XI'AN, Sept. 24 (Xinhua) -- Olympic champion Liu Hong said parent-athletes like her can balance personal and professional life while fighting to achieve their dreams.

Liu, who won the women's 20km race walk at the 2016 Rio Olympics, ranked fourth in 1:29:59 in the event on a rainy Wednesday morning at China's National Games.

"I reached my limit during preparations for the Tokyo Olympics. I came here to enjoy the event, and I did my best today. This might be my last Games, but maybe I will change my mind in the future," said Liu.

Despite being mother to a three-year-old girl, Liu didn't give up her athletics career and took the bronze medal in Tokyo to become the first female race walker to win three Olympic medals.

After her victory at Rio 2016, Liu gave birth to her daughter at the end of 2017 and had a two-year maternity break. She returned to competition in 2019 with a title-winning campaign at the World Championships while setting a new 50km world record.

"I hope there will be more parent-athletes like me shining on the stage. Female athletes should keep pursing their dreams, and we can balance our home life and career," Liu said.

"Liu is a great example for us. Her persistence is what young players should learn. It's a great achievement that she broke the world record after she came back in 2019," said Yang Jiayu, the 20km race walk world record holder who won gold for Inner Mongolia on Wednesday.

The silver medal went to Xizang's Qieyang Shijie, and Yang Liujing of host province Shaanxi took home the bronze medal. Enditem

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