BEIJING, March 15 -- After two months of closed-door training in Beijing, China's national shooting team completed a three-day hiking program in Chongli, Hebei province to strengthen the endurance and will power of the athletes and returned to Beijing on Saturday.

During the program, 45 athletes and 12 coaches hiked 25km over different courses every day in the snow-covered mountains, which took about eight hours. Apart from the heavy snow, which reached as high as the hikers' thighs at its deepest point, strong wind and low temperature also added challenges to the hike, but all participating members successfully completed the training.

"I believe this program will greatly help our team in future trainings, especially in terms of will power," coach of the rifle team Chang Jingchun commented.

"The program consolidated our team cooperation and solidarity. Faced with unknown difficulties and body and mental limits, we were not afraid and carried forward. This was a demonstration of the sporting spirit of scaling new heights," said Zhao Zhonghao.

The Chinese Mountaineering Association provided technical assistance for the hiking program. Deputy secretary general of the association, Li Guowei, confessed that the athletes, who tried hiking for the first time, outperformed his expectations.

"What really impressed me was that they showed strong will power despite exhaustion. I wish them a fruitful quest in Tokyo," Li said.

【体坛英语资讯：Chinas national shooting team boosts endurance, will power through hiking program】相关文章：

★ 体坛英语资讯：China defends Universiade womens gymnastics team title

★ 体坛英语资讯：Istanbul confident of successful torch relay

★ 体坛英语资讯：China overpowered 77-83 in friendly

★ 体坛英语资讯：Djokovic tops Federer at Australian Open

★ 娱乐英语资讯：Britney Spears wins more time with sons

★ 体坛英语资讯：Milwaukee Bucks trade Yi to Nets

★ 娱乐英语资讯：Lang Lang delights the crowd with moving performance

★ 娱乐英语资讯：Jennifer Lopez is pregnant

★ 体坛英语资讯：Kobe, Gasol spark Lakers past Magic

★ 体坛英语资讯：China beat Bullets in the last of Basketball Series