Tears of sympathy for nation's fallen hero
Source: Agencies |
August 8, 2012, Wednesday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
MANY of his fans back home in China were in tears as they hailed hurdler Liu Xiang their hero after the former world-record holder and 2004 Olympic champion crashed into the first hurdle in his 110-meter hurdles heat at the London Games yesterday.
His fall shocked and saddened his supporters, who were posting bawling emotions on microblogs.
"I have to admit, I cried at that moment," mircoblogger Little Actor Zhou Xuanqi wrote. "I wish he could recover soon."
There was an outpouring of support and sympathy for the athlete across the nation.
"He lost the race, but he is a winner in life," an online editorial by Sina Sports read. "He has succeeded by standing on the race track while enduring the pain."
"I think everyone is feeling sorry for him," said Huang Wanqing, a 24-year-old company clerk in Beijing. "When we saw him jumping with one leg out the field, we all think that he's already a great guy and he has done what he should."
Guan Yi, a 27-year-old social worker in the capital, said: "I think he was suffering too much pressure. I just hope he can recover soon. I know how tough it is to be an athlete."
Liu is not thinking about retiring, China's athletics team leader Feng Shuyong told a press conference yesterday.
However, when he was asked whether the 29-year-old Shanghainese could return from this latest setback, Feng said: "It is hard to say. Lots of athletes get injured and come back. It depends on many factors. I hope all the fans can understand this and that anything can happen. It happens to many athletes."
Feng added: "We've all seen how hard it is for him. It is such a pity but his spirit is there. It is the true Olympic spirit, winning is not so important, participation is what matters.
"The injury is the same one he had in Beijing. In the past several years he has had good medical care, but it is still there. An Achilles injury is almost impossible to recover fully from."
"Personally, I think he gave a lot of effort in the past four years trying to do well. He hoped to be in the stadium on the start line in the final but this is competitive sport and anything can happen."
"I really appreciate the effort he has put in over four years. We must realise how difficult it is and many difficulties he has conquered," Feng added.
"It is a real pity for him and for Chinese track and field. We believe Liu Xiang will be OK."
His fall shocked and saddened his supporters, who were posting bawling emotions on microblogs.
"I have to admit, I cried at that moment," mircoblogger Little Actor Zhou Xuanqi wrote. "I wish he could recover soon."
There was an outpouring of support and sympathy for the athlete across the nation.
"He lost the race, but he is a winner in life," an online editorial by Sina Sports read. "He has succeeded by standing on the race track while enduring the pain."
"I think everyone is feeling sorry for him," said Huang Wanqing, a 24-year-old company clerk in Beijing. "When we saw him jumping with one leg out the field, we all think that he's already a great guy and he has done what he should."
Guan Yi, a 27-year-old social worker in the capital, said: "I think he was suffering too much pressure. I just hope he can recover soon. I know how tough it is to be an athlete."
Liu is not thinking about retiring, China's athletics team leader Feng Shuyong told a press conference yesterday.
However, when he was asked whether the 29-year-old Shanghainese could return from this latest setback, Feng said: "It is hard to say. Lots of athletes get injured and come back. It depends on many factors. I hope all the fans can understand this and that anything can happen. It happens to many athletes."
Feng added: "We've all seen how hard it is for him. It is such a pity but his spirit is there. It is the true Olympic spirit, winning is not so important, participation is what matters.
"The injury is the same one he had in Beijing. In the past several years he has had good medical care, but it is still there. An Achilles injury is almost impossible to recover fully from."
"Personally, I think he gave a lot of effort in the past four years trying to do well. He hoped to be in the stadium on the start line in the final but this is competitive sport and anything can happen."
"I really appreciate the effort he has put in over four years. We must realise how difficult it is and many difficulties he has conquered," Feng added.
"It is a real pity for him and for Chinese track and field. We believe Liu Xiang will be OK."
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