21-year-old Choeyang Kyi, who became the first Tibetan to participate at an Olympics won a bronze medal in the women’s 20-kilometer race walk Saturday.
Beaming her way through the finish line, Choeyang said she felt honored to participate in the Olympics as a Tibetan.
"I'm extremely honored to take part as the first representative of the Tibetans at the Olympic Games and to win a medal," the Associated Press quoted Choeyang as saying.
Tibetans gathered to cheer Choeyang waved Tibetan flags along her route past the Buckingham Palace.
Choeyang said she heard Tibetans cheering for her.
"I heard it! Really. I heard a Tibetan cheering me on. At the time, I looked backward but couldn't see who that person was," she said.
Lodi Gyatso, a Tibetan living in England was one of the Tibetans who carried banners that said “You go girl, we Tibetans are with you.” Lodi said he had mixed feelings in seeing Choeyang’s participation in the Olympics. “As a Tibetan, I was very happy to see a Tibetan woman making history in this important event, but I was bit saddened at the same time that her win raised China’s flag at the award podium.”
Listen to the report (In Tibetan)
Kalsang Dhondup, executive secretary of Tibet National Sports Association based in India said Choeyang’s win is a matter of pride for all Tibetans.“Not only was Choeyang the first Tibetan to participate in Olympics, but she made all Tibetans proud by winning a medal,” said Mr. Dhondup.
Choeyang who was born into a nomadic family in Tsoejang in Amdo eastern Tibetan (Chinese: Haiyan, Haibei T.A.P, Qinghai province) was selected into the Qinghai Team in April 2008 and later into the National Team in June 2010.
Choeyang's coach Yuan Dejiu attributed Choeyang's physical strength to her upbringing on the high Tibtan plateau, according to Chinese state media Xinhua. Qinghai sports officials said many Tibetan children in rural areas have great athletic potential, but have not had access to proper training, reported Xinhua.
A Tibetan flag, left, pass Buckingham Palace at the 2012 Summer Olympics, Saturday, Aug. 11, 2012, in London.
Athletes walk past Buckingham Palace as they compete in the women's 20-kilometer race walk.
Choeyang kyi (R) and Russia's Elena Lashmanova compete in the women's 20km race walk final at the London 2012 Olympic Games at The Mall August 11, 2012.
A Tibetan flag, left, and a China's flag are hold by spectators during the women's 20-kilometer race walk, at the 2012 Summer Olympics, Saturday, Aug. 11, 2012, in London.
Competitors in the women's 20-kilometer race walk pass Buckingham Palace at the 2012 Summer Olympics, Saturday, Aug. 11, 2012, in London.
A Tibetan flag, left, and Chinese flag are held by spectators during the women's 20-kilometer race walk, at the 2012 Summer Olympics, Saturday, Aug. 11, 2012, in London.
A Tibetan flag, left, is displayed by spectators during the women's 20-kilometer race walk, at the 2012 Summer Olympics, Saturday, Aug. 11, 2012, in London.
Elena Lashmanova of Russia celebrates her gold medal in the 20-kilometer women's race walk at the 2012 Summer Olympics, Saturday, Aug. 11, 2012, in London.
Russia's Olga Kaniskina walks on her way to win the silver medal at the women's 20-kilometer race walk at the 2012 Summer Olympics, Saturday, Aug. 11, 2012, in London.
Choeying Kyi competes in the women's 20-kilometer race walk at the 2012 Summer Olympics, Saturday, Aug. 11, 2012, in London. Choeying won the bronze medal, Russia's Elena Lashmanova won the gold medal and Russia's Olga Kaniskina won the silver
Choeying Kyi celebrates her third place finish in the women's 20-kilometer race walk at the 2012 Summer Olympics, Saturday, Aug. 11, 2012, in London.
Choeying Kyi smiles as she finishes third in the women's 20km race walk final at the London 2012 Olympic Games at The Mall August 11, 2012
Elena Lashmanova won the gold medal, Olga Kaniskina won the silver and Choeying Kyi won the bronze.
Poses for the photos after earning the bronze medal in the women's 20-kilometer race walk at the 2012 Summer Olympics, Saturday, Aug. 11, 2012, in London. Russia's Elena Lashmanova won the gold medal and Russia's Olga Kani
Choeying Kyi poses for photographers after winning the bronze medal in the women's 20-kilometer race walk, at the 2012 Summer Olympics, Saturday, Aug. 11, 2012, in London.
Choeying Kyi poses for photographers after winning the bronze medal in the women's 20-kilometer race walk, at the 2012 Summer Olympics, Saturday, Aug. 11, 2012, in London.