THE Paris 2024 Olympics is no short of athletic feats, and one of them could be no other than the performance of China diving darling Quan Hong Chan.
Her spectacular performance has led to the creation of a new Mandarin phrase, “shui hua xiao shi shu” or “water splash disappearance technique.”
After that first-dive perfect score, Quan Hongchan led from start to finish to win her second consecutive gold medal in the women’s 10m platform.
At just 17 years old, Quan had won five world championships and three Olympic gold medals. It was no surprise when her intense training was brought to light in a video by @TripInChina.
Zhanjiang sports school. The cradle of diving champions. Quan Hongchan is a graduate here.😃 pic.twitter.com/GbuhirDX5F
— Sharing Travel (@TripInChina) August 11, 2024
It appears that the Zhanjiang sports school where Quan came from, started training their divers at a very early age.
Looking at them taking turns diving, it is difficult to draw parallels with our Malaysian children who at that age are more likely to be frolicking at parks, and playgrounds, or fixated on their ipads.
No sports policy has been found about how early Malaysians could start training their children, but truth be told, could our local children endure such hardship? Perhaps Malaysia will win its first gold when we are capable of such sacrifice.
However, Quan’s performance was defined by more than the strict regimen she endured. Those who look behind the curtains of her grand performance will find a compelling story of poverty.
Growing up in a family of orange farmers and factory workers, Quan’s youth was filled with hardship after a car accident left her mother in poor health.
Quan’s brother recounted how she used to eagerly wait for her mum to bring home dinner scraps from the canteen where she worked.
“I had no money to give them. She likes dolls very much. But she dared not to ask me for them, because I had no money for her,” said Feng Lingmei, her mother.
Quan loved dolls from a young age but aware of her family’s financial struggles, maturely avoided the subject.
Trapped by poverty with little means to pay her mother’s hospital bill, Quan found the ultimate motivation to succeed in her endeavour. The lowest low of her life became the platform for her to reach the pinnacles of diving excellence.
Slipped between this touching story of love and sacrifice is also a lesson for us. Perhaps our local sports authorities should start searching for talent in the rural areas where poverty endures.
Born into hardship, such children should possess the winning mindset that may elude children from well-to-do families in an urban setting.
Back to Quan, thankfully her story was one that resolves into a heartwarming end. During her parade through her victory lap, fans showered her with enough stuffed toys to cover her bag.
She will no longer need to worry about those dolls she could not purchase during her younger years, and with her fame and skills, her mother would likely receive better aid. – Aug 13, 2024
Main image: chinadailyhk.com
