"All the athletes, including the big stars, are forbidden from taking part in all kinds of social activities to avoid distractions from training," president of China's State General Administration of Sports (SGAS), Liu Peng, told a meeting yesterday.

"But exceptions will stand if they get the permission from the SGAS in advance," he added.

Expectations have run high in the host country of the 2008 Games since China finished second in the medals table at the Athens Olympics in 2004 with just three golds shy of the United States, although its total of 63 was far behind the American's 103.

Chinese sports authorities are keeping a low key about the country's prospects of topping the Olympic medals tally in 2008, but they are deploying their full forces to achieve the mission.

"We face a very stern test at the 2008 Olympics," Liu was quoted as saying by Xinhua news agency.

"Everybody should stay focused," he said.