In the sports world, there is such a strange woman, who uses her feet as a pen and sweat as ink to write her own "golden" legend on the world's runway. She is Liu Hong, a race walking queen who walked out of the countryside of Anfu County, Ji'an City, Jiangxi Province, and an "immortal legend" who is about to embark on the fifth Olympic journey.
Starting point: Dreams set sail on the ridges
Imagine that one morning in 1987, when the first rays of sunlight broke through the mist and shone on the fields of Anfu County, a little girl with pigtails was following her father, stepping on the dirt step by step, imitating the way adults walked. At that time, she may not have known that this simple "imitation" would be the starting point for her to stand on top of the world in the future.
Liu Hong's childhood had no gorgeous runway, no professional coaches, only the field that carried countless hopes. But it was this land that gave birth to her tenacious character and endless love for race walking.
Struggle: From collapsing to being crowned with a gold medal
Time jumped to 2002, when Liu Hong stepped into the door of Futian District Sports School in Shenzhen, her life trajectory changed dramatically. From the countryside to the city, from the ridge to the runway, every step is full of challenges. But Liu Hong did not flinch, she watered her dreams with sweat and created brilliance with persistence.
The days of training were hard, and Liu Hong often practiced until her legs were weak and she collapsed on the ground and couldn't get up. But in the dead of night, she would always silently tell herself: "Hold on a little longer, for the gold in her heart." It is this perseverance and persistence that has allowed her to leave her footprints in the Olympic arenas in Beijing, London, Rio and Tokyo, from fourth place to silver medal, to gold and bronze medals, and every progress is a self-transcendence.
Transition: From the field to the family, and back to the field
On the road of race walking, Liu Hong is not only an excellent athlete, but also a virtuous wife. She married her husband outside the circle and lived an ordinary and happy life. However, for the sake of her dream and the honor of her country, she resolutely chose to return to the national team and continue her Olympic journey.
The long-term separation between the two places did not weaken her longing for her family, but made her cherish every reunion with her family even more. In her opinion, family is her strongest backing and the source of motivation for her to keep moving forward.
Looking ahead: Paris, a new beginning or an end?
Now, the 37-year-old is about to embark on her fifth Olympic journey. For many people, this age is already the age of retirement, but for Liu Hong, this is a new beginning. Her goal is clear – to win a medal at the Paris Olympics and bring her career to a successful conclusion.
However, for Liu Hong, the Paris Olympics may not only be an end, but also a new starting point. Because in her, we see a spirit - a spirit that never gives up and never stops. This spirit will inspire generations of young people to pursue their dreams and push their limits.
Let's wait and see! Take a look at how this race walking queen who walked out of the ridge shines again in the arena in Paris and writes her own "golden" legend!