The weight of gold

Liang Xiaodong, director of the Weightlifting Management Center of Hunan Province and the national weightlifting team coach, died from a sudden heart attack on January 23, the first day of the Chinese Lunar New Year, at the age of 52.

"He died from overworking," a sobbing Yang Xia, a secretary at the center, told the media.

Liang learned he had heart problems last year, but continued to train his team in preparation for the London Olympic Games.

The news instantly stirred up a heated discussion among the public, most of whom were concerned about the necessity of athletes' non-stop training during weekends and holidays.

Necessary or not?

Traditionally, athletes on the national team can only rest for two days during the Spring Festival, while some of them continue to train year round and for years never get a chance to spend the Chinese Lunar New Year with their family. This tradition seems to be accepted by athletes even though they are desperate to reunite with their families during the holiday.

"I cannot go back home during the Spring Festival again this year," Chen Yibing, Gymnastics champion at the Beijing Olympic Games, wrote on his verified Sina Weibo on the Eve of the Lunar New Year, adding that he would resume training only two days later.

Family members of athletes have always showed their dissatisfaction with relatives having to train during holidays.

"I respect the athletes and coaches, but I hate the training system as my husband said it is not necessary to do it over the holidays," the wife of an anonymous national Taekwondo team member told the Beijing News, adding that her husband had only been home once in three years.

A girlfriend of a volleyball team member agreed, saying that her boyfriend had just two days rest last year and three days this year, but could not go back home because the journey is too long.

However, Guo Ruilong, a former Beijing Guoan Football Club coach, believes it is necessary for athletes to continue training during holidays as a brief rest may hinder a player's progress.

"If the athletes rest for several days during holidays, they might need to spend double that time returning to their previous fitness," Guo told the Global Times.

"For instance, the gymnasts might put on weight while resting at home and it will be quite hard for them lose it. This is not something the athletes hope for either," he said.

According to Guo, the athletes might not eat nutritious foods while at home and may not return to the team in a timely fashion after holidays, which will also hinder training.