China's athletics and men's soccer teams are considered the two biggest disappointments in the medal campaign of the 2008 Olympics host, a slip that has since put the chiefs of the two sports' governing bodies under pressure after they were reassigned to new positions.
Former soccer boss Xie Yalong had to watch the men's Olympic team fail to win a single match at last August's showcase, while Luo Chaoyi, his opposite number in the athletics field, staked everything on the winning potential of defending 110m hurdles champion Liu Xiang, who withdrew injured.
In a bizarre twist to the plot, and one that could perhaps only happen in China, both were promoted early this week in a reshuffle that has ruffled feathers among sports fans and stock investors alike.
Luo left his post as director of the China Athletics Administrative Center to take up a new job as boss of the Gymnastics Administrative Center.
He was panned for not raising the level of Chinese athletics after the team struggled to two bronze medals at the Olympics, the first time China failed to net a gold medal in track and field since the 1992 Barcelona Games.
"I should take responsibility for (what happened)," said Luo, whose position in the athletics center was taken over by Du Zhaocai, former deputy director of the Handball, Hockey, Baseball and Softball Administrative Center.
Under Luo's guidance, disciplines like women's race walking and mid and long distance running that China usually fares well in under-performed, as the gap with the world's best got bigger.
He was therefore something of a surprise candidate to fill the shoes of retired gymnastics boss Gao Jian, who carved China's gym squad into a crack team of winners.
Luo said the pressure of his new role was already starting to get to him.
"As an outsider, I feel a lot of weight and responsibility on my shoulders," he said. "I know there are lots of difficulties I haven't yet met. I also see many differences between the two sports (athletics and gymnastics).
"But I have to hold on and work hard. My first job is to keep the team highly competitive."
Luo's appointment disappointed supporters of national team head coach Huang Yubin, who was previously tipped for the promotion.
Huang, who also serves as deputy director of the center, played a pivotal role in leading China from trough to peak in terms of its gymnastics prowess, a feat highlighted by the squad's nine gold medals from the Beijing Games.
Despite fans' vocal criticism of the unfairness of Huang being overlooked, he said he was happy to stay put and assist the new boss.
"The boss takes care of managerial duties, but as head coach, you are focusing more on the technical and tactical side of things," he said.
"Luo is new to (gymnastics) but he brings a wealth of managerial experience with him.
"I'm confident the squad will repeat our success at the London Games in 2012."
Xie on safe ground
Meanwhile, Xie's future is secure after he was reassigned as the board chairman of China Sports Industry Group, a listed company involved in developing property and operating sports stadiums, among other interests.
Xie was vilified as the "Sinner of Chinese Soccer" after the national side failed to qualify for the 2010 World Cup in June and was later eliminated from the group stage of the Beijing Games without notching a single win, prompting his imminent removal.
Caretaker boss Nan Yong was recently confirmed as his official replacement after holding the fort over the last few months.
"I cannot understand why officials like this (Xie) are still able to get such important jobs," bemoaned a fan on the discussion board of web portal Sina.com.
"He has already proved his incompetence at managing a sport. I don't think he has any chance of success in his new job."
Others seem to share this lack of faith. After Xie's move was announced, the company's shares dropped 2 percent in under 30 minutes.
"I'm afraid he will mess it up again," said one stockholder in a forum on Sohu.com. "I plan on withdrawing (my interest)."
(China Daily January 23, 2009)
