A MAN with a limp in his right leg has traveled nearly 2,000 kilometers on foot from Shanghai to Shenzhen to show his support for the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

Zhou Genfa, 56, left Shenzhen for Hong Kong yesterday where he will complete his 2,008-kilometer journey.

Zhou began his trip July 16 and has walked 30 kilometers a day on average since then.

“Don’t treat me as a disabled person. Even if I have limb disability, I can do something good for myself and the society,” Zhou was quoted by the Chinese-language newspapers in Shenzhen as saying.

Since setting out from Shanghai, Zhou has walked through the provinces of Zhejiang, Fujian and Guangdong.

A teacher of physical education and a fan of Chinese martial arts, Zhou suffered a leg disability after a car crash in Hubei four years ago when he was traveling from Shanghai to Chongqing on motorcycle.

“I lost consciousness for five hours and felt the heaven had collapsed and couldn’t face the fact after the accident,” said Zhou.

But his lust for life was revived in 2006, when many provinces in China commemorated the 70th anniversary of the Red Army’s Long March.

“The Red Army finished their Long March in arduous conditions, and my suffering is nothing compared to theirs,” said Zhou. “I don’t want to spend the rest of my life at home.”

He decided to walk 2008 kilometers to mark the Beijing Olympics after receiving the support of his family.

“On the road, I received care and support from people whom I don’t know. Hotel owners offered me discounts and vendors gave me water and food without charges, and in some remote villages, police sent local people to give me guidance and directions,” said Zhou.

After walking for 1,200 kilometers, he was surprised to find that his right leg had become more flexible.

“In the past years, I often felt pains when I climbed stairs and hills, and often wrapped my foot even in summer days. But now the blood circulation is much better,” said Zhou.

“I hope disabled people don’t give up their hope for life and try to be strong,” said Zhou, who plans to write a book about his trip.

(Han Ximin)