What are Chinese more glad to see than gold medals?

By Mao Jing and Guo Rong (chinadaily.com.cn) Updated: 2016-08-22 14:41

Dejected athletes look forward to future

What are Chinese more glad to see than gold medals?

(L-R) Deng Shudi, Lin Chaopan, Liu Yang, You Hao, and Zhang Chenglong on the podium with their bronze medals after the men's team final in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil on August 8. [Photo/Agencies]

Gymnastics, China's traditional dominant events, failed to claim a gold in Rio due to athletes' stumbles as well as stringent referee results. However, Chinese gymnasts have decided to ignore the unfair treatment and practice harder in the future.

It's the first time that China did not win a medal in individual events at a single Olympic Games. China claimed only two gymnastics bronze medals in Rio - for its men's and women's teams.

"The only mistake happened on the dismount and that's because I didn't have any energy left," said the 21-year-old Liu Yang.

Although the 2014 world champion Liu had some grievances towards the unfair marking of the referees, Liu blamed himself for losing the match.

"I will keep on practicing and I am looking forward to the Tokyo Olympics in 2020," Liu said.

China's Xu Lijia leans into a turn during the laser radial competition in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Aug 8, 2016. [Photo/Agencies]

On the sailing field, Chinese sailor Xu Lijia, who was disqualified for three rounds in the women's Laser Radial class and failed to make the finals, ended her third Olympics with unsatisfying result.

"I won't end up complaining that the officiating was unfair, although I felt pretty sad about that," said Xu, who won China's first gold medal in the event in 2012.

Three opponents filed protests against Xu, citing interference and contact with their boats, in the second, seventh and eighth races.

The event's arbitration board disqualified Xu in all three races, throwing her out of the top-10 final qualification group.

"A Brazilian sailor has taken part in six Olympics. I have only competed three times, so I will not retire and will try to take part in future Games," the 28-year-old Xu said.