On February 12, China's Gao Tingyu celebrated after the competition. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Xiong Qi
Four years ago, On the podium, Gao Tingyu put up three fingers in front of him, "(Because I got) the bronze medal, I also want to compare it to a 'one'."
Four years later, he slapped the podium three times and held a finger up to the sky!
On February 12, China's Gao Tingyu celebrated after the competition. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Wang Jianwei
He did it! Beijing Winter Olympics Speed Skating Men's 500m Champion!
He made history for Chinese men's speed skating and also broke the "curse" that the standard-bearers of the Olympic delegation were difficult to win.
On February 12, the champion China's Gao Tingyu was awarded the medal at the ceremony. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Cheng Tingting
In 2018, after stepping off the podium of the men's 500m third place in speed skating at the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics, Gao Tingyu was unwilling.
"I want to change the color of the medal and give it to Coach Liu Guangbin."
At that time, this Heilongjiang guy was just starting out. "Okay", "I don't know", humor, little talk, love to sleep, is the impression he left on people.
On February 12, 2022, the "ice ribbon", the "big heart boy" who ended the game slid quietly and slowly around the field, with a serious and serious face, as if the past was sliding past him.
China's Gao Tingyu (right) high-fives with his coach after a match. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Wu Wei
Contact skating is completely Gao Tingyu's own choice.
"At first, I played roller skating by myself, and then I saw that the school had an ice skating team, and I wanted to play, which felt very exciting." Still in elementary school, Gao Tingyu did not tell his parents and joined the school skating team.
Because she never came home after school, her mother Zhang Xiaoli learned that her son was skating at school for several months. "At that time, I was not very supportive, for fear of delaying my studies." Zhang Xiaoli said.
But Gao Tingyu likes skating too much. "If you don't let me practice, I won't read." In this way, Gao Tingyu practiced until he graduated from elementary school.
"This child loves to move or not, I think he is practicing very well, I want to send him to Harbin to see if there can be better development." Zhang Xiaoli took his son to find the current coach Liu Guangbin.
"Too small, grow long, come again." Gao Tingyu recalled the scene when he was rejected by Liu Guangbin.
Zhang Xiaoli then sent his son to Mudanjiang to study under Coach Liu Deguang. "When I first met this child in 2007, he was in good physical condition, that is, he was thin and small, but the ice feeling was very good, and his physical fitness was also good." Liu Deguang said.
Although Gao Tingyu was only in his early 10s at the time, Liu Deguang said that "this child's talent is very rare", and the quality of each training is also very high, and when everyone rests, he sometimes practices.
Subsequently, Gao Tingyu, who had outstanding achievements, entered the Heilongjiang provincial team, studied under Liu Guangbin as he wished, and then entered the national team.
China Speed Skating team coach Liu Guangbin (left) wins the championship at Gao Tingyu on Feb. 12. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Wu Wei
In the eyes of outsiders, Gao Tingyu "doesn't talk much, he is willing to sleep", but Zhang Xiaoli knows that "this child has an idea".
"I've been skating all my dreams." In order to realize the obsession of four years ago, Gao Tingyu trained with a waist injury during the Beijing Winter Olympics cycle, often practicing until he vomited, "pushing off a lot of activities, just for this gold medal."
In this season's four speed skating World Cup matches, Gao Tingyu won 1 gold and 1 silver in the men's 500 meters, which is regarded as the favorite to win medals at the Beijing Winter Olympics.
In this home battle, Gao Tingyu heard many "prophecies" before the game. "Others say that it is impossible to win the championship in the seventh group, but I don't believe it, and the 'Flag bearer curse' does not scare me."
Zhang Hong, a member of the International Olympic Committee and champion of the Sochi Winter Olympics, once said of Gao Tingyu, don't look at him on the surface of hip-hop, but his mind is very mature. "He sets goals for himself, watches game videos a lot, researches technology, and his good mindset doesn't put too much pressure on him."
The day before the match, Gao Tingyu's leg was slightly strained. "Before the competition, I thought about breaking the Olympic record and taking the championship, is it good to take the championship if you don't break the Olympic record?" But the results came out less exciting, because it was a little slower than expected, which may be related to leg injuries. ”
On February 12, China's Gao Tingyu was in the competition. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Lan Hongguang
However, compared with the bronze medal "no feeling" four years ago, Gao Tingyu hugged the coach after winning the championship on the 12th, and circled the field for a week, while pointing to the sky, while shouting loudly, excitement and excitement overflowed into words.
"Thanks to the coach, who has always encouraged and supported me, and given me hope, I will get the results I have now, otherwise I will retire after the PyeongChang Winter Olympics." Gao Tingyu said.
When it comes to the future, Gao Tingyu said that he will first adjust his body and continue to go to school. "Recently I had insomnia and slept for eight or nine hours (usually 10 to 12 hours of sleep)."
Leaving the mixed interview area, the "Big Heart Boy" turned around and continued to move towards the next goal.
Source: Xinhua News Agency
Original title: Four years of grinding "one" sword Gao Tingyu angrily broke the "flag bearer curse"
Reporters: Wang Junbao, He Leijing, Zhao Xuetong
Contributors: Zhu Hong, Huang Xinxin