China’s top sprinter, Su Bingtian, has announced that he will not participate in the upcoming 2024 Summer Olympic Games in Paris. The decision comes after Su struggled to maintain regular training over the past two years due to recurring injuries.
The Chinese men’s track and field relay team, led by Xie Zhenye, is currently training in Italy in preparation for the Olympic Games. Su’s absence from the team is notable, as injuries have prevented him from attending systematic training sessions for nearly two years. He also missed the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, Zhejiang Province in 2023, along with several other major events.
Su made history at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021 by setting an Asian men’s 100-meter record of 9.83 seconds in the semifinals and finishing sixth in the final. His remarkable performance brought pride to the nation and inspired athletes across Asia.
In a heartfelt message to his teammates, Su said, “I want to tell the Chinese national relay team that, though I can’t be there on the track to race by your side, I want to send my wishes and my energy to you. I hope you can reach the final at the Paris Olympics and enjoy the happiness of the race. I hope you can surpass yourselves, achieve a good result, and make our country proud. Best wishes.”
Team China secured the men’s 4×100-meter relay bronze medal at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021 and qualified for the Paris Olympics earlier this year. Su’s absence will be felt, but the team remains optimistic about their prospects in Paris.
The relay team aims to build on their previous success and continue to make strides on the global stage. With Su’s encouragement and the nation’s support, they are focused on delivering strong performances and upholding China’s reputation in track and field.
Reference(s):
China's ace sprinter Su Bigntian to skip 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris
cgtn.com
