Dai Guohong and wife Su Simiao on their wedding day / Photo courtesy of Dai Guohong
Little did he expect that he was going to become a professional para-swimming athlete, win nine national champions… and break a national record in 100 meter breaststroke in 2014.
Guohong looks nothing like an athlete now – he retired in 2015, got married and gained weight. When we met him he looked exhausted from the inpouring of media attention as the 10th anniversary of the earthquake approached. News reports hail him as a hero, a symbol of resilience of those affected by the devastating disaster.
Every chance he gets, he tries to shake off that image.
"I don't represent everyone," he says. "I'm naturally optimistic, but many others are not. I think it won't be fair to think everyone is now okay psychologically. In fact, 90% of the people I know are still struggling to deal with the past." He thinks these people deserves more attention and help.
"I don't think 10 years can completely wash away the scars," he said. "We have a long road ahead of us. Those beautiful things – they live in my memory. I miss my classmates and my teachers. I picture them in my head. But it brings me strength more than sorrow. They've empowered me. They've always been with me, supporting me, encouraging me to move on."
BY CGTN Tao Yuan
