Against the Odds

The world jumped to its feet when basketball giant Yao Ming walked side by side with 9-year-old Lin Hao at the Beijing Olympics opening ceremony. But who was the little hero waving the Chinese flag?

Lin survived the devastating earthquake in Sichuan on May 12, 2008, that claimed the lives of 20 of his schoolmates. After freeing himself from the debris, Lin risked his own life by going back into the rubble and carrying two of his unconscious friends to safety.

When asked why he took such a dangerous risk, Lin simply replied that he was the hall monitor and it was his job.