Although he will miss the upcoming 2024 Paris Olympic Games, China's top sprinter Su Bingtian said that he has no intention of giving up on track and field or walking away from the sport so easily.
The 34-year-old skipped the Asian Games last year due to injury and missed a series of races earlier this year. In his absence, China's men's 4x100m team qualified for the Paris Olympics in May.
Su stressed that the team's qualification for Paris went relatively smoothly, and he did his part for the project even though he was not in the team.
"I feel that my physical condition has not yet reached the level where I can represent the national team in competition. So ahead of the competition, I talked with the coach team. It's not about whether I will run or not. I think obtaining the qualification for the team is the most important," he said.
The sprinter noted that he initially planned to retire in 2017, but staying in the sport allowed him to reach surprising new heights.
While content with the accomplishments he has achieved over the course of his athletic career, Su said that when it comes to sprinting, he harbors a strong desire to continue competing and eventually depart with dignity.
"I want to hang in here. I don't want to be a deserter. I want to be a 'soldier' who gives his life on the battlefield, like Bolt. Even if the final competition ends in a loss, I want to go out and lose that race on the track. I don't want to be someone who is unable to race and then leave the track," said the athlete.
Su helped China claim bronze in the men's 4x100-meter relay at the delayed 2020 Tokyo Olympics and silver in the same event at the 2015 World Championships in Beijing. He also earned a silver medal in the men's 60 meters at the 2018 World Indoor Championships in Birmingham, England.
He became the first Asian sprinter to break the 10-second barrier in the 100 meters when he crossed the line in 9.99 seconds in Eugene, Oregon, in May 2015, and later lowered his continental record to 9.83 at the Tokyo Olympics in August 2021.
Star Chinese sprinter Su Bingtian expresses loyalty to sport despite missing Paris Olympics
As Chinese people enjoy their week-long National Day holiday, many have flocked to the western suburb of Beijing to experience the excitement of the World Table Tennis China Smash 2024, which concluded on Sunday after eleven days of fierce competition among the world's top players.
As the premier event on the World Table Tennis circuit, this year's WTT Smash is taking place from September 26 to October 6 at Beijing's Shougang Park.
At Smash Park on the western outskirt of Beijing, table tennis enthusiasts gathered to watch live matches on a big screen while relaxing on the lawn and enjoying the cool autumn breeze.
Families and friends cheered for their favorite players, calling this one of the best ways to spend the holiday this October.
"I've been a huge fan of table tennis for many years. I watched the matches inside the venue on September 29. It's fantastic to have an event like this in Beijing during the National Day holiday. The atmosphere is amazing," said Ma Qiuyu, a resident.
The Smash Park features four main zones: outdoor competitions, interactive entertainment, brand exhibitions, and dining. DJ performances are staged during breaks between matches, adding to the festive atmosphere.
One of the highlights for many fans is the daily meet-and-greet, where star players interact with the crowd and sign autographs.
Notably, the event is held in the Ice Hockey, Short Track Speed Skating, and Figure Skating venues—facilities used during the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics.
"I came from Qingdao with my wife and kids specifically to watch the matches. I work in architecture and urban design, so I'm really impressed with how Shougang Park has transformed from a steel factory into Winter Games venues, and now into a space for the WTT Smash," said Liu Yang, a tourist from Shandong Province.
This is the first time in over six decades that Beijing has hosted a top table tennis event under the International Table Tennis Federation. Champions will receive 2,000 world ranking points. Beijing has secured the rights to host the WTT China Smash from 2024 to 2028, all set to take place at Shougang Park, making full use of its Winter Olympics legacy.
Visitors flock to Beijing's suburb to watch World Table Tennis China Smash 2024
