Tian

Beijing, Feb. 15: China?s sports authorities are locked in a bitter battle with one of the country?s Olympic gold medallists over the decidedly capitalist issue of who owns his advertising earnings.

Tian Liang, who won a diving gold in Athens last summer, has been sacked from the national squad, accused of spending too much time making money from modelling and advertising deals. His former girlfriend, who also won gold for diving in Athens, has been allowed to stay on the squad after making a ritual ?self-criticism? for the same offence.

After their joint success, the pair had become the favourite glamour couple for celebrity-conscious Chinese, pursued by paparazzi and businesses with advertising contracts.

Attractive, fashionable and, it was widely reported, in love, Tian, 25, and Guo Jingjing were China?s undoubted Olympic stars last summer. And after coming second in the medals table, the country was content to let its heroes bask in glory and, for a while, cash.

Guo

Guo, 24, signed up for cosmetics firms and even Budweiser, while Tian won a deal with US household goods company Amway, among others.

After Tian refused to return to training, saying he had been promised six months off, the axe fell and he was sent back to rejoin his local squad in Shaanxi province. The final straw may have been a contract with a Hong Kong showbusiness agency paying him a sum believed to be more than ?2 million to launch his singing and acting career.

All China?s stars come through its intensive, state-run sports schools and coaching system, and are subject to the sports ministry?s discipline in their public, commercial and even love lives. Guo was allowed to stay after making a public confession. ?Diving is my life and I must return to my family. I know I belong to the national team and I have already started training. I must be a good role model for the younger generation of divers.?