"If I give up because of the label of 'old athlete', I am still unwilling."
Facing the Milan-Cortina Dampezzo Winter Olympics four years later, Wu Dajing is still full of fighting spirit. To this day, he is still the world record holder and Olympic record holder in the short track speed skating men's 500 meters.
From Pyeongchang to Beijing, Wu Dajing twice stood on the highest podium of the Winter Olympics. For the Chinese short track speed skating team, his contribution is more precious than these two gold medals.
With everyone's expectations, when Wu Dajing won the first gold for the Chinese sports delegation again at his doorstep, he raised his arms and shouted, venting the pressure deposited in his heart.
A few days ago, Sino-Singapore Sports and Wu Dajing launched a dialogue, looking back at the road ahead and looking forward to the future direction.
01
Remove the pressure
Sino-Singapore Sports: At the Beijing Winter Olympics short track speed skating mixed team relay event, the team won the first gold for the Chinese delegation. How did you feel as the last stick, the moment you crossed the line?
Wu Dajing: This is pressure and motivation. As a stormtrooper, since everyone has chosen us, it is incumbent on us to win the opening for the Chinese team. It was also my second gold medal in three Winter Olympics and I was very excited.
As the last stick in the game, I still seek "stability". The players who are chasing the skaters behind must be faster because they have a goal. At that time, there was also a judgment of the situation, he could catch up with me, but he may not be able to surpass me.
Pictured here is Wu Dajing (left) celebrating after the game. Photo by Mao Jianjun, reporter of China News Service
Zhongxin Sports: Four years ago in Pyeongchang, you shouted after crossing the line with absolute superiority. This time in Beijing to win the first gold, you mentioned the word "relief", what are your different feelings about winning the championship twice?
Wu Dajing: Saying "relieve qi" is also a manifestation of relieving stress. Although the mood of winning the championship twice is very exciting, this time the expectation value at the doorstep is higher, and I hope to stand on the highest podium. Raising the national flag and playing the national anthem is the goal of every Chinese iceman.
Zhongxin Sports: On your red helmet, there is a golden Qitian Great Saint Sun Wukong pattern, and your helmet is called "Chinese God of War Sun Dasheng". What is the meaning of this helmet?
Wu Dajing: This is a very good meaning, Sun Dasheng means "invincible", he dares to fight with his opponents, so his position in my heart is different.
The picture shows the Chinese team celebrating after the game. Photo by Mao Jianjun, reporter of China News Service
Sino-Singapore Sports: During the Beijing Winter Olympics, did you also pay attention to other sports?
Wu Dajing: Xu Mengtao's freestyle skiing women's aerial skills competition impressed me very much, and it is not easy as a veteran who has experienced four Winter Olympic Games. I also watched the Sui Wenjing/Han Cong match, and the moment the score was announced, I also jumped up.
Sino-Singapore Sports: The Beijing Winter Olympics is over, what are the next stage arrangements?
Wu Dajing: Facing the holiday immediately, this year and next year will mainly focus on injury recovery. The previous four years of preparation were exhausting. After a while, I still wanted to go home to accompany my parents and take them out for a walk.
The picture shows Wu Dajing celebrating after the game. Photo by Mao Jianjun, reporter of China News Service
02
The way to come
Sino-Singapore Sports: Early in your career as an athlete, you worked as a sparring partner for the women's team. How did you convince yourself to stick with it then? Are there any memorable stories you can share with us?
Wu Dajing: (Sparring for the women's team) It is about 1 year, and the women's team sparring is still very difficult. I also feel anxious and want to surpass others as soon as possible. At that time, I was still very young, constantly trying to break through, trying, and making mature athletes my goal.
But that time also brought me a transformation, allowing me to improve and change myself from every detail.
Infographic: Wu Dajing in the game.
Zhongxin Sports: I have been preparing for and competing before, have I not been home for a long time? When interviewing in PyeongChang, you once said that "I haven't come home for ten years", what help did your family do for your competition and training?
Wu Dajing: I haven't been back for about a year. I used to be in a hurry every year when I went home, but this year I can spend a little more time with my family, which is a good thing for me.
Over the years, my family has given me more spiritual support. Whenever I was at a low ebb and my grades did not meet expectations, they gave me more companionship and encouragement.
Sino-Singapore Sports: During the Olympic Games, your scarred feet made many netizens very distressed. Do you usually tell your family about your injuries? Do they also go online to watch your messages and comments from netizens about you?
Wu Dajing: I was injured before, and my family didn't know much about it. Athletes have a habit from an early age, reporting good news and not worrying. Show your good side to your family and leave the injury to yourself. When the family saw the scar, they realized that they had been injured.
In fact, over the years, everyone's acceptance of athletes has increased significantly, which is the biggest encouragement and motivation for us. Athletes show the momentum of not accepting defeat on the field, and also pass on this sportsmanship to more young people.
Image source: Screenshot of the official Weibo of the TV series "Rock Sugar Stewed Sydney".
Zhongxin Sports: You also participated in the filming of TV dramas before, what was the opportunity at that time?
Wu Dajing: At that time, I was on vacation, mainly to promote ice and snow sports, and participated in the filming of the TV series "Ice Sugar Stew Sydney". Experiencing a different life is also a new challenge for me.
03
Don't be afraid of the future
Sino-Singapore Sports: Like Xu Mengtao and Qi Guangpu, they are already veterans who have adhered to the four Winter Olympic Games, and you have also participated in three Winter Olympic Games, how do you view the persistence of the veterans?
Wu Dajing: For example, Xu Mengtao, who has always had the opportunity to win the championship before participating in the Winter Olympics, has been holding her breath and has been waiting for this opportunity. So this time she was very excited after winning the championship, I was not surprised, I also cried.
Including Fan Kexin kissing the ice surface after the game, she has also been persistent and loving over the years. This tenacity has infected many people, and there are many things worth learning from in ordinary life. The spirit of old athletes not accepting defeat is not necessarily less than that of young athletes.
After the game, the Chinese short track speed skating team took a group photo on the ice surface of the Capital Gymnasium. The picture shows Fan Kexin, Yang Yang and Wu Dajing taking a group photo. Photo by Cui Nan, a reporter from China News Service
Zhongxin Sports: As the captain of the Chinese team, how do you communicate with the players? Riding on the east wind of the Beijing Winter Olympics, how to promote ice and snow sports with ordinary people?
Wu Dajing: I am still very serious in my usual training. At the national team level, you need to be very focused when training. In ordinary life, I will also joke with the team members.
The Beijing Winter Olympics were a success and showed the world how strong China is. In the competition, there are many projects that have achieved breakthroughs. As an athlete, see more people learn about snow sports. According to previous statistical survey reports, the number of participants in ice and snow sports in the country has reached 346 million. This is the appeal of the national ice and snow movement.
Zhongxin Sports: Now that the world record and Olympic record holder in the short track speed skating 500m event are you, what is the motivation to support you to continue to impact the next Olympic cycle?
Wu Dajing: I have always loved this ice rink. As an athlete, I am quite successful. But if it's because the label of "old athlete" makes me give up, I still don't want to. I still can't put this project down in my heart, and I believe that I can continue to contribute.
I am reluctant to go to the ice rink and hope that everyone will support me to continue to impact the fourth Winter Olympics.