PAGE 16 • AUGUST 19, 2011 CHINA DAILY LEADING LIGHT Spectacles still fl ying in Shenzhen THE CHINESE 100M GOLD WINNER FAMOUS FOR WEARING GLASSES FINDS NEW FOCUS WITH TV SHOW By LU YUN CHINA DAILY BEIJING — “Flying spectacles” is back. This time, he has a camera in hand. Hu Kai, who became the first Chinese winner of the men’s 100m in an international tournament when he won gold at the 2005 Izmir Universiade in Turkey, retired from the sport recently. Retirement wasn’t nearly power- ful enough to keep him away from the Universiade. This time, he’s shooting a TV program called Hu Kai’s view of Universiade for China’s national television station, CCTV. His ever-present glasses still in tow, Kai gives viewers a chance to explore the places he remembers fondly, including the Athletes’ Village and the 100m track in the main stadium. “I will show my audience a more detailed Universiade from an ath- lete’s point of view,” Hu said. The program is broadcast nationally every other day during the Games. So, which job is more diffi cult: Athlete or journalist? “Well, I think it will be more troublesome for me. You have to prepare many questions,” he said with a grin. “I’m less experienced in this fi eld.” VALERY HACHE / AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE Hu captured the country’s imagi- China’s Hu Kai acknowledges the crowd after competing in a men’s second round 100m heat at the “Bird’s Nest” National Stadium at the Beijing nation in Izmir when he dashed Olympic Games on Aug 15, 2008. across the fi nish line in 10.30 sec- onds. This may be the “Wearing spectacles does not give up one of them if I wanted to FACTBOX He became a national idol, and aff ect me.” advance in either,” Hu said. was praised as the rare product perfect ending On Aug 15, 2008, Chinese Although reluctant to say good- Birthday: Aug 4, 1982 (age 29) of college sports who could reach of my sports ca- spectators were thrilled to bye to track, Hu chose academics. Birthplace: Qingdao, Shan- the level of the Chinese athletes reer. I jumped to watch “fl ying spectacles” dash “Gradually, people would not dong province, China who had established themselves into the second round of the see me running on the track, but Height: 1.77m through the traditional state-sup- fame because of 100m race at the 2008 Beijing sport will always be my love,” he ported system. the Universiade, Olympics, clocking 10.39 sec- said. “I will be more than happy Personal best Hu said he enjoys his “dual iden- now I’m retiring. onds. to contribute my own eff ort to it.” 100m: 10.24s in May 2008 in tity” as a good student and a good ‘‘ Although he failed to advance to The 29-year-old was a torch- Beijing, It feels good to runner. He is pursuing a doctor- the semifi nals, Hu became the fi rst bearer in Shenzhen. He was 200m: 20.57s in April 2006 in ate in marketing management at know I can leave Chinese man to get past the fi rst thrilled when he ran into Beijng’s Chongqing China’s prestigious Tsinghua Uni- my footprints round of the 100m in the Olym- Peking University campus hold- versity. here.” pics. ing the torch high to conclude Major Achievements “Professional athletes would “I’ve tried my best. At least I’m the relay. 2004 100m&200m champion, not have the opportunity to HU KAI the fastest graduate student in “Th is may be the perfect ending National Athletic Grand Prix FORMER CHINESE receive higher education while SPRINTER China,” Hu said. of my sports career. I jumped to 2005 100m champion, Na- living in the vibrant campus,” he Aft er the Olympics, he faced a fame because of the Universiade. tional Athletic Championship said. “Ordinary university stu- hard choice: sports or school. Now I’m retiring. It feels good to 2005 100m champion, 23rd dents would not have the chance eyeglasses. “Th ough many people think a know I can leave my footprints World University Games to travel abroad to compete. As “I got used to wear glasses good education would help my here,” Hu said. 2005 100m champion, East an athlete and a student, I can when training. When I was understanding in training, I still “Although I have left the track, I Asia Games take advantage of both.” young, I was told by doctors that tell myself that if you want to make will still pay close attention to the 2008 100m champion, Osaka Hu could be always spotted on I could not wear contacts and I it to the mountain top, you have to performance of Chinese athletes in Athletics Grand Prix the track thanks to his signature began to wear glasses,” Hu said. be focused on one thing. I have to the Universiade.”.