Jin Jing's mother: I'm proud of my daughter

On April 7, a man attempted to sabotage the Beijing Olympic Torch Relay in Paris, France. This photo shows the torchbearer protecting the torch as authorities wrestle the man to the ground. (Photo credit: Jia Ting)

(BEIJING, April 9) -- An attempt was made to sabotage the Olympic Torch Relay on April 7 near the Eiffel Tower in Paris, France. 27-year-old Paralympic athlete Jin Jing, the third torchbearer in the relay, bravely protected the Olympic torch. Hearing the news, Jin's mother, Liu Huayao, was worried about her daughter and was angry and surprised that a "pro-Tibet independence" activist would target a wheelchair user.

Liu heard the news through the Internet on the evening of April 7. She said that she began to worry about the safety of her daughter when she heard of the chaos that happened during the London leg of the Olympic Torch Relay. But she felt that Jin Jing would be safe, assured by the amount of preparation that had been put into the relay. Furthermore, Liu did not think that a wheelchair user would be selected as a target.

Carrying the torch along the Seine River, Jin demonstrated great valor when a "pro-Tibet independence" activist, attempting to disrupt and sabotage the torch relay, reached for her wheelchair and lunged toward her. Without concern for her own safety, Jin did her best to protect the flame, her face exhibiting courage and pride amidst the chaos. According to a student who witnessed the incident, Jin protected the torch despite being hit by an activist who was trying to wrest the torch from her hand.

Jin's mother was moved by the Chinese students and staff who surrounded Jin Jing to protect her. "They were not only protecting my daughter, they were protecting the Olympic Games," Liu said.

In 1989, when Jin was in third grade, a malignant tumor was found in her ankle, leading to amputation of part of her leg. She later returned to school after a year of chemotherapy. Refusing to use a cane for fear that she would get in people's way, Jin insisted on getting around on one foot despite the pain. Successfully battling her cancer, Jin became a member of the Shanghai Wheelchair Fencing Team in 2001.

After the torch relay, Jin Jing sent a short message to her mother, saying, "Mom, I made it. You should feel proud of me."