Paralympic veteran finds it hard to give up competing

In 2011, Peng retired and opened a small retail store in Qiqihaer, in Heilongjiang province.

She got married to her then-teammate and current coach, Fu Chunshan in 2013 and gave birth to a baby girl in 2014.

But On July 31, 2015, when Peng saw Beijing winning the bid to host the 2022 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, her dream of going to the Paralympic podium brought her back to the ski course.

Peng joined the Beijing team as a coach and athlete in 2015, and earned her the ticket to Pyeongchang Paralympic Games in December.

"I would like to thank my husband and coach. He supported and trained me."

In Pyeongchang, she competed in the women's 15 km freestyle standing, the 7.5 km classic style standing and sprint classic style standing, but didn't surpass her best.

"I'm not satisfied with my results, but I tried my best," says Peng, who has not enjoyed any holiday since last May, when she began preparing for this year's games.

Having been away from her daughter for 10 months, Peng misses her a lot.

Describing her feelings, she says: "I just watch her playing through the video call."

In the team, Peng is also everyone's "big sister", taking care of her teammates and other athletes.

Xue Hanfang, the translator of China's para-cross-country skiing and biathlon national team, says Peng is always willing to help others.

"When we attend competitions abroad, Peng cooks for us (if the hotels don't provide food). She also helped (the disabled) athletes with their clothes and other chores."

"She is also keen to learn English, and sometimes helped communicate with foreigners when I was busy," Xue says.

Peng plans to retire again next year, but her passion for the Paralympic Games will not die.

Now she is coaching nine athletes for cross-country skiing for the Beijing team.

"And I'll probably join the 2022 Beijing Paralympic Winter Games as a coach, and I hope my athletes can fulfill my dream and stand on the podium in 2022."