Liu Xiang must face academic hurdles
(Shanghai Daily)
Updated: 2005-11-01 08:48

Fans celebrated when Liu Xiang cruised to an easy victory at the 10th National Games on October 20.

World top hurdler Liu Xiang [sohu]

They didn't really care about how the Olympic gold medalist got into a doctoral program.

"So he entered the program without taking any form of entrance examination, what's the big deal? He is a hero; he deserves it."

Such is a very "Chinese" logic - the authority and honor one gains in a certain field prevails and brings the person bigger authority and honor in literally every other field.

I call this a typical Chinese style, cross-field meritocracy.

Liu excels and wins glory for his country in the sports world. Accordingly, he has been generously awarded in terms of wealth and social honors. But this is not enough.

The 22-year-old sprinter is now "awarded" admission into a five-year sports management program at his alma mater and is trusted to succeed in the academic world.

Considering the fact that the East China Normal University has prepared a special advisory team of more than 10 professors to cater to Liu's needs, the trust the admissions committee has in the young athlete is quite unconditional.

Ji Liu, dean of the School of Sports and Health Care and Liu's doctoral adviser, believes that it should not be a problem for Liu Xiang to be a qualified graduate student, because "he is smart and has already been equipped with an undergraduate background."

Yes, Liu is smart. Anyone who has seen him talking on television will not deny that. But being smart doesn't mean he is academically minded or competent. In fact, Ji didn't say a word about Liu's undergraduate academic records, not to mention his scholarly capacities.

Some people argue that Liu has the kind of insights into the sports world that ordinary doctorate students don't have. True, but again he is pursuing a research-oriented degree, rather than one with a professional track.

With a bunch of races scheduled and the 2008 Olympic Games approaching, Liu is extremely busy with his mission to succeed as the greatest hope China has ever had in international track and field events. It's doubtful how much time he will have to be able to do post-graduate work.

Even if he does manage to squeeze some time between training and competitions, is it reasonable to have 10 professors go, fly in some cases, back and forth to tutor only one single student, when graduate education resources are so scarce in China?

Liu Xiang is a great athlete. He deserves all the prizes and honors meant to reward his efforts on the track. But giving him a doctorate is too much.

To give the devil his due, Ji did say Liu is not guaranteed a doctoral degree; he has to earn it.

But let's get real. Liu Xiang is admitted into the program through a special procedure and will carry out his study in courses all tailored to his timetable.

Are you telling me that the school won't have a Plan B concerning his graduation?

I like Liu Xiang and as a Shanghainese, I am proud of this talented, hardworking and amiable young man. But I'm rather reserved over the nature and timing of his scholarly pursuits.