CHINA’S athletes may be topping the Olympic medals table, but sports chiefs from the country have been in Oxford to take a leaf out of the city’s book.

Members of the Chinese delegation travelled to the Oxford Sports Council’s headquarters at the Oxsrad centre in Marston to find out how sport is supported in the city. They were given a tour and learned about how Oxford uses volunteers to promote sports and run events.

Yan Weizhi, president of the Changde Municipality’s administration of sports, led the delegation.

Speaking through an interpreter, he told the Oxford Mail: “Oxford has a high reputation, not only for technology and politicians but there is also lots of sport talent.

“Community sport in Oxford has done very well and this has been a good experience for us to learn from.”

He said there were some similarities between the countries, such as state funding for sports.