The media was quick to report on USA Track & Field's media availability.
"'I am the head coach of the U.S. Track and Field Team, so my approval is the standard for entering the U.S. Track and Field Team!' This declaration is so cool!"
"I think this is a kind of arrogance. Who does he think he is? A Chinese coach, why should he say that his approval is the standard for entering the US team."
"I'm also looking forward to seeing him fail in the Olympics. But his failure is the failure of the US team. I still hope to see the US team win a few more medals."
"I'm just the opposite. I really hope to see this Chinese coach succeed. Our athlete selection system has many flaws. It's time for someone to stand up and break the tradition!"
European and American countries have always had a culture of "bragging". For example, in a certain competitive competition, during pre-match interviews, athletes from European and American countries will definitely say that they want to win the championship, or that they must win, even if their strength is consecutive. You can't even pass one round; Asian culture is more modest. Even if you have the strength to win the championship, or even if the championship is already guaranteed, you still have to say something like the opponent is very strong and you are unstable.
For example, in the NBA, before the start of the season, at least half of the teams will say: Our goal this year is to win the championship. In fact, only four or five teams are really capable of saying this. Or at the end of the season, when the playoffs are only theoretically possible, the players will say that the team can enter the playoffs; another example is that in the playoffs, if a team falls behind 0-3, then this team One hundred percent of the players in the team will say: We want to reverse the situation 4-3. In fact, he himself does not believe this.
You don’t have to pay taxes when you brag. After you brag this time, you will continue to brag next time. Anyway, everyone knows that you are bragging and will not take what you say seriously. Since everyone does not take your bragging seriously, then even if it is bullshit There is no shame in blowing it. The so-called gentleman's words are hard to catch up with, this does not exist at all.
…
There was a knock on the door. Downey, the leader and manager of the U.S. track and field team, looked at the door and said, "Please come in."
Dai Li opened the door and walked in. When Donnie saw it was Dai Li, he immediately stood up to greet him.
"Coach Li, please take a seat." Downey said enthusiastically.
After Dai Li sat down, he went straight to the topic without too many pleasantries and nonsense: "Mr. Downey, I came to see you this time because I have something I want to discuss with you."
"Coach Li, please speak." Downey put on a listening expression.
"The third training camp of the track and field team is about to end. So far, I am quite satisfied with the effect of the training, but I feel that the training time is far from enough. As you know, this year's situation is quite special. The strength of our athletes is not as good as in previous years. There are many young athletes in the team, and they need more training to meet my predetermined requirements. Some strong old athletes also need more training to maintain their personal condition." Li Dai spoke.
"In other words, you want to increase the training time of the athletes?" Downey thought for a while and then said: "Before the Olympics opens, we have a fourth training camp."
"At that time, the Olympics should be opening soon, right? I've seen the schedule. The fourth training camp is scheduled for August. After the training is completed, we will go directly to Rio to participate in the Olympic Games. For me, this time is not enough." Li Dai opened his mouth to answer.
"In this case, we can try to postpone the third training camp, or conduct the fourth training camp in advance. I can report this to the Athletics Association. How many days do you need to add?" Downey asked.
"From now until the start of the Olympics." Dai Li replied.
"Well..." Donnie suddenly looked embarrassed. He originally thought that Dai Li just wanted to add a few more days of training, but he didn't expect that Dai Li would have to leave for half a month.
"Coach Li, if it's only for two or three days, it's okay. If you want to add such a long time, I'm afraid it will be more difficult. We need to rent venues, provide necessary accommodation and food for athletes, and also need to provide salaries for staff. It will cause additional expenses, and I'm afraid I won't be able to apply for that much budget." Downey looked embarrassed.
The U.S. national team is a temporary team before the game. It is like a temporary team that usually does not have a special training venue. Every training must rent a venue in advance, and the accommodation and meals provided for the athletes also need to be provided. Book your hotel and chef in advance. All of this is implemented after making a budget. Once the number of training days needs to be temporarily increased, it can be discussed if it is only for two or three days. Over time, venue, logistics support and budget will become problems.
The utilization rate of sports venues in the United States is very high. In addition to competitions and training, some large sports venues often hold some performances. For example, basketball and NBA game venues or American football and NFL game venues are often used to hold concerts, and players need to rent other venues for training from time to time.
This would not be the case in China. The national team has several training bases and can train anywhere in the country. If it really doesn't work, you can just find a training center for the provincial team and you can make do.
Dai Li also knew that Downey was not perfunctory with him. What he said was the truth. With so many days of training added at once, and the logistical support of so many athletes and coaches, Downey really couldn't solve it.
So Dai Li said: "Mr. Downey, I also know that adding so many days of training may not be easy for you to solve, so I thought of a solution. I want to change the training location to Los Angeles, where I am Our training center has sufficient space and equipment to support so many people training at the same time.”
"This is a solution." Downey nodded: "But will the athletes accept it?"
"Let the athletes participate voluntarily. If they are willing to come to Los Angeles to train, I will welcome them with both hands. If they are not willing to come, I will not force them." Dai Li said.
"How to calculate the cost?" Downey said tentatively: "Coach Li, I know that your training center is first-class in terms of hardware and facilities. The fees should be very high, right? So many athletes go to your place to train. I’m afraid the Athletics Association will not approve this budget.”
"I'll pay for the training expenses, so I don't have to worry about the athletics association." Li Dai said directly.
"What about the logistics? With more than a hundred people, there must be a place to sleep, right?" Downey asked next.
"There is no shortage of hotels in Los Angeles. You can find more than a hundred people in any hotel." Dai Li looked at Downey's expression and then said, "You don't have to worry about the accommodation costs. I'll pay for it."
"What about eating..." Danny then asked.
"I'll take care of it. I'll also pay for the food and drinks." Dai Li answered.
"Coach Li, the food and accommodation for so many people, and it's not just for one or two days, is a big expense. Have you really thought about it clearly?" Downey reminded him.
"I've thought about it clearly. This is something I can still afford." Dai Li nodded.
"Well, since you are willing to pay for it, I don't have any problems here." Downey sighed, and thought to himself: If you have money, you can really do whatever you want!