Tian Liang remains in deep water with officials
(Reuters)
Updated: 2006-04-22 10:23
A Chinese sports official has ruled out a return to the national team for
estranged Olympic diving champion Tian Liang, Chinese newspapers reported on
Friday.
China's "diving prince" was kicked off the national squad in 2005 for taking
part in too many commercial activities, despite having won a gold and a bronze
at the Athens Games and the 10 metres platform title at the Sydney Olympics.
Domestic media speculated that Tian might be next in line for reconciliation
after former NBA player Wang Zhizhi -- officially ostracised for four years
after deserting the national basketball team in 2002 -- was welcomed back to
China earlier in the month.
Unlike Wang, however, Tian had not recognised his mistakes, the director of
the National Swimming Centre Li Hua told the Beijing Times.
Tian's mistakes included "putting personal interests above national duties",
national diving team manager Zhou Jihong was quoted as saying by the China Daily
last month.
Long a focus of media attention, the popular diver's rash of endorsements and
television commercials following the Athens Olympics were viewed dimly by
China's sports authorities.
China holds its national athletes to strict standards of conduct that have
become especially severe in the run-up to the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
Last month table tennis prospect Qiu Yike was banned from playing with the
national side for one year after he returned late from a night of drinking.
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