China 'moves on' from Liu Xiang
You might think there'd be a period of national sporting mourning here for Liu Xiang (China's most famous sportsman, who pulled out of the 110m hurdles on Monday) - black drapes placed across his many advertisement, vigils on the street, a ban on public displays of affection, that kind of thing.
But China's far too busy inhaling gold medals to get depressed by Liu Xiang's departure. This country has won more gold than it has ever won before at a single games.
Tonight, I watched He Chong win the men's 3m springboard diving (a terrifying event to watch - since you spend your time in the crowd worrying that the divers will smash their heads on the diving board when they come twisting down from the sky).
But He Chong made it look easy. He carried a series of perfect dives, he bowed politely, and won the gold. The crowd cheered loyally - and everyone sang the national anthem together when the Chinese flag was raised above the pool.
I've been studying the victory poses of Chinese athletes at these Games. From what I can tell, a winning Chinese gold medallist essentially has three choices...
1) Humble servant - winner hugs coach, cries, stands politely on the podium, wells up a bit more, insists modestly that everyone else is responsible for his/her victory. exemplified by most of China's first-time gold medal winners.
2) Rock star - winner yells with joy, punches the air, nearly demolishes coach with hugs, throws clothes and equipment into crowd. exemplified by men's badminton singles winner Lin Dan who saluted the audience (as if everyone in the stadium was about to go to war) and then ran around trying to collect Chinese flags on an extended lap of honour.
3) Rightful champion - winner expects the rest of us to bask in the privilege of his/her greatness. exemplified by the female diver Guo Jingjing, whose greatest celebration after her first gold at these Games was a slight smile. She'd already won two golds in Athens - so she simply came here to collect another batch of golds that were rightfully hers.
If you've missed any of these celebrations, you've got plenty of chances to catch up. The Games aren't yet over - and China still has many more gold medals to come.
I’m 
© MMIX~RS~q~RS~~RS~z~RS~24~RS~)
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Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping said the following, according to the People's Daily:
"We hope he will relax and focus on recovery. We hope that after he recovers, he will continue to train hard and struggle harder for the national glory."
It's the matter of national GLORY!
A collective dose of Brother Wei for the nation?
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I like Lin Dan's celebration. He thrown his shoes into crowd, heard one man is trying to pay 100,000RMB(8000 Pounds) to buy another one so he can have one pair.
He lost in the first around in 2004, it was a shock to everyone who knew a little about badminton - he was world number one even then. He won the Gold easily this time, and proved himself undoubtedful world number one, in front his home supporters, and his pretty girlfriend.
Liu Xiang is still a hero, he made right decision to pull out, no need to risk his career. China has got enough Gold to beat USA anyway :-)
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James,
Here is another example of how you attemp to understand China by stereo typing Chinese and her athletes. You sounded like the celebrations of the Chinese athletes are taught, or prearranged by the government instead of spontaneous or individualistic celebrations (when you said they had three choices).
Maybe after more than a year in China you still haven't grasp China and its scale:
I offer you two classic Chinese thinking:
1. Whenever the forest is getting bigger, all kinds of birds will fly out. China won't be surprised for too long, it's a too big a country, too busy to stay sad for too long.
2. China is a vast country, with a long history, and with it comes big county effect, The Chinese understand the scale and of its nation and the heritage of its culture, the response to a given event is often measured and long lasting. This is in contrast to the "islander effect", typically applied to Britain and Japan. I invite you to do more research on this topic if you like.
Also, FYI, Lin Dan salutes the crowd because he is actually member of the Chinese liberation army. Do more research and you will find out more.
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After Liu Xiang?s pull out, the Chinese internet was filled with disappointments, encouragements, blames, anger, and various kinds of messages. The Government then released a statement that basically says that people should express understanding, and not give pressure to Liu. Thereafter almost all the messages of blame and anger disappeared from the Chinese internet.
This demonstrates that :
1.the Chinese people still follow the governments lines,
2.the Chinese internet is still very much censored by the government as the government sees fit.
Why is Liu such a national symbol of China ? Right after he won gold at the Athens Olympics he said these words to the Chinese press in the Olympic stadium itself, ?Who says a man of yellow skin cannot wins a man of black skin ! ?Here I am representing Asia !? These words were immediately published on the front pages of all Chinese newspapers. First, they mean that Asians can beat any race that dominates the sport. Second, it means that Chinese dominates Asia. These words were music to the Chinese and the Chinese government?s ears.
His words were never translated into English and published. Otherwise, Liu would have had trouble with the IOC for making statements with racist and political implications in an Olympic venue.
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One more interesting point, in a recent world-wide survey, it shows that most people in the West think China is not a threat, but most people of countries neighbouring China think China is a threat. Well, India and Vietnam did have a taste of China's might in the 1960*s and 1970*s.
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"TaiyuanRen wrote:
Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping said the following, according to the People's Daily:
"We hope he will relax and focus on recovery. We hope that after he recovers, he will continue to train hard and struggle harder for the national glory."
It's the matter of national GLORY!
A collective dose of Brother Wei for the nation?"
Another cynical politicise remarks from you again. Havent you anything positive to say without twisting everything.
Actaully the Vice President said "We all wish Liu a speedy recovery so he can again fullfill his ambition to represent his country".
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Ha ! I think James is really saying :
Choice 1: Humble servant---China
Choice 2: Rock star --------------US
Choice 3: Rightful champion----EU
That*s exactly how their respective political leaders behave in public. :)
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You might be on to something really profound here! Are such learned studies confined only to Chinese victors? What are the semiotics of victory among the other nationals competing, in and of themselves, and vis a vis one another? By the way, how many more golds does China have yet to come, is it all rigged, after all? No doubt the unison singing of the national anthemn at the ceremonies is rigged, anyway, It's only the well-heeled elites that get to go to these toney events anyway, most Chinese peasants are still toiling and moiling all the day long in there soggy rice paddies far from the bright lights and rock music, No gold for them.
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Well James, look at any other gold medallists and I think you can also easily put them into one of these three catergories? Although you would probably get less of 1) elsewhere.
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There's a 4th victory pose.
4) The Bolt back glance - looking at the crowd for a minute, now turn your head and give your rivals the Bolt back glance, they are nothing.
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"You might think there'd be a period of national sporting mourning here for Liu Xiang (China's most famous sportsman, who pulled out of the 110m hurdles on Monday) - black drapes placed across his many advertisement, vigils on the street, a ban on public displays of affection, that kind of thing.
But China's far too busy inhaling gold medals to get depressed by Liu Xiang's departure. This country has won more gold than it has ever won before at a single games."
Yes! Of Course!
China is the #1 in Gold, #2 in totally hard wares so far. But hey, your Brits are not bad either. For such a small country you got 16 already. And likely more will come. You dominated the cycling race in the bicycle country of China. When had GB ever in it's history get so many Olympic Gold before?
That reminds me, James, you once had laugh at the Chinese lucky numerology. Now don't you start to wonder? Even Michael Phelps agreed that lucky 8 makes sense to him since he got 8 Gold Metals himself.
You just got to believe the spill of " 08-08-2008 at 08:00 p.m."
Liu Xiang already had his legacy and fortune and China moves on. Never doubt that among the 1.4 billion, many more Liu Xiang will emerge along the way. Wait and see - 2012.
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Hopefully, nobody will think James here is criticizing China in any way... But then again, I don't think like those guys do, so maybe I shouldn't say anything.
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Replace "a winning Chinese gold medallist" with "a winning gold medallist" and you just about have it. I remember when Goran Ivanisavic won Wimbledon, came home and stripped down to his underwear in celebration. Just because a person is Chinese doesn't make him/her any less human.
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another yawner.
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"2) Rock star - winner yells with joy, punches the air, nearly demolishes coach with hugs, throws clothes and equipment into crowd. exemplified by men's badminton singles winner Lin Dan who saluted the audience (as if everyone in the stadium was about to go to war) and then ran around trying to collect Chinese flags on an extended lap of honour."
James, What can I say? As a journalist, you failed miserably and continue to do so. Do you know LIN, Dan (or Dan Lin) is a player from the sports team of the arm. Yes, Chinese arm, instead of invading other countries, has a sports team. There are more from the arm, competing in the games this time.
And Chinese do not like to boast himself in front of others, in contrast to American or British. That is what you call "Humble servant"....
I just do not know whether you speak or understand a little bit Chinese or Chinese culture. I am really disappointed by you and your reports.
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Wow, James, you write in a very patronizing way about Chinese people. Very typical of a traditional British person in fact, still stuck in a colonial we know better, we are better, mentality.
Sometimes I think that traditional British people aren't even aware of what they say and think as it so built into their mentaility they don't see it as being derogatory or offensive. And this blog is a clear example of that mentaility.
Come on James, haven't you anything better to write about. This blog is poor, poor, poor and not to forget mildly offensive.
ps. this is my unqualified psychological breakout of a typical British BBC reporter btw :)
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Since you mention Guo jing jing,
sher performanc ei swell above the rest of the other competitior.
I would like to draw everyone's attention, Guo is very much a handicapped, her left eye only has 10-20 % vision left, she might even qualified for the handicapped Olympi c games that followed.
Guo said she hardly could see the diving platform, she could only dive by feelings.
Like the single leg swimmer who made to the national swmiming team, these are real heros.
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Hi Yetingsong,
I'm afraid I disagree with you, James wasn't stereotyping anyone. A stereotype is a general opinion formed without trying to show individual differences. James was merely giving us his personal observations, which were both distinct and unique.
The feeling of the story towards the Chinese was positive, and you need to see that. True, his post would have been enriched by mentioning the PLA reference, but it wasn't bad without it.
My thoughts,
Luke
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Are u insane or just kidding? 'black drapes placed across his many advertisement, vigils on the street, a ban on public displays of affection, that kind of thing'. I now began to understand why people think British are freaks.
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Hey James,
Your last piece on Liu Xiang ' China Moves on'...........
Don't all athletes from any country act or do the same ?
Looking at Chris Hoy wrapped in a UK flag and running round the crowd soaking up the glory is just the same or Adlington doing pretty much the same.....Its all about glory and pride for your nation.
Why single out the chinese athletes for snide remarks . Surely they're earned the right to bask in glory given they are on top of the Gold medals list.
Normally your style is very balanced , why the tip?
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I should say you know nothing about China.
but you always try to pretent that you are an expert of China in front of western crowds who also do not have a clue of us.
I have been expecting BBC would send someone else to China who could report objectively which means he or she should not wear colored glasses.
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To be honest, I think your three categories of victorious behaviour could be applied any anyone who wins (regardless of country.) But when it comes to the Chinese athletes, they act in a manner they deem suitable for their own personalities and status (e.g. Guo acts in such a stern manner because she is the 'older sister' figure who younger divers look up to). Plus, being humble is a fundamental part of Chinese cultural teachings! No the bowing and thanking comes as no surprise.
Hahaha here in Hong Kong, Lin Dan is also nicknamed 'Show-Dan' because of his unique [and emotionally charged] way of celebrating victories! It's really quite amusing to see a athlete from any country start a mini-party once they know they've won...
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Is anybody going to report the story of Tan Zongliang, the shooter who won a bronze medal and was later humiliated in the state TV? In front of the cameras he was repeatedly asked how he feels about being so close to the gold medal and not winning it. Finally he broke down and admitted that he let his homeland down.
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James
You are suggesting that even the victory celebrations of the Chinese athletes are choreographed. You should keep an open mind about China in order to make a fair and balanced reporting. Many people reading your column haven't been to China and do not understand the Chinese culture and are forming their views based on these articles. Perhaps the Chinese athletes do not need you to do them justice, but you should do justice to the acclaimed journalism of BBC by getting rid of your mockery and cynicism.
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#4, yetingsong :
The Chinese gold medalists are not ordinary Chinese people. They have received pro-longed physical, discipline and psychological training from the government, and they have lived for years away from their families and friends.
This "big country effect", and "islander effect" are quite interesting. But the term "big country effect" has appeared in China only in the past 10 to 20 years. I wonder why it was never used in China before that.
Why do the US and Russia not have the "big country effect" ? Mind you, the Kingdom of Britannia was established some 2,000 years ago.
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To post 4
Although I don't always agree with James, his observation and interpretation as shown in this article made interesting reading, and fun-loaded to some extent.
I couldn't find anywhere he 'stereotyped' the Chinese, as far as this article is concerned.
He's in China for just a year, and you've got to allow time to brainwash him :-)
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#25, I_Love_China :
If you read BBC reports from Rupert Winfield-Hayes and Carrie Gracie, you will also find criticisms from them. Both of them stationed in China for a long time, they both speak fluent Chinese, and Cracie has a Chinese husband. They both understand Chinese culture.
News reports should always be critical. We don*t want to read reports that tell what everybody knows. We want to read reports with a different angle.
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"Two elderly Chinese women who applied to demonstrate at official Olympic protest zones have been ordered to serve one year each of reeducation through labour, a close relative said Wednesday.
In the latest signal that China's leaders will tolerate no dissent during the Games, Wu Dianyuan, 79, and Wang Xiuying, 77, were interrogated for 10 hours and sentenced to one year of "Reeducaton Through Labour," said Wu's son Li Xuehui".
But who cares, China won lots of gold right. I hope its been worth it...
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Both GB and China got great history background. We all learn from kids, British are famous to have "gentlemanship".
James, you sound more like those "arrogant
and hypocrite Amercians"
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"How could little yellow men and women be Olympians and in such great numbers too?" many in West must be wondering in their narrow minds, judging from the reports and postings that are flooding the Internet and media. Obviously, some westerners are still grappling with the shock that their preeminent position in the world is now being seriously challenged, if not overtaken, by a people that is not quite "our kind". So all kinds of reasons are thrown up for the Chinese successes - forced training, government-led, rigging perhaps. But what about those Chinese athletes who lost, and there were many. What are you going to say about them then? Forced training made them failures?
Just two days ago, the British commentator on the TV telecast of the women's gymnastic apparatus event quipped after yet a small-sized Chinese girl won a gold medal, that the Chinese are good but inconsistent. "They don't do well outside China or Asia", she said. Well, if the European/US gymnasts are that consistent then why didn't they do just as well in Asia/China? Why only in their continent or countries? That's the kind of comment that do your reputation as the guardians and champions of free-this and free-that no credit. You make a mockery of your standards and show that you are no more different than any human being on this planet who is plagued and pigued by very human traits of envy and arrogance. Sure, you can be so generous - but I notice that comes only when you are in the dominant position. And isn't that condescension then?
And don't distort history. China never invaded India or Vietnam unprovoked. Thanks to the British colonials, they arbitrarily re-drew the borders between China and India. India after independence moved in to "claim" the land, the Chinese threw them out, chased them to the gates of Calcutta, but guess what? They then withdrew. Ditto for Vietnam, who started the mischief. Have you forgotten that much of Asia was colonised for hundreds of years, with their natural resources stripped bare and shipped back to Europe, and their souls nearly destroyed, by the Brits, French, Portuguese, Dutch, Spanish.... How short your memories are.
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James I hace been reading your blogs for a long time... since enough Chinese readers bash you anyway, I don't bother... but I've just been thinking, don't you ever wonder why? Do you seriously believe all Chinese people are brainwashed by CCP indoctrination? That critical comments are all from Chinese internet police? What about those who grew up in the West like me? I suggest to improve your journalistic skills you should go to somewhere peaceful and serene and meditate, clear your mind of all prejudices and then start reporting again.
As for this latest blog... your observations on celebrations are correct, first time winners are often overcome with emotion and thank all those who helped them make it possible, the overt people like Lin Dan run around like a rockstar and the more introverted champions used to victory will simply smile to acknowledge their success. Now tell me how these reactions are different from athletes of any nation? Look at Phelp's winning celebration (rockstar)... Nicole Cooke was humble in her interviews and thanked her team mate (humble) and Chris Hoy was clearly not as excited by his 3rd medal compared to the 1st. So yes your observations were correct, but to imply the Chinese government planned them is simply wrong. People of all nations share one thing, they are all different.
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Why so many Chinese, or Chinese like, comments so denfensively towards James?
James' report is fair to me, a Chinese born and bred in China. (Even had military experience.) He is a journalist not a politician.
Chinese readers here really should not stereotype western journalists. James is obviously a fairly fair one amongst many.
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From this three catagories, you can say Chinese society is more divesity than any western country. This also reflect the current real China: people have free choice to express their sucess. The three catogries are very interesting to reflect the real Chinese culture in different angle:
1) Traditional chinese culture recoganises the team effort. The public interest goes first before personal interest. Success belongs to everybody. This tradition is the key to answer the question why chinese is the only civilisation nation lasting thousands years... No country, no family; no family, no individual!!!
2) Chinese society is also open and absorbing other culture which might help Chinese culture develop: Recognising individual efforts as well in certain extent.
3) If sucess comes to you and you deserve it, accept it and move on. No more proud, no more excitment. Life will carry on, something waiting for you ahead. This is also reflected in a saying: Not pleased by external gains, not saddened by personnal losses (Bu yi wu xi, bu yi ji bei).
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Post 29 whinejunkie
"The Chinese gold medalists are not ordinary Chinese people. "
>> true. they are high fliers.
"They have received pro-longed physical, discipline and psychological training from the government, "
>>> true, like anybody else competing at the Games.
"and they have lived for years away from their families and friends."
>> false. people choose sports as a career on their own decisions. whether they wanna stay near home or train away from home is their choice too. You can't force them to do anything.
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To Silkwhip
"And don't distort history. China never invaded India or Vietnam unprovoked"
Actually China invaded Tibet in 1950 and India in 1962, "unprovoked". Oh off course China waited until the British had left India before they did this. If only the British were successful in colonising Tibet, their country would be free from Chinese oppression now.
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China winning Gold at athletics is as rare as Westerners wearing jade. It would have been marvellously if he had taken a medal in the hurdle.....to go with his Athen's medal.
But look at US' Lola Jones, she clipped the last hurdle at 80m in the 110 hurdle sprint and then out finished last...... I felt sorrier for her than Xiang........
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Whinejunkie: "One more interesting point, in a recent world-wide survey, it shows that most people in the West think China is not a threat, but most people of countries neighbouring China think China is a threat. Well, India and Vietnam did have a taste of China's might in the 1960*s and 1970*s"
Number of military bases China has outside its borders: 0
Number of military bases US has outside its borders: over 800.
Surely, Vietnam is a contradictory example?
Did you not see that picture of the girl dosed by agent Orange? Running naked screaming through the streets? Did you not see the horror on her face - confronted with this poison from a 'superior' society so smug in its innate virtue and sense of mission?
Iraq? Afghanistan?
What makes nations expand is not so much their cultural features but Capitalism as a systemic force.
China has already been made save for capitalism. They're the now fellow capitalist brothers and believers in the 2 SUVs in the garage dream and conspicuous consumption enough to impress all the Jones in the world ---
Together We ALL destroy the world through our unsustainable rate of resource use -
Three cheers for humanity of all colors and stripes!! Hurray hip hip !
Hurray hip hip!!!
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Opps - mistake in last post:
It wasn't agent Orange, it was napalm!
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good article. i think james just want to be humourous. no politics is intended.
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hebeichina's right. I think James is just being funny. I don't think it's so much that China has 'moved on' from Liu Xiang though. I mean as great and famous as he is, he is just one of many athletes; there's no need to 'mourn' him when he's not dead. Yes his injury was unfortunate, and he won't get to win gold at the Olympics at home ever, but it's not some mass tragedy that breaks the nation. I mean come on, the guy has had enough pressure already, let's not make him responsible for an entire nation's mood as well. Besides, I think his endorsements are as good as ever, I mean he's still a former Olympic Champion and reigning World Champion isn't he?
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The article is not insulting or offensive in the slightest. End of.
It's a bit of light relief from the Games and is not meant to have any serious overtones.
Stop reading too much into it and looking to make these frankly stupid accusations about Westerners/Brits and this article.
Grow up.
Good article. Great Games.
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#7. hizento:
Another cynical politicise remarks from you again. Havent you anything positive to say without twisting everything.
Actaully the Vice President said "We all wish Liu a speedy recovery so he can again fullfill his ambition to represent his country".
-------
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no politimania
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ames perception of Chinese athletes giving the impression they are told or train to behave in how they come through when they win Gold. That is typical stereotype a westerner has about China. As far as I know every Chinese medallists behaved differently, they are free to do what they like and no need to conform to state or cultural perception.
It is not the Chinese athletes that were restricted to 3 choices, it is James Reynold who is the one that is really restricted to 3 choices ordered to him by the BBC which are
1. Stereotype another culture (China)
2. Politicise
3. Bias.
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-"After Liu Xiang?s pull out, the Chinese internet was filled with disappointments, encouragements, blames, anger, and various kinds of messages. The Government then released a statement that basically says that people should express understanding, and not give pressure to Liu. Thereafter almost all the messages of blame and anger disappeared from the Chinese internet."
There were disappointed people, yes, but they had every right to be disappointed. The majority of reactions were sympathetic despite the disappointment. The few initial negative reactions probably gave way to more sympathetic ones once people cooled down and had time to think things through (do remember that many people spent an awful lot for tickets just to see him).
And no, personal reactions from people would not change in the slightest upon release of a statement from the Government. I can't think of anything more ridiculous, really. We are not dummies and the Government do not pull our strings.
-"Why is Liu such a national symbol of China?"
Because it's a long-held assumption in China that the Chinese are physically not suited to field and track events. He's proved this wrong, therefore we are proud. What's the problem with this?
Also, why are there so many political statements on the comments? How on earth do they relate to the blog contents?
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to TrickyQuinsrl:
wow wow, another brave British human right fighter.
"British" can only be used in this month or maybe next month. In all other time, "British" will be considered as an offence to non-English.
Give north sea oil field back to the Scots and let them be independent again. Dare you do that?
Withdraw the English invaders and those who follow Anglican church and let the northern Ireland reunites with the rest of Ireland. Dare you do that?
Sounds ridiculous?
What your understanding of Tibet is far more ridiculous for Chinese.
Every country has their own culture and their own understanding of their own history. I don't think people who are from other background can truly understand it.
Don't be like a parrot which can't make you smart in any way.
China invaded India? There was a war between them, but what's the real reason?
It's the fault of British Empire. Why? I hope you can find it yourself.
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Take it easy! This article is not insulting in slightest at all. James is attentive to details and is just making an interesting observation. I like the rock star part, very hilarious discription(I watched that match too, Lin also rolled on the ground, but not laughing, shouting?). And I hope to see more of Lin Dan's poses among other Chinese champions-they make the games more interesting. And I think that #9's observation is also true, we Chinese as a bunch are all too humble.
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53. hizento
I like that. But would his boss was ordered
by the Amercians ?
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benbenwho
Completely ridiculous. We do not imprison, torture, and kill Scots and Irish for religious and polictical beliefs... or for crossing the border to another country.
Scotland and Northern Ireland have their own parliments and control over their affairs. Prime Minister Gordon Brown is Scottish! Sorry, but there is no much demand for independance there, but you are welcome to come here and protest for them if you want.
Dont worry, teaching the Chinese the truth about Tibet is pointless, the CCP and CCTV propoganda machine is working far too well. Hopefully in time you will realise why your government is hiding so much information. I know many Tibetans, the lucky ones who have escaped to a better life in India and the rest of the world.
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TrickyQuinRl, re: your entry 41
Get your facts right.
The British invaded Tibet around 1905 to prevent dominance of Russia in the region and to protect China from being invaded during it's weakness at the turn of the century.
Also, a reminder that the invasion into Tibet was from India, the jewel in the crown of the Empire....
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to TrickyQuinsrl:
Hoho
You assume i'm in China and don't know the real situation in the UK, don't you?
I'm living in London now and got my Master degree in Glasgow two years ago.
I think I know a hell lot more Scottish than the Tibetan that you know.
Can you please tell me who won the last Scottish Paliment elction? And what's their main policy?
I can't say 100%, but at least 80% of them don't admit they are British. They say they are Scottish and the nationality is UK. British is the name that those English invaders give to them.
Also what's Sinn Féin and what have they done in London during the late 20 century?Why is there no bin in london tube?
But please read my previous post carefully. what I mean is even though I have been living in your country for several years, I still can't trully understand your countries' history, culture and historic relations with other countries.
The same thing is applied to you as well.
Your post still make you a brainwashed parrot which only know to accuse we Chinese brainwashed, but can't get a clue about real history.
We can receive information from both Chinese and English books or websites. And it gives us more chance than you to grasp the truth.
Don't believe the BBC all the time as it sometimes broadcasts subjective news just like the CCTV does.
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james, i wanna tell you the truth-- a lot of Chinese people were really angry with Liu Xiang and cannot ever fogive him, as he cheated the public that he was OK before the game. we are also quite annoyed by his arrogant performance before the camera! he beneits from the natioanl sport system financially sponsored by the government and the people, but he surrendered in the olympic war, without combating, claiming that he was injured long long before--he was fooling the public! the reason of his cheating is, i guess, to keep his overestimated commercial value, to grab more money. The national media referred to "humanity" and "freedom" impotred from the west when commenting his retreat, without mentioning how much we taxpayers have paid on the national sport system-- we paid, we deserve respect. He is a lamaster, which will be executed during a war.
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To #55, xyz273:
*Because it is a long-held assumption in China that the Chinese are physically not suited to field and track events. He?s proved this wrong, therefore we are proud.*
Liuxiang has NOT proved that Chinese are physically suited for track and field. He is just the occasional exception, just like Taiwan*s Yang Chuan Kwang who won silver medal for men*s decathlon in 1960, and Chi Cheng who won bronze medal for women*s 80 m hurdles in 1968.
Chinese have been proved to be suited for gymnastics, diving, table tennis, badminton, which require agile physiques.
Why do Chinese insist to be number 1 in all kinds of sports ? Black and white people don*t find the need to prove that they dominate all kinds of sports. The next thing you know, the Chinese may want to be number 1 in all other aspects---economic, military, political, etc.
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It is sad that China moves on from Liu Xiang; but, it is part of moving on during the Olympics!
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