Loved by some and hated by a few, Luo Xuejuan blitzed her way to the top of the women's 100 meters breaststroke at the Athens Olympic Games.

　　The 20-year-old shrugged off not only the doubts from her "enemies" but also her long-time illness, in and out of the swimming pool.

　　After stepping down from the champion podium and waving the Chinese national flag to her ecstatic teammates on the pool side, Luo made the shocking comments: "I want to say 'thank you' to those who love me and those who hate me!"

　　So who hates Luo?

　　Luo was first known when she claimed two titles over the 50 meters and 100 meters breaststroke events at the Fukuoka World Championships in 2003. She became more famous after she described herself as the "beast ready to dart" - a contrary to her home town Hangzhou famed for its beautiful and gentle ladies.

　　Three months later, big banners "swim like a beast" were held up at the quadrennial National Games when Luo triumphed in her favorite 100 meters breaststroke. However, she was not satisfied.

　　"Why some swimmers care more of their personal profits than the national pride?" Luo attacked those who saved energy at international events but tried the utmost for high bonus offered by their own provinces at the National Games.

　　Her straightforward talk raised a long-time controversy on whether it is necessary to hold the expensive sport event within the nation every four years besides the Olympic Games. She was considered the most outspoken athlete in China since then.

　　"If I could go back to that situation again, I might say something more skillfully. Maybe I have enraged some people and been hated, but I never regret what I've said," she said.

　　Luo completed her second golden breaststroke double at the worlds in Barcelona, Spain in 2003 besides the 4 X 100 meters medley relay title.

　　In Athens, she stunned the world's most talented contingent of women breaststrokers: world record holder Leisel Jones, Amanda Beard, world record holder for the 200 meters, Tara Kirk and Brooke Hanson.

　　As the second slowest finalist from the semi-finals, Luo turned lane one to No 1. She left no chance to her rivals, winning the 100 meters in one minute 06.64 seconds, 0.16 seconds faster than her personal best.

　　Luo later explained who were her "enemies" to seal off the hot topic for months among Chinese Internet surfers after the Olympics.

　　"I was over excited at the time and used the improper words. What I meant is that I was grateful to those who either love me or don't like me. Criticism can help me to be calm and cool. And it will be better for me if I could know why others don't like me."

　　With five world titles and one Olympic crown to her credit, it seems Luo has nothing more to prove as one of the most successful swimmers in China.

　　Luo revealed her next goal is to complete a golden-triple at next year's worlds in Montreal, Canada and the then Beijing Olympics.

　　"I hope I can defend my titles next year in Canada and of course in Beijing."

　　(Xinhua)