The people of the world will remember this day, the day that Liu Xiang turned away from the 110-meter hurdle race. This Asian Flying Man, who had broken the world record in history, left the track where he created an Asian miracle with a simple turn, walking away from the competition and the continuation of miracles.
Thus, the nation erupted like boiling water, splashing everywhere without fear of scalding others. The internet was flooded with articles—some forgiving, others speculative, still others condemning—with various opinions abounding. Some words were extraordinarily harsh, claiming that Liu Xiang's foot injury was a carefully orchestrated conspiracy, a plan to preserve his fame and the title of "Asian Flying Man," a despicable and hypocritical act. But I don't entirely agree.
Liu Xiang's foot injury was not something heard about just today. As the pride of the East, the responsibility on his shoulders, the heavy burden he bore, was carried through rigorous training. Injuries are inevitable during training, and when injured, one should rest and recuperate. Dropping out of the race is understandable and excusable. Why insist it was a deceptive scam meant to cover up the truth? This is merely speculation, yet sharp words—like knives—cut open the flesh's arteries, letting blood flow and destroying lives.
I have always detested those who speak without basis in fact. Without solid evidence, how can one condemn someone to the punishment of universal disdain? Can the law tolerate such actions? Without accurate diagnostic evidence, how can one diagnose another as having a terminal malignant tumor and still feel at peace? Even if this speculation were correct, it would only show that Liu Xiang was crushed under the expectations of the public. He lost, he lost to himself, to his fragile heart. Fragility exists in everyone; some can afford to lose, while others cannot. Because he lost, he faced condemnation from the world, becoming a sinner.
In reality, who has truly lost? Isn't Liu Xiang not the only one? Haven't those so-called gentlemen wearing the hat of intellectuals also lost? No matter how profound your words of condemnation may be, you remain failures because you have lost to magnanimity, lost to tolerance, lost to the pace of facts, and lost to an original sense of conscience.
An article in a forum titled "American-style Ah Q" gave me much to ponder. The Ah Q spirit discarded by the Chinese has become the Americans' method of spiritual victory. They place themselves second in total gold medals but first in total medals awarded, which, though misleading, upon closer inspection, serves as a means to inspire their citizens—a practice both infuriating and admirable.
We Chinese have lost the Ah Q spirit, but don't we still have "great wisdom appears as foolishness"? The Chinese are wise, with five thousand years of cultural history and literary refinement enriching our minds. Why must we expose this wisdom so sharply, pointing it directly at the failure of one individual? Why not use temporary confusion to bury the blemishes of this sports history?
Humans are ultimately ordinary flesh and blood, no matter how spectacular or dazzling they once were. Time will erode your essence, and when you look back, all that remains are simple dates marking time. Life continues to be the mundane aspects of clothing, food, shelter, and transportation, and you remain a simple individual. Therefore, we should be humble and treat everything with kindness and integrity.
Rumors are lethal weapons, while encouragement is the wings that inspire. I admire intellectuals, and I ask them to use broad-mindedness and affection to encourage our Eastern pride. Do not let him be struck down by storms and lightning. Do not let him fall into despair and never recover. Do not let his thin shoulders bear unfathomable sins. Transform your passionate prayers and fervent words into warm sea breezes, propelling his racing boat forward. Let him create brilliance again for China and even Asia, continuing the miracles.
Stop all speculation and condemnation. Together, let us bless Liu Xiang.
Because we cannot lose to ourselves.