The person in charge of organizing the National Indoor Track and Field Championships is now very worried. Coaches from several teams have expressed their hope that top athletes will not participate in such small-level domestic events.
Athletes come to compete just for that one medal. However, there are only three gold, silver and bronze medals in each event, but there are sixty, seventy or more athletes competing for it. There are more wolves and less meat, but now this wolf pack has sneaked in. A tiger, without any reason, took away the fattest piece of meat first, and the other wolves who were waiting to share the meat were naturally full of opinions.
For each team, medals are not only a reflection of honor and training results, but also a guarantee for applying for training funds in the coming year. If you lose a medal for one event, you will have one less reason to apply for funds next year. This kind of matter involves actual interests. The team united in unison.
It turned out that Liu Fei won the 60-meter hurdles championship, and everyone could barely tolerate it. This time, Zhang Guan came again, and he broke two records as soon as he came, which made the coaches of other teams a little unbearable. . There are only a few indoor track and field competitions, but two gold medals were missing before the competition. This undoubtedly touched everyone's cheese.
At the same time, Zhang Guan was called back to the national team training center by Director Yu.
After the meeting, Director Yu directly asked: "How is Lao Chen's situation?"
"The recovery is going well and I should be able to get out of bed and walk around soon." Zhang Guan said.
"What happens next? Can I still lead the team?" Director Yu asked eagerly. This was the question he was most concerned about.
Zhang Guan replied with some disappointment: "The doctor said that people with this disease will not be able to engage in tiring coaching work even after they recover."
Director Yu nodded, with a sad expression on his face, and a hint of fear.
Director Yu is sad for Mr. Chen and is forced to leave the track and field he loves most in his life. Director Yu can understand that feeling; and he is worried about his future. He is afraid that one day, he will have to leave track and field. In the arena, this thought made him feel scared, as if he was feeling sad when a rabbit dies and a fox dies.
After a long time, Director Yu calmed down and then asked: "If Mr. Chen can't lead the team, what are your plans next?"
Mr. Chen is Zhang Guan’s head coach. If Mr. Chen resigns, Zhang Guan will naturally have to change his coach. For the guidance and even the entire track and field team, changing Zhang Guan’s coach is a big deal. With Zhang Guan’s current level , ordinary coaches are not qualified to teach him.
"I don't know either." Zhang Guan shook his head and continued: "Just take it one step at a time! Isn't the Olympic training camp coming soon? After that, it will be the Olympics. I don't think I will have much time to train with the provincial team. In addition, Fudan University They have agreed to admit me to school, but if it doesn’t work out, I will go to the Xinzhuang training base after the Olympics.”
"You still want to go to college?" Director Yu was stunned. Most athletes go to college to register, and then continue to train as usual. It is possible not to go back to school for two or three years. As for graduation, it is more of a formality.
Zhang Guan nodded seriously: "I want to learn English well so that I can use it when I compete abroad."
"That's fine, it's a good thing to learn more while you're young." Director Yu changed his voice and continued: "But you don't have to worry about English. In a few months, the Sports Association will hold training for Olympic athletes, including English. Quick training, if you want to learn, sign up in advance, but you may have to study at night, and you still have to train during the day."
After Director Yu finished speaking, he picked up a folder and handed it to Zhang Guan, and said, "This is the track and field competition plan for this year. You should take a look at it first. Last summer, I planned for you to participate as much as possible and familiarize yourself with the atmosphere of the competition. Accumulate competition experience. However, you broke the Asian 100-meter record. With your current level, it is of little significance to participate in domestic events. The level of domestic events is relatively low. Competing with low-level players for a long time is not conducive to your growth. So. I think before the Olympics, you can just compete in the last two races of the National Track and Field Grand Prix."
Zhang Guan looked at the competition plan in his hand. First, the National Youth and Junior Track and Field Championships will be held on April 9. The youth level will involve athletes aged 18 and 19, and the junior level will involve athletes aged 16 and 17. Regardless of age, Zhang Guan can participate in youth-level competitions, but as an Asian record holder, it is obviously inappropriate to participate in youth-level competitions.
After that comes the National Track and Field Grand Prix series. The first leg on April 17 and the second leg on April 22 are both held in Gui Province in the southwest. Athletes living in the east and north will basically not participate; the third leg is 5 It will be held in Jinling on July 1st, which is not too far for Zhang Guan, but it is optional; the last two stops are held in the capital on July 17th and in Tianjin on July 30th. At the same time, the fifth stop is not only the Grand Prix The first stop is also this year’s National Track and Field Open.
In addition, another competition before the Olympics is the National Track and Field Championships and Olympic Trials held in Shizhuang on May 20. According to this year’s Olympic rules, the deadline for track and field athletes to meet the standards is July, so the Olympic trials on May 20 are an excellent opportunity for athletes to qualify for the Olympics.
Director Yu continued: "The Athens Olympics will open on August 13. Our country's Olympic delegation is expected to arrive in Athens on August 8 or 9. The confirmation of the Olympic participants should be in mid-July. So let you The main reason for participating in the last two races of the National Track and Field Grand Prix is to maintain condition and avoid physical fatigue after not competing for a long time. Another thing is that the national team training next month will be closed. In order to avoid athletes being distracted, All mobile phones have to be taken away, which means I can’t contact my family. I’ll make an agreement with my family now when I get back so they won’t be anxious.”
…
After the National Indoor Track and Field Championships, Zhang Guan returned to the provincial capital.
Provincial hospital.
Perhaps influenced by Zhang Guan's two record-breaking performances in one day, Mr. Chen seemed to be in a good mood. The doctor also said that Mr. Chen's recovery is very optimistic and he believes that he will be discharged from the hospital soon.
The provincial capital is still cold in February, and the air is still filled with the smell of winter. As a northern city, central heating usually ends in mid-March, so the ward at this moment is not only not cold, but even a little hot.
"Go and open the window, I feel a little hot." Mr. Chen said, and Zhang Guan immediately stood up and came to the window, preparing to open the window a little.
"Have the willow trees sprouted outside?" Mr. Chen suddenly asked.
"Not yet, but it's coming soon. It should sprout next month!" Zhang Guan replied intentionally or unintentionally.
"Spring is coming..." After Chen finished speaking, he changed his voice and said, "I know that after I am discharged from the hospital, I am afraid that I will completely retire, and I will no longer be a coach in the future."
Zhang Guan's hand on the window suddenly paused, and an inexplicable sadness arose in his heart. Zhang Guan knew how sad and helpless it was to let this old man who devoted his life to track and field leave the track.
Zhang Guan wanted to comfort Mr. Chen, but he didn't know what to say.
There was a moment of silence in the room. The wind from outside blew in through the window, and the cold feeling hit Zhang Guan's face, but it made him feel even more numb.
"Mr. Chen..."
Zhang Guangang wanted to say something, but was interrupted by Mr. Chen.
"Zhang Guan, you are the best athlete I have ever seen. I don't know where your limits are, but I believe you will become the best athlete in the world." Mr. Chen's words were very slow, but unusually loud. Clear and unusually firm.
He looked at Zhang Guan expectantly and continued: "You are still young and have a long road ahead, but as an old man, I have no chance to accompany you on this journey."
"My generation is about dedication. My purpose in choosing sports is very simple, not for money, not for fame, but simply hoping to win glory for the country! But your generation is different. I'm not saying Your generation does not have the spirit of dedication, but to talk about dedication to people in your generation may be a bit outdated, and bringing glory to the country has become a mere expression."
"But I still hope that you can win glory for the country. Now that you have the opportunity to enter the world stage, I really want to witness the moment when you stand at the top of the world. I really want to see the five-star red flag flying on the Olympic track and field. At that moment, I wanted to hear our national anthem played during the awards ceremony."
"This is my lifelong dream, but I didn't do it. I really hope you can help me fulfill this dream..."
"Mr. Chen, I will definitely win the Olympic gold medal, I promise!" Zhang Guan turned around, his expression unusually firm, but there was a faint sparkle in his eyes.
Mr. Chen took a deep breath and slowly leaned on the hospital bed, looking contented. He said in a low voice: "Being able to accept you as my disciple is the greatest achievement in my life!"
Zhang Guan walked to the bedside and sat down slowly: "Mr. Chen, it is the greatest honor in my life to be your disciple..."
…
Mr. Chen retired and completely left the track and field track he loved.
He left the provincial capital and will return to his hometown to enjoy his retirement life with peace of mind, growing flowers and raising fish, just like ordinary people.
Watching Mr. Chen's car slowly drive away, Zhang Guan felt reluctant and sad in his heart. He held back tears and clenched his fists.
"Mr. Chen, at the Capital Olympics in four years' time, I will definitely pick you up and let you see the flag raising with your own eyes!"
…
An era has ended, but a new era has just begun!
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The second chapter was delivered today. Thank you all for your support. I have pushed the game to the new list on the homepage. Thank you! After this chapter, the first volume of the book comes to an end, and the plot of the Olympic Games will begin next. This time Zhang Guan will face a world-class opponent, and the female lead will also appear, and the plot will be more fulfilling. Stay tuned. Yesterday I said I would add more chapters, so I will have another chapter tonight.
(End of chapter)