can't even claim regional bragging rights.

To stay in contention for a ranking that would make them eligible for the 2008 Games, BMX riders have to collect points at international events - something that remains a dream for many Chinese.

"Our athletes have very few chances to participate in international events, so it's obviously hard for them to gain points," said Jiang. "We could theoretically get in as a wild card, considering the future development of the sport in China, but we need to talk about this with the International Cycling Union (UCI)."

As is the trend these days in China, officials and athletes are going full pelt to prove to the world that there's nothing the Chinese can't do when they put their minds to it.