interview with Chinese gymnast Yang Yilin

After she won the Bronze medal in the All-around, the amazing Yang Yilin was required to face the world media.

Two Americans had stood with her on the podium. Nastia Liukin got the gold, Shawn Johnson the silver, and they were late. As minutes passed, reporters crowded around Yang, scrutinizing, asking questions.

Unlike Johnson, who arrived later, obviously delighted with her medal, Yang displayed little outward emotion. She smiled obediently, all small teeth, when reporters asked her to pose for photos. Her little mouth pursed again when the lenses were turned away. …

World’s 2007 – AFP/Getty Images

From that AP interview quoted in a Gymblog post:

… Were your parents here to see you compete, among the cheering crowds?

“I don’t know.”

When was the last time you went home?”

“Ummm … before I joined the national team,” Yang said, her small voice hard to hear.

When was that?

“More than a year ago.”

Will you go on holiday after the games?

“I don’t know.”

How many holidays do you get a year?

“I have not had a holiday since I joined the national team.”

Yang Yilin speaks

Read more on the interview in this article: Commentary: The sad life of Yang Yilin

I hear He Kexin was rushed away from the media scrum after winning the Gold on Bars. They were asking her about her age. UPDATE: I’ve now heard otherwise: “He Kexin was not immediately shuffled away, instead she was bombarded by despicable American journalists trying to misguide her into giving away her age. The answer she provided was focused and well-trained.” … see the comments for more.

Clearly these young girls have had no media training. I still suspect they were under prepared for the media.

That’s poor coaching. I’m still shocked the Chinese girls were so unaffected by the pressure of competing in Beijing.