Wang Chunlu, bronze medal winner of 500m short track speed skating in the 19th Winter Olympic Games, said that conquering oneself is the essence of the Olympics when she finished the torch relay in Changchun leg on Monday.

"There is no certainty in the Olympic Games. But one would get fruits if he or she makes great efforts," Wang said.

Wang had been badly hurt in training before the 19th Winter Olympic Games and her doctors even sentenced her skating career to death then.

"Thanks to God, I restored to health a month before the Games. Many people considered my recovery as a miracle," Wang said, "This made me realize that conquering oneself is the essence of the Olympic Games, no matter what the result is."

As the last torchbearer of the Changchun leg, Wang lit the cauldron this Monday morning. "Holding the torch, I have the same proud feeling as participating and getting a bronze medal in the 19th Winter Olympic Games," She said.

Wang, who was born in Changchun and garnered 27 gold medals in international events, started her skating career at 9 years old and retired at 25.

(Xinhua News Agency July 14, 2008)