Pu Rui, first winter Olympian from Pu’er

The 20-year-old Chinese skier, Pu Rui, competed in the freestyle skiing of women’s Ski Cross1/8 finals on Feb 17 in Beijing Winter Olympics.

It is the first time for her to compete in this event at Winter Olympic Games. She didn’t enter the finals but became a heroine in her hometown.

She was born and raised in the Meizi town of Ning’er Hani and Yi autonomous county, southwest Yunnan’s Pu'er city, a place that never snows in winter. However, a winter Olympian was brought up therein.

Early in the morning yesterday, Pu Rui's friends, relatives and former coaches all came to her home to cheer for her on TV. The yard had been packed before the game began.

"Since she was selected to the national team, we’ve missed her so much. And we’re proud of her for she’s representing the county," said the father Pu Wenguang.

Although she failed to reach the final, Pu Rui has already created a miracle in the Winter Olympics.

“I found Pu Rui was outstanding in sports in the fourth grade, and I’m happy that she’s eventually a skier at the winter Olympicss," said Wang Kaizhong, a PE teacher in the Meizi town.

Pu Rui and her teammate Ran Hongyun made it the first time to compete in women’s ski cross for China in Winter Olympics. "I’m honored to participate in the Winter Olympics, and I’m grateful to the country for training me," said Pu.

Reporting by Tao Xiaoyi (Ning’er Media Center); Trans-editing by Mo Yingyi