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A good Chinese kid
A scandalous seed of gossip was suggested to me last Friday and I think it is worthy of discussion on this blog. It is less than two weeks till the Olympics begin and anticipation is at an all-time high. Thousands of people lined up for the remaining Olympic tickets last week and the Olympic Village was opened today. The Chinese delegation for the Olympics was announced among howls of disgust at China’s choice of uniform. As anticipation rises, I wonder how the face of the Beijing Olympics, Chinese hurdler Liu Xiang, is feeling. It seems as though China’s success as a nation is hinged on the Olympics and as the face of the Olympics, the success of Liu is a rather important aspect of this success.
Liu hasn’t raced for a rather long time. Officially, he has a suspect hamstring and has been forced to watch while his world record was broken by Cuban Dayron Robles. The Chinese government must be worried because the 110m hurdles event at the Beijing 2008 is not just about a young Chinese man trying to repeat his gold medal success at Athens, but it is also about China being the best and having the ability to conquer the world. Nearly all of China’s Olympic coverage has focused on Liu and it is next to certain that China’s entire population of 1.3 billion people will be watching the final of the 110m hurdles on August 21. Knowing that the Beijing Olympics is a very inward-looking Olympics, can Liu afford to lose?
It has been suggested to me that the reason why Liu has withdrawn from recent races is because he is currently taking a course of performance-enhancing drugs. Chinese media reports like to remind people that Liu has been tested several times this year, but I think that it is unlikely that he has been tested at home and away from competition. Knowing that Robles is now the world record holder and that his best is no longer good enough, Liu may need to enhance his performance through illegal means. Of course this is very unlikely, especially when one considers Liu’s image of being a good kid, filial to both his parents and his country. However, the stakes are high – I am sure no one could refuse the hopes of 1.3 billion people and the motherland. If Liu bursts from the blocks and takes home a gold medal in world record time after being placed in cotton wool for such a long time, the Chinese world will be happy and I will be suspicious.
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Posted: 8:05 PM, 27/7/2008 in Beijing OlympicsShare on Facebook |
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Chinese Nationalism
I find it interesting that you raise two issues that very much concern me about having the Olympics in Beijing. First of all even from the media reports in Australia, the whole thing does not seem to be about nations competing for Olympic glory, but about Chinese nationalism and also international pride. I don't like this for two reasons, one is that the Olympics celebrate nations coming together, not how one is greater than others. Secondly because I don't really agree with an undemocatic government being help up as an example or as a place that the world can openly welcome (but I'm sure you'll disagree).
The other conern that I have is that the games will be marred by more people testing positive for the use of performance enhancing drugs. China's Olympic team has had many issues with athletes testing positive. The most memorable was the swimming team with shoulders about three times as muscular as most of the other athletes. I think it will be a big disppointment if China continues to allow it's competitors to use illegal drugs. This will also be a disappointment for China as they may win events and then have their medals taken from them as I know in the past all placegetters have been tested. |
Posted by AngelaJames at 9:32 PM, 27/7/2008 |
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shame
Anyone who has spent any time with Chinese students knows that cheating is endemic and that there is no shame in getting ahead by any means, only shame in getting caught.
Considering that the Chinese have completely missed the point of the Olympics and have decided to engage in some massive international manhood measuring contest then i would really laugh is Liu gets absolutely mullered by other competitors.
Sad, I used to love the Olympics, I just see it as a total farce now, given to a country that abuses its purpose, allowed to be hijacked by greedy corporations and filled with drug fuelled cheats of all nationalities.
This is not about East vs. West, it is about the greed and stupidity of all people involved.
I do find it funny how China has used this pathetic and outdated competition to be its big coming out party. |
Posted by Anonymous at 9:05 AM, 28/7/2008 |
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Judge
| I have only one response to the shame comment: Matthew 7:3. If you can honestly tell me that you have NEVER even cheated AT ALL on anything then I can honestly tell you that you're a pathetic liar. Some people work their butts off to accomplish things and when weak people like you attribute it to other things then you only bring shame upon yourself. Anybody who's spent time with Chinese students would know? Why don't you try BEING a Chinese student before you actually attempt to make judgments about them. Saying that cheating is endemic is racist and above all ignorant. Good job on making yourself out to be such a jerk. I hope it was worth it just to get your jabs in. |
Posted by Anonymous at 5:30 PM, 16/8/2008 |
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Mr
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Posted by harleystreet at 6:38 PM, 12/1/2010 |
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