A stitch in time wins gold for female athletes

Confidence, determination, a strong mind, all these things have helped fuel China's dominating women's athletes at the Beijing Olympics. But there is something else behind the medals most fans might not be able to see: embroidery.

Stitch work may have little to do with winning gold medals, but the fact that six different Chinese gold medalists count it among their top spare-time hobbies, the needle and thread bears consideration as a factor behind the success of some of China's newest national heroes.

So why would a top-level athlete look to a craft requiring so much patience and concentration to pass the time?