After the surgery, Zhao began her race with the time in recovery and it was up to Chen Zhonghe to decide whether to take her to Athens.

"Two weeks before the Olympic Games, there were 13 players with the team and I knew our coach had not make up his mind," Zhao said. "All I could do was to try my best in recovery."

Chen Zhonghe finally decided to take Zhao to Athens and surprisingly put her to the starting line-up in China's first group match against the United States on August 14, but she got her right leg broken again on her first touch of the ball.

Then she spent the rest of the Games on the bench cheering for her teammates, who rallied past Russia 3-2 in the final for China's first Olympic gold medal in 20 years.

"Although I did not play, I was so happy that we won," Zhao said. "I was so nervous that I dared not look at the scoreboard."

"Some people said I was pitiful, I am not. Some people said the gold medal was too easy for me, I believe no athlete would like to win this way."

Having spent the next three years recovering from her injury, Zhao finally made her comeback in March 2008 in a series of warm-up games against Cuba.

"I had told myself not to give up and my efforts finally paid off," said Zhao, who was in final preparation with the national team in Tianjin.

"To play in the Olympics is a wonderful feeling. This time I would like work shoulder to shoulder with my teammates and try my best to win a well-deserved gold."