Negative textbook! The rising star refused to play for his country and defected to Australia, where he was pulled a few streets by Sun Yang

Back in early 2023, Sun Yang, the legend of Chinese swimming, announced that he was returning to the pool. For the 33-year-old, the decision is the most powerful response to those who question him. After more than four years of banning, Sun Yang's career has long been overshadowed. He never gave up his love for swimming, and that day, Sun Yang made a short but powerful statement: "I'm back!" In stark contrast to Sun Yang's persistence is another Chinese swimmer, Yang Xu.

Sun Yang's return is a reminder of his illustrious career. As the leader of the Chinese swimming team in the past, Sun Yang has won a lot of glory for China in the international arena. The title of 14 world swimming champions is not something that any swimmer can achieve, especially in the 1500m freestyle, where he has long dominated the rankings.

However, Sun Yang's career has not been without smooth sailing. The doping test scandal landed him a ban that lasted more than four years. Not only did this prevent him from continuing to run in the pool, but it also cast a deep shadow on his career. Even so, Sun Yang did not back down. In the face of doubts and accusations from the outside world, he chose to respond with silence and persistence. This time, he stood by the pool again and proved his determination and courage with practical actions.

After rising to prominence at the 2017 National Games, Yang Xu from Beijing chose a completely different career path. He changed his name to William Young, joined the Australian swimming team and continued his swimming career as a brand new identity. Yang Xu's decision caused quite a stir at the time, and as a young player who had made his debut in the Chinese swimming scene, his choice was particularly bold. In Australia, his ability has improved significantly, and at the 2019 Australian National Swimming Championships, Yang Xu won two gold medals and a silver medal in one fell swoop, quickly becoming Australia's most promising rising star.

Why? Probably because he thinks the sun and sand are more suitable for his freestyle. At the age of 19, it is a good youth, he chose this unusual career development path and joined the Australian swimming team.

After arriving in Australia, Yang Xu's strength exploded rapidly. It is not easy to achieve such results in a foreign country. Yang Xu does have two brushes, and in the new environment, his potential has been greatly released. Even at the World University Games, he won the 50m butterfly.

Now, Yang Xu has become the number one person in the Australian freestyle event. In the 2022 Australian national 100m freestyle, he won again and further cemented his elite status. At that time, he was just an up-and-coming newcomer in China, but now he is a pillar in Australia. This contrast is embarrassing, perhaps he himself didn't expect that this road would go so smoothly.

However, Yang Xu's remarks caused an uproar in China. He openly stated in the interview that he had never considered playing for the Chinese team. Hearing this sentence makes people's hearts pull out the cold. Although he was born in Australia and his parents are Chinese, this "cutting" still makes people feel panicked. Perhaps we should think about how to build a more open and inclusive sports environment, otherwise, we can't always let people "cook ducks fly", right?

Hearing that Yang Xu went to Australia and changed his name to William Young, I don't know how much effort the country spent on cultivating him, he actually patted his ass and left, and took a foreign name, as if he had to dissociate himself from us. Although everyone knows that he was born in Australia, they always feel that this is a panic. His choice made people in China call him "ungrateful". But having said that, Yang Xu's choice is indeed quite realistic.

Now, Yang Xu has become the number one person in the Australian freestyle event, although his parents are Chinese, but this kid is mixed up in Australia. Everyone still admires his achievements, he said that he has never considered playing for the Chinese team, and this sentence really detonated domestic public opinion. Some people understand his choice, and some people feel that he shouldn't be so ruthless.

When it comes to this year's Paris Olympics, 26-year-old Yang Xu and 33-year-old Sun Yang are both aiming for gold medals. Although the two men have taken very different paths, their goals are surprisingly identical. The difference in personal choice and value orientation is embarrassing. Nowadays, athletes are becoming more and more mobile, and the tension between personal pursuits and national emotions is particularly prominent. Yang Xu chose better educational opportunities and living environment, which is understandable.