CHINA, SPORTS: White & Black--2004 China Sports Review
By Christina Liang
With the new year of 2005 upon us, it is time to review the sports events of China in 2004. In terms of sports, as far as I am concerned, 2004 was a "White & Black" year--the brightest and the darkest year in modern Chinese sports history.
WHITE:
32 Olympic gold medals! It is enough to fire enthusiasm in every Chinese heart. It was the most gold medals in the history of China’s participation in the Olympics. What’s more, we got second place in the medal list of all countries, only 3 gold medals less than the United States. Apart from our traditional ascendant games, such as table tennis, badminton, diving, weight lifting and shooting, we had several breakthroughs in other areas.
First of all, Liu Xiang, the most stirring name of 2004, gave us much more than a pleasant surprise. He broke the spell of the taunt: "Asians have no competitive edge in short races." His declaration of "Asia has me! China has me!" showed the confidence and strong will of Chinese sports, of the Chinese people. Another gold medal that should have an important place in Chinese sports history is the women's doubles tennis medal. None of us had ever imagined that our Chinese girls could beat the Williams sisters before the 2004 Olympics. Much less win a gold medal. Our exultation was totally beyond words. This big present was a tribute to the bright future of Chinese sports.
In sum, concerning our achievements in Athens, we experienced the brightest year ever.
BLACK:
As a soccer fan, I really hate to talk about this aspect of Chinese sports in 2004. Chinese football, especially the professional league, passed a dark year: the National team ending up so early in the 2006 World Cup qualifying tournament; the fierce battle between the CFA and the seven clubs of the Super League, which represent the capital; even the women team being beaten by Germany 0-8. It was an entire collapse. All of the above left Chinese football with the dismal prospect of there being hardly any international matches in the next few years. It was an absolute disaster to all people involved in Chinese football.
Football was the pioneer in Chinese sports professionalization, once admired by all other games. But it was that very professionalization, which was unsuccessful and malformed, that caused its collapse. Now that China has benefited so much from successful economic reform, how can football be caught in such a mess? It is time for all of the people involved--authorities, players, coaches, fans and the media--to seriously consider the whole thing.
May the darkest year be the prelude to a great future.
No matter white or black, for China, 2004 was a remarkable sports year.
With the new year of 2005 upon us, it is time to review the sports events of China in 2004. In terms of sports, as far as I am concerned, 2004 was a "White & Black" year--the brightest and the darkest year in modern Chinese sports history.
WHITE:
32 Olympic gold medals! It is enough to fire enthusiasm in every Chinese heart. It was the most gold medals in the history of China’s participation in the Olympics. What’s more, we got second place in the medal list of all countries, only 3 gold medals less than the United States. Apart from our traditional ascendant games, such as table tennis, badminton, diving, weight lifting and shooting, we had several breakthroughs in other areas.
First of all, Liu Xiang, the most stirring name of 2004, gave us much more than a pleasant surprise. He broke the spell of the taunt: "Asians have no competitive edge in short races." His declaration of "Asia has me! China has me!" showed the confidence and strong will of Chinese sports, of the Chinese people. Another gold medal that should have an important place in Chinese sports history is the women's doubles tennis medal. None of us had ever imagined that our Chinese girls could beat the Williams sisters before the 2004 Olympics. Much less win a gold medal. Our exultation was totally beyond words. This big present was a tribute to the bright future of Chinese sports.
In sum, concerning our achievements in Athens, we experienced the brightest year ever.
BLACK:
As a soccer fan, I really hate to talk about this aspect of Chinese sports in 2004. Chinese football, especially the professional league, passed a dark year: the National team ending up so early in the 2006 World Cup qualifying tournament; the fierce battle between the CFA and the seven clubs of the Super League, which represent the capital; even the women team being beaten by Germany 0-8. It was an entire collapse. All of the above left Chinese football with the dismal prospect of there being hardly any international matches in the next few years. It was an absolute disaster to all people involved in Chinese football.
Football was the pioneer in Chinese sports professionalization, once admired by all other games. But it was that very professionalization, which was unsuccessful and malformed, that caused its collapse. Now that China has benefited so much from successful economic reform, how can football be caught in such a mess? It is time for all of the people involved--authorities, players, coaches, fans and the media--to seriously consider the whole thing.
May the darkest year be the prelude to a great future.
No matter white or black, for China, 2004 was a remarkable sports year.
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