The 55-year-old, who lost both legs at the age of 18, is hoping to raise as much as possible by selling her medal from Barcelona and other memorabilia to pay for an operation on her back which will cost $32,000 (£21,000/€24,000). 

Liu won the discus in the THS2 category at Barcelona 21 years ago. 

She has blamed the heavy training regime she followed as an athlete for her current problems.

"In the past I traded medals for my health while now I want to sell the medals for the sake of my health," she said.

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