Experts urge reforming, but not scrapping, the scandal-plagued National Games, in part because the important domestic sports gala is a lifeline for many less popular events and athletes.

Lu Yuanzhen, a sports sociologist at South China Normal University, attributed the scandals at the games to the medal mania.

"For years, we've been calling for a change from the medal pursuit, but elite competitive results remain major achievements in evaluating officials instead of achievements in promoting mass fitness," Lu said.