Chinese athletes' impressive performance at the last two Olympic Games showed us how far China has come in the world of international sports. But the Chinese football team's failure to qualify for the World Cup reminds us how far China still has to go. This assessment aims not to critique the Chinese football team, but calls on China to keep moving its sports policies forward by rethinking its approach.

China's record-breaking gold medal count at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, amassed through achievements in events that China traditionally excels in and ones that are more unexpected, proved that it has the willpower and ability to shine in almost any sport. Football should be no exception.

Through the Beijing Olympics and this year's World Cup, we have witnessed how sports is a potent symbol of changing global dynamics. Events like the Olympics and the World Cup should be characterized as "sports-centered events" rather than just "sports events". They not only unite sports fans across political divisions, but also create opportunities for people to learn about other cultures.