Sang Lan
RELATED VIDEO CNN's Gary Tuchman reports from New York Windows Media 28K 56K

NEW YORK (CNN) -- 1998 is ending on an upbeat note for Sang Lan, the Chinese gymnast given little chance of walking again after landing head-first on a mat while practicing a vault at the Goodwill Games in July.

Over the past five months, the teenage athlete has shown significant improvement and has been a source of inspiration for others.

In hopes her recovery stretches into 1999 and beyond, New York City, where the games were held, is giving her a New Year's Eve honor.

As CNN's Gary Tuchman reports, the still partially paralyzed young woman, who takes English lessons and continues with physical therapy, will push the button that drops the famous Times Square ball to usher in the new year.