Off Track ..... Short hair secret of Zhou's success

The audience was loudly cheering Chinese marathon runner Zhou Chunxiu, but it was not only for the bronze medal she won - it was also for her new hairstyle.

"I wanted a new image for the Olympic Games, and I hope I can make a breakthrough at this Games," said Zhou, who claimed bronze in the women's marathon yesterday. "Although I settled for a bronze, I'm very satisfied with my result."

After the "Good Luck Beijing Walking Challenge" in April, a pre-Games test event, Zhou cut her long hair short, leaving only a slim ponytail in the back.