Veteran pair misses medal in last dance

Pang Qing (top) and Tong Jian of China compete in the pairs free skate figure skating competition at the Iceberg Skating Palace during the 2014 Winter Olympics, Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2014, in Sochi, Russia. [Photo/Xinhua]

"I was so moved and that feeling was incredible," Pang recalled.

Pang and Tong finished second to teammates Shen Xue and Zhao Hongbo in Vancouver.

"If we had won gold, we would have missed a unique experience these years. I have thought about retirement several times, but Pang persuaded me to continue. She has been my inspiration," said Tong.

The 34-year-old Tong, the oldest athlete in the Chinese delegation, sustained a knee injury last summer and the pair came back to win the bronze medal in the Grand Prix Final last December.

"Just standing on the ice here is a victory for them," said Chinese figure skating team manager Ren Hongguo. "Medal or no medal doesn't matter any more."

In seven world championship appearances they have won two gold, one silver and two bronze medals. They won three golds at the Four Continents Championship between 2008 and 2011.

"It is our last Olympics. I feel so sad that we are going to say goodbye to the sport we love," said Tong.

"We have put off our wedding for the Olympics. Now it's time to think about it. The new life has begun," Tong added, with a smile.

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