Monday, August 18, 2008
It was heartbreaking to see his pain ):
It's not easy being Liu Xiang, the pressure put on him was insane. It's so annoying to see remarks that people make, saying that he's "scared", "running away" or just "finding excuses".
"Online, China’s internet users were quickly dissecting the story and venting their frustrations. Some called the athlete Liu Paopao, or "Runner Liu", a reference to the nickname given to a teacher who ran from the Sichuan earthquake without stopping to save his students.
Others felt the withdrawal reflected one of the 36 strategies propounded in a classic Chinese text on the art of war: To leave is the best choice sometimes."
It's so annoying how people blame him for withdrawing while acting as if they know everything. They wouldn't know how painful his tendon was ): Pain was written all over his face, it was probably really too unbearable to even move. It really isn't worth putting his hurdling future at stake just for that single moment of glory.
Those idiotic morons who are calling Liu Xiang stupid names (like the extremely disgusting and mean one shown in the quote above) should just go knock their heads. If they think being a national hurdler, carrying 1.3 billion hopes and nursing injuries altogether at once is easy, they should jolly well go take his place on the international 110mH stage.
"Feng was keen to point out that Liu’s withdrawal was no soft option. "When the doctors were then giving him treatment," he said, "he was shivering due to the great pain. Let me repeat: Liu Xiang would never withdraw unless the pain was intolerable. He is an athlete of durability. He has never pulled out of a competition before."
He also stressed the hardships that his superstar had faced. "His psychological powers are great," he said. "He withstands the kind of pressure that no other athlete has."
So still a hero, of sorts."
Well said! (: Now we'll just have to keep praying for Liu Xiang's achilles tendon to heal, and that he won't be plagued by anymore injuries. I really hope he'll overcome this hurdle and show us his graceful technique on the track again.
LIU XIANG IS OUR HERO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!