Who should Zhou Yang have thanked first?
By Emon66
@Emon66 (84)
China
April 12, 2010 4:05am CST
Zhou Yang, the 18-year-old Vancouver Olympics gold medalist only mentioned her parents in a post-win interview. She failed to express gratitude to the motherland. A top sports official said on March 7 that winning athletes should thank their country first, which has drawn widespread critism from netizens.
After her 1,500m short track speed skating win on February 20, Zhou told CCTV:"After winning the gold I want to ...help my parents have a better life."Yu Zaiqing, deputy director of China's General Administration of Sport, reportedly said:"The country must come first. Don't just talk about your parents." Yu didn't name any athlete. But many felt he was referring to Zhou.Later, Zhou gave thanks to the country and everyone that had supported her on several websites.
So, what do you think abuot it?
1 response
@spicysweetie21 (2573)
• United States
12 Apr 10
I think that what she said and didnt say was perfectly right. The "motherland" gets their glory because her medal adds to their little trophy case. Yes I understand that there is a sense of pride for competing for your country, but a country is an entity, not a person, not a person like both her parents who i am sure supported her, comforted her, and just basically was there for her no matter what during her entire life, not just the sports part.....I say screw "country comes first" thing, ummmm the country did not give birth to her and wouldn't really give a crap if she weren't such a good athlete. Just being honest here.
