World champion tatters Olympic dream in tears
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2006-02-15 09:07

But this time Wang lost the race to herself.

She ranked second after race one in 38.31 seconds, 0.08 seconds behind Zhurova. Their difference was further widened after race two, in which Wang finished at a time of 38.47 seconds and Zhurova 38.34.

Wang said her defeat was due to her mind.

"She (Zhurova) is mentally stronger than me. We are equal (in terms of competitiveness). We skated on the same rink. I lost the race due to my weak mental strength," Wang recollected herself after a moment of emotion release.

When asked whether she would retire with an Olympic silver, the 33-year-old said she was pretty emotional and hasn't thought about it at the moment.

Sitting side by side with Wang, gold medallist Zhurova smiled happily. She patted on Wang's shoulder to show her sympathy.

"I am really sorry for her. She skated very fast in recent years. She could have won the gold. The second place is always a sad position. It's very close to the gold," the Russian said.

Wang started skating at the age of 10. In 2004, she was awarded the Golden Skate by the International Skating Union.

Aged at 33, Wang is one of the oldest among the Chinese athletes in the Turin Winter Olympic Games. It was widely believed that Turin would be her last Olympics.