Sports world puts its heart in disaster relief
Chinadaily.com.cn Staff Writer
Guan Xiaomeng
A powerful smash from doubles shuttler Xie Zhongbo sealed China’s third consecutive Thomas Cup in Jakarta May 18. But for 26-year-old Xie, the win meant much more than a victory.
It was a timely comfort for his quake-stricken hometown Sichuan - in his own sporting way.
The 1.90-meter sinewy man’s eyes welled up with tears later on the podium when he lifted the Thomas Cup above his head.
“I just want to win the Cup for my hometown compatriots. I hope they can get through the disaster,” he told Titan Weekly after the award ceremony.
Xie Zhongbo holds the gold medals during a ceremony after China beat South Korea during the Thomas Cup badminton tournament in Jakarta May 18, 2008. [Agencies]
Xie, however, is not alone, in offering comforting words to help people affected by the magnitude 8.0 earthquake on May 12. The entire Chinese sports world has showed the same keenness to help as they do in winning on venues.
Xie is part of the national badminton team, which donated 300,000 yuan when they were competing for the Thomas and Uber Cup (the world men’s and women’s team title) in Jakarta, Indonesia. All the team members stood in silent tribute for the earthquake victims before the men’s finals.
Around 500 Chinese athletes from 22 national sports teams have also extended a helping hand, financially and spiritually.
They gathered in the General Administration of Sport of China two weeks ago at a donation ceremony, where money from individual athletes, coaches, national teams, sports clubs, and the sports administrator put money into the donation box.
Olympic and world champion hurdler Liu Xiang spoke at the ceremony on behalf of his fellow athletes.
“Our country and people have always been caring and supporting us. Though we are not able to Sichuan, we must do our part when needed,” said the 25-year-old, who together with his coach Sun Haiping donated 500,000 yuan, according to a Xinhua report.
