Woman, 97, pedals 2,400km by to watch badminton

updated: 2008-08-14

BEIJING - A 97-year-old grandmother has travelled 2,400 kilometres (1,491 miles) by tricyle to watch the Chinese badminton team in action at the Beijing Olympics.

Xiao Xincui, affectionately known as old Xiao, sat in the back while her grandson Liu Xianghui provided the pedal power on their mammoth journey from Henan province in central China.

The epic trip took five weeks and they arrived to see women's singles champion Zhang Ning play on Sunday.

"I'm very excited to be here," said Xiao.

Her grandson said he wanted to make the trip as a thank you to Xiao for bringing him up after his father died when he was young.

Their journey has caught the imagination of the Chinese media and public and they now have tickets to see the 110m hurdles final at the National Stadium.