Grandma, 97, Bikes 1,500 Miles for Badminton

A Chinese woman, 97, traveled nearly 1,500 miles on a tricycle pedaled by her grandson to watch the Chinese Olympic badminton team compete at the Summer Games.
Xiao Xincui, whose affectionate nickname is "Old Xiao," traveled from Hunan province in central China to Beijing for Sunday's early-round match between reigning Olympic champion Zhang Ning of China and Salakjit Ponsana of Thailand. Zhang won.
Xiao could be heard chanting "Zhong Guo Jia You! which means "Come on China!"
"I'm very excited to be here," she told organizers's news services.
Xiao and her grandson left Hunan on March 5 and arrived to Beijing April 11. Their journey was well-chronicled by the Chinese media, and they received tickets to one of the biggest events of these Olympics: The 110-meter hurdles final at National Stadium Aug. 21, which will feature Olympic and world champion Liu Xiang of China.

By Amy Shipley  |  August 10, 2008; 9:27 PM ET  | Category:  Badminton
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Posted by: d | August 11, 2008 10:40 AM

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