(August 16)

(The author, CCTV commentator)

The road to Olympic glory has unexpected twists for Chinese competitors

Weightlifter, Zhang Xiangxiang, may never have clinched the gold if it hadn't been for him swapping bats for weights.

His first dream, or rather his mother's dream for him, was pingpong. Unexpectedly, his table tennis coach one day told him and his mother that he was better suited to weightlifting.

Zhang Xiangxiang of China hugs the barbell weighing 184kg he unsuccessfully tried to lift during the men's 62kg Group A clean and jerk weightlifting competition at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games August 11, 2008. [Agencies]

On hearing this advice, Zhang's mother wanted to leave with her son immediately. Luckily, the weightlifting coach arrived in time before the two left, and persuaded Mrs. Zhang to change her mind thus retaining the Olympic champion seed.

Even more dramatic is the story of Zhang Juanjuan, the new archery gold medalist.

She started by discus throwing and then changed to shooting at her coach's advice. Fortunately, she then changed a third time to archery when the moveable marker event was cancelled.

Similar cases include the 190cm tall saber fencing gold winner Zhong Man, who first attempted to play basketball.

It is these very coincidences that turn out to play an indispensable role in later successes.

On the other hand, one equally important thing is persistence. Weightlifters such as Zhang Juanjuan have shown extraordinary persistence.

Whether you stick with what you are doing or change for something new is a big question, and the right decision is vital.

The shining gold-holders should not forget those who helped with their life-changing choices. Still more, they should try to help others in need of similar help in the future.

http://liujianhong.blog.sohu.com/97376540.html