Right after Chinese diver Wu Minxia won her third Olympic gold medal, her family decided it was the right time to tell her a long-held family secret: her grandparents are dead.
Wu’s parents decided not to tell her about the death of her grandparents (or her own mother’s years-long battle with breast cancer) until after she had won the 3-meter springboard in London. Their reasoning? They didn’t want to interfere with Minxia’s diving career. “It was essential to tell this white lie,” said her father Wu Yuming.
A little bit you have to understand about Chinese Olympic athletes: they are crazy dedicated. Olympic athletes from China are government-backed, and have a harsh, almost militaristic “win-at-all-costs” mentality. Athletes in China are often taken away from their families at very young ages to train for hours on end. In the case of Wu Minxia, she began diving training at age 6, and left home at 16, bound for a government aquatic training institute, according to Yahoo!News.
Minxia is one of her sport’s shiniest stars, and part of that is thanks to the price paid by her personal life.
“We accepted a long time ago that she doesn’t belong entirely to us,” Wu Yuming told the Shanghai Morning Post. “I don’t even dare to think about things like enjoying family happiness.”
Wu’s mother decided to wait until her breast cancer was in remission before breaking the news to her daughter of her condition. Understandable, I suppose. But her grandparents have both been dead for over a year, and Minxia only just now learned about it.
The story has shifted national attention toward the Chinese government’s athletic practices, particularly with regard to the Olympics, and not in a good way. Seems unimaginable to we on the Western side of civilization, but the Chinese government only publicly congratulates gold medalists through the media – not silver or bronze.
Though we might expect Chinese athletic practices to come under some scrutiny as the 2012 Olympics push forward, their athletes deliver results. It’s not likely anything would change!
Highly doubt this has anything to do with the government. It's more likely stemmed from the strong bond between generations in China and the urge of the parents to protect their young and sacrifice themselves. As a Chinese immigrant who now lives in U.S. If it were my daughter, I would have done the same thing.
She's lucky she wasn't aborted just because she is female. Folks that hold Commie China in high regard are clueless….
This has EVERYTHING to do with the State. Her parents sacrificed their child to the State. They reduced themselves to baby machines and not parents. Of course you would do the same thing, thats the difference between individual liberty and Statism. You exist for the State, I exist for me.
"Seems unimaginable to we " SERIOUSLY? US, it should be to US. Who wrote this article? A 4th grader?
Congratulations on your Olympic win! By the way, your grandparents are dead. Nice weather here in London, isn't it?
All sick humor aside, informing her of the grandparents death would have served no purpose. Just a needless distraction. I would have done the same.
Michael Byck Is it because i`m (african) american that i agree with michael more than libin?
I understand though…news of a death with definitely cause her to not perform as if she didnt have the news….but man! chinese culture is soooo strange to me. its like they are all robots.
Sacrifice your life with your child? For a sport? That is some warped priority.
Sacrifice your life with your child? For a sport? That is some warped priority.
Sacrifice your life with your child? For a sport? That is some warped priority.
Sacrifice your life with your child? For a sport? That is some warped priority.
Sacrifice your life with your child? For a sport? That is some warped priority.
I was going to suggest a Chinese person not very good at English, but the author's name doesn't really support that claim.
I was going to suggest a Chinese person not very good at English, but the author's name doesn't really support that claim.
they are sadly not smarter than a 5th grader lol! sike give a break gosh he writes all the time damn! people cant make mistakes? guess that doesnt happen in fl.
another heartwarming human interest story..
For an entire year? It's sad that some place no value on grieving and comforting one another. This only adds betrayal on top of the pain and would make the athlete think others assume she is self-centered.
What a sad commentary of family life in China…
The govt. probably assumed she had already lost the race and prematurely executed them.
I like these two statements from her parents; “We accepted a long time ago that she doesn’t belong entirely to us,” Wu Yuming told the Shanghai Morning Post. “I don’t even dare to think about things like enjoying family happiness.”.
This shows the mentality of stat-ism in China. This is also how our government would like us to think here in America. Is this really what folks want here in America? This is what you will get with 4 more years of obama.
Like the USSR, China will implode at some point. Financially, just like Japan did. The China and communist loving liberals will be devastated, just like they were when the old USSR sank to the bottom. Time to press the "Reset" button, eh Hillary.
Like the USSR, China will implode at some point. Financially, just like Japan did. The China and communist loving liberals will be devastated, just like they were when the old USSR sank to the bottom. Time to press the "Reset" button, eh Hillary.
Hoping it's an editing mistake and that the writer, if asked, would recognize the error…
Sound like Wu Minxia got the old Shanghai surprise! Her parent are two dumb f*^&&^&* k 's.
Exactly correct. Not to mention the vicious persecution of Falun Gong, people who meditate in the park are arrested, tortured and imprisoned and some even have their organs harvested while they are alive. Other groups like Christians are treated in a similar fashion.
Actually, I think this is an appropriate use of the word "we" in this instance. It sounds funny, but I believe it is technically grammatically correct.
No such thing as life in China … only existence …
When I hear a story like this all I can think of is Anita Dunn, Obama's Communications Director hanging a Christmas tree ornament of Mao on the official White House tree with administrations approval…
On the eve of the competition maybe, but a year ago? That's one fragile psyche. We here hear of athletes losing a loved one and giving the performance of their lives.
Wasn't Chuck Barris the head of that?
'Ask not what the "state" can give to you. Ask what you can give to the "state."' Sounds almost like something a Democratic president might say. ;^}
People owned by political ideologues are like that.
Boy! Now there is a country I really want to live in….one where they are afraid to think of things like "happiness & family". bunch of commies.
"…she doesn't belong to us." Obama would be so proud.
"…she doesn't belong to us." Obama would be so proud.
http://www.grammarphobia.com/blog/2007/04/we-vs-us.html
You can go either way, but thanks for the feedback!
"Hey–if you've got a daughter that wins a gold medal in the Olympics–you didn't have that–somebody else did it." [Barack Obama, 2012].
If they give up their daughter to China, are they allowed to keep their next-born child?
thank u ….
She should be grateful to the Chinese government… remember "If you've got a Gold medal — you didn't built that, somebody else made that happen."
Thank you for your candor. In the U.S, self-fulfillment is valued above everything else. That's not a value judgement as much as a statement of fact. Individual liberty is taken so much for granted that different values are seen as strange and often ugly. That said, I might have done the same thing and kept the news secret so my daughter wouldn't be distracted. Cultural differences aside, that decision was a personal choice and not one dictated by any government.
Who wrote this? "Seems unimaginable to we on the Western side of civilization…" Really? Seems unimaginable to we?
'Ask not what your mind wants to think… ask instead what The Inquisitr wants to tell you'…
Its not that Chinese athletes are crazy dedicated, its the communist mentality of putting government glory ahead of everything else in your life. I say 'communist' because it is a value of communism that says the state is more important than any person or group of people. To make matters worse is the government can and will punish athletes that don't obey their demands. The government has your life and livelihood, and that of your family, in their hands. Screw with China and you'll live on the streets.
Brett Favre on MNF the day after his father died.
For over a year? If they had died in an accident yesterday, maybe I could see not telling her until after the compitition. But to wait a year?
Dusten Michael Carlson no. it absolutely should be "seems unimaginable to us"
ALL the writing is terrible. My 6th grader can do far better.
Was this written by a high-schooler?
good we have people like elizabeth warren praising china lol.
A Christmas ornament of an athiest? That could define Irony
Robert Larsen, no that is incorrect. It would be akin to saying "Seems unimaginable to I" No no no no. "Seems unimaginable to me" would be correct and so would saying "US" not "WE".
And Elizabeth Warren, Democrat running for US Senate in Massachusetts, says we need to be more like China?
Yep, wait to tell her that her Grandparents had died, until she won the gold. BUT, then tell her right after she wins, to make sure that you destroy the Joy she would feel in winning. That would sure spoil the day for her, who cares, the credit should go only to China. After all, they fed her all those years. Not living with her parents, they probably didn't have much of a bond with her anyway. So never considered what she might want or feel when she did find out.
Exactly! That type of government is what Obama is forcing us into if he gets another 4 years in. The govt Obama wants is a completely communist type of hybrid socialism known as communitarianism. Couple that with agenda 21 and the UN depopulation mandate and we may well see millions of government mandatory female only abortions in the USA.
Reject Obama the puppet and the CFR-bank cabals that control him.
And to think, some people in this country compare our society to theirs. No thanks.
Poor little girl. Poor parents. Poor family. Poor people. And our country is in DEBT to them! Sad.
"You stay classy China."
have non of you seen the Big Lebowski? It's the royal we, you know, the editorial.
Just like the weightlifter from N. Korea who claimed that Jim Jong II 'gave him the power' to lift the weights'. Its all state, all the time. ( after all, she didn't build[win] it).
Glad she won Gold this time. They will feed her for 4 more years and give the test again. Slave to the state…
“We accepted a long time ago that she doesn’t belong entirely to us,”.
If Obama is re-elected, a lot of people will be saying the same thing in the US.
“We accepted a long time ago that she doesn’t belong entirely to us,”.
If Obama is re-elected, a lot of people will be saying the same thing in the US.
And ELIZABETH WARREN believes the USA needs to be more like the Commies!? Vote her OUT!
Chicago Values!
FUBO
It is the pack mentality.
Yikes, there are some delusional people here. Chris, seriously, put down the moonshine. Actually, nevermind, go to town. I'm thinking you haven't seen reality in decades.
Jay Rock What?
Jay Rock What?
I feel so much better about myself and America now that I know that China is an oppressive, totalitarian regime that destroys the lives of its athletes.
Thank goodness I live in a God-fearing, patriotic country like the US.
Thank goodness we don't have coaches that protect child molesters for 20 years or an exploitative corporate sports system that takes advantage of poor, inner city children.
All Chinese are communists, dog eaters, and atheist. They hate women and freedom.
That Chinese diver might have beaten us in diving but I know I will sleep better at night knowing that I am morally superior to them.
I feel so much better about myself and America now that I know that China is an oppressive, totalitarian regime that destroys the lives of its athletes.
Thank goodness I live in a God-fearing, patriotic country like the US.
Thank goodness we don't have coaches that protect child molesters for 20 years or an exploitative corporate sports system that takes advantage of poor, inner city children.
All Chinese are communists, dog eaters, and atheist. They hate women and freedom.
That Chinese diver might have beaten us in diving but I know I will sleep better at night knowing that I am morally superior to them.
Stupidest comment I've read in awhile. We're nowhere near communism, quit fear-mongering and poke your head outside the Tea Party bubble.
D Patrick Dewey Imagine a Kennedy-esque president calling for some sacrifice to the greater good. Horrible amirite?! lol
Just shut up, people from western countries!
YOU GUYS know absolutely nothing about China! Know absolutely nothing about the way we Chinese dealing things!
YOU GUYS all think we Chinese are cold blood animals?
DO YOU GUYS know the pain we suffered to achieve our goals!
DO YOU GUYS know that it is not the government , but her parents asked the coach to keep the secret of her grandfather's death?
DO YOU GUYS know how great chinese parents are? They could suffer any pain for their children!
If YOU GUYS know nothing about our culture, then YOU GUYS have no right to criticize us!
Once again, just keep your mouth shut! YOU WESTERN PEOPLE!
This is crazy….. Gone to far for games…..
I actually agree with JFK and is statement. Unfortunately we have 47% of the population (and growing) that only ask what the government (politician) can do for them. Some sacrifice is good, however believing that ones children belong to the state and not the parents is wrong.
Tracy Cozzens: We are actually closer to communism than we were 4 years ago. Obama himself stated that he believes in 2 of the 4 pillars of socialism (wealth redistribution and social justice). I support the tea party but am not part of it. If you don't think we are close to communism, maybe you ought to take a look at the history of bills passed by our fed. government. You might want to start with the creation of the FED and then the Bretton-woods act of 1944/45.
Reading the comments make me lol. The idea that the grandparents death was concealed from her makes perfect sense to me, I was not told of my grandfather's death until 2 weeks after because I was taking finals, especially the parents know that she without distraction will be a reigning champion. Although sports is state sponsored it's not as brutal as the western media portray them to be, my 6 year old cousin from a pretty wealthy family was once recruited by the state many times, the parents turned them down, and they never came back again. Unlike the West, the Chinese govt choose whoever they think have the talent despite family background either you are extremely poor or wealthy. He Kexin from the girl's gymnastic team is from a normal middle class family in Beijing. Whereas in the states, most if not all athletes comes from wealthy families. If you follow up in any Chinese athletes, the state also pays their college after their retirement, example: Li Xiaopeng. The fencing champion is getting a phD from a top notch university. And for those about women rights, the percentage of women in power is higher than that of the US. And my nanny was a Christian, and in Beijing they can freely go on Sundays. Whatever your image of China is too dated, China is no longer from 20 or 10 years ago. Sympathy for her grandparent's death, and congrats on winning the gold again. Please don't say that I'm brainwashed while western media is laughably biased itself, and I've lived in the US for 10 years since age 13.
Chris Kitze Please research Falun Gong before you make a comment. I was in Beijing when they committed suicide by pouring gasoline on themselves to find "god" it was live on TV and I saw them with my real eyes. Furthermore, I have thoroughly read the Falun "bible" as there are some very disturbing ideas such as "All diseases can be cured with meditations" or "everyone possess a turning ring in their belly", many member who died because of slicing their stomach open. My grandmother used to practice them but stopped halfway thinking it was rubbish. There are plenty of ppl meditate in various parks in Beijing including my grandparents, but the law requires that in Tienanmen square is illegal. Isolated reports doesn't represent the rest of the country. Ethnic minorities such as my childhood best friend receives more benefits than its Han counterparts. My nanny when i was in Elementary school goes to church near my house every Sunday, and I never recall she being arrested. If you believe what the western media feeds you then you are just ignorant. My family still lives in Beijing as they've been there for 6 generations, I grew up in the US but I don't trust the media completely and do my own independent research
You guys are idiots. What people care about right now is the economy. The people who are suffering are in the lower classes. Mitt Romney wants to give tax cuts to the 1% even though we're in a huge deficit. I'm not a huge fan of Obama, but right now, he's honestly the "lesser of two evils."
What does God-fearing have to do with it? And why should we fear God anyway? Why not love Him for all He has done for us?