weekend PAGE 12 | SATURDAY, JULY 28, 2012 CHINADAILY.COM.CN/WORLD CHINA DAILY RED STARS OVER CHINA Chinese star power on the courts, pool and track is making the world sit up and applaud. These modern-day sports celebrities are not afraid to show off their individuality compared to their determinedly anonymous predecessors of a couple of decades ago. Sun Xiaochen and Yu Yilei put this new phenomenon under the microscope. LIU XIANG LI NA YAO MING LIN DAN DING JUNHUI hen Li Na took the “At that time, Chinese athletes were kept views. She is funny, open and very smart. But, before Li Na burst onto the scene, “We arrange for them to take lessons on microphone from Jean aloof. Th ey did not want to talk to the media She really captured the hearts of everyone no one embodied the image of the Chinese how to handle media interviews. We also Gachassin, president of and the public, and avoided every opportu- watching her. She is now more comfortable sportsman abroad more than NBA All- try to infl uence them indirectly by building the French Open, during nity to do so.” and relaxed and able to handle the spotlight. Star center Yao Ming. up their personalities,” Lu said, citing Ding’s the award ceremony, the Yang recalled his first overseas assign- And, for sure, this will lift her popularity and He single-handedly changed the image success as an example. Wpacked audience at Court Philippe Cha- ment in 1987 to cover the World Gym- commercial value worldwide,” said Eisen- of Chinese athletes abroad with his humil- Th e 24-year-old snooker champion used trier held its breath. Th ey were waiting for nastics Championship in the Netherlands, bud, who also nurtured Maria Sharapova ity, modesty, social responsibility and to be a quiet person who was too shy to talk the newly crowned French Open winner where China ranked third in the medal tally from novice to tennis great. smart thinking coupled with his stellar with strangers when he claimed the 2002 and China’s fi rst Grand Slam champion to with two golds and two silvers. Li, dubbed “International Li” by fans, performances on the court. He became an World Under-21 Championship at 15, the speak, expecting one of her colorful and “Even I did not get a chance to talk with is seen as the paragon of a new, improved unoffi cial ambassador for China and did youngest winner ever. sometimes unexpected spiels. Fresh from the Chinese athletes apart from at the press breed of Chinese athletes who are not afraid much to promote Sino-American cultural Starz organized visits and tours to the her epic victory over defending champion conference,” he said. to let their personalities shine through. exchange. United Kingdom for him, where he trained Francesca Schiavone of Italy, Li Na deliv- In probably the most extreme example, Th ey are more able to express themselves, “Yao has such a huge impact because he and improved his general knowledge. Th e ered. She thanked the sponsors, tournament four-time Olympic winner and diving diva and add a human face to their achievements is so real. He has truly shown what he is, company also introduced him to a wider director, linemen, chair umpire and her Fu Mingxia answered all media questions and performances. both on and off the court. Th at had made social circle, including dinner parties with team in English and even added a birthday with an “I don’t know” in Chinese — even the Americans accept him,” said Lu Hao, celebrities, so the young man could improve greeting in the Wuhan dialect for a friend when she was asked: “How old are you?” Yao’s agent. his social skills. sitting in the stands with her husband. Th e 10-year-old had just won the wom- It was not always so. The results speak for themselves. Last She wrapped it up by thanking her grow- en’s platform title at the 1990 World Good- Individualism was frowned upon in the year, Ding was part of a team of four inter- ing legion of fans, which drew the loudest will Games in Seattle and had been primed days when patriotic solidarity was vener- national Chinese sports personalities, applause from the international crowd. by team leaders worried she was too young ated above all else. Th ere were no stars, only including Yao, who took part in an image It seemed like a fl awless victory speech, to handle media queries. She is now experienced with team players. branding fi lm for China that was telecast but it was what she did not say that caused Li Na, once known as a maverick because media interviews. She is funny, Lu, who also manages the sports agen- by CNN and shown in Times Square in an unexpected stir back in China. of her outspoken ways and frequent dust- open and very smart. She really cy Starz International Sports, remembers New York. “She did not thank the Chinese Tennis ups with the CTA, has eff ectively broken the ‘‘ when he himself was a young basketball “We would like our athletes to shine, to Association (CTA),” a fan fumed on an stereotype of the strong but silent Chinese captured the hearts of every- player. draw more eyeballs and help us in our mar- Internet forum while reminding everyone athlete, emphasizing a phenomenon she did one watching her. She is now “At that time, athletes were more like State keting,” Lu said. that CTA chief Sun Jinfang had been sitting not start but probably best represents. more comfortable and relaxed symbols. Th ey were careful to appear the Inspired by Li Na and other sports stars, right beside the Chinese ambassador to She has tattoos on her chest and lower back same off the court. They wore the same Chinese athletes are making the eff ort to Paris, Kong Quan, in the stands. that boldly declare her aff ection for her hus- and able to handle the spot- uniforms, had the same hairstyles and even improve their image even as offi cials mull “She did not even thank China and the band. She dyes her hair diff erent shades, and light. ” uniform answers to media questions,” Lu over how to help them. Chinese people!” the fan ranted. she’s not afraid to speak out — like when she MAX EISENBUD told China Daily. “Self-expression was the Members of the Chinese national table It was a decided departure from what directed a furious “Shut up!” to the crowds VICE-PRESIDENT, IMG TENNIS last thing that was encouraged.” tennis team have started to learn English Chinese supporters expected in the past. It when they became too noisy between points Lu attributed this to the immaturity of aft er witnessing Li’s speech at Roland Gar- would have been unimaginable for an ath- at the Beijing Olympics tournament. sports in the country then, and also limited ros. It is an important step forward. lete from China on the winner’s podium not But it was during her court performance Among them, Olympic champion shut- international exposure. In spite of dominating the sport, China’s to start a speech with a litany of gratitude at the Australian Open this year that she tler Lin Dan and hurdler Liu Xiang were “Life was simple, and knowledge was paddlers have been criticized for their gruff for coaches, club and country — if, indeed, charmed the world with her humor and among the fi rst to show more expressive limited. Players were not willing to express manners, their refusal to sign autographs for they spoke at all. wit. While fielding questions after her personalities. their opinions because they had little to fans and their dodging of the media. Chinese sportsmen were as much known games, she showed off her unflappable Lin is famous for his shirt-ripping and say,” he said. “This is excellent news,” International for their reticence in facing the media and sportsmanship when she joked about her military salute aft er every victory. He once “But we are in the information age. With Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) President the public as their athletic prowess. They husband on court in English. kissed his girlfriend Xie Xingfang, also a modern media outlets, athletes have more Adham Sharara said in a statement. “It were individually colorless, looked the same, “I will always admire her tennis fi rst. But top-ranked badminton player, during the access to better understand the world and shows the progressive attitude of the Chi- dressed the same and blended into a back- it was her charming personality that made 2007 All-England Championships to the to enrich their personalities. Frequent inter- nese Table Tennis Association and their ground of collective solidarity. us want to sign her,” said Max Eisenbud, delight of the cheering crowd. national exchanges have made them more understanding that the players must be able “I cannot visualize what would have hap- vice-president of tennis at the sports market- The world will also remember Liu open,” said Lu, whose company also man- to communicate with everyone. pened if Li gave the same speech back in the ing giant International Management Group Xiang’s exuberant leap onto the winner’s ages China snooker sensation Ding Junhui. “If they communicate in English then the 1980s,” said Yang Xinwei, a veteran sports (IMG). Th e company sealed the deal with Li podium aft er his dramatic victory of the Aware of the potency of star power, Lu’s entire world will listen.