ABSTRACT
Provincial team coaches select their athletes from normal schools, spare-time sports schools and central sports schools within the boundaries of their respective provinces. At the provincial and national levels, Chinese sportsmen and women are professionals-and openly so. Free room and board, medical care, education and certain travelling expenses are provided; in addition, athletes are paid monthly according to their age, experience and performances. An athlete breaking a national record, winning a national title or winning a medal in a major competition will receive a monetary bonus from the provincial team, the national team, or both.
