Chapter 5: Athens, 2004

In the summer of 2004, if you asked what the most exciting event of the vacation was, it was undoubtedly sitting at home, gathered around the TV, watching the once-every-four-years Olympic Games. Back then, there wasn’t much to do in the city, let alone in a small rural village.

Being able to watch TV was, for Su Shen, the happiest thing in the world.

Even if time could rewind, he would still long to witness Liu Xiang’s legendary feat of 2004 once more.

It was the first time an East Asian had ever won a gold medal in a major track and field event.

This moment marked a pivotal chapter in the history of national athletics, and even Asian athletics as a whole.

Watching it again now brought a different feeling. Just like in his memory, Liu Xiang fought his way through every round to reach the final at the Athens Olympics. Among a sea of black and white athletes, he was the only one with yellow skin.

In the qualifying rounds, he clocked 13.19 seconds, successfully entering the top eight in the Olympic 110-meter hurdles.

He shattered the widely accepted myth that East Asians could never make the Olympic finals in sprint events.

“Finally, I can breathe a sigh of relief,” he said.

“There’s no burden now, no regrets. I’ve already broken history. Tomorrow, I’ll keep pushing. Take down one at a time.”

“Tomorrow, I’m going to fight with everything I’ve got.”

...

This familiar interview footage sharpened Su Shen’s memories once more. He knew that soon, Liu Xiang’s name would resound worldwide. To say, “Who in the world doesn’t know this man?” would not be an exaggeration.

After all, this man was his idol.

He was the pioneer for East Asian athletes in track and field.

That significance was the most important.

Before the race began, the children all gathered together. Since it was summer vacation, no one cared if they stayed up late to watch the games. The kids in the small village had nowhere else to go, so they sat together, cracking sunflower seeds, eating watermelon, chatting and joking.

At home, with the Olympics on, even the adults let the children have their fun this once.

“Who do you think will win? Can Liu Xiang get a medal?” someone asked.

“That’s hard. Just making it to the Olympic final is already achieving the goal. Didn’t you hear what he said himself?” another replied.

“Yeah, no medal. It’d be great if he could get one, though.”

“小添, what do you think? What place do you think Liu Xiang will get today?” Su Cheng, a cousin who talked the most among them, asked.

“I think Liu Xiang will win the gold medal,” Su Shen, who was lost in thought, said absentmindedly.

“Hmm, I think he can get… wait, what? You said what? Gold? Gold medal?” Even the boldest, Su Cheng, was stunned and didn't know how to respond. They were all high school athletes, more knowledgeable than the average person about sports.

That’s why they thought Su Shen’s words were a bit of a “pipe dream.”

In those days, the “race theory” dominated: East Asians were naturally inferior in athletics compared to Europeans and Americans, a consensus widely accepted.

With the reinforcement of popular opinion leaders, searching online only returned such answers.

“小添, you must be joking, right? Gold medal? First time in the finals and you want gold? There are so many white and black athletes — how could he compete? Liu Xiang is amazing, but he… he’s just an East Asian.” Su Cheng’s words held no malice; this was just how most athletes thought, especially outsiders. But Su Shen knew this nonsense would gradually be overturned in the future.

When our nutrition systems improve, when our training becomes more standardized, the “race theory” will lose its footing. Especially in track and field—let me say this now, I was once faster than all the white athletes, second only to those of West African descent among black athletes. But if I said now that white people have the worst athletic genes, would the so-called public intellectuals tear me apart?

Since I said it, I don’t plan to take it back—just youthful bravado: “I dreamed last night that Liu Xiang won the championship, so I believe he can.”

Huh?

This answer nearly made the cousins preparing to hear more stumble to the ground.

But thinking about it, this cousin was only a middle schooler, so it was forgivable. This wasn’t yet the era where a smartphone could connect you to the whole world.

Middle schoolers back then were still quite innocent.

You could say “My fate is mine, not heaven’s” or “Don’t underestimate the poor youth,” and countless students would be stirred for hours at night.

Su Shen didn’t join the discussion anymore; he quietly waited for the race to begin.

Soon enough, the 110-meter hurdles final started.

“Liu Xiang is in lane four,” the CCTV commentator’s voice came through. Everyone stopped talking and prepared to watch attentively.

Bang—

The starting pistol fired, and the race began.

“Liu Xiang’s start is very smooth.”

“He’s currently in first place.”

“Next to him are Tramel and Onyials.”

“Liu Xiang is leading.”

“Liu Xiang!”

“Liu Xiang is still in the lead!”

Everyone grew tense now, because if he was still first at this moment...

“Liu Xiang!”

“Liu Xiang!!!”

“Liu Xiang wins!!!!”

“Liu Xiang has made history!!!!”

“A Chinese man with yellow skin and black hair has become the world’s fastest man!!!”

The entire race lasted just 12.91 seconds, but for all the Chinese people, and indeed for all East Asians, it was a powerful tonic.

Especially when all the young people saw this man drape the national flag over his shoulders, their emotions stirred uncontrollably.

Post-race interview:

“Who says East Asians can’t make the Olympic top eight?”

“Today, I had to prove it to everyone.”

“I am the Olympic champion.”

“I believe dreams will eventually become reality.”

...

After a long silence, the small room erupted with astonishing cheers.

“Damn, Xiao Tian, you’re... you’re godlike.” Su Cheng’s eyes widened as he looked at the TV, then at Su Shen beside him. “Your dream came true.”

Even Su Yun, who had initially thought Su Shen’s belief in Liu Xiang winning gold was just wishful thinking, was stunned.

Our sports teachers always said East Asians naturally fall short compared to Europeans and Americans. How could we break through innate talent and racial limits?

But...

*Clap clap clap.*

The sound of slapped faces echoed.

What about that “race theory”? What about “no way to beat Europeans and Americans”?

So now, this young man wrapped in the national flag—what is he doing?

Many prejudices are broken down step by step, and Su Shen understood well that he had once been a trailblazer like this himself.

“小添, why aren’t you excited? It’s a gold medal, a glory for Asia,” Su Cheng asked.

“Maybe because I already saw it once in my dream,” Su Shen replied casually. But he wasn’t unexcited—it was just that after the initial thrill, he realized the challenges ahead would be even greater. After all, the 100 meters was the “king of kings” event.

When the Olympic 100-meter final comes around, all other competitions pause.

One can imagine the difficulty.

This was the competition for the crown. Su Shen hoped that, like Liu Xiang, he could make an even greater breakthrough.

To fulfill his dream.

That night, countless people were stirred by Liu Xiang’s historic gold medal, amplified by the prime-time national news...

Countless youths began their own journey to challenge their limits.

That night, Su Shen and his cousins found it hard to sleep.

P.S.: The new book won’t come out too soon, but once the new book period is over, it will be better. If you like it, please help spread the word. Athletics novels aren’t easy to write; I hope all dear readers will support them~~~