Yiwu: 96-year-old woman competes for Beijing Olympic Torchbearer

Many of us were deeply impressed when seeing the 73-year-old Chinese Athens Olymp i c Torchbeare r Na Zhong finishing his 400 meters relay four years ago . Today, however, a 96-year-old woman Weng Qiuyue who lives in Hujiang Road,Yiwu wants to be a 29th Beijing Olympic torchbearer . Helped by her grandson Ni Xiaofeng,Weng smoothly completed the Torchbearer Application Form the other day. So far,according to sources concerned,Weng is the oldest of all those who has filled out the Torchbearer Appli cation Form in China .
Weng Qiuyue was born in 1911 in an intellectual family in Jinhua and has received good education since her childhood . When she was at school, she has already shown her gift in sports . In October, 1933,Weng Qiuyue took part i n the Nati onal Sports Competi tion held in Nanj ing . She broke the national record in the 50-meter low hurdles and was placed fourth in the game .

Like Weng, all of her offspring love sports . Her daughter Xu Shuduan is a sports fan . Her grandson was once the champion of high jump in Jinhua . Her granddaughter has been the champion in short-distance race at her school for years . Even her 13-year-old great-grandson is a basketball star at school . Right now watching sport events is Weng Qiuyue' s favorite entertainment . Though a little thin, Ms . Weng i s sti l l in sound health .

Xu Shuduan told the journalist that several years ago during the Athen Olympi c Games ,Weng had stayed up all night to watch the opening ceremony, the volleyball games as well as the basketball games . She even excitedly uttered“come on”when she saw splendid performances . Xu Shuduan added that the whole family support Weng' s decision to take part in the torch relay . I f she wi ll be selected as the torchbearer,they will gather their kinfolks to accompany her finishing the whole distance.