Shanghaiist: Liu Xiang apologizes, promises a comeback

dsk

Thu, 18 Sep 2008 13:08:55 +0800

He feels he has disappointed his fans and apolpgizes for letting them down, what is wrong with that? I've seen plenty of athelets say sorry to their fans because an injury prevented them from playing.

NannyState

Fri, 22 Aug 2008 02:36:22 +0800

He has nothing to apologize for. That injury is incredibly painful and probably resulted from his training like a madman for these games. I think he's terrific. The guy who needed to apologize was that Greek athlete in 2004, who dropped out of the games after a blood doping scandal began to catch up with him.

Shanghai Baby

Thu, 21 Aug 2008 14:35:26 +0800

@ booggerg: apologize for what? Beiing injured? That's ridiculous. He's a great athlete and all this is just bad luck, overwork and too much pressure.

Andy Best

Thu, 21 Aug 2008 10:20:52 +0800

Yunny The idea that China is collective and the West is individualistic is a stereotype. An old and tired one at that.

liliac

Thu, 21 Aug 2008 03:17:54 +0800

"Yunny" I am quite aware of this "harmonous society" but sometimes as human beings we need to seperate ourselves from social norms in order to achieve greatness, i have been in China for 10 years and I am very aware of this, using culture for his "explanation" was not really for himselves but i know it was for others, in reality in his heart he wish he never had to "explain" anything to anybody. Perhaps thats why USA is soo differnent from Asia in terms of how we view achievement because sometimes we need to jump on another boat and take and let the oceans lead our ways take the winds and determine our own success and failures without explanation to the world and our parents. To choose our destiny regardless of race, class, culture etc....:)

yunny

Thu, 21 Aug 2008 02:43:58 +0800

lilac: there is a fundamental cultural difference between China and the West in how they perceive the individual and the community. The "harmonious society" that Confucious envisioned sometimes requires an individual to suppress his own desires and make sacrifices for the sake of the people around him. This is considered a noble thing to do and has been ingrained in the Chinese thought process even to the modern day. I understand why you would be confounded by Liu Xiang's actions, so I hope this will supply you with a different perspective. I think the contrast will be further strengthened if you interview the US athletes and the Chinese athletes on their desire to achieve. A lot of Chinese athletes achieve what they achieve today not because of their individual desire to be great, but because of the expectations of their parents, their coaches, and, in many cases, the nation.

liliac

Thu, 21 Aug 2008 02:10:05 +0800

You dont have to say anything to anybody! You were injured period. Screw China, USA, and the world because of your insuries. You are an olympian with vast strength everything you do is for YOURSELF at the end of the day. The annoying audience on the stands and the media go to hell! They should have been a clap for u trying... assholes. This is not about your "motherland" why you have to kiss ass to them??? As we used to say in USA "talk to the hand" :)

booggerg

Wed, 20 Aug 2008 22:08:28 +0800

Another example of media spin. Where in his text did he ever apologize? It was merely a memo to the rest of China on how he feels and his outlook for the future to paint a scene of optimism. That's all it was...

Andy Best

Wed, 20 Aug 2008 21:17:40 +0800

Liu Xiang is a genuine star and has already done enough in his great career. But the response to his injury pull out is unreasonable, surreal and pretty offensive. Not to mention representative of the national-ympics. Across the board, pro-athletes have periods when they are injured. In fact, Liu has a had a great run at the peak of his abilities. A track and field pro getting a foot or hamstring injury and not competing in on event is completely normal. There is absolutely no need for him to apologize to anyone for getting injured. There is no need for any special explanation either. As a true Liu Xiang fan I say "bad luck mate, get a good rest (you deserve it) and I hope you can make a good recovery".

shopgirl

Wed, 20 Aug 2008 19:12:08 +0800

I love you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!