Baoding (CNS)--A former champion gymnast, Zhang Shangwu, was reported to be performing on the streets just to sustain his life. Such a great reversal in his life has brought him huge attention from the public. On July 17, gymnastics offices in his hometown visited his family, intending to assist with his employment problem.
Zhang entered the national team in 1995 and won fame at the 2001 Beijing Universiade at the age of 18. He retired from the national team in 2003 when he failed to be chosen for the Athens Olympics, and later dropped out of the Hebei Sports Bureau in 2005. Later, he was caught stealing several times which has resulted in some of the difficulties he has now.
Around 6pm on the afternoon of the 17th, representatives of the Hebei Gymnastics Administration and Baoding Gymnastics Center visited Zhang's grandfather and uncle, and exchanged ideas with his uncle Zhang Zhigang.
The local office expressed their wish to talk with Zhang Shangwu and help him with his employment problems. If the family needs, they offered to be of assistance with persuading him to come back.
Zhang Zhigang explained the situation. Zhang Shangwu was out of contact and his father had taken a train to Beijing to reach him.
"This was my third visit in two days," said the director at the city's administration. "The center is always open to Zhang and willing to help. It is to all's expectation that Zhang forgets the past and strives for his own future."
