KEY POINTS:
I always tell myself that no matter whether I have a boy or a girl in future, I can accept any career he or she chooses, except athletics.
For me, sport is too cruel.
It takes four years of non-stop hard training and competition to get the chance to compete in the Olympics. If they win, they became idols and their fans expect them to be better and better. Once they lose, no matter what the reason, the blame comes like a tide.
And even if there is no one blaming them, I can't image how hard it is to face themselves.
On Monday I was asked to write about New Zealand's Super Saturday for the coming issue of the Chinese Herald. But I couldn't put my mind to it. I refreshed the Olympic page every 2 minutes and couldn't stop looking forward to seeing our Chinese hero Liu Xiang performing.
But then I received the shocking news that Xiang had withdrawn because of a hamstring injury.
The bad news exploded in our office at once, and caused great consternation. Although we'd heard about Xiang's hamstring problem before the Olympics, no one expected it could be so serious.
When I saw his suffering face, I could image how hurt he was, not only physically but in his spirit.
It made my heart ache to watch Xiang limping off the track, but I feel even more hurt and sad because of people blaming him.
It is not fair for him to be blamed - Xiang is not an iron man and he has right to be ill.
I believe he wouldn't quit if there was any chance he could run.
Must we pin all our hopes on to one person?
Look at Xiang's back, he was carrying the number "1356". Is that the hope from 1.3 billion people and 56 ethnic groups? How heavy it is!
Of course the Olympics is important, but this is not everything for an athlete's entire sports career.
Xiang has the right to withdraw from the games. People should worry more about his health, and there are many other Chinese athletes who need our support.
Let's give Xiang some space. After all, this is not the end of world, and I still support him.
Photo: Liu Xiang pulls up before his hurdles heat. Chinese coach Sun Haiping cries during a press conference after Xiang quit / AP
