Portland is the most populous city in Oregon and the second largest city in the Pacific Northwest of the United States after Seattle. For a city with a large population like this, the sports industry will naturally have a relatively large market.
At the stadium of Portland State University, the 400-meter race of the Paralympic Games is about to begin.
The 400 meters is the most difficult event in the track and field. It requires extremely high physical fitness of athletes and the training is also difficult. Simply put, the threshold for participation is high. Many athletes with able-bodied limbs would rather choose 100 meters and 200 meters than run 400 meters. For athletes with disabilities, there are even fewer people running 400 meters. Many disabled games do not set up 400 meters at all. this project.
Today, there are only five athletes participating in the T43/44 level 400-meter race, which means that even if you run with a moderate result, you can get a third place.
In the competition for people with disabilities, Philip is a well-deserved star. As the world inspiration holder of 100 meters and 200 meters at this level, Philip will challenge the 400 meters for the first time in this competition, which has attracted many spectators.
Steven stood next to Dai Li, pointed at a fat middle-aged man with a big belly in the stands, and said: "That person is the person I mentioned, the person in charge of Dave's charity. He has agreed to provide us with 5,000 US dollars." sponsorship fees.”
"5,000 US dollars. He is really generous. Most charitable organizations are willing to sponsor two to three thousand US dollars at most." Dai Li said casually.
"And the man on the left in a gray suit." Steven pointed in another direction, and then said: "That man is the owner of a medical equipment store. We have already negotiated the price. If Phillip can do it this time If he breaks the 400-meter world record, he is willing to pay US$30,000 in endorsement fees.”
"30,000 US dollars, is it one year?" Dai Li then asked.
Steven nodded: "The current intention proposed by the other party is for one year. If Philip can continue to maintain his performance, it is not impossible to renew the contract after one year."
"I suggest that this endorsement be postponed for a while." Dai Li said.
"Why? The price is already very good, and you can also get a commission of 1,500 US dollars." Steven's tone was full of objections.
"At the beginning of next month, there will be a very important game. If Philip performs well in that game, his commercial value will be greatly improved. By then, he may be able to receive endorsements worth 200,000 to 300,000 yuan." Li Dai spoke.
"At the beginning of next month? There are still more than two weeks." Steven thought for a moment and finally nodded: "Okay, then I'll try to delay it for a while. By the way, can you tell me what the game is?"
"The selection for the World Athletics Championships will be held in Sacramento." Dai Li answered.
"Is the World Para Championships starting soon? Great, Philip will definitely make a splash. It seems I'm going to be busy!" Steven said happily.
"I'm not talking about the World Para Championships, or the selection for the World Athletics Championships." Dai Li crossed his arms and looked at the track.
"Huh? Is there any difference?" Steven didn't understand what Dai Li meant for a while.
Dai Li smiled. He did not explain in detail, but pointed to the track ahead with his eyes, and said at the same time: "Let's watch the game first, the game will start soon."
While Dai Li was speaking, the starter had already shouted the starting command, and Steven also turned his attention to the track.
With a gunshot, the five 400-meter runners rushed out of the starting line at the same time.
Steven's expression suddenly looked a little nervous, and he could not help but clenched his fists. It involved tens of thousands of dollars in sponsorship and advertising fees, and it was also Steven's first payment after becoming Philip's agent. Business, of course Steven would feel nervous.
However, after more than ten seconds, Steven's expression seemed to relax, and he said at the same time: "Phillip is much faster than others!"
"Did you see it too?" Dai Li asked with a smile on his face.
Steven nodded: "I must have read it correctly, right?"
"You can see it, so it must be correct." Li Dai replied.
The 400 meters is a race in separate lanes. When starting, the starting position of the outside track will be relatively forward, and the starting position of the inside track will be relatively behind. Everyone starts in different starting positions, so on the surface, it seems that the people on the outside track are running. in front of.
Experts can generally tell clearly who is ahead and who is behind, but for outsiders, it is often only when entering the last 100 meters of the straight that they can tell who is ahead and who is behind.
But now, even a layman like Steven can see that Phillip is much faster than others, which means that Phillip's advantage is really obvious.
In fact, in the eyes of professionals, Philip's speed at this time is no longer inferior to those of normal athletes of average level. For people with disabilities, this is incredible.
As disabled athletes, their running speed must be much slower than that of normal athletes. For example, in the T43/44 level 400 meters where Philip is, the fastest runner among male disabled athletes cannot compare to normal female athletes. , it is even more incomparable to normal male players.
Philip seems to be an alternative. Although his current speed is still not as fast as those of the top 400-meter athletes, compared with ordinary normal athletes, he is at least still capable of fighting.
The speed of a normal person, when placed in a competition for people with disabilities, is like the Fuxing high-speed train meeting a green train. The speed is completely crushed. When Philip entered the final straight of 400 meters, the other four contestants were still behind. Move forward desperately in the middle of the curve.
"As expected, he is the world record holder in the 100m and 200m events. Even in the 400m event, he still has a huge advantage. There is no suspense about the outcome. The key depends on whether Philip can break the 400m world record again. !” the commentator on the scene said gushingly.
"I think there is no suspense that Philip will break the 400-meter world record again. His time may be close to 46 seconds." Another commentator said.
"46 seconds? If I remember correctly, this result is very close to the B mark of the Olympic Games. In the group stage of the last Olympic Games, at least one-third of the players had a time outside of 46 seconds."
"Look, Philip is close to the finish line. He crossed the finish line by at least two seconds ahead of the other runners! We congratulate Philip on winning the championship. His score is... my God, 45 seconds 51!"
On the timing board at the finish line, there is a number of 45 seconds and 51 written on it. This is undoubtedly the world record of the T43/44 level. More importantly, if this result is put into a normal person's competition, it will also reach the Olympic level. A mark! To put it bluntly, even around the world, most professional athletes cannot achieve this kind of performance.
"Am I right? 45 seconds 51. Isn't the Olympic A standard also 45 seconds 55? So Philip is already capable of participating in the Olympics. He is a disabled person! If I hadn't seen it with my own eyes, I would never have dared Believe it! A disabled athlete has shown strength that is not inferior to that of an able-bodied person!" The commentator's high-pitched voice echoed throughout the audience.
For ordinary viewers, they definitely can't remember the Olympic A and B standards, but after the commentator's introduction, everyone felt that Philip was very powerful.
Steven turned his head and looked at Dai Li, his eyes filled with shock.
"You knew it, you knew it would be like this, right?" Steven asked.
"I told you before, Philip is very talented!" Dai Li paused, then said: "I am his coach, do you think I knew it a long time ago?"
"But he is a disabled person after all. He has no feet, how can he be as fast as a normal athlete!" Steven's voice was trembling with excitement.
Dai Li did not answer, but stared at Steven quietly.
At the same time, Steven also thought of the important competition that Dai Li just said he would participate in next month.
"Coach Li just said that it was the qualifiers for the World Championships, and he meant a game for normal people!" Steven's thoughts suddenly became confused.