Under the Eiffel Tower, a man with a Chinese face is busy fiddling with his mobile phone, with two children standing next to him. What should have been an ordinary travel scene has caused an uproar on social media.
It turned out that this man was the former diving champion Tian Liang, and the purpose of his trip was to bring goods to the live broadcast.
As soon as the news came out, netizens were in an uproar. Someone sighed: "Is this what happens to Olympic champions?" Some people are even more happy: "It's good that Guo Jingjing is not with him, otherwise it would be a shame." For a time, Tian Liang became the target of public criticism and was labeled as "degenerate" and "unproductive".
Is it really that simple? In this age of information explosion, should we stop and think carefully about the story behind it?
Let's take a look back at Tian Liang's career. As a key member of the Chinese diving team, he won gold medals for his country at the 2000 Sydney Olympics. After retiring, he transformed into the entertainment industry, participated in many variety shows, and became a household name. However, as he grew older and a new generation of stars rose, his exposure gradually declined.
In this era of rapid change, the glory of the past does not guarantee an eternal halo. Many retired athletes face the dilemma of transition. Some choose to go into sports administration, some become coaches, and still others change careers altogether. Tian Liang chose the entertainment industry, but obviously, this road is not easy to follow.
Let's take a look at today's live streaming industry. With the development of the Internet, live streaming has become an emerging business model. Many celebrities and Internet celebrities have joined in, and some have even created amazing sales performance. In this context, it seems not incomprehensible that Tian Liang chose to try live broadcasting.
But why did Tian Liang's actions cause so much controversy?
One big reason is that there are higher expectations of Olympic champions. In the hearts of many people, Olympic champions should be sacred and noble, and they represent the honor of the country. Seeing an athlete who once won glory for the country reduced to selling goods on the streets, many people felt heartache and disappointment.
Another reason is that people have an inherent definition of "success". Traditionally, success is often synonymous with fame and fortune. If a person changes from a "star" to a "streamer with goods", it is easy to be considered "unsuccessful" or "degenerate".
Should we revisit our definition of "success"? In these fast-changing times, isn't adapting to change and constantly learning new skills a success in itself? Tian Liang has gone from an athlete to an actor to an anchor, and every transformation requires courage and hard work. Should we give him more understanding and support, rather than simply labeling and drawing conclusions?
What is more worthy of our reflection is why Guo Jingjing, who is also an Olympic champion, can get more praise? Is it because she married into a wealthy family, or because she is still active in the world of sports? Do we have double standards for the development of male and female athletes after retirement?
In fact, Guo Jingjing and Tian Liang's choices are worthy of respect. Guo Jingjing chose a family, but at the same time, she did not give up her profession and continued to contribute to the diving career. Tian Liang chose to try different fields, although the process may be bumpy, but it also reflects his spirit of not being willing to be mediocre and brave to challenge.
It is also important to note that there is also a sensitive topic involved in this incident: the participation of minors in commercial activities. Although it was later confirmed that the child in the photo was not Tian Liang's child, the misunderstanding still caused concern. While pursuing economic interests, should we pay more attention to the protection of the rights and interests of minors? This is an issue that deserves in-depth discussion from all walks of life.
Returning to Tian Liang himself, perhaps we should give him more sympathy and understanding. As a public figure, his every decision is magnified and scrutinized. In the process, he may face a lot of pressure and doubts. However, he chose to move on rather than rest on his laurels. Isn't this kind of spirit exactly what we should learn?
This incident also reflects the stereotypes of professions in our society. In the eyes of many people, live streaming is an "inferior" profession. But in fact, every industry has its value and significance. Should we abandon this prejudice and give every profession the respect it deserves?
The incident also raised questions about the celebrity effect. Why did Tian Liang's every move attract so much attention? Is it because we have high expectations of celebrities, or because we subconsciously want to see them "fall off the altar"?
From a broader perspective, Tian Liang's experience reflects many of the problems of contemporary society. For example, how do you think about success and failure? How do you balance career and family? How do you stay competitive in a time of rapid change? These are challenges that each of us can face.
This incident has also exposed the problems in our public opinion environment. In the age of the Internet, people tend to make quick judgments and easily label others. Should we foster a more rational and inclusive atmosphere of discussion? Should others be given more understanding and tolerance?
Let's think about it from another angle: if we were faced with a career change ourselves, what would we choose? Do we have the courage to let go of the aura of the past and start from scratch in a completely new field, just like Tian Liang?
The incident of Tian Liang bringing goods under the Eiffel Tower in Paris is far from just a simple news. It involves multiple aspects such as career choices, family responsibilities, social expectations, and public opinion environment. It reminds us that in this complex and ever-changing world, we need to be more open and tolerant about the choices of others, and we need to face our own lives with a braver and more positive attitude.
No matter what Tian Liang's future path is, we should give him the respect and understanding he deserves. At the same time, we should also learn from this incident and reflect on our values and behaviors. Only in this way can we find our own path to success in this challenging era.