The charm of Chinese athletics captivates Athens
In August 2004, the Athens Olympics were an exhilarating scene. On this midsummer night, Chinese track and field athletes Liu Xiang and Xing Huina both won the championship, and their outstanding performance amazed the whole world, and was hailed as the "charm of Chinese track and field" to pour Athens.
Liu Xiang won the gold medal in the men's 110m hurdles final with a time of 12.91 seconds, a new Asian record. After the game, he waved the national flag excitedly and greeted the Chinese athletes and coaches in the audience. The atmosphere was warm and high, and the applause and cheers were endless.
Shortly after Liu Xiang won the championship, Xing Huina crossed the finish line in the women's 10,000-meter race with a time of 30 minutes and 26 seconds, adding another gold medal to the Chinese delegation. She cried tears of joy in her post-race interview, the coveted Olympic gold medal was the culmination of years of perseverance and hard work.
On this night, Chinese track and field bloomed in Athens with unprecedented light. The double championship of Liu Xiang and Xing Huina not only made Chinese proud, but also showed the world the tenacious fighting spirit and excellent competitive level of Chinese track and field athletes. They interpreted the "charm of Chinese athletics" with excellent results and wrote a strong stroke for China's sports cause.
The runner-up question sparked controversy
Although Xing Huina crossed the finish line, her journey to winning the championship was not all smooth sailing. After the race, runner-up Romanian athlete Granma questioned the referee, believing that Xing Huina might have run one lap less.
This question immediately caused an uproar at the scene. The judges carefully examined the timing chip and video footage, and finally confirmed that Xing's result was correct. But Granma didn't buy it, and she protested to the referee team several times, and the scene was very chaotic for a while.
In the face of doubts, Xing Huina has always remained calm and professional. She didn't react and just waited for the referee's final decision. In her post-match interview, Xing did not comment too much on the matter, she was humble and polite, showing the good qualities of an excellent athlete.
This controversy attracted widespread attention and discussion at the time. Some argue that Granma's skepticism lacks evidence and is based on a moment of disappointment. There are also those who feel that the referee team should handle this matter more transparently and openly to maintain the fairness of the event.
Xing Huina finally came out on top, and she proved her strength with practical actions. This 10,000-meter gold medal was hard-won, and it condensed her years of sweat and perseverance. She has earned the respect of the world with her calm and wise performance.
A low-key great champion life
Xing Huina is known as an "inconspicuous champion", but her life story is equally moving. In order to pursue her dream of athletics, she once gave up the opportunity to be admitted to Tsinghua University and chose a path full of hardships.
In the days of preparing for the Athens Olympics, Xing Huina put in great efforts. She starts training at 5 a.m. every morning, running, strength training, and technique exercises, all without stopping. Even in the face of injuries, she gritted her teeth and persevered, overcoming setbacks with tenacious perseverance.
After winning the Olympic gold medal, Xing Huina was not carried away by success. She still maintains a low-key and humble style, and shows the good character of an excellent athlete with practical actions.
In the 2008 Beijing Olympics, Xing Huina once again represented China in the 10,000-meter event, but unfortunately failed to defend her title. She was not discouraged by this, but chose to leave with dignity. This former "10,000-meter deer" came to an end and opened a new life.
Today, Xing Huina has become a sports coach and passes on her valuable experience to the younger generation. She uses her story to inspire more athletes to pursue their dreams and move forward bravely. This low-key but great champion will forever be etched in the history of Chinese sports.