Short track speed skater Liu Qiuhong will be the Chinese flag bearer at the Winter Olympic closing ceremony, announced Xiao Tian, deputy chef de mission on Saturday.

It was the first time China selected a flag bearer who didn't win a medal at the Winter Olympic Games since 2002 Salt Lake Winter Olympics.

The short track veteran missed the 2010 Vancouver Games due to injury.

"We had expected freestyle skier Li Nina to carry the flag, but she has not recovered from her foot injury," said Xiao.

"Liu Qiuhong is also a respectable player," Xiao said. "Winning a medal was not that important."

The Sochi Winter Games will conclude on Sunday.