He lost his left leg at the age of nine but still became three-time high-jump champion of the Paralympic Games. He suffered greater difficulties than many other people but won the respect of the world and also the love of a beautiful lady. He is Hou Bin the man who lit the cauldron at the Beijing Paralympic Games. Our reporter Yang Yang brings you more.

Reporter:

Hou Bin, a Chinese Paralympic gold medalist, winched up to light the Cauldron during the Opening Ceremony of the 2008 Paralympic Games at the National Stadium in Beijing on September 6, 2008. [Photo: Xinhua]

Hou Bin's experience can best illustrate the Paralympic spirit. And his sunny personality always encourages people around him.

"Psychological doubts are not given by other people but by yourself. What you want to do can be finally achieved. It just takes longer than for those able-bodied people."

Hou Bin was born in 1975 in Heilongjiang in northeast China. Unfortunately, he lost his left leg in a traffic accident when he was only nine years old. He has experienced a really hard time and his mum cried nearly everyday during that period. But this optimistic young guy told his mum not to worry about him – he would make it.

Before the accident Hou Bin was a good runner and even claimed second place in a school sports meeting. Encouraged by the spirit of the Paralympic athletes he saw on TV, young Hou Bin had a dream in mind. He also wanted to be a champion himself. So he started to practice high-jump and then got a chance to train in the Harbin Institute of Physical Education.

Hou Bin knew sport was the best way to prove himself so he worked extremely hard. When students from the Harbin Institute of Physical Education went home for their holidays, Hou Bin didn't, instead he stayed to continue his training by himself. He could never forget the loneliness and hardship he had experienced during that period of time, especially one night before New Year 's Eve— China's most important festival for family reunion.

"A few days before new year's eve, most restaurants in north China were closed. People all went back home to celebrate the festival. I bought two packages of instant noodles. One night when I was reading, two mice appeared to eat the only food I had. You can never know my feeling at that moment. If I scared them away I would get my food back. But I didn't. I knew they were also hungry and I didn't want to loose my only companions. "

As he opened his heart to us and shared this story we felt closer to this athlete who had overcome so many setbacks.
After much tedious hard work, Hou Bin finally realized his dream. In 1996 Hou Bin won his first Paralympic gold medal in the high jump and went on to win two more in the next two Games. It is not an easy job for able-bodied people to win three consecutive Olympic gold medals over 12 years, and it's certainly not easy for people with disabilities. But Hou Bin achieved it.

The medals that Hou Bin has won displayed at his home in Xiamen on May 6 2008. [Photo: CRIENGLISH.com]

Hou Bin is not only a winner in the athletic arena but also a winner in life. The way he met his wife was very romantic.

Hou Bin moved to Xiamen in 1999. In the area he was living few people knew him as a Paralympic Champion. One day when he entered a small shop near his home, Hou Bin received VIP treatment from the shop keeper, a beautiful Xiamen lady called Chi Yanzhen. Hou Bin was surprised that in this new environment he could be recognized. He soon realized that this lady didn't really know him at all. She just treated all her customers as VIPs, no matter how many products they came to buy.

Hou Bin was deeply attracted by Chi Yanzhen's kindness and became a frequent visitor to her shop. He gradually became a good friend of Miss Chi and her family. However when they finally decided to get married, Chi Yanzhen's family was concerned about their daughter's future. They tried to persuade Miss Chi to reconsider the decision, because now Hou Bin can walk with an artificial limb but when he gets older it could become very difficult. Chi Yanzhen's determined attitude finally convinced her family.

"My wife said I would like to take care of Hou Bin. Even if he has to use a wheelchair when we are out together I would be proud to walk alongside him. Later her dad gave our marriage his blessing. I am very grateful to my wife and her parents who accepted me. "

Hou Bin, the triple Paralympic Games high jumping gold medalist, poses for a photo with his beautiful wife Chi Yanzhen at his residence in Xiamen on May 6, 2008. [Photo: CRIENGLISH.com]

Hou Bin is lucky and he has achieved what he has after twenty years of hard work. Only he himself knows how long the way has been and how many difficulties a disabled person has to overcome. In order to help physically challenged people become more confident and be the champions of themselves, Hou Bin now devotes himself to a new passion – spreading the Paralympic spirit. As the first International Paralympic Committee (IPC) Ambassador, Hou Bin wants to take the opportunity to let more people know that people with disabilities are not that different from themselves.

"I think the 2008 Beijing Paralympics are an historic turning point for all physically challenged people who are participating or witnessing these games. More and more people are getting to know us through the Paralympic Games. Actually when you know us better, you will realize that we share the same aspirations as anyone else."

The Olympic Volunteers' song "I am a Super Star" is Hou Bin's favorite. He believes that everyone in this world is equal. Disabled and able-bodied people share the same dreams. And everyone is a super star.

(By Yang Yang)