The person in charge of organizing the National Indoor Athletics Championships is now very busy, and there are already coaches of several teams who came to reflect, hoping that top-level athletes will not participate in such small-level domestic events.
Athletes come to compete for nothing more than that medal, but there are only three gold, silver and bronze medals in each event, but there are six, seventy or even more athletes competing for it. This is because there are many wolves and less meat. He couldn't help but say that a tiger first took the fattest piece of meat away, and the other wolves waiting to divide the meat naturally will be filled with opinions.
Medals are not only a manifestation of honor and training results for each team but also a guarantee for applying for training funds in the coming year. Take one medal for the project, and there will be one more reason for applying for funds next year. This involves actual interests. The team joined together in unison.
It turned out that a Liu Feiren won the 60-meter hurdles, and everyone could barely bear it. This time there was another Zhang Guan. Once he came, he even brushed two records, which made the coaches of other teams a little unbearable. There are already fewer indoor track and field competitions, and there are two gold medals before this. This is undoubtedly the cheese that touched everyone.
At the same time, Zhang Guan was called back to the national team training center by Yu.
After meeting, Director Yu directly asked, "How is Lao Chen's situation?"
"Rehabilitation is good, he should be able to get out of bed and walk around soon." Zhang Guan said.
"After that? Can he still lead the team?" Yu Gui asked eagerly, this is his most concerning issue.
Zhang Guan replied somewhat disappointedly: "The doctor said that people who have this disease cannot work as a track coach even after they recover."
Yu Gui nodded, a sad expression appeared on his face, and there was a hint of fear in the vagueness.
Yu Gui is sad for Chen Lao and he is forced to leave his favorite track in his life. That kind of mood can be understood by the coach, and he is worried about his future. He is afraid that one day he has to leave the track and field. This kind of thought made him feel horrified as if it was a feeling of avoiding death and sorrow.
After a long time, Director Yu calmed down and then asked: "If Mr. Chen can't lead the team, what are your plans next?"
Chen Lao is Zhang Guan's head coach. If Chen Lao resigns, Zhang Guan will naturally have to change a coach. For coaching and even the entire track and field team, changing Zhang Guan's coach is a big thing. At Zhang Guan's current level, the general coaches are not qualified to teach him.
"I don't know." Zhang Guan shook his head, and then said: "Go step by step! Isn't there going to be the Olympic training soon, and then it will be the Olympics, I don't have much time to train in the provincial team. Also, Fudan University has agreed to accept me for admission. After the Olympics, I will go to the Xinzhuang training base.
"You still have to go to college?" Yu Gui was stunned. Most athletes go to college to get a name, and they still train as usual. It is possible to not return to school for two or three years. As for graduation, it's just more of a form.
Zhang Guan nodded seriously: "I want to learn English well so I can use it when I go abroad."
"It's okay, it's good to learn more while you are young." Yu Gui said, "But you don't have to worry about English. In a few months, the sports club will provide 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, you still have to train during the day."
After Yu Guy was finished, he picked up a folder and handed it to Zhang Guan. He said, "This is the track and field competition plan for this year, you have a look first. Last summer, I was going to let you participate as much as possible, familiar with the atmosphere of the competition, and accumulate experience. However, you have broken the Asian 100m record. At 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 should participate in the last two stations of the National Athletics Grand Prix."
Zhang Guan looked at the game plan in his hands. The first is to win the National Youth and Junior Track and Field Championships on April 9. The youth level is for athletes aged 18 and 19, and the youth level is for athletes aged 16 and 17. At his age, Zhang Guan can participate in the youth competition, but as the Asian record is maintained by him, it is inappropriate to participate in the youth competition.
Then comes the series of the National Athletics Grand Prix. Among them, the first stop on April 17 and the second stop on April 22 will be held in Guixi Province in the southwest. Athletes living in the east and the north would not participate; the third stop was held in Jinling on the 1st, it is not too far for Zhang Guan, but it is also possible to not go; the last two stations were held on July 17 in the capital and July 30 in Jinmen, and the fifth station was not only a Grand Prix, but this year is also the National Open Championship of this year.
Also, there is another competition before the Olympics which is the National Athletics Championships and Olympic Trials held in Shizhuang on May 20th. According to the Olympic rules of this year, the deadline for track and field players to meet the standard is by July, so the Olympic trials on May 20 are an excellent opportunity for athletes to sprint for Olympic qualifications.
Yu Gui went on to say: "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 letting you participate in the last two races of the National Athletics Grand Prix is mainly to maintain the state, to not lose body for a long time. Another thing is that the national team training next month. All the mobile phones must be taken away, so there is no way to contact the family. After going back, I have to talk to my family now, so as not to worry them.
...
After the national indoor track and field championship, Zhang Guan returned to the provincial capital.
Provincial hospital.
Perhaps because of Zhang Guan's two record-breaking records in a day, Chen Lao's mood looks very good. The doctor also said that Chen Lao's physical recovery is very optimistic, and believes that he will be discharged in a short time.
The provincial capital in February is still cold, and the air is still filled with the smell of winter. As a northern city, central heating generally returns during the end of mid-March, so the ward at the moment is not only cold but even hot.
"Go and open the window a little bit, I feel a little hot." Chen Lao said, and Zhang Guan immediately got up and came to the window, preparing to open the window.
"Is the willow tree sprouting outside?" Chen Lao asked suddenly.
"Not yet, but soon, it is estimated that it will germinate next month!" Zhang Guan replied intentionally or unintentionally.
"Spring is coming." I turned and said, "I know that after this discharge, I am afraid that I will retire completely, and I can no longer be a coach. " Lao Chen finished speaking.
Zhang Guan's hand on the window suddenly burst into an inexplicable sadness in his heart. Zhang Guan knew how sad and helpless it was to let this old man who dedicated his life to the track and field career leave the track.
Zhang Guan wanted to comfort Chen Lao but did not know what to say.
There was a silence in the room. The outside wind blew in through the window. The cold wind felt on Zhang Guan's face made him feel more numb.
"Old Chen"
Zhang Guan wanted to say something but was interrupted by Chen Lao.
"Zhang Guan, you are the best athlete I have ever seen. I don't know where your limits are, but I believe that you will become the best athlete in the world." Chen Lao's voice was slow, but he said abnormally clear and unusually firm.
He looked at Zhang Guan with expectation, and continued: "You are still young, the road ahead is very long, but this old man has no chance to accompany you to continue walking."
"My generation is talking about dedication. The purpose of my choice of sports is very simple, not for money, not for fame, or simply to win glory for the country! But your generation is different, I am not saying your generation has no dedication, but it is a bit outdated to give dedication to your people, and it has become a scene to win glory for the country."
"But I still hope that you can win glory for the country. Now that you have the opportunity to enter the world stage, I would love to witness the moment you stand on the top of the world, I want to see the five-star red flag flying on the Olympic track and field. At that moment, I would love to hear our national anthem played at the award ceremony."
"This is my lifelong dream, but I didn't achieve it, I hope you can help me achieve this dream.
"Old Chen, I will get the Olympic gold medal, I promise!" Zhang Guan turned around, his expression was firm, his eyes were faintly crystal clear.
Mr. Chen took a deep breath and slowly leaned on the bed, looking contented. He said in a low voice: "Being able to accept you as my disciple is the greatest achievement of my life!"
Zhang Guan walked to the bed and sat down slowly: "Old Chen, being your disciple is also the greatest honor in my life."
...
Old Chen retired, and he completely left the track and field track he loved.
After leaving the provincial capital, he will return to his hometown, enjoy the retirement life with peace of mind, grow flowers and raise fish, just like ordinary people.
Looking at Chen Lao's car slowly away, Zhang Guan's heart was already reluctant and sour. He held back tears and wiped his fists tightly.
I will take you to the scene, let you see the moment when the national flag rises!
...
An era is over, but a new era has just begun!