“Eight years ago, you brought us honor and sensation. Eight years later, you are still a hero in my heart. Don’t worry, time will pass and we are just tiny creatures in the world. Don’t worry, we will grow old together with you. Your name will be written down in the history. Liu Xiang, Thank you.” said Yao Chen, an award-winning Chinese actress. She has the most followers in Sina Weibo, about 23 million.
Another Weibo user _余小珠 wrote: "I was moved to tears when I watched the video. I know you will always be a hero. I heard your name on TV programs many years ago - Chinese flying man! You are our hero and stands on the world stage as a true hero. Liu Xiang, You are the best, China is proud of you! Don’t give up!"
But skepticism and speculation abounded online. Some questioned why he still competed despite the physical pains and whether he acted in a well-staged show of sportsmanship before millions of his countrymen.
“Liu Xiang deserves our respect anyway! But he seemed to lose the competition intentionally. Liu would not make such a simple mistake considering his excellent skills! It is not appropriate for a physically injured athlete to compete, but he had to. If not, he couldn’t account for the advertisers his team endorsed and the large number of the audience. So he had to end up in tragedy. Alas, a tragedy of Liu Xiang!” said 百年老树-_-。
User 雨萧萧-要自由不讲理 wrote: “He is a good actor. He has earned enough social attention and sympathy by falling to the ground in the Games. Probably, he will continue to endorse various products and make big money. Cheated are those innocent fans and audience.”
Topics about Liu Xiang will continue to dominate both the real and virtual world, but for Liu’s mother Ji Fenhua, she hopes for the country’s understanding and tolerance for her only child.
“Liu Xiang is the country’s son and will come back to me when he finishes the Olympic Games. If one day he isn’t an excellent athlete, please forgive him.” she said.
By Xu Xinlei
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