Figure skater Tong to carry Chinese flag

Pang Qing and Tong Jian of China perform at the 2013 World Figure Skating Championships in Paris, Nov 16, 2013. [Photo/icpress.cn]

China's figure skater Tong Jian received a big pat on the back as he was announced as the flag bearer for the Chinese delegation at the Sochi Winter Olympic Games on Feb 5.

"It's a great honor to be the flag bearer of the Chinese delegation," said Tong, who was doing final preparations in Beijing. "It will be a good memory for my whole life. I hope I can perform well at the Sochi Games to repay all the trust put on me."

It is the fourth and last time Tong and his partner Pang Qing will compete at the Winter Olympic Games.

The lovebirds took a silver medal in figure skating pairs at the Vancouver Games four years ago in Canada.

They also won the 2006 and 2010 world championships.

The 34-year-old Tong is the oldest of the 66 Chinese athletes that will compete in Sochi.

"Tong has excellent achievements in competition and also possesses good morality," said Xiao Tian, China's deputy chef de mission.

"He is the most experienced athlete in the delegation and has a good physique. He is the best choice for the flag bearer," Xiao added.

Tong and Pang will leave for Russia on Feb 6.

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