TOKYO, July 28 (Xinhua) -- The Olympic arena has never lacked thrilling competitive scenes, and has also witnessed countless heart-warming and touching moments. Among them is such a group of athletes, because of the extra identity on the road to the pursuit of the Olympic dream, it is particularly admirable - they are athletes and mothers.
At the ongoing Tokyo Olympics, these "mom players" are fighting hard and striving for excellence, inspiring hundreds of millions of sports fans around the world.
1. Wu Jingyu (Taekwondo, China)
In the history of taekwondo in the world, Wu Jingyu is the first female athlete to participate in four consecutive Olympic Games. At the age of 34, she won twice at the 2008 Beijing Olympics and the 2012 London Olympics. At this Olympic Games, although Wu Jingyu finally stopped the resurrection match, she still won the respect of the majority of sports fans and even the president of the International Olympic Committee, Bach.
"Now I can accept retiring myself." Wu Jingyu said with tears in her eyes after losing the game on the 24th. At the same time, she also sent a blessing to her daughter: "Mom and Dad will always love you, life is in your own hands, and we hope that you will bravely pursue everything you want." 」 ”
Wu Jingyu (left) plays Bogdanovic on July 24. Photo by Xu Zijian, Xinhua News Agency
At the 2016 Rio Olympics, Wu Jingyu ranked seventh, and then she chose to retire and gave birth to a daughter in 2017. Just half a year later, she made an amazing decision to get back on the field.
"The first two months after the comeback were very difficult, my body was like falling apart, even running was very hard, not to mention high kicks." Wu Jingyu recalled that time in a 2020 interview.
Now Wu Jingyu, in addition to being an athlete, also holds the position of vice chairman of the China Taekwondo Association. She also hopes to return the valuable experience she has gained in her more than two decades as an athlete to the career she loves.
2. Liu Hong (China, Athletics)
Liu Hong's experience is similar to Wu Jingyu, the same 34 years old, the same after the honor and other left the arena, and also chose to make a comeback after becoming a mother.
Originally, Liu Hong planned to say goodbye to the field once and for all after the Tokyo Olympics, but due to the postponement of the Olympic Games due to the epidemic, Liu Hong was caught in a dilemma - she was not sure if she could hold out for another year.
However, Liu Hong did it with her tenacity. At the National Race Walking Championships and Olympic Trials in March 2021, she and teammate Yang Jiayu both broke the world record.
"Now, the Tokyo Olympics are the main goal, and I don't want to think too much about it later." Liu Hong said.
Guangdong's Liu Hong (first from left) competes in a match on March 20. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Huang Bohan
3. Alex Morgan (USA, Football)
The Tokyo Olympics is the third time 32-year-old Morgan has set foot on the Olympic field and her first as a mother. In May 2020, she and her husband Carrasco welcomed their daughter, Charlie.
Before leaving for Tokyo, Morgan wrote on social media: "This month, I will miss my precious daughter very much. Charlie, I'll make it all worth it. ”
"I feel like I'm in better shape than I was before I got pregnant. I felt a change in my body, and it was a change for the better. Morgan said in an interview with FIFA's official website.
4. Alisson Felix (USA, Athletics)
American track and field star Felix is about to compete in her 5th Olympic Games. In the previous 4 competitions, she has won 9 medals. Coming to Tokyo, she is expected to break the record of 10 Olympic medals by legendary Carl Lewis, becoming the track and field athlete with the most Olympic medals in American history.
In November 2018, Felix welcomed his daughter, Camlin. She hopes to return to the Olympic games as a mother to prove to the world that women can still break records after giving birth.
"I want my successors to see a different side (of women), which requires us to push ourselves forward and fight for ourselves!" Felix said.
5. Ann Fraser (Jamaica, Athletics)
In August 2017, six-time Olympic medalist Fraser welcomed his son Zion. At the time, Fraser emotionally wrote on social media that he wished he could be the best mother.
At the Tokyo Olympics, Fraser is looking forward to reaching the podium in the women's 100m and 200m races.
Jamaica's Shelly-Ann Fraser watches the scoreboard after the second round of the women's 100m on August 16, 2008. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Chen Jianli
6. Ouluphonk Oshonaike (Nigeria, Table Tennis)
Coming to Tokyo, Oschanek has made history – she became the first African female athlete to participate in the 7th Olympic Games, and the first female athlete in the history of table tennis to participate in the 7th Olympic Games.
"I feel like I'm the happiest woman in the world today. I still couldn't believe it, it was like I was dreaming. Osschanek, a mother of two, said after receiving a "ticket" to the Tokyo Olympics.
In the women's singles competition on the 24th, Oschanek lost to an American player and stopped qualifying.
7. Oksana Chusovykina (Uzbekistan, gymnastics)
The 46-year-old gymnast Chusovkina is a legend in Olympic history.
From competing as an CIS athlete in 1992, to representing Uzbekistan, then changing to German citizenship due to his son's medical treatment, and finally restoring Uzbekistan nationality, the story of Chusovkina's Eight Olympic Games is shocking.
In 2002, Chusovkina's 3-year-old son was diagnosed with leukemia, and she sold her property and competed frantically, hoping to treat her son through the prize money of the competition.
On July 25, Chusovkina greeted the audience after the match. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Cao Can
In order to earn a higher income and better medical conditions, Chusovkina transferred to Germany and represented Germany in the World Series. At the 2008 Beijing Olympics, Chusovkina won the silver medal in the women's vault, repaying Germany for helping her, when she was 33 years old. The story of "You are not cured, I dare not grow old" has touched countless people.
After her son recovered, Chusovkina still chose to fight on the field, and this time what supported her to continue to move forward was her love for gymnastics. At Tokyo's Ariake Gymnasium, 46-year-old Chusovykina stands on her beloved gymnastics arena to compete with players her son's age.
After regretting the suspension of the qualifying match, there was no audience at the scene, but thunderous applause broke out. Referees, volunteers, media workers, etc. stood up and applauded to pay tribute to this great athlete who has spent his life interpreting the Olympic spirit.
Editors: Zheng Zhi, Huang Xuguo, Wu Junkuan, Lu Yanxin (Intern)
Produced by the Xinhua News Agency's Tokyo Olympic Games Reporting Group