After leaving the ice and studying abroad for a year, China's first winter Olympic champion Yang Yang made a comeback as she compete in the season's opening stage of the World Cup short-track speed skating in Harbin on Friday.

Yang called it quit after the Salt Lake City Winter Olympic Games in 2002, where she made history by winning China's first winter Olympic gold medal in the women's 500-meter event and added a second with teammates in the relay.

Yang competed in the women's 3000-meter relay on Friday, in which China topped the preliminary rounds with four minutes 23 seconds 267.

"There was no pressure for me during the competition," said Yang. "After two years absence, I became to enjoy the competitions instead of striving for the best results."

"Now I am only a member of Chinese team, the results largely rely on my teammates' performance." said Yang with a easy smile.

(Xinhua News Agency October 23, 2004)