BEIJING, Aug 8 - For nearly three decades soccer international Chen
Chengda was one of only a handful of Chinese who possessed a medal for
participation in an Olympic Games.
Despite travelling to Helsinki for the 1952 Summer Olympics and four years of
preparation for the 1956 Games, however, he never kicked a ball in competition.
In the turmoil of the latter half of the 20th century in China, many people's
lives turned dramatically on single, often unexceptional, events.
In Chen's case, it was his selection for Helsinki -- his country's last
appearance at the Summer Olympics until 1984.
"I was a student studying architectural engineering at St John's University
in Shanghai," the 76-year-old told Reuters.
"In December 1951, I represented East China in the first national football
championships in Tianjin. The purpose was to select a team for the 1952 Olympic
Games."
After impressing against other regional teams, Chen was called up to a
training camp in Beijing.
Less than three years after the Communist takeover of the mainland, there was
confusion over who would represent China and both the People's Republic and
nationalists in Taiwan were invited.
"At the last minute the government decided to go," said Chen. "Only two
teams, the men's soccer and basketball teams, and one swimmer joined the
Olympics."
"It took three days and three nights to get there. We raised the flag of the
new China in the village, where we were put in with the Soviets in a separate
'Socialist camp'."
"We arrived too late to take part in the soccer competition and so played a
couple of friendlies.
"We knew we would be late, the government just sent the team to raise the
flag and join the closing ceremony, that was the victory."
The Chinese stayed 10 days, even though only the swimmer took part.
"Helsinki was a nice city, the people were very friendly," Chen recalled. "I
watched a lot of the events, especially the football."
FRIENDLY RESULTS
Chen can still recall the results of the friendlies.
"We lost 2-0 to the Finland national team and drew the second game against a
local team 1-1," he said. "It was our first time together as a national team,
the standard was low."
There was a surprise waiting for Chen when he got back to Beijing.
"I wanted to go back to university," Chen recalled. "But the government
didn't agree and said 'you must work in football' and my whole life became the
football life.
