China's veteran pair hope to bow out in 2010 with an Olympic medal

China's veteran pair hope to bow out in 2010 with an Olympic medal

BEIJING, Nov. 7 (Xinhua) -- Chinese pair Pang Qing and Tong Jian had been tipped to open a new era in figure skating when they won the world championships title in 2006. But it seemed not the reality.

Pang and Tong had to settle for a bronze medal here on Friday in the International Skating Union Grand Prix Cup of China, failing to end their title draught in major international events since the world championships success.

To the music of a selection of passionate Tango, Pang and Tong, in red-and-black costume, delivered a smooth performance in free skating on Friday. However, they were forced to cancel some movements due to Tong's injury, and two lapses in single jumps cost them seven points.

"We were supposed to do a two-and-a-half jump, but I'm suffering from an Achilles's tendon injury and it didn't allow me to finish that movement." Pang said at the post-competition press conference.

Tong sprained his ankle in August and rested for nearly a month. The injury aggravated as he intensified training to prepare for a national competition in October.

"I once really thought about quitting, but I chose to persist. Because I believe we still have potential to tap even after our success in 2006," said Tong.

"Besides, we don't want to leave with an unrealized Olympic dream," added the 29-year-old.

Pang and Tong finished fourth in the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin.

"Everyone has a dream, we hope to fulfill our Olympic dream in Vancouver 2010, which is our third Winter Olympics, or maybe the last one," said Pang.