Entering the World of Entertainment

    There is a saying in China that "recreation and sports are of the same family." The close relationship between the two is obvious. So it is no surprise that as the options for retired athletes continue to broaden, more and more are entering the entertainment industry.

    Liu Xuan, gold medalist in the women's balance beam event at the 2000 Sydney Olympics, is an outstanding example. Known as "Xuan Beauty" for her petite stature and delicate face, she entered Peking University to study journalism after retiring at the end of 2001. Since then she has gradually moved into entertainment circles. Now she is a star engaged in different fields, such as movies, TV dramas, compering, advertising and singing.

    Tian Liang, champion of the men's individual platform diving at the Sydney Olympics, is another entertainment star. With a sweet smile and handsome appearance, Tian's potential as an idol was long recognized. So after retiring in 2007, he entered the entertainment industry and his wedding that year was big news.

    Other retired athletes now working in the entertainment industry include former women's gymnastic champions Yang Bo and Mo Huilan. Another balance beam medalist, Yang Bo formerly worked as a compere on music programs and is now a singer. Mo Huilan, who won five gold medals at the 1994 Hiroshima Asian Games, earned a Bachelor of Journalism and is now a compere for HK Phoenix TV.

    Experiencing years of ups and downs in the entertainment industry, Yang Bo says frankly that the field is not easy for retired athletes. For one thing, an athlete's stature is generally sturdy after years of training, which makes them look quite fat on screen. Yang is 1.62 meters high and weighs 40 kg. Although she has a narrow waist, she is not willing to wear skirts because professional training has made her calves and arms look thick.

    In addition, athletes lead a simple life behind closed doors. Retirement means breaking out from this sheltered existence. It is hard for them to avoid bewilderment after entering the complicated entertainment industry, and it takes them some time to adapt.

    As stars of the sports arena, medal-winning athletes always have more opportunities than the average person, whether they enter business or politics, engage in teaching or become performers. But despite their celebrity status and outstanding sporting achievements, finding employment is still a big reality check for most retired athletes, and their lack of education and professional skills often hinder them in later life.

    Zou Chunlan, a former weightlifter who was the national champion and who broke the world record many years ago, was reduced to assisting bathing in a public bathhouse after retiring in 1993. With only a primary school education, she had no special skills with which to make a living once she left the weightlifting world.

    Her experience was widely reported and the All-China Women's Federation donated equipment to help her open a laundry. In September 2006, Zou Chunlan finally started out on a real post-sports career and was on the way to a better life.

    To help retired athletes like Zou Chunlan, the government has appropriated a large sum of money for promoting professional training and providing pensions. To ensure equal work opportunities for retired athletes, regulations concerning their hiring were introduced in September 2007. According to the regulations, retired athletes have certain privileges in hunting sports-related jobs. Those who are qualified as physical education teachers may be employed as long as they pass the test.

    "More and more regulations have been adopted to help retired athletes adjust to the non-sports world. Meanwhile, our system will improve as the economy develops," said a human resources official from China's sports circle.