I do not understand the 'sentiment' surrounding Liu Xiang's (China) decision to quit?

Question

people everywhere were shocked, seen crying, dissapointed, depressed, beating his own chest...why don't they share the same sentiment on Yao Ming who also lost the basketball game and also regarded as national hero no less than liu xiang?

Answer 1

I'm Chinese and I've seen a lot of adverse comments on the Internet on Liu xiang's withdrawal. I'm extremely ashamed and upset that our own people would insult Liu, who has been trying so hard just to satisfy the abnormally high expectations from his country. Even though most Chinese people still trust him, the adverse comments really bothers me a lot.

Chinese media and people have put way too much pressure on him which I think is not necessary. But obviously few could ever foresee things can go to this point. For those who understand Liu and show sentiment for him, you are the best!

Answer 2

Maybe because the Chinese basketball team were never expected to win it all.  Liu Xiang is the defending Olympic champion in the 110m hurdles and everybody expected him to do it again on his home turf.

Answer 3

In the case of Yao Ming, there really is no expectation that the Chinese basketball team will win the gold medal.

In the case of Liu Xiang, people expect him to win another gold medal after his triumph in Athens so people are depressed when that did not happen.

Answer 4

Liu is the first sportsman that China can show to the world how powerful they are. Traditionally, China is not good at athletes. Liu is the first one show that they also get the power to grab the athletes medal.

Answer 5

because liu xiang is more famous in china

also, he really didn't "decide" to quit it more like he had to since he was injured

Answer 6

We live in a developing country,where people are sensitive.

We are opressed by the government corruption and stockmarket stagnancy.Many of us want to get encouraged by watching some of us acheive their goals by means of proper hehavior.At least,we want to see some moral excellence if the gold medal is out of reach.

Most of us see in Liu Xiang's behavior as violation against the code of honor of a Chinese athlete,who,financially supported by the tax payed by the people to the government ,is obliged to finish his match just like a soldier does for his country.We only expect his participation but he failed us.From this view he is no match for Yao Ming.

Most of us think he is far from polite,in fact,he did not apologize to his supporters on the scene for disappointing them.Instead he just walked away without a word!For a man under genuine Chinese traditional culture it's intolerable,even disgusting.

It is not Liu Xiang but we Chinese people need understanding.

Answer 7

Because, do you think China's basketball team can win a olympic gold? Liu Xiang is a hot fav for gold medal, and probably the only Asian athletical superstar, they just had too much expectation on him to win and his withdrow was just too unbelievable, but Liu Xiang is still widely liked and they will come to terms with that.

Answer 8

China has put too much emotional pressure on Liu Xiang and such pressure can hardly be failed when you're the only track and field super star in a country with 1.3 billiion people who closely watch you perform. He's still a hero for Chinese while the fact is people do regret he can't make the game due to an unexpected injury. Yao Ming plays a team game. That means you're not held solely responsible for a loss.

Answer 9

Although i'm normally not one to give a d**n about the other country's, i felt sorta sad for him and how let down China felt. To make it even worst the Olympics is being held in Beijing which probably makes him feel as if he's letting his country down. Its sad to hear that he couldn't even race but hey, that's how things go sometimes!

As I saw his accident and noticed how his face looked when he was sitting on the floor while the other guys were putting ice on his legs i felt emotional and sorry for him. Its a dame shame but hey, it already happened, nothing anyone could really do about it!

Answer 10

The media really ticks me off on this one, He is the top athlete  on yahoo's main page without winning a thing. He was probably hurt pretty bad...that sucks...in fact its pretty horrible for him, but your right it doesn't mean he should get a medal or this much coverage. plenty of athletes get injured, that's all part of the game.

And for China, I have lived there for three years and it doesn't surprise me that this is the only thing their media is covering. What else would they cover, the riots, stabbings, political issues, THINGS THAT ACTUALLY EFFECT THE PEOPLE?

And for the yao ming question, they all still love him and will always but  basketball is a team sport, they can always blame someone else. And if he were to suffer a career ending injury it would be about the same reaction.

Answer 11

Like Cathy Freeman was the symbol of Australia in the Sydney Olympics, Liu Xiang has been the athlete to symbolise Chinese power and strength in these Olympics.  As much as the Olympics is about all the other sports, athletics forms its core and its heart (why else all the fuss about the athletics stadium - no other group of events gets a 90,000 + live audience!) and the110m Hurdles is one of the blue ribbon events, up there with the 100m, 200m and 400m as one of the top events.  Lix Xiang is the world record holder in an event that many for years thought China would never be able to compete, and for him to bring home gold would have been the spectacle the whole country has been waiting for.

Answer 12

Liu Xiang is Chinas greatest athlete. Check out his profile to understand more of his great achivements.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liu_Xiang

So when Liu got injured China was heartbroken.

Its a bit like finding your pet dog mutilated by a wolf.

Answer 13

they waited 4 years for this. this occasion was built up a lot more than yao playing b-ball. everyone assumes the black guy will win track events. i think the people felt his gold performance was important and significant because it sort of empowered them to feel they can be on same level as top athletes.

Answer 14

Some people have a lot of pride in what they do and may not have another chance in the olympics so some take the disappointment of losing very hard.  Comparing him to a pro athlete that makes millions a year is unfair.  

Answer 15

I think its a bit disgusting what some people have been saying about him around the place. That he faked it, that he didn't even try blah blah. It was obvious from the 3 minutes before the race that we saw that he was hurt pretty bad and was willing to risk his health to have a go at the race.

I think its ridiculous the amount of pressure put on this one man.

And what REALLY got my goat was that after he walked off, all his fans that had come to watch him race couldn't even be bothered hanging around for the 2 minutes for the race to restart and finish. The camera panning around showed hoards of Chinese fans getting up and walking out of the stadium without even bothered to show respect for the remaining athletes and wait till the end of their race.

I understand the disappointment, but the people getting angry at the man are just way out of line.

Answer 16

Im Chinese and have to say that he is a quitter. He should have tapered off much better before the Olympics. I did 110 hurdles a few times before before moving onto steeplechase. Yes, he had an inflamed achilles and yes that is career threatening but it could have been avoided.  He should get an Oscar for his acting. Real men dont act like that.