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

Hou Bin, a champion Paralympic high jumper, was born in Jiamusi city in Heilongjiang Province in 1975. When he was nine years old, he lost his left calf in an accident.

Hou set an astonishing record in his first performance at the 10th Paralympic Games, when he jumped more than 1.92 meters high. Afterwards, he retained his title in the following two Paralympics.

Philip Craven, president of the International Paralympic Committee (IPC), announced at a press conference in January that Hou had been appointed the first IPC Ambassador.