By sportswriters Li Bowen, Ji Ye, Xia Liang
PARIS, Aug. 4 (Xinhua) -- Chinese athletes are making remarkable strides at the ongoing Paris Olympics, with Zheng Qinwen becoming the first Asian tennis player to win gold in women's singles and swimmer Pan Zhanle breaking the world record in the 100-meter freestyle.
The question now is how these emerging stars can evolve into global sports icons.
At Roland Garros, the 21-year-old Zheng said that she drew motivation from watching footage of Liu Xiang's groundbreaking victory at the 2004 Athens Olympics, where he became the first Chinese athlete to win gold in an Olympic sprint event by setting a record in the men's 110m hurdles.
Meanwhile, at La Defense Arena, 19-year-old Pan dominated the men's 100m freestyle, finishing in 46.40 seconds and surpassing his own world record of 46.80 set at the 2024 World Aquatics Championships in Doha, marking a shift in the competitive landscape of swimming, where Western used to show absolute dominance.
The rise of Zheng and Pan in Paris echo the legacy of past Chinese sports legends like Yao Ming, Li Na, Liu Xiang, and Sun Yang, who emerged as icons in the early 2000s. Yao Ming thrived in the NBA, Liu Xiang set a world record in the 110m hurdles, and Li Na triumphed at the French and Australian Opens, inspiring countless fans and athletes in China.
However, with the retirement of these stars, there has been a lack of Chinese athletes with a significant global impact. To become global sports icons, athletes like Liu Xiang, Yao Ming, Li Na, and Sun Yang, as well as international figures like Roger Federer, Cristiano Ronaldo, and LeBron James, share common characteristics and follow universal principles:
Firstly, athletes should excel in big sports like soccer and basketball, commercially successful individual sports like tennis, and key events in athletics and swimming. Consistent top-level performance is crucial.
Secondly, maintaining a positive public image and high media visibility is essential, along with building a large, dedicated fan base. Athletes should have an engaging personality, be globally integrated, inspire teammates and fans, and demonstrate strong role model qualities. Effective communication with media, fans, and sponsors, as well as proficiency in cross-cultural communication and foreign languages, is vital for global outreach.
Lastly, a robust support system is necessary, encompassing training, technology, logistics, media, and commercial promotion teams. Athletes should strive to extend their positive influence beyond sports into social, economic, cultural, and public service realms.
In the current global sports environment, Chinese athletes with significant international influence can serve as a bridge for the world to understand China. This necessitates breakthroughs in mainstream global sports and enhanced promotion of traditional strengths.
