Chapter Seventy-Three: About to Begin

"Why did you look back during the sprint!"
Tu Jiangkuan stood before Fujimitsu Masafumi, his tone stern and accusing.
"Coach..." Fujimitsu Masafumi showed a timid expression. "I suddenly remembered the mainland athlete in lane eight. He once said something to me in Japanese, and I finally understood what he meant—he said I still have a long way to go."
"It's normal for opponents to try to distract you during a race, but what have I taught you?" Tu Jiangkuan asked.
"Charge forward until the outcome is decided!" Fujimitsu Masafumi replied loudly.
Having finished reprimanding Fujimitsu Masafumi, Tu Jiangkuan began to study the opponents for the 200-meter final. In terms of performance, the best 200-meter runners at the East Asian Youth Games were all from the Japanese team—Fujimitsu Masafumi's 20.75 seconds, Yumu Kenshi's 20.78 seconds—both secured first place in their heats, and neither time represented their absolute best.
The results from other countries' athletes were within expectations, yet Tu Jiangkuan still felt uneasy. Li Yan's calm demeanor lingered in his mind. If there was to be any unpredictable factor, it had to be Rousseau, the only finalist from Li Yan's team.
A time of 20.85 seconds was indeed an outstanding achievement for this country's sprinting program, but on the world stage, it was still a step behind.
"Go look up more detailed information on Rousseau," Tu Jiangkuan instructed his assistant coach, Mori Shigebun.
...
Mori Shigebun found news articles with the keyword "Rousseau."
The source: "Nanyue Provincial Daily."
A newspaper with such a title generally held a degree of authority, but the content... how to put it?
"Rousseau stated that although his usual 200-meter training time is only 20.85 seconds, he expects to match the East Asian Games record of 20.65 seconds in the official competition, perhaps even faster..."
"...After the East Asian Games, the 2005 National Games will also be a stage for Rousseau to compete for the championship. He plans to claim both the 100 and 200-meter titles, and his 100-meter time will approach 10.20 seconds, an achievement currently unparalleled in the country..."
"...For the 200 meters, Rousseau believes he should be able to run around 20.50 seconds..."
"...At the 2006 Asian Games, Rousseau will become the first Asian to break the 10-second barrier in the 100 meters..."
As Mori Shigebun read out these lines, Tu Jiangkuan's frown deepened.
"That's enough. No need to go on."
He lost interest the moment he heard Rousseau was expected to break the 10-second barrier at the Asian Games.
Was this news or fiction?
"This article is by Guan Zhaoyue," Mori Shigebun added.
The Japanese coaching staff had already memorized this name.
"The sports culture on the mainland is hopeless. A provincial paper dares to fabricate so shamelessly," Tu Jiangkuan said. "They have none of the rigorous spirit we have in Japan!"
"Enough, let’s not bother with him, just a clown," Tu Jiangkuan said. "Go get something to eat, and make sure the athletes do as well—be careful with food safety."

...
Chen Tianfu was eliminated in the heats.
Now only Rousseau remained as the sole representative for the 200 meters.
Though it was an expected outcome, it still left a sense of helplessness. Compared to the Japanese team, which had two heat winners, the weakness of the domestic 200-meter program was especially stark.
From the conclusion of the heats at 10:00 a.m. to the final start at 1:00 p.m.,
for these three hours, many waited in anxious anticipation.
...
Amid this sea of expectation, the 200-meter final at the East Asian Youth Games was about to begin.
The final was scheduled for 1:00 p.m.
It was now 12:45.
Rousseau was warming up in place.
"How do you feel?" Dong Zijian asked Rousseau.
"Under 20.70 is no problem," Rousseau replied. "Whether I can hit 20.65 depends on luck."
"20.65 will win you the gold," Li Yan said, always the one to set clear goals to push his athletes.
"Fujimitsu Masafumi's limit should be between 20.66 and 20.70. His advantage in the 200 meters isn't as pronounced as in the 100. Rousseau, you have a chance," Li Yan continued.
Rousseau nodded, hopping in place, focusing on his body, saying nothing.
"There’s a saying in your country: ‘This morning a farmer, by evening honored in the hall of talent.’ Now is such an opportunity. If you win this, the whole world will look at you differently," Li Yan said.
"Will you look at me differently?" Rousseau suddenly asked.
Li Yan was about to respond.
"But I don't need you to look at me differently," Rousseau smiled. "From the moment this race ends, that won’t matter anymore."
At that moment, the stadium broadcast announced that the 200-meter final of the East Asian Youth Games was about to begin, calling all athletes to the field for preparation.
The voice over the loudspeaker was like a prelude, causing the hearts of those already brimming with anticipation to pound wildly.
Rousseau touched his chest and slowly walked onto the track.
Standing there, he habitually surveyed his surroundings, spotting Coach Lu Jinrong, Chief Editor Guan Zhaoyue from the provincial paper, and that intern reporter Shen Yingying. He also saw Juno and Tian Shiwei. Looking toward the camera, he imagined seeing Lu Xiaoyu, the old landlord, and the landlord’s entire family on the other side.
Everyone who met his gaze expressed their support, whether through words or gestures, but at this moment, their voices were drowned in something grander and more magnificent, so much so that Rousseau could not make out what they were shouting.
In the next instant, it was as if Rousseau’s hearing suddenly opened up.
He heard thousands in the stadium chanting, "Rousseau, go for it!"

Clap, clap!
"Rousseau, go for it!"
Clap, clap!
"Rousseau, go for it!"
No one knew who started it, but the entire audience clapped and cheered Rousseau in perfect rhythm. The voices of nearly ten thousand people merged into a colossal wave, burning and fervent, as if to push Rousseau straight to the crest of the era.
Never before had Rousseau heard his own name spoken by so many compatriots.
In that moment, something blazingly hot seemed to bubble and ferment in his heart, flooding his chest and rushing to his eyes.
Rousseau felt himself on the verge of tears. He thought, this must be the sense of honor bestowed upon him by his country and his people.
Suddenly, he understood why, in times of war, soldiers could so resolutely give their lives to defend their homeland. In this atmosphere, Rousseau too would give anything for a result that would make his country and his compatriots proud.
At that moment, victory took on a brand new meaning for Rousseau.
...
"All right, we can see the athletes for the 200-meter final have entered the stadium. In lane four is Fujimitsu Masafumi from Japan, winner of his heat with a time of 20.75 seconds. Next to him in lane five is his teammate Yumu Kenshi, with a time of 20.78.
In lane three is Kazakhstan’s Alikhan Mailov, with a time of 20.81, and in lane four is our own Rousseau, whom everyone is now quite familiar with..."
Macau City TV was broadcasting the 200-meter final live.
It was still the same hosts and experts from the morning.
After introducing the athletes in each lane, the host asked the expert, "I noticed only the two Japanese athletes have broken the 20.80 mark, while the others are all above 20.80. Does this mean the Japanese team is particularly strong?"
The expert replied, "Yes, within East Asia, the 200 meters is Japan’s strength. With a prodigy like Fujimitsu Masafumi under eighteen, their advantage is even more pronounced. The results in the heats don’t just show an advantage, but a chasm."
The expert used the word "advantage" several times, his tone tinged with helplessness.
The host asked, "What the audience cares about most is, of course, Rousseau. How likely do you think he is to win a medal? After all, Rousseau is currently ranked fourth; with a bit of effort, he should be able to get bronze, right?"
The expert answered, "That’s possible. As for how likely, it depends on Rousseau's effort and luck."
...
What a load of nonsense.
Countless viewers watching or listening to the broadcast cursed inwardly.