This undated photo shows former Chinese gymnast Yang Wei. (NIU YUAN / CHINA DAILY)

XI'AN－Legendary Chinese gymnast Yang Wei is eyeing an Olympic comeback－but on a different side of the floor.

Next year, China's elite gymnasts are scheduled to attend two major meets－the Tokyo Olympic Games and China's National Games－over the course of a two-month period

"I have worked as a judge for almost eight years, I'd like to work as a judge and as a member of the Chinese Gymnastics Association at the Tokyo Olympic Games," Yang, the winner of three Olympic gold medals, told Xinhua.

The 40-year-old served as a senior judge at last week's Chinese Artistic Gymnastics Championships in Xi'an, the capital city of Shaanxi province.

"A senior judge is similar to the technical delegate in international tournaments. In domestic tournaments, a senior judge guides the judges' work in the events, deals with issues concerning the competition and techniques, and ensures the competition is held on schedule," explained Yang.

"The senior judge also monitors judges' after-work life during the tournament so as to make sure the competition results are objective and fair."

Yang says the job has given him a better understanding of the sport.

"When I was a gymnast, all I thought about was how to finish my moves well," he said."That would be enough. But when I sat beside the floor as a judge, I came to realize more how scores are formulated."

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Next year, China's elite gymnasts are scheduled to attend two major meets－the Tokyo Olympic Games and China's National Games－over the course of a two-month period. The Olympics are set to be staged from July 23 to Aug 8, while the National Games are slated for Sept 15-27 in Xi'an.

Yang reckons the tight schedule will pose a big challenge for athletes. In order to prepare them adequately, two national competitions were held this fall.

"The athletes may have insufficient rest between the major competitions. But I don't think it is a huge problem. I experienced such difficulties in my career," said the former world champion.

"I suggest gymnasts discover their weaknesses before winter training so as to solve any problems before the Olympics."

Since his retirement in 2009,Yang has kept busy with a variety of roles, including appearing on reality TV shows, working as an artistic gymnastics commentator and opening a gymnastics club.

Yang told Xinhua that through all these ventures, he hopes to promote the sport he loves among the general public.

"The foundation of all other sports comes from gymnastics. I think all children should be introduced to gymnastics. I hope more and more people can love the sport," he said.