Stars
Butterfly queen Liu shies from spotlight
By Lei Lei (China Daily)
Updated: 2009-12-01 09:34
What separates Liu Zige from other Chinese swimmers is not only the fact she has broken several world records but also that shuns media attention and commercial activities.
"I don't like to show off and I don't like to attend too many social engagements," the 20-year-old Beijing Olympic champion said.
Liu's amazing story started at last year's Games where she clocked 2:04.18 to win the gold medal in the 200m butterfly, smashing Australian Jessicah Schipper's world record by more than a second.
| ||||
Liu's record was rewritten by Mary DeScenza of the US in the heats at the Rome Worlds a year later - before Schipper upped the mark in the final. But Liu regained the record by clocking 2:01.81 at China's National Games in Jinan last month.
Her performances in short-course events are equally remarkable.
At the World Cup short course series in Stockholm, Sweden, on Nov 11, Liu claimed gold with a record time of 2:02.50 and improved it to 2:00.78 in Berlin, Germany, four days later.
"Liu is different from other swimmers as she is low key out of the pool but when she jumps in she turns into a tiger and is aggressive enough to beat anyone," said her coach, Jin Wei.
Unlike many young women her age, Liu leads a simple life, which is focused solely on swimming. There is no computer or telephone in her dormitory and she doesn't even use a mobile phone. In her spare time she likes to read books but cares little for flashy clothes or make-up. Her pet is a slow tortoise, which is in sharp contrast to the speed she displays in the water.
"Don't assume I should like what other girls like," Liu told China Daily. "The reason why I'm different is simple - I don't like those things."
Unlike other Olympic champions who were busy attending various functions after the Games, Liu said 'no' to most of those invitations. She and coach Jin even went to train in Australia for a while after the Games to avoid disturbances from media and fans.
"As an athlete, training conscientiously is the basic task. If I leave the swimming pool, I would not be able to achieve so much. So I only focus on training and that makes me happy," she said.
"Liu leads a similar life to the one she had before (winning at the Games) she still trains hard but quietly," said Jin. "She just wears tracksuits and never spends money liberally. Such moral qualities are the key to her success."
After the Games, Liu only took part in the shooting of two advertisements, which were arranged by China's Swimming Administrative Center (CSAC), and attended hardly any social events.
"In order to prepare for competitions and avoid disturbances, Liu will not attend commercial and social activities," said Shang Xiutang, vice-director of CSAC. "But to show her gratitude for the support she has received, she may attend some community events."
After easily winning the 200m butterfly at the Asian Swimming Championships last week in Foshan, Guangzhou province, Liu's next competition will be the East Asian Games in Hong Kong, which start next week. She and her coach are also planning to train in Europe next year.
