Week in Review : MAJOR EVENTS, IMAGES AND PEOPLE IN ORANGE COUNTY NEWS : MISCELLANY/ NEWSMAKERS AND MILESTONES

As the Queen of England was visiting China, officials at Cal State Fullerton announced that a prince of Chinese gymnastics would be competing for the first time for an American university.

The 24-year-old athlete, Li Xiao Ping, was a member of the People’s Republic of China team that won a silver medal in the 1984 Olympics. He is known as the “Great Traveler” in international gymnastic circles for his graceful movements on the pommel horse.

On Dec. 13, CSUF officials say, Li will compete for the first time as a Titan in the U.S. Gymnastics Federation Mixed Pairs Collegiate National Championships in Houston. His partner will be Cal State gymnast Tami Eliot. His first scheduled team appearance is at UC Davis.

Officials with the Chinese Sports Federation in Peking said they were unaware that Li has been attending classes this semester at Fullerton, although other Chinese athletes have participated in intercollegiate competitions in the United States.

“This is the most exciting thing that’s ever happened to me as a coach,” said Dick Wolfe, head of the CSFU track program.

Li’s decision to compete for Wolfe was hailed by officials of the U.S. Gymnastics Federation, the national governing body for the sport.

“It’s quite a statement for his program and for our country,” said Robert Cowan, men’s program director for the federation. Li’s “presence here will do a lot for the sport in this country,” Cowan said.

Li has been attending classes while waiting for the NCAA to determine his eligibility to compete. The ruling was that, because of his age, Li could compete for only one year as a Titan. After that, he will become an assistant coach.