But Jin tried to downplay her valor.

"I don't think I did anything great," she said. "Any Chinese or Olympics-loving torchbearer would protect the torch under such circumstances."

Jin said she was also deeply touched by Chinese students in Paris. "They were fearless and brave facing up to the separatists. I was moved to tears seeing so many Chinese students waving national flags and singing the national anthem along the route."

Jin's mother, Liu Huayao, said that she was shocked that protesters would turn violent against a person in a wheelchair.

"Now we know the true face of the Tibetan separatists."

Chinese netizens have expressed their admiration of Jin, and indignation over the separatists' acts.

"Those separatists should feel ashamed. They always talk about human rights, but they attacked a weak and disabled girl," Heya Ting said.

"I burst into tears when I saw how you protected the flame," said one user on Sohu.com. "I think you protected the torch and also saved the spirit of the Olympics."

International Olympic Committee President Jacques Rogge yesterday said assaults and attacks on the Olympic torch are unacceptable.

Rogge told a news conference that what shocked him most was the violence against disabled and defenseless torchbearers.

(China Daily April 11, 2008)