A handicapped girl was forced to protect the sacred flame from repeated assaults by supporters of Tibet Independence separatists during the torch relay in Paris.

Her chin and shoulders were scratched, but she refused to give the torch away. She said her courage also came from the support of the French public.

The courage she showed has won her respect among Chinese netizens. During the torch relays in Paris and London, overseas Chinese united to preserve the dignity of the flame.

Jin was supposed to be the third torchbearer in the Paris relay on Monday, but plans were changed because of the chaotic protests. The torch was eventually passed to her on the banks of the Seine River. Before her torch could be lit, several protestors threw themselves at Jin and her two companions, including one who is blind.

Jin Jing said, "They tried to grab the torch away from me. I dodged from one side to another. When they failed, several others rushed out and tried again. I held the torch with both hands, bent down in my wheelchair and protected the torch with my back."

Her chin and shoulders were scratched, but she refused to give the torch away. She said her courage also came from the support of the French public.

Jin Jing said, "They told me to hold on."

Jin Jing also spoke out as an athlete.