Chinese long distance runner Zhou Chunxiu eyes gold

Tag : long distance

Despite her low-key build-up for theOlympics, Zhou Chunxiu carries the Chinese women's hope of winningan Olympic gold from the track and field in the absence ofcompatriot Xing Huina, the defending champion in the women's 10,000metres who pulled out due to injuries.

On April 22, 2007, the 29-year-old Zhou became the first Chinese towin the London Marathon, one of the most famous long distance racesin the world.

Five months later, struggling with an ankle injury, she madehistory again by winning the silver medal in the 2007 WorldChampionships in Osaka, Japan. This made her the first Chinese towin a marathon medal in the World Championships.

Born in a farmer's family in central China's Henan province, shebecame a professional middle distance runner at the age of 18.While she was well on course to stardom, she was told to quitmarathon running because of serious ankle injuries.

She then retired in 2000 and was enrolled in the Suzhou Universityfor a college degree. But her passion for running never vanished.She joined the Suzhou track and field club in her spare time andstarted running again.

The first international race event she attended was the XiamenMarathon in March 2003. She beat some Ethiopian runners, allpre-race favourites, and ran away with the gold. This happened onlyfour years after she started systematic marathon training.

In the following two years, she won a gold medal in the 2006 AsianGames.

'She is really hard working and can persist under very highpressure. She is also very smart and can always keep a clear mind,'said her coach Liang Songli.

'She ran 40 km daily during winter training. That means one wholemarathon every day. I was really impressed by her devotion intothis,' Liang added.

Zhou did not participate in so many races this year as before inorder to save some energy. 'I will only take half marathon and10,000 metres races to help maintain the best shape,' she said.

In the 'Good Luck Beijing' 2008 marathon race in April, Zhou tookher last chance for a trial run before the Olympic Games. Shefinished in 2:37:49 seconds, 18 minutes slower than her personalbest performance.

'It was just a trial run for me. Both my coach and I are not soserious about the result,' said Zhou after the race. 'I guess theweather would be very hot in August, which will be a big challengefor all athletes. I will try my best, but there will be noguarantee for a win.'
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