Chinese hurdler Wu Yanni is aiming to advance to the finals in her maiden Olympics at the upcoming Paris Games, she told China Global Television Network (CGTN) in an interview.
Wu, who won a silver medal at both the Chengdu Universiade and the Hangzhou Asian Games, said she also hopes to break stereotypes of track and field athletes.
"I hope to break the stereotype that most people have about track and field athletes. People tend to think that we are short-haired, don't do any make-up and that we are just ordinary athletes. I think now, in the 21st century, athletes should be able to show their individuality. Show the world a different kind of beauty in the sport of track and field. So maybe I always look a bit overdressed on the track," she said.
The star hurdler mentioned her performance at the Chengdu Universiade in 2023, where she clocked a time of 12.76 seconds, qualifying her for the Paris Olympics.
"I really didn't expect to do that. I entered the race thinking that maybe I could qualify for the Olympics this time. But I really didn't expect to actually do it. So when I did it I was really, really excited. But afterwards, when I think about it more, I don't feel the same excitement. Because I, Wu Yanni, does have the ability to do it," she said.
Wu said she will take the opportunity to compete at the Paris Olympics as a learning curve,essential for personal growth.
"It's an experience for me to grow stronger, and to learn. It's also encouragement for me, as it is my first Olympics. My childhood dream when I first started training was to compete at the Olympics. So I will compete at these Games knowing that I'm here to learn. We all know that, China and maybe Asia is not very good at hurdles. So I hope that I have the ability to advance to the final," she said.
She emphasized that hurdling has helped enhance her mental performance and ability to withstand pressure.
"I feel I'm more mature mentally in a lot of aspects. I used to be very impatient facing pressure. But this sport has taught me a lot. Like I used to say, if you want someone to grow as a person, train in athletics. So this sport has made me who I am in a lot of ways. Like what my coach likes to say, track and field is a sport for grown-ups. After a while you will find some true life in this sport," she said.
Wu discussed her previous injury, saying she is focusing on getting into top shape ahead of the Paris Olympics.
"Defeats and injuries are what happens to athletes. There's no way to avoid it. What is really difficult, is to live through that and grow from that," she said.
"Everybody knows what I need to improve on, my start at the race. And my physical strength and a lot of details needs to be polished. Now I still have an injury and I have to make sure it doesn't get worse leading up to the Olympics," she added.
Chinese female hurdler aims for Paris Olympics finals, breaks stereotypes in track and field
China has taken the lead worldwide in hitting back the so-called "reciprocal tariffs" by the U.S. on its trading partners, demonstrating China's determination to safeguard its rights and interests, according to a commentary by Yuyuan Tantian, a media outlet affiliated with China Media Group (CMG), published on Saturday.
An edited English-language version of the commentary is as follows:
China's Customs Tariff Commission of the State Council announced Friday that the country will impose additional 34-percent tariffs on all products imported from the United States starting from April 10.
The announcement follows the U.S. decision to impose "reciprocal tariffs" on Chinese exports to the United States on Wednesday.
Why have China's countermeasures come so swiftly and decisively?
Firstly, due to eight years of continued trade frictions with the U.S., China had already been restructuring its import demand for American goods.
Take soybeans as an example. Before the China-U.S. trade frictions began in 2018, the United States was China's largest soybean supplier, accounting for 34.4 percent of China's total imports.
However, the proportion dropped sharply then, with South American countries like Brazil turning into the main sources of China's soybean imports.
Meanwhile, China, with improved reserve system, has produced over 20 million tons of soybeans annually for three consecutive years since 2022, thus further reducing the country's dependence on imports.
Second, China's efforts to promote the "dual circulation" of markets both internally and internationally have provided companies with more diverse market choices.
In 2024, China's imports and exports to countries participating in the Belt and Road Initiative grew by 6.4 percent, taking up 50.3 percent of the total foreign trade. In breakdown, the growth rates of trade with Latin America, Africa, the five Central Asian countries, as well as Central and Eastern Europe stood at 7.2 percent, 6.1 percent, 7.2 percent, and 7.5 percent, respectively. In addition, emerging markets, including ASEAN countries, have contributed nearly 60 percent to China's foreign trade market.
At the same time, China is also continuing to help local foreign trade enterprises to expand their domestic sales channels.
These diverse channels at home and abroad are conducive to helping Chinese firms cope with the impacts of U.S. trade policy, which is one of the reasons why China has remained calm in its handling the trade war.
Following the U.S. move to slap "reciprocal tariffs" on all its trading partners, many nations have expressed their intention to take countermeasures, including the European Union (EU), Japan, South Korea, India and ASEAN countries.
In particular, the EU has issued warnings one after another, saying that it has prepared a set of countermeasures against the United States, not just limited to imposing tariffs.
After receiving these warnings for countermeasures, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said in an interview with Bloomberg, "I wouldn't try to retaliate. As long as you don't retaliate, this is the high end of the number."
His remarks indicate a U.S. negotiation strategy that begins with an excessive gambit so as to leave room for later concessions.
In other words, the tariffs aim to win leverage over U.S. trade partners by creating enough pressure to force the other parties to give in.
If any country subject to the tariffs shows any sign of hesitation or compromise in exchange for tariff reductions, they leave the door open to allow the U.S. to exert more pressure.
The move taken by the U.S. does not conform to international trade rules, represents a typical act of unilateral bullying, seriously undermines other nations' legitimate rights and interests, and jeopardizes global economic development and the stability of industrial and supply chains.
As the first nation in the world to roll out resolute and swift countermeasures against U.S. "reciprocal tariffs", China has sent a clear message to the world -- it will not hesitate to resolutely fight back against any unilateral bullying that violates international rules.
The U.S. should immediately lift its unilateral tariff measures and resolve trade disputes through consultations on the basis of equality, respect and mutual benefits.
Tariffs will not crush China and other countries. It is the United States that will be the one to pay the heaviest price.
China shows firm resolve in striking back on US "reciprocal tariffs": commentary
