Competition Extra 2
"The Chinese national women's 400m relay team has arrived at the competition hotel a few days ago, and our country's 400m star Qu Chi accepted an interview..."
The timing, location and people are all right, and countless track and field fans are commenting on this World Athletics Relay.
The geographical advantage refers to the fact that this relay race is held in Province G of the country. Competitions held at home always have home advantage.
The right time and the right people can almost be put together. Not long ago, in the Athletics Federation Challenge, Qu Chi won the gold medal with a strong attitude and once again broke into the Olympic qualifying line. At this time, the morale of the domestic 400m was high.
On the other hand, after the coaching team's unremitting screening and training, they have gathered 4 regular athletes representing the highest level of Chinese women's 400 meters, as well as 4 promising substitute athletes in the future. Among the eight athletes in total, 5 have the best historical results within 50.50 seconds.
This is one of the best lineups in the history of Chinese track and field, not to mention that one of them is Qu Chi, an internationally renowned athlete who has consistently broken 49 seconds.
Everyone is expecting this game to make history, and the strong desire seems to be turning into reality and weighing on several players.
He Yang distributed the room cards to everyone with concern, and reminded them:
"Rest well. We emphasized this during this competition as well, don't be stressed. If nothing unexpected happens, we will have no problem qualifying for the Olympics."
The 4x400m relay qualifying round of this relay competition is divided into two games. There are 4 groups on the first day, and the top two in each group will advance directly.
On the second day, the remaining teams were divided into 3 groups, with the top two teams also making up a total of 14 qualifying spots.
The Olympic qualifications that He Yang mentioned are among these 14 places.
This performance standard was not easy for the Chinese women's 400 meters in the past, but since Qu Chi dominated the international arena, their team has a backup plan.
It can be said that any team that has a player like Qu Chi and still feels that there is no hope at all is too lacking in confidence.
His best result this season is 48.32 seconds, which is more than one second ahead of most other players. Such hard power is enough to make up for the performance gap of most other players in the Chinese team.
Even so, the competition field is full of surprises, and anything can happen until the results are finalized.
Especially...
He Yang controlled himself and didn't show his worry.
The competition is just a few days away, and the contestants must be under more psychological pressure than her.
But looking at the backs of several people walking away, He Yang couldn't help but feel anxious and called Qu Chi.
"Let me talk to you for a moment."
Qu Chi turned around and waved to his teammates, then followed He Yang's direction.
She could probably guess what He Yang wanted to say to her.
The crux of the problem does not lie with Qu Chi, but Qu Chi is now the captain of the relay team. Coach He Yang also needs to refer to Qu Chi's opinion for whatever he wants to express.
In other words, it's a bit like seeking psychological comfort.
"Xiao Zuo and Qing Qing's condition has always worried me. Although their individual PBs are sufficient, they lack experience after all. After careful consideration, although I chose them, but..."
Qu Chi listened to her mumbling without saying anything.
He Yang's worries have always existed, or rather, Xiao Zuo, Zuo Minsheng and Shen Qingqing in the team have always been the focus of the coaching team's concerns.
His performance was already top-notch in the country, but for some reason, he made mistakes in baton handovers during many training sessions.
A relay race is not only about the individual strength of the athletes, but also about teamwork.
The importance of baton-handing technique can even allow a team with average individual strength to rank among the top in a relay race.
However, if one's personal strength is strong enough, perhaps it can make up for it.
No one can guarantee the subtle differences in their conditions, so it is very difficult to determine the players for the starting team.
The veteran players are experienced, have good teamwork, and their handover techniques are smoother and more fluid, but their individual strength is insufficient.
The new athletes only made occasional mistakes during training, and are now rising stars in the track and field circle. In terms of personal strength alone, both of them are already among the top five in the country.
After comprehensive consideration, the team's arrangement clearly favors the latter.
Perhaps it was the first time that he had such a good chance of leading the relay team to the Olympics. He Yang's heart was pounding and he couldn't feel at ease at all.
Only by looking at Qu Chi can she calm down a little.
Qu Chi consoled him, "Coach, don't you always say that being too anxious before a match is pointless? Now the rosters have been submitted."
Even after the changes are made, the anxiety may just shift to a different direction.
Qu Chi: "No matter how good your skills are, there will be mistakes. Why not give it a try and let Xiao Zuo and the others perform normally? Isn't that what you told me before?"
He Yang sighed: "That being said."
After talking for a while, He Yang's worries did not decrease, but he seemed to have accepted his fate and let Qu Chi go back to rest.
When he reached the door and opened it, Qu Chi paused.
He tightened his grip on the door frame, his eyes drooping as he didn't look at any part of the ground.
She suddenly turned back:
"coach."
He Yang raised his head and smiled when he saw Qu Chi.
"Besides, don't you still have me?"
There was a hint of comfort in his tone, which contained absolute confidence.
He Yang's heartbeat suddenly froze and his mind stopped working for a moment.
Yes, there is also Quchi.
Among those comprehensive factors to be considered is Quchi.
Everyone knows that Quchi has the ability to provide a safety net, so they dare to train the troops.
If they succeed, with the strength of the four people at this time, the results will definitely be dazzling; if they fail, with Qu Chi's strength, there is a high probability that he can turn the tide and fight for a chance to qualify.
Qu Chi left the room, and He Yang's heartbeat stopped being chaotic, but he still had trouble falling asleep for a long time.
She thought about it for half the night, but she couldn't seem to remember what Qu Chi looked like when she first saw him. It also seemed like Qu Chi had always been the same.
During the game.
The Chinese women's 400m relay team was placed in Group 3.
As if to confirm everyone's expectations of the right time, place and people, the Chinese team's group is not that bad.
The two strongest teams, the United States and Brazil, have already advanced directly from the first two groups.
The teams in this group that can threaten China's qualifying spot are Japan, Shatul, and Ode.
The best results of the three teams are different from the current results of the Chinese team, but the difference is not big. As long as they perform stably, there is a great possibility that they will surpass two of the teams.
At this moment, the atmosphere on the field has once again entered the tense stage of preparation.
Qu Chi stretched his body slightly, and as the captain, he patted the shoulders of the remaining three teammates one by one to show encouragement.
All three of them were in a slightly tense state before the game, and Zuo Minsheng even took a deep breath with his mouth slightly open to regulate his heartbeat.
It was not until Qu Chi's hand fell on his shoulder that Zuo Minsheng took a deep breath and opened his eyes.
There was a look of determination and calmness in Qu Chi's eyes.
"come on."
Qu Chi said silently.
The captain has never been a passionate person, but it seems that this reflects her characteristics on the track. She calmly analyzes the strength of every inch of muscle, and does not waste any strength, and finally achieves an unmatched result.
Zuo Minsheng exhaled, nodded, and cheered to the rest of his teammates.
The four hands were clasped together, and Ye Qingqing's palm was trembling slightly. Zuo Minsheng took the lead in holding her hand, trying to convey his encouragement and seemed to draw strength from it.
Dong Zichun, Qu Chi, Ye Qingqing, and Zuo Minsheng, from overlapping their hands, changed to holding each other tightly.
Soon, the referee team signaled the contestants to take their positions.
In a sprint relay race, the first runner starts from the starting blocks, while the remaining runners wait in the receiving area and start from a standing position.
The same was true for the 400-meter race, and the first baton was given to Dong Zichun, who had relatively good explosive power.
As the gun went off, all the first runners stepped on the starting blocks and ran as hard as they could on their respective tracks.
Dong Zichun's face was tense, and the alternation of her legs was almost out of control at this moment. She quickly closed the distance with the player in front of her.
As the oldest and most experienced sister in the team, her control over the game is undoubtedly excellent.
His own strength is not the best among the first runners, but he will not be left too far behind by others.
After exiting the corner, he maintained third position.
Very good, very good...
Outside the stadium, everyone who was paying attention to the game felt relieved.
Very good, keep it up. As long as Dong Zichun maintains this position, the pressure on the remaining batons will be reduced with his current position.
Soon, the second baton arrived at the receiving area.
Everyone's heart is in high spirits again. Will the baton be passed successfully?
In today's competition, the first two groups of American players who were most likely to drop the baton miraculously managed to do so smoothly. So, this new relay team... will...
Success!
Dong Zichun was tense and as he approached the relay zone:
"Qingqing! Pick it up!"
Ye Qingqing gripped the baton tightly, and the moment it touched her hand, she felt relieved.
Everyone outside the stadium was briefly excited.
Victory seemed to be just around the corner, and the baton was passed so smoothly that it simply foreshadowed victory in the game.
Ye Qingqing ran faster and faster. The feeling of being burdened with a heavy burden before the race seemed to be lifted the moment she passed the baton.
“Come on, come on!!!”
As Ye Qingqing's condition got better and better, all the spectators outside the venue screamed.
Great, great, this is the closest the Chinese women's 400m relay team, and even the sprint relay team, has ever been to the Olympics!
After the turn, Ye Qingqing overtook the lane surprisingly smoothly.
Compared with individual events and other short-distance relay races, the 400-meter relay can play a crucial role and has also been passed.
Ye Qingqing ran steadily in second place in the inner lane. Her advantage in front position made it almost impossible for other players to overtake her.
It was getting closer and closer. Zuo Minsheng was right in front of her. She could almost see her teammate extending his hand to take the baton.
"Xiao Zuo! Take it!"
Following her low shout, Zuo Minsheng clenched his fist. As long as he grabbed the baton, he would rush out of the relay zone...
Wait, Zuo Minsheng's hand grabbed nothing.
Zuo Minsheng looked back almost in horror.
The baton was passed, the baton was passed wrongly...
At this moment, the two people's hearts were about to explode. How could it be, how could they be so unlucky, at this moment, when they thought they were getting closer and closer to victory, the occasional mistakes in training happened.
Ye Qingqing's breathing stopped, and she could only rely on her subconscious to pass the baton to Zuo Minsheng again.
Watching Zuo Minsheng running mechanically, her legs could no longer support her and went limp.
It's over, it's over... It's her fault, she made a mistake in handing over the baton, and she ruined everything.
Tears welled up in her eyes, and she didn't even dare to look at where Zuo Minsheng was at the moment.
Outside the field, the baton handover error between the two players was clearly visible. At that moment, not only did the players' heartbeats almost stop, but the spectators' hearts also stopped for a second.
In the coaching team, He Yang stood up suddenly, held his breath, and then sat down weakly, feeling a little limp, and wiped his face.
They had anticipated this situation, but when it happened, it was still so disappointing. The snow seemed to have come out of season, and it chilled everyone to the bone.
Zuo Minsheng grabbed the baton and rushed to his own track.
It’s over… it’s over…
At this moment, there was no muscle mobilization or speed distribution in her mind, only one thought remained.
It's over.
They still made mistakes.
No, this can't happen. Calm down, calm down. At least finish the race.
They just made mistakes, not fouls, and they still have a chance to participate in the second round tomorrow.
Even if the result is not good, at least it will not get worse.
Zuo Minsheng barely regained consciousness, waving his arms and chasing forward.
The fifth... or the fifth...
She couldn't catch up, and until she saw Qu Chi, she hadn't surpassed any other contestant.
"Qu Chi! Take it!"
Her voice was filled with tears and she could barely maintain the volume.
Did Qu Chi hear that? I can't make any more mistakes this time, please...
The moment that hand steadily took the baton, it seemed to drain all of Zuo Minsheng's strength.
She collapsed to the ground like Ye Qingqing before.
Come on, come on.
She couldn't shout out, she had no strength, and even seemed to feel ashamed to make a sound and didn't dare to make a sound.
The Chinese team is currently ranked fifth.
The fourth baton is the strongest baton of all national teams.
No team would place a weak bat in this position.
Therefore, even in Quchi, it is not easy to catch up with the players in front.
…
…
That's it. Maybe if I can cheer myself up, I can try again tomorrow.
Everyone thought so.
Except, Quchi.
The inner lane was packed with people. What made Qu Chi unbearable about the relay race was that she was not used to having people blocking her lane.
But this is the rule of lane grabbing. The actual distance of the inner lane is shorter. For all the players, being able to control the inner lane at this moment is equivalent to laying the foundation for victory.
However, Qu Chi looked at the players in front of him, and without much thought, he turned his body and stepped onto the outer path.
There was no one ahead.
Quchi began to accelerate.
I'm not used to holding the baton in my hand, but I can't let it go.
At this moment, Qu Chi was extremely calm.
She could hear the chaotic footsteps around her, which was a rare occurrence in a single-player match.
Almost all the footsteps were close by and on one side of her.
It's hard to tell, but she doesn't need to tell.
She just needs to overtake, leave behind, and complete the Quchi race.
Qu Chi told He Yang that there was no need to worry as long as she was there.
In fact, if it weren't for her personality, she wouldn't be so arrogant, and she should have been able to talk to He Yang.
Don't worry, as long as she doesn't break the rules, she can give it a try even if it's the last leg.
Dongying, Shatul... In the top competition, she didn't even compete with them in the last game.
In the fourth leg, the only athlete capable of running under 49.50 seconds was once defeated by her.
Arrogant?
Qu Chi felt that arrogance meant having delusions that exceeded one's actual level, but she should really be able to do it.
In the last leg, the first 100 meters ended, Qu Chi overtook the fourth place in the outside lane.
At the end of the second 100 meters, Qu Chi overtook the third place in the outside lane.
The third 100 meters... Qu Chi almost did not stop or lose speed, and landed steadily on the inner lane, stuck between the first and second place.
At this moment, Qu Chi came to second place.
From the moment Qu Chi continued to surpass him, everyone went from being completely silent to staring intently with wide eyes, little by little, bit by bit.
They thought Qu Chi was crazy...
He was running like crazy.
How could it be, how could it be so fast, without being affected at all, such an unstoppable overtaking, and after surpassing, such an irreversible holding position.
Qu Chi, yes, she is Qu Chi...
The top three in the country are impressive, but the current number one in their country is already number one in the world.
“Qu Chi!!”
“Qu Chi!!!!”
Screams, cheers, and shouts of encouragement finally rang out again over the stadium, and everyone was shouting Qu Chi's name like crazy.
Finally, at the finish line, Qu Chi was breathing slightly and was thrown into the arms of one, two, and three people one after another.
A whimpering sound came from the gap, and Zuo Minsheng and Ye Qingqing's crying went from suppressed to howling, unable to hold back their grievances and apologies.
Dong Zichun let out a long breath, his eyes also filled with tears.
She glanced at the two people in Qu Chi's arms who were crying so hard that they were almost out of breath, suppressed her emotions, and waited for the final result with Qu Chi.
There is no need for finish line judging, they just need to confirm whether there are any other accidents besides mistakes.
The final result, no.
Qu Chi crossed the finish line in second place and also brought the team to the Olympic arena.
Finally, Dong Zichun couldn't help but pull the two little chickens away, and then hugged Qu Chi in his arms.
"Qu Chi!! Thank you! Thank you!"
Dong Zichun's tears were burning hot. The Olympics, she, Dong Zichun, could finally go to the Olympics.
How lucky she was to have met Qu Chi before she retired. She was so relentless and inhumane. How could she be so inhumane?
"Thank you, really."
Dong Zichun actually felt that he had a lot more to say, but his throat was not strong enough and he could only squeeze out these few words from his crying voice.
Qu Chi was strangled by her to the point of being short of breath, and was more than a little amused and helpless.
"Okay, second place advances. If you don't know, you might think we are the champions."
Dong Zichun wiped away his tears, but still refused to let go. Instead, he raised his head in this position and shouted loudly in an unknown direction:
"He's the champion! Qu Chi! Champion!"
Finally, the other two also came up and imitated Dong Zichun's shouting, "Champion... Champion..."
Shamelessly, no one knows why these Chinese girls cried while shouting "champion".
Only Qu Chi could hear their voices gradually becoming exhausted.
"We want to win the championship, we want to win the championship."
Ambition, the desire for victory, the desire for championships are engraved in the bones of every athlete.
When that goal is within reach, ambition emerges.
But when is it within reach?
When you qualify for the Olympics, or when you actually advance to the finals?
No, every time I step onto the runway.
When an athlete steps onto the track, the desire for victory and the ambition to surpass everyone are already shouted out.
Every time, every time, it is a pursuit of victory, a fight for the championship. No matter how far away it is, it is only the distance of a runway.
(End of full text)
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