China Targets Hot Potential Troublemakers Like UA Alum Jennie Finch

Normally the term “pre-emptive strike” is one associated with George W. Bush, but it looks like the Chinese government also uses this tactic. It has now been revealed that China compiled a list of nine American athletes and one coach that officials believed were most likely to demonstrate at the Olympic Games in Beijing this past summer.

According to UPI:

China was so concerned over possible troublemakers on the U.S. Olympic team that it made up a list of people to keep an eye on, the U.S. Olympic Committee said.

USA Today, which obtained a copy of an USOC e-mail message on the subject, said officials at Beijing singled out nine U.S. athletes and one assistant coach as possible demonstrators at the Games, largely in connection with the crisis at the Darfur region of Sudan.

Among those named were softball players Jennie Finch and Jessica Mendoza and soccer player Abby Wambach, who broke her leg and missed the Games, USA Today said. It also included two Paralympians.

Oddly enough, many of these athletes are really quite hot, which begs the question, was this a security risk list or a hot list? Just consider University of Arizona alum Jennie Finch, who made our Sexiest Olympians List. Or Stanford soccer prodigy Jessica Mendoza. Or former UF Gator Abby Wambach. Check, check, and check.