At the 2002 Salt Lake City Winter Olympics, the Chinese delegation once again fought for their first gold medal in winter sports. However in the women's 1,500m, an event Yang Yang had not lost in five years, she only finished fourth and missed the podium.
The legendary volleyball coach Yuan Weimin, who was the head of the Chinese delegation then, had a deep conversation with the frustrated Yang after the loss, which remained fresh in her mind.
"They didn't blame me at all. I was out of control and cried a lot. I cut my hair and changed my lucky vest to tell myself I have nothing that can't lose," Yang said.
Yang eventually won the women's 500m event one day after the conversation. Her victory at the 2002 Winter Olympics made her China's first-ever Winter Olympics gold medalist.
Four months after Yang's triumph in the United states, the 22-year-old Yao Ming was selected as the first overall pick by the Huston Rockets. After nine seasons in the NBA, he became not only an icon of the Chinese youth, but also the ambassador of Sino-U.S. cultural exchanges.
"I want to thank this great and progressive era, which gives me the opportunity to realize my own values and dreams," Yao said in his retirement announcement in 2011.
In addition to Yao, Liu Xiang became the first Chinese man to win an Olympic track and field gold when he stormed to the 110 hurdles victory in Athens 2004.
Chinese sports started to have its own world superstars, with "the first Asian Grand Slam singles champion" Li Na and "the king of freestyle swimming" Sun Yang also on the list.
【体坛英语资讯:70 years on new Chinas road to sports glory】相关文章:
★ 娱乐英语资讯:Gisele Bundchen wears nothing but a dripping wet dress
★ 体坛英语资讯:Argentine celebrity Maradona could carry Olympic torch
★ 体坛英语资讯:Barcelonas title hopes take a hit with injuries
★ 体坛资讯:Late starters face uphill task in China
★ 体坛英语资讯:Spurs cruise past McGrady-less Rockets
★ 体坛英语资讯:Federer, Djokovic roll into semifinals
★ 娱乐英语资讯:Before Mimi,Nicole and Katie,Cher loved Cruise
★ 体坛英语资讯:Russia march on to quarters, Israel beat Croatia
★ 娱乐英语资讯:Jolie turns to porn star Gal Pal for catwoman tips
★ 娱乐英语资讯:Heath Ledgers will does not include daughter,ex-lover
最新
2020-09-15
2020-09-15
2020-09-15
2020-09-15
2020-09-15
2020-09-15