Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
The University of Tennessee.
Even though it was already the summer holiday, there were still a lot of students on campus.
Summer vacations for students at American universities were very busy. Due to the high tuition fees of universities, most students relied on student loans to go to universities. Therefore, summer jobs became the best way for university students to reduce their personal financial burden. Many businesses offered summer jobs that catered to students.
In addition, many university students participated in social activities, especially those who were graduating. They would also use this time to prepare for employment.
Universities offered summer courses as well. These types of summer courses were short and, although the coursework was stressful, one could earn credits quickly with them.
For university students on full scholarships, their summer vacations were much more enjoyable. Scholarships for American universities included living allowances, so students who received full scholarships did not have to worry about money. They could live nicely at the the university and they could do what they wanted to do during the summer vacation.
Ellis Mett was such a university student. He did gymnastics when he was a child and had started practicing sprinting in high school. The coach found that he was very flexible and had excellent control, so he moved him to the 110m hurdle. In his fourth year of high school, Mett won the Georgia statewide hurdle competition. Because of that, University of Tennessee wanted him to go there and they gave him a full scholarship.
The University of Tennessee also had a tradition of great hurdling. There were many well-known hurdlers among their alumni, but within Mett’s first year of entering the University of Tennessee, he broke the the 24 year old record in the 110m hurdles.
Of course, compared to many older athletes, Mett was still young. He also had many of the shortcomings that were common in young athletes. His techniques was less refined, he lacked experience in large competitions, and wasn’t consistent in his performance during competitions.
Mett participated in the Olympic qualifiers this year. It was the most prominent competition he had competed in, and the results were not satisfactory. He was eliminated in the first round of the preliminaries.
Clearly, that was not a good illustration of Mett’s ability. He performed terribly in the competition, but that was due to the fact that he was a young athlete. He also felt a sense of shame and became more determined. After he was eliminated in the qualifiers, he immediately immersed himself in training.
Mett sweat profusely on the training ground. Even in the summer, he chose not to rest. On the contrary, he increased his training load.
Mett knew that he kept the school’s full scholarship by doing hurdles. If he couldn’t perform well, the full scholarship would be withdrawn.
After a day of training, Mett dragged his fatigued body back to the locker room. After taking a shower, Mett lay on the bench in the locker room to rest.
A teammate asked, “Ellis, do you have any plans tonight?”
“No.” Ellis shook his head.
“I know a place that is going to have a party. Do you want to go together? There might be a lot of beautiful girls!”
Mett hesitated for a few seconds, and finally shook his head. “No, I have to rest early today. I have to train early tomorrow.”
“You train so desperately. Looks like the Olympic qualifiers really dealt a big blow on you!” The teammate paused for a while and said, “Do you really want to join the national team that much? There are only three places for a sports event, and there are so many athletes in the United States. Hehe, I’m not looking down on you, but it really is too difficult.”
Mett sat up and said, “I thought I could enter the semi-finals, but I was eliminated in the first round. I think it was because I didn’t put in enough effort, so I have to double my training. The World Championship is in two years and I have to join the national team!”
Seeing Mett’s determination, his teammate decided to comfort him with a few words. The teammate said, “Ellis, I think it’s a good thing that you didn’t enter the national team this time. You know about the performance-enhancing drugs scandal. The national team’s head coach, Sebastian, turned out to be a senior ‘pharmacist.’ If you went to to the national team, you might’ve also been corrupted by him.
“A lot of athletes on the national team were involved in that scandal and were forced to quit. The scandal generated some really negative attention. The current national team has low morale; they have no will to fight. I’m afraid the team isn’t going to win anything at the Olympics!
“Also, the news mentioned that the Track and Field Association announced the candidate for the new national team head coach yesterday. He turned out to be a foreign coach. He is Chinese! Can you imagine a Chinese man as the head coach of the U.S. National Track and Field Team? We couldn’t even find one qualified coach! The national team is completely finished.”
“You sure you’re not mistaken? A Chinese coach? Has the Track and Field Association gone crazy? If it were a British or a German coach, then it would still be passable, but a Chinese coach? His country’s track and field program is so bad that they aren’t even the best in Asia. Have all of our American coaches died?” Mett couldn’t believe his ears.
“I am telling the truth. See for yourself if you don’t believe me,” the teammate handed his phone to Mett. On it was a report on Dai Li taking on the role of head coach for the U.S. National Track and Field Team.
Mett read through the news carefully several times. He then took a long breath. “It really is true!”
“Well, do you feel lucky now that you didn’t join the national team?” The teammate smiled and said, “So you don’t have to put so much pressure on yourself. Even if you had joined, it might have gone badly. Stop always thinking about training. You need to relax and go to tonight’s party.”
“What you said makes sense. A national team led by a Chinese coach? Even if I am invited to join the national team, I will not go!” Mett snorted.
At that time, a school administrator appeared at the door. Instead of entering the locker room, he knocked on the door and said, “Ellis Mett, someone outside is looking for you.”
“Okay, I’ll be right there,” Mett quickly put on his clothes and left the locker room with his bag. His teammate followed closely behind him.
Crossing the hallway Mett saw a Chinese man.
Is that the person looking for me? I don’t think I have any Asian friends! Wait, that person looks familiar. Where have I seen him before? Mett suddenly remembered the photo he had just seen on his teammate’s mobile phone.
It’s him! It’s the new head coach of the national track and field team. I just saw his photo!
…
At the end of the corridor, Dai Li looked around and checked his surroundings. At that moment, Mett started walking towards him.
Dai Li saw him and waited for him to walk closer before asking “Are you Ellis Mett?”
“Ah, yes!” Mett looked very surprised.
“Hello. My name is Dai Li. I am the new head coach of the U.S. National Track and Field Team. I’d like to ask if you are interested in representing the U.S. in this Olympic Games?”
He really came to invite me! Mett was suddenly as dumb as stump.