A Chinese American at the Olympics (or, an American Chinese?)

Wow...what a feeling to arrive in Beijing in the middle of the Olympic Games.

I was curious to see how much I would really feel "part" of all the fervor. This is my first trip to China in over ten years. Even before, try as I might I never did experience the sense of belonging, of coming home, I longed for. As an ABC -- American-Born-Chinese -- I had to settle for a less personal sort of honor and pride in "returning" to my family's homeland.

Beijing 2008 has changed all that, and it started during Zhang Yimou's stunningly gorgeous, epic opening ceremony. One minute I was, like everyone else, watching in awe; suddenly I felt it in my gut as I never have before: an overwhelming sense of pride--that this awesome spectacular was my people, was me. It was no longer wanting to feel a connection to China, it was just there.

Having hardly watched the last few Olympic Games, I was hooked, and it was about much more than the sport.

That doesn't mean I'm all rah-rah China. I was on tenterhooks for the US women gymnasts going for the team title, with the heartbreaking close-ups of a stricken Alicia Sacramone -compared to China's seemingly oh-so-confident and oh-so-young-looking Deng Linlin and her teammates.

And what fun cheering for the all-American, all-diverse men's team, with Sasha Artemev and Raj Bhavsar fresh off the alternate list, and Chinese American Kevin Tan. What if they could pull off a Cinderella miracle against the powerful and unapproachable Yang Wei?

It's no surprise that while watching NBC's coverage I was so taken with the wonderful back stories of these and other American athletes. But here in China, gymnast Yang Wei's story, and his effect on people here, has warmed me to his legend too. Hugely disappointing was a crushing fall from the high bar at the Athens games. Now, his romance with former Olympic gymnast Yang Yun has endeared both of them to the public; people loved them mouthing "I love you" to each other after Yang's all-around win Thursday.

And, for all the talk of China's "gold fever" after years of molding children in the Ju Guo system of hardcore systemized, national training, I've been impressed here with Chinese peoples' affection and respect for American athletes, many of whom have no less than hero status.

So many people I've encountered in my first day alone--from my host and her family, to a policewoman, to local journalists--are obsessively discussing every detail about Michael Phelps' personal story and his physiology, including the fin-like advantages of his long fingers and the spread of his toes. Contrary to what has been reported in the American press, the Chinese papers are obsessed too, with for example exactly how many eggs he has every day, and how he expends energy. All Chinese children, say CCTV Chinese television anchors, look up to him as an idol.

What I've concluded is that it can work both ways. My new-found Olympics-inspired Chinese pride is still intact after the opening ceremonies. Rooting for the Americans was of course natural for me as a Chinese American. But in China I feel the excitement as an American Chinese. Like so many of the more than 1.3 billion Chinese people, I was crazy for hurdler Liu Xiang's first appearance. And like the stunned crowds gathered around the television screens today at the offices of Google Greater China where I happened to be having lunch, I felt crushed when Liu pulled out after a few pained steps at the start of the 110 meter hurdles. Here, he's bigger than Yao Ming, his legs are valued at 13.5 million dollars, his name means "to soar," and he got into all of this not through the Ju Guo system but by knocking on the doors of those sports training schools until they let him in...doing it in what we call, the American way.

Comments

[icemilkcoffee]

Like you - I am an asian american, and just like you, I find myself cheering for the asian american athletes first and foremost. We are very underrepresented in american sports, and it's always good to see a few asian american faces in the limelight, even if they are not medallists.

[chinationreport]

There are disappointments for everyone. But I have seen so many touching moments that make me feel proud of us as people, whether American or Chinese. We have made enormous progress! Was this even thinkable when Nixon started the Ping Pong diplomacy with China?
Yes, there are complaints and sometimes hatred, ignorance. But the glass is more than half full! China was a closed society until 30 years ago. Now it is wide open, in front of you! You can criticize, complain... but look at the pictures and watch NBC, the smiles can not be fake, the architecture can not be fake, the streets full of people in descent clothing can not be fake. Shawn Johnson's coach is Chinese. They are like family. American volleyball team has a Chinese coach, Lang Ping, who is a Chinese national hero. These things were not thinkable 30 years ago!
Phelps probably has more fans in China than here in the US. Bryant too. China America have become reality! Isn't this wonderful?
From: http://www.chinationreport.com/ for daily balanced news about China

[undecidee]

Thank you for writing this piece. It give us an inside of how an ABC could be viewing the Olympics this year. As an Irish American, I can also relate to what you are talking about. No matter where we are born, our root is always important to us. When Irish in Ireland does something great, I take it personally. It is like saying, I am part of this because I have some Irish blood in me.

I am sure that African Americans feel the same way too. When something great happen in Africa they take pride in that fact.

I must say that I think that China is doing a great job with the Olympics no matter what people on the outside want to say about it. Bloggers have complaint about them being too controlled. Saying that there is no freedom and all that. I think that it is important for China to be able to balance the amount of control and freedom they allow her people. Yin and Yang.

Too much freedom and they might end up with a nations of people who are gangster, drug addict and school drop outs. People who are not able to read and decide on who is best to lead them into the next century because there have been marrying their cousins and now their children have are on medications because of intermarriage.

BTW, kudos to the all the olympians.

[upsetdemvoter]

Deanna,

As an ABC myself, I found that watching the olympics has actually made me feel more American. This may have to do with the upcomming election in which I have been following closely. I also, noticed the diverse nature of the American teams which made me proud. It is this diverse nature that is what America is all about.

However, it is also satisfying to see asian males as winners in sporting events on such a large stage. Often asian males in the media have been portrayed as weak or falls into the smart nerdy type. I think this olympics will do a great deal to change that perception.

[sueno]

This was a difficult Olympics to watch-
No disrespect but cheating took place.

[DAE]

Have you ever watched previous Olympics when cheating was rampant (drug doping, hormone doping, etc.). This Olympics is squeaky clean in comparison.

[gmknobl]

I also hear how media influence the entire society is. That's not really a good thing and it seems a good way to control the population by "giving them circuses." This isn't really that different than the U.S. in that regard. But perhaps they aren't as media savvy and more easily influence, especially with no uncensored internet access.

Oh, and let's use the term "underage" instead of "oh-so-you­ng-looking­." Might as well tell it like it is. Sure, they deserve kudos for their efforts but the system that brought them about should be dismantled and never rewarded. I really feel for those girls. Sad.

It is good they are rooting for their athlete's hard work but unfortunate that, once again, the professionalized system is still there, counter to some of the ideals of the games, or at least it use to be. And, if you what you say about their sprinter is true, it's really a personal tragedy for him. I hope things go better for him in the future as that's a better way to do things than being trained from the age of 3 to do one thing really well. I wonder how the media and his society will treat him now?

[Pantelleria01]

The Chinese culture contains many great people and is rich in many of the finest qualities of human beings. Its politics are brutal, but, like everywhere else, the People try to live a good life in spite of the moral vacuum of its leadership (like in the USA). I would love to have a long visit in China sometime. I am part American Indian and part Welsh and I understand the dual nature of pride because so many times my heart and mind are with my tribal relations, but I am also an American and I hunger for a rebirth of the pride I could feel for my country. I do not think of Phelps as any kind of hero though. Just ambitious. American athletes seem only about the money and the arrogance, which makes him seem like just another punk with his hand in the treasure chest. The olympics are most important to those many athletes who are not like Phelps, who take their experience as a mysterious journey out into the great world and learn new things, have their eyes open to new possibilities. Like you, in your article. I like your story better than all the hype about Phelps. I hope your experience remains a rich one.

[Horst]

The Olympics represent the worst in American-style capitalism and Chinese control-freak Communism. The vast majority of athletes are hard-core professionals. In a funny way I admire India who despite a population of over 1 billion can conjure up only one medal...I think they have the right attitude.

[chinationreport]

Good for you to write this. Thank you. I am sure you are disappointed about Liu Xiang's news as well. What a sad day for him and his family.

Enjoy Beijing.

From:
http://www.chinationreport.com/#EditorsChoice

[xtiangodloki]

Be careful there, no matter if you were born in the US, no matter how much you love America or much how much you have contributed to this country, the moment you say anything good about China you will be labeled as a "Chinese national" and "CCP mouthpiece".