Long stretch ahead: childhood sacrificed for gymnastics gold
Source:Globaltimes.cn Published: 2012-8-6 19:54:00
A boy stretches his back with the help of a coach at the Jiaxing Children's Sports School in Jiaxing, Zhejiang Province. Photos: ifeng.com
Children do handstands against a wall at Shuangqiang Gymnastics School in Beijing. After five minutes, the children were trembling with exhaustion and could hardly support themselves, yet continued for fear of their coach.
A girl cries as a coach stands on her legs to help stretch her ligaments at an amateur sports school in Nanning, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region.
A child curls his toes at the training center of the Second Stadium of Qingdao, Shandong Province.
The gymnastics team warms up at a renowned elementary school in Shanghai.
A girl is exercising her core at the Anhui Provincial Gymnastics Team Training Center.
A coach helps a young student stretch at the Beijing Sports Training Center.
A coach sits on a girl's thigh during splits stretches at the Shenyang sports school in Liaoning Province. About 60 students from 6 to 15 years old train here, the best of which continue on to the national team.
A boy trains with the help of a bucket in Zhangshan Sports School in Guangdong Province.
A girl stretches at the Shenyang Sports School in Liaoning Province.
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Sports schools losing their grip
For the 50 or so children on the gymnastics team at Minhang District Children's Sports School in Shanghai, the most exciting - and toughest - part of their day begins in the afternoon. That's when they start running between pommel horses, vaulting around balance beams and swinging on the uneven bars.
For the 50 or so children on the gymnastics team at Minhang District Children's Sports School in Shanghai, the most exciting - and toughest - part of their day begins in the afternoon. That's when they start running between pommel horses, vaulting around balance beams and swinging on the uneven bars.
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