Five Olympic Games, five Olympic Rings mark Gong Lijiao's dream

China's veteran female shot putter Gong Lijiao will participate in her fifth edition of the Summer Olympics in Paris at the age of 35.

One of the world's most-decorated track and field athletes, Gong has won two world championships and one Olympic gold medal. She threw 20.58 meters to establish her personal best and take home the gold from the pandemic-delayed Tokyo Olympics in 2021. Before that glorious moment, she finished in third, second and fourth place in the previous three editions of the Games in Beijing, London and Rio de Janeiro, respectivley.

Despite her victory in Tokyo, Gong never stopped trying to break new ground.

"When I threw 20.53 meters, I knew that I would win the title," Gong told China Media Group (CMG). "After that, I felt such a relief and aimed for 21 meters."

Dieter Kollark of Germany became Gong's coach again ahead of this season's winter training session. Though the two didn't meet immediately, Kollark made detailed training plans for Gong every day via the internet. She began to increase her workload from June. She has developed remarkable skills, flexibility, muscle energy and a peaceful mindset over a career spanning more than two decades.

Gong's top performance this season has been 19.72 meters, the seventh-best mark in the world, leaving her behind compatriot Song Jiayuan. The top-five shot putters have all surpassed 20 meters. Gong left for Germany to join coach Kollark this month, and will participate in a series of competitions as part of her pre-Olympic preparation.

"I'm at a different age, but I still have the same goal, which is, as always, to win the title and to surpass my best record," Gong said.