"We have changed our mind and decided to continue until the 2010 Vancouver Games," said Zhao Hongbo, 33 and China's top figure skating world champion.

China's Shen Xue (R) and Zhao Hongbo perform during the pairs free skating at the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating-NHK Trophy in Nagano, central Japan December 1, 2006. The pair finished first in the pairs event. [Reuters]

Zhao and his partner of 14 years Shen Xue, 28, announced their retirement and wedding after the 2007 World Figure Skating Championships tournament earlier this year

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The ace veteran pair won the world titles in 2002 and 2003 and finished third at this year's Turin Olympic Games despite Zhao's bad Achilles tendon injury months before the Games. "Our biggest regret was not winning the Olympic title," Zhao said.

But the tow reserved former decision that they would compete less in 2007. "We hope to leave for a while next year. But given our good form, we believe we will still be in a class of our own when back on venue," Zhao said.

According to a winter games official, Shen and Zhao are likely to grip an easy win at 2010 Games if they hold their mode then since Russia's Turin gold winner Tatiana Totmianina and Maxim Marinin left the ice after their Olympic triumph.

Shen Xue was also optimistic about their Olympic chance, "We are very confident because we succeed nine times out of ten during training."