Tan Xue, left, displays her overwhelming power on her way to the final, in which she met a fierce challenge from Mariel Zagunis of the United States. (Xinhua Photo/Chen Xiaowei)

     ATHENS, Aug. 17 (Xinhuanet) -- Chinese fencers Tan Xue and Wang Lei ended China's 12-year Olympic medal drought when they collected two silver medals at the Athens Olympic Games Tuesday evening.

    World champion Tan Xue came second to Mariel Zagunis of the United States in the women's sabre while Wang Lei lost to world number one Marcel Fischer of Switzerland 15-9 in the final.