Jiang Cuihua has been dreaming of winning the gold medal in the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games after returning from Athens with a silver, but all of a sudden, she found that she has nothing to fight for in the Beijing Olympics.
The International Cycling Union (UCI) announced last June that her event, the women's 500 meters time trial, would be replaced by bicycle motor cross (BMX) in 2008. It was a disastrous blow for Jiang, China's first ever Olympic cycling medal winner.
"I don't know why they made such changes, but this is certainly a disaster for me," said Jiang.
Jiang, who will launch her bid for the gold on Thursday in the National Games, has two options, switching to other event or just saying farewell to the sport.
"This might be the last time for me to bike in this event. The National Games gold is the only dream for me," she said.
"I will have to face the reality," she said. "I have confidence that I could prove myself in the National Games. "
The women's 500m time trial will remain in the world championships and World Cup Series but it's hard for Jiang to continue her career in a country to host the Olympic Games. She can hardly gain support from the Chinese Cycling Association.
A gold medal in the National Games will comfort the heartbreaking Jiang. And she is confident about it.
"I believe in myself. I am still the best in this event," said Jiang, who broke the world record when winning the gold at the ninth National Games four years ago.