Tanzanian Olympic hero John Stephen Akhwari poses for a picture during the shooting of the music video "The Hero" at the track-and-field arena of Beijing Forestry University on January 2, 2008. [Photo: CRIENGLISH.com/Yang Yang]

Tanzanian Olympic hero John Stephen Akhwari shot a music video with Chinese musician You Hongming in Beijing on the second day of 2008. The video, named "The Hero", is set to celebrate humanity and the Olympic spirit, as well as send best wishes to the coming Beijing Olympic Games. Our reporter Yang Yang has more.

Reporter:

Tanzanian marathon athlete John Stephen Akhwari, who gave the world a touching moment in 1968 and became an instant hero in the hearts of millions, arrived at the Beijing Forestry University track-and-field arena on January 2, 2008.

The 70-year-old hero wore a Tanzania National Team outfit and a Tanzania hero medal glittered on his left breast. Akhwari's running silhouette brought everyone back to the year 1968, when he attended the Mexico City Olympics at the age of 30.

Not long after the start of the marathon event at the Mexico Olympics, Akhwari fell down and was badly injured because he was not used to the climate of Central America. The other runners passed him one after another and his chance of winning a medal became extremely slim. However, he didn't quit, but insisted on finishing the race.

When Akhwari stepped into the stadium with bloody and bandaged legs, the winner of the race had already left an hour earlier and there were only a few spectators remaining in the stands preparing to leave. They were shocked to see Akhwari wincing with pain at every step towards the finishing line, and they were grateful to witness such a touching moment.

When asked why he didn't retire from the race, Akhwari answered calmly.

"My country didn't send me 7000 miles away to start the race. They sent me to finish it! "

Inspired by Akhwari's story, Chinese singer You Hongming, together with some other Chinese musicians, composed a song named "The Hero" for the Beijing Olympic Games. You Hongming thinks that the song is not only a homage to Akhwari's spirit but also a celebration of humanity.

"Akhwari's spirit of perseverance not only shines in the arena of track-and-field but also in all aspects of our lives. Every one of us must endure a life-long race. No matter what happens in between we have no reason to give up. As long as we strive until the end, we will be the hero of ourselves .That's the message the video intends to send out."