Nationwide Liu Xiang craze: to be or not to be?
By Guan Xiaomeng (Chinadaily.com.cn)
Updated: 2005-10-30 11:03

"To be frank, I don't like to run in meets in the nation because it is quite uncomfortable. I am always bombarded with journalists throwing questions and fans asking for signatures or photos wherever I go or whatever I do. I have little room and freedom as a result," said the young hurdler with a playful smile that belies helplessness and complaint.

A Liu Xiang fan holds a portrait of the Olympic champion hurdler during the 110m hurdles preliminaries of the 10th National Games at the 10th National Games stadium. Liu easily won the gold medal with a time of 13.10 seconds.

In spite of that, the Liu Xiang craze is not inexcusable since it reflects a kind of national sentiment. Liu has strengthened Chinese people's national pride by breaking up black people's dominance in the track and field world, thus commanding the public to give its unprecedented attention, support and effort to China's athletics. Liu, like the success of the Shenzhou-6 space mission, represents a national drive to become a world power.

Similar to a nation, ordinary people, especially the youth, worship icons encouraging and motivatinges them to achieve greatness, some people say.

Liu Xiang carries national flag of China and leads Chinese squad entering the field at the opening ceremony of the 4th East Asian Games in Macau October 29, 2005.[Reuters]

"I don't know whether my particular affection for Liu Xiang is silly or not, but the truth is I really feel a specific purpose ahead of me and a magic force pushing me because of him, especially when the picture of him dashing to the finish line at top speed comes to my mind," said a female netizen.

In addition, Liu's popularity also is due to his personal charm. He keeps calm, low-key, and unaffected amid an often-hysterical public adoration. He can even manage not to look around at screaming fans all around watching him training. That is partially why he is praised as a world top athlete. Moreover, as an athlete, he is also handsome and cool, childlike but masculine, naturally crowned as a "charming guy to all."

In a society touched with fire and emotion, there is no doubt that icons often serve as role models and a pushing force.Perhaps we need more other icons like Liu Xiang to help inspire changes for the better.