"To me, the Olympics mean challenging myself and realizing my dream. I had to try my best during the Games after I qualified to compete. As for the result, let it be."

Ma Yanhong, the first Chinese gymnastic world champion and uneven bars gold medallist at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympic Games

"The Olympics stand for dreams, gains, happiness and enjoyment."

Liu Xiang, 110m hurdle gold medallist at the 2004 Athens Olympic Games

"As I entered the Olympic village in Athens in 2004, the feeling was totally different from [the feeling I got from] other events. It was my first Olympic Games. All the Chinese athletes united as one person to compete for the country. The Olympics mean much more -- pressure as well as motivation -- to every Olympian."

Bao Chunlai, a male badminton player

"I think participation in the Beijing Olympic Games is a dream shared by every athlete. We must make every effort to qualify for that. There are no exceptions for us, athletes who used to won Olympic gold medals."

Jia Zhanbo, gold medallist in 50m rifle 3 positions category at 2004 Athens Olympic Games

"The results may be good or may not. I won't regret it as long as I've tried my best."

Qi Hui, women's 200 m breaststroke specialist

"I'll try my best to qualify for the Beijing Olympic Games and realize my dream."

He Ying, silver medallist in women's individual archery at the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games

"The Olympics mean courage. The power of courage makes me fight till the end."

Tang Lin, gold medallist in women's judo 78 kg at the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games

"The Olympics mean participation. A gold medal, to me, was not the final target. I just wanted to play my part well since I was a professional athlete."

Qiao Hong, gold medallist in women's table tennis doubles at 1992 Barcelona and 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games

"The Olympics mean pursuing my dreams."

Huang Jinbao, a cyclist from Hong Kong

"The Beijing Olympic Games, to me, mean starting over again from the very beginning."

Zhou Yuanguo, a top windsurfer

"The Olympics can be regarded as a stage that can make every one's dreams come true. It is true that every Olympian has his or her own dream. The Beijing Olympics to me probably means my last remaining dream."

Wang Zhizhi, center, Chinese men's national basketball team

"No pain, no gain. I'll win a gold medal in Beijing as I did in Athens four years ago, and I'll give my coach a big hug as compensation for my neglect last time."

Liu Chunhong, gold medallist in women's weightlifting 69 kg at the 2004 Athens Olympic Games

"I'll beat all my rivals to win a gold medal."

Zhou Ziqi, a female fencer from Hong Kong

"The opportunity of participating in the Olympic Games is previous for football players since there is a limitation on age. I'll try my best to compete for China. But if I fail, I would like to go to Beijing to watch the Games. It's good to feel the Olympic spirit inside the venues."

Sun Xiang, a member of Chinese men's national football team

(Source: CCTV My Olympics)