MEDALS 'MAKE US FEEL STRONG'
But the reward comes in medals. And medals in China are very important.
As one Chinese journalist, who asked not to be quoted for fear of reprisals back home, said: "The gold medal is very important in China. It makes us feel strong."
Or as Ruffolo said: "It's national pride."
A few years ago, an American table tennis player who grew up in China told me how she came to be a table tennis player. It was when she was young, around second grade, and one day someone from the government came into her classroom carrying a bucket and three table tennis balls. Each student had to toss the balls into the bucket. Those who threw two in the bucket were offered a chance to leave their school and go to one for table tennis.
The idea, she said, was that the children who could throw two balls in the bucket must have a good feel for the ball. That was all the sport's coaches needed. The rest: skill, determination and desire could all be taught later. All that mattered was the feel.
Taking Peasants from their homes when they are still Babies, Just so the Communist party and People can feel "STRONG"
-Nabei, If everyone follows china way, Then even Singapore can win 20 gold medals.