As the Chinese saying goes, humans are afraid of fame just like pigs are
afraid of being fat. China's 100-m hurdle Olympic gold medallist Liu Xiang, is
no exception.
Liu Xiang of China celebrates setting a new
world record in the men's 110-metre race at the IAAF Super Grand Prix
athletics meeting in Lausanne July 11, 2006. Liu won the race in a world
record time of 12.88 seconds. [Reuters] |
Fans are now complaining that the Olympic champion is focusing too much on
overseas matches instead of national competitions, according to a report carried
by the China Youth Daily.
A fan, surnamed Liu, from China's northwest Shannxi Province says it is hard
to spot Liu Xiang at national competitions.
"After the Olympic games, my friends and I wanted to go to see Liu's matches.
But he didn't appear in national competitions in2004 after the games. I went
to Jiangxi, Guangdong, Tianjin last year for a few matches, including the tenth
national sports meeting," the girl complained.
The 23-year-old has become popular after he captured the country's first-ever
medal in the men's 100m hurdles after running a 12.91 at the Athens Olympics and
his latest performance breaking the world record at the IAAF Super Grand Prix
athletics meet in Lausanne with a time of 12.88.
China's track and field official and Liu's coach defend Liu's choices.
"We of course hope Liu can take part in more national competitions, which at
least will lure fans back to track and field sports. There were only few
athletes and reporters on the stands, but now the whole of China will be
watching him, even his practices," said the director of China's Track and Field
Management Department Yu Weili.
"But to be honest, the national competitions are sometimes a problem for Liu.
It is not that Liu Xiang wouldn't like to take part in them. He is just worried
that there will be some trouble," Yu told the Beijing-based paper.
Liu Xiang of China celebrates setting a new
world record in the men's 110-metre race at the IAAF Super Grand Prix
athletics meeting in Lausanne, July 11, 2006. Liu won the race in a world
record time of 12.88 seconds. [Reuters] |
"Last June, at the national track and field competition in Shijiazhuang, his
vest was taken away by a fan during the preliminary match, which really upset
him," Yu said.
"It is impossible for Liu to have a rest. There is always someone who wants
to disturb his rest. Liu is so kind that he won't refuse others' request," Liu's
coach Sun Haiping said.
"Waiters, waitresses, guards at every hotel and volunteers at the training
ground all requested autographs. They even bring their friends to watch Liu's
matches and trainings," says Sun, adding it is hard for Liu to concentrate on
matches.
"Liu just broke the world record, which may cause an uproar among fans
all over China. Liu is likely to face lots problems from the public," Sun said.
Liu Xiang (front) of China sets a new world
record past Dominique Arnold of the U.S. in the men's 110-metre race at
the IAAF Super Grand Prix athletics meeting in Lausanne July 11, 2006. Liu
won the race in a world record time of 12.88 seconds. [Reuters]
|
"I hope fans can be much more considerate. After all, Liu is a sportsman and
has to train for better results."
The fan's excitement reflects the fact that most of the attention has been
fixed on Liu instead of the 100-m hurdles event itself.
The 23-year-old agreed to participate in the 2006 National Track and Field
Championship in Shijiazhuang, in the northern province of Hebei, on the
precondition that he will leave for Beijing on the day the match is held and
won't stay at the city after the match
"It is tiring for me to fly between Beijing and Shijiazhuang in one day, but
I am able to avoid disturbance from fans," the Olympic champion said.
"Organizers in Shijiazhuang have promised not to trouble him so we decided to
participate in the match," Yu explained.
